ACT Ambassadors

Ms. Nivedita Desai is a Mumbai born and educated professional with local and global experiences. Her educational qualification of a graduate degree in Chemistry & post graduate degree in Marketing have given her a head start for the roles she undertaken, since 1985, in a career based in India, USA and Singapore. She has worked in sales, business development, fragrance development, marketing, category leadership and general management functions in industries like mainly Fragrances & Flavors, Office Automation & Direct Marketing. She gained a lot of learning about the sense of smell, consumer insights and the magical world of perfumes in the course of her work across local, regional and global markets in MNCs like Firmenich, International Flavors and Fragrances and Symrise within the perfumery industry. After 25+ years of a professional career she shifted gears towards philanthropy in 2012 when she co- founded Animedh Charitable Trust (ACT) with her husband- Mehul. ACT’s endeavour is to transform the lives of women and girl children and also vulnerable communities by providing linkages to development education and economic opportunity. Till date, ACT has impacted lives of nearly 66,000 children, youth women and vulnerable communities through early childhood development, education, skill development and vocational empowerment, mental health, water sanitation and hygiene, etc. Fifteen tribal villages in Dadra Nagar Haveli have been the focus for Nivedita and ACT since 2017 as we work closely on early childhood development and disabilities support, education, vocational skills training for youth and women and mental health of the marginalized adivasi communities. This work continues to grow broader and deeper with support from individuals, CSR partners and grant-giving foundations in India and abroad. Nivedita loves running and other fitness pursuits and is an eternal student, currently learning French through Duolingo.

Mehul A. Desai is the driving force and founder of Mail Order Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. The company specializes in print production and distribution for international and domestic direct marketers and advertisers. His vision and focus have led the company to establish standards and business models that have proven exemplary for a small set up to grow exponentially in a short span. An avid cricket fan and graduate from Mumbai University, Mehul started his career as a Sales Executive at Procter & Gamble India Ltd. and rose to senior positions in companies like Modi Xerox Ltd., Real Value Appliances Ltd., and Atlaz Telecommunications Ltd. Mehul was Vice President (Sales & Marketing) with Atlaz before he launched his own enterprise. Mehul was on the Board of Advisors for the DMA, India, is a committee member and past President of The Bombay Master Printers Association. Mehul also serves as General Council Member on All India Federation of Master Printers and has been a speaker at various industry events and seminarsboth in India and overseas. Recently, Mehul has also done a management course on family managed business from IIM, Bangalore. Mehul is an ACT ambassador who really believes in making a difference. He says, “In my twenties, I was moved by the quote, ‘Generosity is not giving something that you have in plenty. Generosity is giving something when you need it yourself.’ This is the essence of selfless giving and I have always been guided by it.” He is a thought leader among his network of business and social contacts and leads the way in philanthropic pursuits. He works tirelessly to raise funds and awareness about ACT’s causes and programs, which make a meaningful contribution toward the betterment of girls and women in society.

Dharti Arvind Desai is a visionary entrepreneur, investor and board advisor with more than 20 years of success - spanning wines, printing, packaging, lifestyle and not-for-profit industries. Her broad areas of expertise include data profiling, marketing strategy and enhancement, branding, digital communications, imports, and Asian markets. As a Global Business Leader, Marketing Strategist, Investor, Advisor, D&I Champion, and Multilingual Entrepreneur who was born and raised in India, Dharti has built businesses that generated hundreds of millions in revenue, funded and mentored Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) in sectors ranging from AI to fashion and hospitality, and impacted thousands of female entrepreneurs across six continents. Her core expertise is in Global Strategic Leadership; B2B, B2C, B2B2C Marketing; Start-Up Planning & Growth; D&I & Entrepreneur Empowerment. She is presently a Board Member on the TiE global board of trustees; She also leads TiE New York as President (TiE is a global not-for-profit organization “for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs”). She is also the Co-Founder & Ambassador for Animedh Charitable Trust. A single mother of a 23 year-old daughter, Dharti is an alumnus of Wilson College, Mumbai University (India), and now divides her time between the USA and India. She is fluent in French. Dharti is very passionate about championing the cause of education for girls and women empowerment and she does it with a lot of compassion. She is looking forward to taking Animedh to the USA and other foreign countries. Her idol, Mother Theresa, inspired Dharti to lead by example, “It's not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.”