“Hope in action. Youth in leadership. Nature at the heart.”
Shweta Naik is a pioneering environmental leader, educator, and storyteller with over 23 years of experience dedicated to rekindling humanity’s relationship with the natural world. As the Founding Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute India, she has built a national movement rooted in compassion, courage, and hope in action—leading transformative initiatives like Oceans Are Us and convening India’s first Ocean Literacy Dialogue to place ocean literacy at the heart of climate conversations.
Through the Roots & Shoots movement, Shweta empowers young people to become the change-makers our planet needs—nurturing a generation that leads with empathy, defends biodiversity, and takes bold steps to protect the future.
Shweta’s journey as a nature advocate began long before she met Dr. Jane Goodall—but that life-changing encounter in Tanzania deepened her resolve to heal the bond between people and planet. Whether shaping national policy, guiding grassroots innovation, or exploring the wild with her two children, she walks her path with fierce love, humility, and an unshakable belief in the power of youth to reimagine the world.
Katie Bagli is an avid nature lover, award-winning children's book author, columnist and scriptwriter. Her work has appeared in newspapers like The Hindu’s Young World, Robin Age, NCERT films and has published over 59 books so far. As one of the founders of the Save Rani Bagh Foundation she campaigned to save more than 3000 trees in Mumbai’s Byculla Zoo. Katie conducts tree walks, nature trails as well as nature writing workshops for children. As Director of Education at JGII, Katie creates content for theme-wise nature-related activities to be shared with schools.
Shesh Mani Pandey is a seasoned professional with over 24 years of experience in finance, human resources, and administration within the non-profit sector. He holds a postgraduate degree in commerce and has successfully managed financial planning, budgeting, compliance, auditing, and staff and vendor management for several esteemed organizations, including the Centre for Media Studies (CMS), Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT), VisionSpring India, Lady Bamford Charitable Trust (a CSR initiative of JCB India Ltd.), and Population Services India (PSI).
At the Jane Goodall Institute India, Shesh ensures the effective financial stewardship and operational efficiency of the organization, supporting its mission of conservation, environmental education, and community empowerment. His expertise in financial management, strategic planning, and regulatory compliance plays a crucial role in strengthening JGII’s impact across India.
Lubaina Bandukwala brings her background in journalism and her passion for storytelling into her work as a writer, editor, and children’s literature advocate. As the founder of the Peek A Book Literature Festival, she has long championed creativity, reading, and meaningful dialogue with young minds. At the Jane Goodall Institute India, Lubaina plays a key role in developing engaging, age-appropriate learning tools that support our mission of environmental education and compassionate leadership. She also helps build meaningful partnerships that strengthen and expand JGII’s impact across communities.
A creative educator and nature lover, Lucy was inspired by Dr. Jane herself after hearing her speak during a lecture in 2017. She found a perfect fit for her passions in Dr. Jane’s initiatives. She has been influencing change with her love for nature, education and, action ever since.