Who We Are
Our team is made up of experienced professionals, trainers, and hundreds of community leaders and volunteers who work together to create impactful, inclusive, and accessible learning opportunities.
We are led by:
Sanjay Chittora
Sanjay serves as the Managing Trustee of STEP Academy, where he drives the organization’s vision and strategy. With over 15 years of experience in training, program management, and social development, Sanjay has played a pivotal role in designing and implementing impactful skilling initiatives that empower communities through employability-focused training programs.
Founder and
Executive Director
Mona Agrawal
Mona holds a Master’s degree in Social Work, specializing in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, from Tata Institute of Social Sciences.
She has been associated with STEP Academy for the past five years as Executive – Enterprise Development and Research.
At STEP Academy, Mona leads the organization’s research and communications efforts, contributing to program documentation, impact studies, knowledge development, and external communications.
Executive, Enterprise Development and Research
Jahid Makrani
Currently serving as an Executive at STEP Academy in Udaipur, Jahid has guided and supervised skill training and placement initiatives for over 14 years, developing strong expertise in it. Jahid holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Rajasthan.
Executive, Training and Placements
Ajay is a development professional with 12+ years of experience in community empowerment through skill development, financial inclusion, and livelihood initiatives. He is skilled in data management, capacity building, and team leadership, with a strong track record in community mobilization and stakeholder networking.
Ajay Singh holds a Diploma in Microfinance Development Management from the Centre for Microfinance, Jaipur (2011). He completed his Bachelor of Arts from MSJ College
Ajay Singh
Executive, Skilling and Employment
Purnima Barla is an education and community development professional with a Master’s in Education from Azim Premji University and a background in Social Work. She has worked with schools and rural communities across India, focusing on foundational learning, literacy, and child-centered education. In STEP, she is involved in curriculum development and managing social media initiatives.
Purnima Barla
Senior Associate, Skilling and Employment
Mohammed Shoeab Sheikh is a B.E. (Mechanical Engineering) and M.Tech-qualified professional with over 12 years of experience in Technical education, counseling, and skill development. As a Placement Coordinator at STEP Aajeevika, he strengthens placement opportunities through industry collaboration and employer engagement. He also supports training quality mechanisms to ensure effective learning outcomes and employability. His work is dedicated to helping youth build sustainable careers and livelihoods.
Shoeab Sheikh
Senior Associate, Placement and Training Quality
With a B.A. from MLSU and over 14 years of experience in the accounts sector within 5-star hotels, Manju brings a wealth of expertise to our team. Having spent over 8 years with STEP, she has excelled in managing both Admin and Accounts, ensuring the smooth operation and overall well-being of our training centers and teams.
Manju Singh Chouhan
Associate, Admin & Accounts
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