Ashni Tyagi

CSR Manager , Non- Profit

New Delhi, India

I am, a development sector professional with experience in CSR, gender inclusion, community engagement, and program management. My passion lies in creating social impact, and I have worked on digital empowerment, livelihoods, climate resilience, and grassroots initiatives across India, collaborating with communities, government stakeholders, and organizations to thrive for a sustainable future.

Contact Ashni Tyagi
Area of Expertise:
  • Social, Gender, Education, Youth, Child
Professional Experience:

With over ten years of progressive experience in the development sector, I have built a career at the crossroads of Gender justice, Climate resilience, Labor Rights, and Corporate Social Responsibility. My work has consistently been grounded in two parallel commitments — rigorous program management and deep community engagement — and I have carried both across diverse organisational contexts, from grassroots NGOs to national-level federations and CSR-driven institutions.
I began my development journey at Action India, where I spent Five and a Half formative years as a Documentation Officer and Project Lead. It was here that I developed my foundational practice — learning to listen to communities before designing for them. I launched Udaan, a survivor-led support group for women experiencing Domestic Violence, and led the Domestic Workers Movement in India project, both of which required me to simultaneously hold the roles of facilitator, advocate, and communicator. I also initiated gender-sensitisation work with men and boys — a deliberate design choice that reflected my belief that sustainable change requires shifting the entire ecosystem, not just its most vulnerable members. With a feminist lens, creating a Gender Just Egalitarian Society, which is based on a bottom up approach for a long term impact.
At DASAM, as National Coordinator, I focused on the welfare of sewer workers and waste pickers — among the most marginalised communities in India. Working with limited institutional infrastructure, I independently built stakeholder associations at regional, domestic, and national levels, and collaborated directly with the Safai Karamchari Department to advocate for policy-level recognition of these workers' rights and dignity.

My work at IGSSS as Project Coordinator expanded my geographic and thematic scope significantly. I managed projects across 8 cities and 4 Indian states, coordinating multi-stakeholder teams while developing training modules, IEC materials, and comprehensive MEL documentation. I advocated for labor rights both at the grassroots and with government departments — navigating the tension between community urgency and bureaucratic timelines with patience and persistence.
At SEWA Bharat, I deepened my engagement with climate resilience as a thematic area, working across four cities in Bihar to build adaptation and mitigation frameworks for informal sector workers. Collaborating with the Urban Housing and Development Department and DMI, I contributed to models designed for replication — work that required me to think not just about immediate program delivery but about long-term systemic change.

Most recently, at CSC Academy as CSR Manager, I have brought my field experience into an institutional leadership context — managing teams, conducting performance reviews, designing capacity-building initiatives, and contributing to strategic planning at the organisational level. This role has strengthened my ability to align grassroots impact with corporate accountability frameworks.
Across all these roles, three threads have remained constant: a commitment to communities as co-designers of change, a discipline around documentation and learning, and a belief that the most durable programs are those built with — not for the people they serve. I bring to every role not just technical competence, but a practiced, reflective approach to development work that I continue to deepen with each experience.

Education:

My educational journey has played a significant role in shaping my understanding of society, inclusion, governance, and community development. With a strong academic foundation in Political Science and Gender Studies, my education has helped me develop critical thinking, analytical abilities, communication skills, and a deep understanding of social issues and structural inequalities. These learnings have greatly influenced my professional journey in the development sector and continue to guide my approach toward creating inclusive and sustainable impact.
I completed my Master of Arts (M.A.) in Gender Studies from Ambedkar University Delhi, where I gained an interdisciplinary understanding of gender, social justice, identity, and intersectionality. The program provided me with extensive exposure to feminist theories, public policy, rights-based approaches, and grassroots realities affecting marginalized communities. Through academic discussions, field engagements, and research-based learning, I developed a nuanced understanding of how factors such as gender, class, caste, labor, and socio-economic inequalities shape people’s lived experiences. This academic experience strengthened my interest in working towards gender equity, inclusion, and community empowerment.
During my postgraduate studies, I also enhanced my research, documentation, and communication skills through assignments, presentations, and field-based learning. The course encouraged critical engagement with social issues and helped me understand the importance of participatory approaches and community-centered development practices. It also enabled me to appreciate the value of empathy, diversity, and inclusive leadership in both professional and personal spaces.
Prior to this, I pursued a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science (Honours) from Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi. My undergraduate studies introduced me to concepts related to governance, democracy, political systems, public administration, international relations, and constitutional values. The course strengthened my understanding of social and political structures and their impact on communities and public policy. It also helped me develop strong analytical, writing, and problem-solving abilities.
Studying Political Science gave me valuable insights into governance mechanisms, public institutions, and citizen participation, which later became highly relevant in my work with government departments, civil society organizations, and community-based initiatives. The academic environment also encouraged active participation in discussions, teamwork, and leadership activities, contributing to my confidence and communication skills.

I completed my senior secondary education (CBSE XII) from Mount Carmel Anand Niketan, New Delhi. My school years laid the foundation for discipline, curiosity, creativity, and social awareness. The institution encouraged holistic learning and participation in extracurricular activities, helping me develop interpersonal skills, teamwork, and a strong sense of responsibility from an early stage.

In addition to formal education, I have also participated in various trainings and capacity-building workshops related to POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace), transgender rights, legal awareness, and community engagement. These learning experiences have further strengthened my practical understanding of gender-sensitive approaches, workplace ethics, and inclusive development practices.
Overall, my educational journey has not only provided me with academic knowledge but also shaped my perspective toward social change, equity, and community participation. It has equipped me with the skills and values required to work effectively in the development sector while remaining committed to creating inclusive, people-centered, and impactful interventions.

Available for:

  • Job opportunities

Years of Experience:

10-15 years

Highest Qualification:

Masters

Languages:

English, Bengali and Hindi

Nationality:

Indian

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