Sheetal advises several socially conscious technology companies so that they can access smart venture capital, corporate partnering, global expansion and pr.

Specifically Sheetal is focussed on microfinance in developing and developed countries. She is a spokesperson on the topic, having presented at Cambridge, LSE, Doha Forum, Big Society, House of Lords, and other prestigious forums. Currently Sheetal is launching a social enterprise with Kings College Shantisale which will allow microfinance recipients to sell their products and services online thereby scaling their businesses and becoming bankable. Sheetal is Founder of Shanti Microfinance a social enterprise and UK Charity that provides access to technology and capital for entrepreneurs in slums and villages in India.

Sheetal is the UK Deal Maker (by appointment) for the UK Trade and Investment’s Global Entrepreneur Programme. As a liaison between Government and entrepreneurs, she is responsible for helping innovative start up technology and life sciences companies make the UK their base so that they can be successful globally through strategic partnerships.

From 2000- 2005 Sheetal was Director of VC Relations at Microsoft where she worked with the Venture Capital community in EMEA and the Silicon Valley to help their portfolio companies leverage the .NET initiative, access smart funding and go to market. Previously she worked with the Edmonton Police force working with children and women to alleviate domestic violence and assist victims drug abuse.

Sheetal has received several awards: Asian Women of Achievement: Social and Humanitarian (Prince Charles and Cherie Blair) for her efforts on taking technology to developing communities in India and Africa (2005); Management Today Magazine 35 Under 35; Success Magazine No 5 of top most powerful Asian women in the UK (2006), Award for Entrepreneur of the Year by Asian Woman Magazine and No 3 Ones To Watch’ section of the Asian Power 100 list – the most influential and highest achieving Asian women in Britain (2007). Asian Woman Magazine covered a story of Sheetal’s business in the Sept 2007 issue. Sheetal has been invited to Buckingham Palace for “Women in Business” reception hosted by Her Majesty, The Queen in November 2007, Alumni Award of Excellence from the University of Alberta in 2008 and more recently nominated for Future Leader of the Year by Lloyds TSB’s Jewel Awards.

Sheetal has a Masters in International Relations (Economics) at the London School of Economics and a BA (Honors) in International Politics at the University of Alberta, Canada. She is a yoga teacher and plays drums and dohl. She is married to entrepreneur Paul Walsh and lives in San Francisco, California.

After Graduating from U.M.I.S.T, Manchester with a BSc in Management Sciences, Shamir worked for leading Management Consultants, Accenture, as s Process Consultant. He has consulted to a number of FTSE 100 companies, including Shell, Centrica and Debeers.

In 2004, he left the City and established The East India Tea House with the goal of providing customers with premium quality loose leaf teas. The company has quickly grown and is currently one of the market leaders in terms of supply of leaf tea, supplying both bulk and private labelled products. The company works with a number of well-known brands, supplying to the likes of Caprice Holdings, Conran Restaurants, Soho House Group, Ren Skincare, Harvey Nichols and the Lanesborough Hotel. The company has been recognised for its innovative approach, winning awards for its signature blends as well as being the first company in the UK to develop a tea sommelier training course.

Capitalising on his experience within the food sector, in 2005, Shamir set up three coffee shops in Hertfordshire under a franchise brand known as Muffin Break. Since then he has been providing general consultancy services to a number of start up and established brands.

Identifying a gap in the market for branded impulse buy snack items, in 2006, Shamir diversified into the packaging and distribution of nuts, seeds, dried fruits and confectionary products. Icone International Ltd packs for numerous UK high street brand including operators such as Itsu, Apostrophe, Yo! Sushi and Curzon Cinemas.

Shamir has further diversified his interests and is a Director of Swiss Pack UK which is a market leader in Europe in the manufacturing of stand up resealable pouches. With a modern production facility in Gujarat, India and network offices in Asia and the US, the company is widely recognised as carrying the largest range of stock pouches in the World.

Drawing upon his experience in the packaging sector, in 2007 Shamir co-founded, Enviropack Ltd. The company specialises in the supply and distribution of environmentally friendly forms of packaging.

Recognised in the Hospitality Industry, Shamir has been featured in numerous publications and has also been awarded The Hamptons Newcomer of the Year Award 2007 at the Asian Business Awards. Shamir is looking to draw upon his varied entrepreneurial background as well as his experience specifically in dealing with companies and institutions in India to support the the goals and objectives of Shanti Microfinance.

Paul co-founded Shanti in 2009 and has since visited many of the loan recipients in India. He advises us on overall strategy, visiting partners on the ground and identifying technology partners in order for to increase accessibility.

As an entrepreneur, Paul founded MetaCert, an online family safety platform and previously Segala in 2003, a specialist in software testing and standards compliance. Paul was the first AOL employees in Europe during the mid 90′s and built his first website in 1996. As the company’s first Technical Accounts Manager and International Beta Coordinator for the UK & Sweden, Paul was responsible for the test management of all new products and technologies – including AIM, Internet Radio, Online games and 56k modem speed. From 2006-2008 Paul served as Chair of the British Interactive Media Association (BIMA) – the longest established and most respected Industry association to represent the UK Digital Industry. During his time as an Advisor to the British Council between 2007 – 2009, Paul advised senior management on its Digital Pioneer programme with Hong Kong and its Creative Entrepreneur programme with India.

Sanjay has been a long time advisor to our activities in the Gujarat region in helping to alleviate poverty through microfinance, health and education. He is instrumental in collaborating with our partners and managing Shanti’s local activities. Sanjay brings 25 years of experience in the development sector with leading NGOs of India and specifically developing and conducting field based projects and programmes. His hands on experience, local understanding of the issues and trust of the communities make him an invaluable asset to our team. Sanjay works with IIM Ahmedabad, focussing on Child Health projects and has consulted with several organisations (including CEE, SAATH, FRHS, and CHETNA) in providing capacity building, material development and documentation for training and reporting. Sanjay holds a Masters of Social Work and BA and has an expertise in film.

Monik is implementing a sustainability initiative with Shanti to enable the artisans to scale their businesses and develop textiles and fashion items to be distributed globally. Currently a law student at King’s College London with a great interest in social enterprise and working with charities in the UK and abroad. After joining Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) at university, she has lead a team of over 80 student members and created sustainability projects in London, Uganda and Gujarat. She has set up a honey making co-operative for 185 farmers in northern Uganda, creating sustainable income generating projects along with business training for the farmers to improve their standard of living. She works with homeless individuals alongside SIFE partners to create social enterprises that use food surpluses from major supermarkets to create healthy food to generate income and boost their employability skills. During her time at SIFE, Monik has worked with major firms in the City to improve their CSR strategy as well as securing sponsorships for her projects with various charities in London. Monik recently visited the artisans in Gujarat alongside Rohana.

Rohana is instrumental in developing a sustainability model for the artisans and craftsmen in Gujarat so that they can scale their businesses. She is also responsible for Shanti’s internship programme where she currently manages 4 UK based interns. She is a member of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and due to graduate law at King’s college London in 2012 and pursue a career in the field. Throughout her time at university and through joining many different societies she has gained a passion for working on social enterprise projects, combining this with her love for travelling and fascination for Indian culture and history. Rohana recently visited Gujarat with Monik to carry out an initial needs assessment to kick-start the initiative.

Shivani is a student at St Helen’s school in Northwood, London. She is responsible for creating our database, participates in fundraising via schools and and has attended many events on behalf of the Shanti team. She is also responsible for the Shanti FaceBook page and online social media.