About Us

Women’s Education Project (WEP) enables women and girls, with limited access to opportunities, to choose how they live, learn, lead and earn.

Founded in 2002 on the fundamental belief that the decisions made by a self-reliant, informed, skilled and civically engaged woman effect lasting positive change – in her life, family and community.

WEP’s core program LAMP – delivered by grassroots NGO partners – is locally resourced, holistic and rooted in sisterhood. Graduates become changemakers, earning in livelihoods of their own choosing.

About Us

Board of Directors

Deepika Mandrekar

Aaqil Zakarya

Deb deVries

Nalini Dhar

Kathy Hurley

Zoë Timms

Advisory Council

Gurmit Aujla
Kim Brisse
Will Cameron
Donna Campbell
Michael Campbell
Daniel Cast
Mia Chin
Arohi Dandawate
Simrita Dhillon

Amanda Gassé
Ekta Ghelani
Sri Kozhissery
Debbie Lindsay
Paula Maylahn
Asha Meagher
Diksha Mishra
Bhavani Parameswar
Dipali Patwa

Alison Pavia
Lisa Schmucki
Nancy Settergren
Rohan Suryadevara
Amrutha Vasan
Anu Vaid
Gouri Veerubhotla
David Yeo

Board of Directors, WEP India 

Roopa RaviKumar

Selvi Pandi

Advisory Council, WEP India 

Nandith Jaisimha
Shobha Kapoor
Anjlee Prakash

Shalini Puchalapalli
Shruti Shibulal

Meet the Team

Zoë Timms
Zoë Timms Founder & Executive Director-WEP US
Founded WEP in Madurai in 2002 and provides strategic leadership across WEP’s global vision, partnerships, and growth.
Anjali Chauhan
Anjali Chauhan Executive Director, WEP-India
Leads WEP-India’s strategy, fundraising, partnerships, operations and program growth across partners.
Ali Collins
Ali CollinsChief Financial Officer, WEP
Leads financial strategy and sustainable growth, bringing expertise in financial planning and organizational leadership.
Pratima Kamble
Pratima KambleAssociate Director – Programs
Leads WEP’s programs, including program strategy, implementation, partner coordination and quality across delivery sites.
Smriti Rajiv Sharma
Smriti Rajiv Sharma Strategic Partnerships and Research
Supports strategic partnerships and research, strengthening WEP’s institutional relationships.
Farhana J. Hussain
Farhana J. Hussain
Supports fundraising, development, and operational coordination.

LAMP Academy Directors

Academy Directors are women whose leadership, compassion, laughter and commitment to the students drives the success of the WEP Academy program.

About Us Esther

“The self confidence, skills, and self-worth the WEP girls develop, one cannot put a price tag on it.”

– Esther Subhashini –

Hyderabad Academy Director

Watch Esther’s Video
About Us Viji

“A woman with education and independence is a powerful person, who can educate and guide the children in her family and contribute economically to improve her home and community.”

– A. Vijayalakshmi –

Madurai and Ramanathapuram Academy Director

Watch Vijayalakshmi’s Video
About Us Sandhya

“Because of the Leadership Academy, our girls are socially conscious leaders, who confidently discuss domestic violence, malnutrition … this courage helps them secure jobs they want!”

– Sandhya Puchalapalli –
Kadapa Academy Director

Watch Sandhya’s Video

LAMP Fellows

Hemalatha
Hemalatha
Fellow – MELS &Communication
MBA
WEP Ramnad
Juveriya
Juveriya
Fellow – Storytelling and Student Engagement
Pursuing M.A English
WEP Hyderabad
Akshaya
Akshaya
Fellow – Storytelling and Student Engagement
Pursuing BSc, Zoology
WEP Madurai