What sets STEP apart is our all-women team, many of whom have personal experience as entrepreneurs. This allows us to empathize with and address the challenges that women face in the business world. Our team’s dedication and expertise fuel our commitment to fostering women’s entrepreneurship.
Founder
Reinu Shah is a passionate advocate for gender equality and economic empowerment. As the founder of STEP, she has built a pioneering incubation program that supports women entrepreneurs through empathy, mentorship, and strong networks. Reinu also co-founded Nursedge, a platform upskilling nurses and healthcare workers to advance their global careers. Her commitment to education is evident from her leadership of Ashoka Changemaker Schools in South Asia and founding initiatives like Koseli Foundation and Project Pehal, strengthening public-private partnerships in government schools. Reinu holds a Master's in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School as a Mason and John Galbraith Policy Fellow. Her work has earned her the EpicChange Global Woman Award, Vijaya Award, and V-WA Women Leaders in Diversity & Inclusion Award.
COO
Priyanka serves as the COO of CGLS Foundation - STEP, bringing deep expertise in business strategy, scientific research, and public health. She has led high-impact projects with Deloitte, WHO, and Johns Hopkins, with a strong focus on sustainability and gender equity. At STEP, she drives strategic direction, community empowerment, and inclusive innovation.
Program Team
Amita heads operations at STEP, with core strengths in business model evaluation, market strategy, and startup mentorship. A founding member since 2019, she has played a pivotal role in shaping STEP's operational vision, building robust teams, and enabling women-led startups to communicate their value to funders and partners effectively.
Partnerships
Gunjan has strong background in marketing & communications, and has worked with leading brands like DNA, Fever 104 FM, and Citibank, along with running her venture, Gift Something Else. An expert in business communication, she drives STEP's strategic partnerships, funding initiatives, and alliances for projects.
Program Team
Madhulika leads program design, execution, and monitoring at STEP. She brings strong skills in research, project management, design thinking, and event coordination. Her innovative, detail-oriented approach helps ensure the success of STEP's key initiatives and community engagements.
Program Team
Arti supports program implementation at STEP through research, communication, and event operations. Her work ensures the smooth delivery of STEP events and initiatives, with a focus on empowering women entrepreneurs through strong operational and stakeholder support.
Content Writer
Vandana leads content writing at STEP, highlighting the journeys of women entrepreneurs and covering events and program milestones. With four years at STEP and prior work with Project Pehal, she uses storytelling to amplify grassroots voices and promote educational equity.
Program Team
Ritu Gupta is known for building impactful visual narratives, engaging communities, and leading creative initiatives that inspire change. Through programs like WINGS and VIEW Workshops, she has mentored and worked closely with students, encouraging innovation, leadership, design thinking, and practical problem-solving through experiential learning.
Designer
Nishtha brings a sharp eye for design and a knack for troubleshooting across digital tools. At STEP, she handles video editing, visual content creation, and app-based problem solving using Canva, Clipchamp, Mailchimp, and Picsart-delivering high-quality creative output across platforms.
Strategic leaders who guide STEP's growth and impact journey.
Co-Founder
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