Savita Mahajan is the former Deputy Dean of the Indian School of Business and CEO of it’s second campus in Mohali, Punjab. She is currently a freelance Consultant and Independent Director on the Boards of private and public sector companies. In 2013, she was selected to be on Business Today’s list of ’30 Most Powerful Women in Business’. Prior to joining the ISB in 2001, Savita worked in the corporate sector for 20 years, after obtaining her MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. She is widely traveled, and her interests include higher education, the arts and crafts, and life skills coaching.
Our Story
The idea for Craftizen Foundation brewed in the years 2013-2014, since then our vision has been to bridge the gap between the industrialized market and the traditional artisans, meanwhile also empowering beneficiaries with intellectual disabilities and women of marginalized communities with top notch training and facilities, to overcome their hurdles of being able to earn a sustainable livelihood.
Vision: Build an ecosystem to enable crafts and conscious living by preserving and evolving Indian craft and artisanal skills so they remain an integral part of our cultural fabric
Mission: To engage with as many stakeholders meaningfully and at scale to enable livelihoods for marginalized communities.
Our Advisors
SAVITA MAHAJAN
MATHEW CHERIAN
Mathew Cherian is Chief Executive of HelpAge India, a leading advocacy and caregiver non-profit for the elderly. He is an engineering graduate from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani. He is among India’s first rural managers from the Institute of Rural Management, Anand. He has been Director, Oxfam, in India and Executive Director, Charities Aid Foundation. His most recent big initiative was the Credibility Alliance, which works to establish accountability and transparency in Civil Society. He is also Chairperson of Voluntary Action Network India (VANI). He is currently on board of many non – profit organizations. He is the current Independent Commissioner for Geriatric Health with India’s Ministry of Health.
KARL ANTAO
Karl Antao is a renowned sculptor who is known for his mammoth creations charged with emotions. A former advertising professional, Antao was dissatisfied with the difference between the final imagery and the designer’s visualizations. He made the choice to become a sculptor instead, using primarily wood and bronze. His human busts with seemingly placid faces and varied use of imagery create complex visual metaphors. In their luminescent colours and detailed carving, Karl Antao’s sculptures cannot be mistaken for anything but the work of a skilled artist who truly understands the nuances of his visual medium of choice. Recipient of many honors and awards his creations have been showcased in many exhibitions in Indian and abroad.
M GOPAKUMAR
M Gopakumar is the co – founder of The Nityata Foundation, which works on river ecology, with a particular emphasis on looking at different options for conservation of rivers and riparian habitat. Since 2002, he has been an integral part of Navgati, which is a reputed provider of innovative learning experiences. An alumnus of IIM, Bangalore he has been an investment banker investing in and working with small and medium businesses, emphasizing organizational growth, management and team development, with a number of profitable disinvestments. His interests include wildlife, trekking and writing.
