Epcita Shukla
Summary
Impact-driven social change leader with 4 years of experience in youth leadership, gender equity, and participatory systems in India. Designs and implements programs that promote gender and social change through strategic storytelling and relationship-building. Skilled in facilitating national convenings, developing advocacy narratives, and fostering youth-led participation in coalition governance.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate - Young People & Gender Equity (YPAGE)
Dasra
Mumbai
01.2023 - Current
- Anchored programme delivery for Youth Ke Bol, a 1.48 million youth-led coalition collaborating with 13+ partner organisations to enhance SRHR and quality of life for young people.
- Designed and facilitated national convenings including National Youth Conclave engaging 300+ young people, practitioners, and funders across India.
- Produced 20+ knowledge outputs, casebooks, advocacy narratives, and digital campaigns, improving youth-led participation and systems engagement.
- Moderated Global South panel at International Youth Day, conceptualizing content and structure to foster cross-regional collaboration among leaders from India, Nepal, and Kenya.
- Presented at the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP) 2025 in Bogotá, contributing to global discourse on coalition-based youth leadership.
- Represented India's youth and health programming at a G20 Summit-aligned platform.
- Contributed to WomenLead India Alliance, a cross-sector feminist platform aligning 20+ organizations across philanthropy, civil society, and private sector
- Engaged with platforms including World Economic Forum, CII, and ET Healthcare Summit to drive discussions on women's leadership and promote narrative change.
Management Trainee - Impact, Policy & Advocacy
Arthimpact Digital Loans Pvt. Ltd.
Gurugram
08.2021 - 08.2022
- Spearheaded a NABARD-supported Micro-Enterprise Development Project across three districts in Uttar Pradesh, managing sub-grants and programme delivery for 300+ women micro-entrepreneurs.
- Developed and implemented COVID-19 education relief policy initiative in collaboration with UNICEF and CRY, addressing urgent educational needs during the pandemic.
- Established partnerships with NABARD, USAID, SAMHITA, NIFT, and MSDF to improve financial systems and local governance supporting economic inclusion.
Research & Policy Intern
UNESCO MGIEP
06.2020 - 08.2020
- Supported research on Digital Learning Value Chain across Asia, focusing on Sri Lanka, analyzing influence of digital infrastructure on youth participation and learning in Global South.
- Created newsletters and research outputs to disseminate insights and knowledge to international audiences.
Education
MA - International Studies
Symbiosis School of International Studies
Pune07-2021
BA (Honours) - Political Science
Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi
Delhi05-2019
Skills
- Youth Facilitation
- Ecosystem & Coalition Building
- Program & Strategy Design
- Narrative Building & Framing
- Content Strategy & Knowledge
- Advocacy & Strategic Communications
- Stakeholder Engagement & Facilitation
- Digital & Campaigns
- Public Speaking & Moderation
- Social Media Strategy & Campaign Execution
Civic Leadership & Independent Initiatives
COVID-19 Community Response Network | India | 2020–2021
- Founded and led a 200+ member pan-India volunteer network during the second COVID-19 wave
- Organized decentralized, city-level coordination for real-time access to oxygen, hospital beds, and emergency resources
Mental Health Resource Collective | 2020–Ongoing
- Built a queer-affirmative, intersectional mental health platform curating therapists, helplines, and digital support systems
- Reached 1M+ people through community-led amplification across digital platforms
Community Relief Initiative | Lucknow | 2026
- Coordinating grassroots fundraising and distribution of menstrual health products and essential supplies for families displaced by fire
Publications Projects
- Patriarchy and Pandemics, A Disastrous Tale: Case of COVID-19, Through a Gender Lens- Indian Review of Global Affairs
- Love in the Time of Corona - Poetry collection book
- How The Stars Shine For Dolly And Kitty - Gender & culture film review - Women's Republic
- Balancing the Scale - Knowledge product on women leadership development
Languages
- Hindi : Native
- English : Fluent
- Spanish : Basic
- French : Basic
Hobbies and Interests
Reader and writer drawn to gender and society; cinema enthusiast; curious traveller; finds joy in nature, food, and the small rituals of everyday life
Timeline
Associate - Young People & Gender Equity (YPAGE)
Dasra
01.2023 - Current
Management Trainee - Impact, Policy & Advocacy
Arthimpact Digital Loans Pvt. Ltd.
08.2021 - 08.2022
Research & Policy Intern
UNESCO MGIEP
06.2020 - 08.2020
MA - International Studies
Symbiosis School of International Studies
BA (Honours) - Political Science
Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi