About Us
Centre for Nurturing Leaders is a nonprofit dedicated to helping young people from marginalised and displaced communities become strong leaders. We believe real change happens when those most affected have the skills and support they need to lead.
Our main focus is on communities that are marginalized and displaced by systemic inequality and excluded from their social and economic rights. We are founded by members of grassroots communities who have themselves experienced displacement and marginalisation, so we truly understand the challenges and needs of those we serve.
Cultivation of mind should be the ultimate aim of human existence.
- Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedakar.
Enabling young leaders to champion justice for marginalized communities through knowledge and action.
A nonprofit platform that educates and trains youth in marginalised communities to become leaders by engaging with local realities.
Leadership
At the Healm
Sonu P. Yadav (He/Him)
Co-Founder & CEOSonu P. Yadav has over 12 years of experience working across India to nurture youth leadership, especially among marginalized communities. He has mentored and trained young people from homeless backgrounds, rural villages, forest areas, and coastal regions, helping them gain voice, skills, and opportunities. Alongside direct youth engagement, Sonu has managed nonprofits, built strategies, raised resources, and collaborated with government programs to strengthen education and leadership initiatives. His work spans homelessness, the Right to Education, the Right to Forest, and the challenges of representation.
Seeing that youth at the grassroots are often excluded from decision-making, Sonu co-founded Centre for Nurturing Leaders to provide platforms for equal participation. Under his leadership, the Foundation equips young people to lead initiatives that build confident individuals and stronger communities.
DinDayal Bharti (He/Him)
Coordinator- Youth CollectivesDindayal is the Coordinator of the Youth Leadership Initiative, where he focuses on building strong connections with young people in the community. In his role, he organizes training sessions and workshops to help youth understand their rights, develop leadership skills, and become active participants in local governance. Dindayal works closely with young people to encourage them to form groups and support each other in their personal growth and community involvement. He is committed to creating a space where youth feel confident, informed, and inspired to bring positive change to their communities. As a new leader, Dindayal is dedicated to learning and growing alongside the youth he serves.
Ajay Kumar (He/Him)
Manager- M&EAjay comes from the same community that Centre for Nurturing Leaders works with, so he understands its needs and strengths very well. He is deeply committed to quality and makes sure our programs are run in the best way possible. Ajay also uses technology to improve everything we do—from teaching lessons to checking the results of our work.