Impact Makers: Dr Gayathri Vasudevan

NAME

Dr Gayathri Vasudevan

TITLE

Chief Impact Officer, Sambhav Foundation

LOCATION

Bengaluru, India

ABOUT

Dr Gayathri Vasudevan and her team work to improve the lives of people who are often overlooked by policy and planning, especially informal workers, women and children. As Chief Impact Officer at Sambhav Foundation, her main focus is on solving the kinds of problems that affect people’s everyday dignity and opportunity, from lack of toilets and safe water to gaps in education and health.

In Karnataka, she led an effort to upgrade sanitation and hygiene facilities in 42 government schools. More than 240 toilets were built, alongside water tanks and sewage systems to ensure reliable and safe services. The project also included hygiene workshops that reached over 35,000 students and community members. The work has helped reduce illness and absenteeism, especially among girls, and improved conditions for learning while encouraging long-term public health awareness.

MOTIVATIONS

“What drives me is the belief that work is dignity. It’s the simplest, most powerful way for people to feel seen and valued. When someone has the chance to earn, to contribute, to be part of something larger, it changes how they see themselves and how the world sees them. That’s what keeps me going.

Over the years, I’ve met so many people whose labour keeps our cities and homes running and yet they remain invisible in policy, data, and everyday conversations. I’ve always felt that must change. Work, for me, is not just about livelihoods; it’s about identity and agency. It’s about creating systems that recognize and respect the people who hold up our economy from the ground up.

Every project I take on, every organization I build, comes back to this one idea: how do we make “work” work for everyone? That question still wakes me up every morning.”

IMPACT

Before

• Many government schools in Bengaluru, Raichur, Yadgir and Gulbarga lacked proper toilets and water systems

• Girls often missed school because of poor sanitation and lack of privacy

• Hygiene-related illness and dropout rates were high

• Students and communities had limited awareness of hygiene and water safety

After

• 240 toilets were built across 42 schools with gender-sensitive designs

• Water tanks and sewage systems were installed to provide safe and reliable services

• 11,699 students and 454 staff directly benefited from improved infrastructure

• 35,082 community members were reached through hygiene education

• 90 per cent of students now demonstrate better hygiene habits

• Absenteeism and dropout rates among girls have declined

CHALLENGES

The project faced delays due to weather and holidays, which disrupted construction. Some schools had no existing systems in place and needed additional infrastructure, including water tanks and sewage pits. In several locations, old toilets had to be demolished before rebuilding. Demand in Raichur and Yadgir led to resources being redirected mid-project. These setbacks were managed through flexible timelines, district-level coordination and strong community involvement.

ADVICE

“If you want to create real impact in the climate space, start by listening – to people, to places, to the ground itself. Climate work isn’t only about technology or policy; it’s about people’s lives, livelihoods, and choices. The most powerful solutions emerge when you understand how deeply the environment and human dignity are connected.

I’d say: don’t chase scale too early. Start small, stay curious, and build trust. Real change happens in messy, complex systems, and it takes patience to navigate that. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, who think differently. And remember: impact is not about doing everything alone. It’s about building collective strength.

Above all, stay hopeful. Climate work can feel overwhelming, but every act – every shift in mindset, every community effort, every policy nudge – adds up. Hold on to the belief that what you do matters, because it does.”

CONTACT

LinkedIn