OUR ADVISORY BOARD

We have a group of professionals who have vast experience in their profession. A diverse team includes Sr. Administrator, Educationist, Economist, Doctors, Philanthropist, Trainers, Entrepreneur, Legal Advisor, Social Worker, mentor, Technology experts unified by a common goal that is transforming teens, youth and women and uplift the community through well-designed activities initiated by Step Up International Trust. Our dedicated leaders are committed to fulfilling the mission by Collaborating the abilities and skills of our team by guiding, supporting, leading each other. The expert panel of leaders who are chairing the advisory board of our trust and the domain they represent are the following:

Community Upliftment Domains


  • Smt.Sheela Thomas,

    IAS( Retd.)

    Smt. Sheela Thomas , IAS (Retd) is a 1985 batch IAS Officer of Kerala cadre. She was the Chairperson of the Rubber Board under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. She was also the Secretary General of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries ( ANRPC) representing the Government of India. She was Additional Chief Secretary in General Administration Department & NoRKA, Secretary to the Chief Minister, Secretary in the departments of Agriculture , Co-operation, Food & Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Modernising Government Programmes ( MGP) in the Government of Kerala. She is currently engaged as a member secretary of Administrative reforms commission of government of Kerala. The Administrative Reforms Commission is constituted to make recommendations to improve the efficiency of the State Administrative System. Her administrative experience and guidance will be an asset to our organization in fulfilling the mission associated with community upliftment domain.

  • Dr. Jose Antony

    MSW, Ph. D, & PGDHRM

    Dr. Jose Antony (MSW, Ph. D, & PGDHRM) is a Post graduate with the doctoral degree in Social Work. He was the Head of the Department of Social Work SSUS Kalady, Kerala for 14 years and at present is a Professor in the Department. Currently he is the president of the Association of Schools of Social Work in Kerala (ASSK). He was the Director of the Planning and Development Department of the SSUS. He also is the director of the Career Guidance and Counseling Centre and Equal Opportunity Cell of the University. He has twenty five years of post-graduate teaching and Training experience in the Social Work Education sector. He is also an approved research guide of both the Mahatma Gandhi University and Sree Sankaracharya University. He serves at different Universities as the Member or Chairman of various academic administration boards and councils. He has published four books along with more than 25 research based articles in various professional journals and magazines. He has presented more than hundred academic papers in different national and International seminar/conference. He is an acclaimed trainer on Creativity, Development, Professional Competencies, Personality Profiles, Developmental projects and programmes and Socio Cultural Analyses. He is an active researcher on various issues related to human development and social processes. He is also a vibrant research trainer in the development sector.

  • Education Domain

    Dr. Swaroop Dutta

    M.Sc. B.Ed. B.H. M.S(Cal).

    He is the Principal of M.S.M English School Malkapur, Maharashtra, and zonal Co-ordinator & Master Trainer of CBSE(COE Pune). Corporate trainer and Inspirational speaker for the last 18 years. Master Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma and Certified Green Belt Global career Counsellor from UCLA Extension (the University of California and Los Angeles). He is a Visionary Leader, Bridgebuilder, and Educator with 18 years’ experience in supervising staff, securing resources, transforming organizational culture, and implementing effective programs. A very rare storehouse of experience in diverse fields –Education, Research, Training, Medicine, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Brand Management, and IT. He has trained more than 15,000 corporate employees and more than 5000 teachers. He is keen on bringing out changes in the Education sector and the young minds to groom them into better citizens of tomorrow. He is a Master Trainer of CBSE COE in almost all the general modules and prepared two modules for COE Pune- Supervision skill for middle management and Academic administration for top management. He recently prepared two modules for Diksha Portal on behalf of CBSE- Preschool Education & Creativity and Problem Solving. He is a certified Lead Auditor for ISO 9001: 2008 (QMS). He received a young scientist award in 2007- from the Association for the advancement of Homeopathic Science, Kolkata For his research in the field of Homeopathic science and his hypothesis based on Quantum Physics. Received Best Pragati Award and Exceptional performance award in Wipro and Hewlett Packard (HP). He is a Master Trainer of CBSE COE in almost all the general modules and prepared two modules for COE Pune- Supervision skill for middle management and Academic administration for top management. He recently prepared two modules for Diksha Portal on behalf of CBSE- Preschool Education & Creativity and Problem Solving. He is working presently working as a Principal to provide quality education of international standards to schools located in rural India.

  • Prof. Valsa George

    M.Com,B.Ed,PGDY,M.Sc, MBA, M.Phil.

    Formal Principal of St.Annes Group of Institution, Holy cross college of engineering management and technology . She is currently principal of Aware international institute and pursuing her PhD from Annamalai University. She is having 32years of experience in the field of education, training and administration. She is a visionary leader who empower people through various social care activities. And having special concern towards empowering women. Skill development among women is her forte she is an excellent coach for various skill development programs and provide certification in STED council diploma authorised by STED Skill certification council.

  • Skill Enhancement of Differently Abled Domain


    Rev.Sr. Dr. Jeesa Grace

    She is a Special Educator by profession, registered with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI; Registration Number: A04782), engaged in the education and development of Differently Abled Children for the past 20 years. And she is having 18 Years of Teaching and Administrative Experience as Founding Principal and Head of Sneha Sadan College of Special Education, Angamaly, Kerala. Her areas of expertise are Special Education, Training, and Development of Intellectually Challenged Children, and Inclusive Growth of differently-abled. She took her Ph.D.in Special Education and her thesis title was “ Efficacy of Multimedia Instructional Strategies on Science Subjects to Children with Moderate Intellectual Disability at Primary Level ” from Avinashlingam University, Coimbatore. She is a committed special education professional offering demonstrating ability to technically special children and individuals to enhance their academic and general performance and make them an integral part of society. She is a great visionary leader who is a member of various boards and holds key titles in reputed organizations. She is the President, KSETCA (Kerala Special Education Training College Association), General Body Member of CBRF (Collective Action for Basic Rights) Bangalore, Member of CMC Child Protection Policy, Board of Studies and Expert Committee (Mahatma Gandhi University-Kottayam), Question Paper Scrutiny Board Member (Kerala University-Thiruvananthapuram), Member in the Rehabilitation Inspection Team (RCI), New Delhi and Core Committee Member in the Recent legislations and HRD, Core Committee Member in the B.Ed. and M.Ed. Special Education (MR) Programme at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala. Core committee Member SCERT Kerala Curriculum Development Committee for Special Education Programme in Thiruvananthapuram. She is on our advisory board to head and lead our team in activities related to the domain Skill enhancement of differently-abled.

  • Women Empowerment Domain


    Ms. Radhika Menon

    She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) from the International Coaching Federation. With more than 2000 hours of coaching, has coached across verticals and levels from board levels to front line managers. Passionate about Learning and Development, Empowering Women, have been trained and certified for various developmental areas. Her areas of expertise are Change Management for Organization-wide initiatives such as Organization design/ redesign and or digitalization. Promoting women entrepreneurship, Modelling scalable frameworks for Operations with robust governance controls including Business goal affirmation, aligning resources, competency mapping, quality control, revenue control triggers, revenue leakage management, strategy roadmap design in various women initiated women leaded organizations and its development and execution. Leadership alignment, coaching, and mentoring as essential to the scalability and profitability of every personal and professional initiative. Process engineering and improvement, Outsourcing/ offshoring study and transition, Productivity and Utilization improvement, staff optimization, and Revenue/ profitability based improvements. People and Process Performance management frameworks and systems including design, development, deployment, and governance framework. Her initiative The Village Fair was started to make a difference to the lifestyle of people, along with the living conditions of women and men who found it difficult to leave homes to earn a dignified living. She provides her Consultancy services in Organizational Development, Process design/ redesign/ reengineering, Productivity and Quality enhancement Projects, Service Quality enhancement Projects, Performance Management Systems and Processes, Competency Mapping and Organization design, Revenue Leakage arrests in Delivery Processes – Study and Advisory, Outsourcing and offshore set up And she is a Certified Facilitator for Human (Growth) Labs.

  • Entrepreneurship Domain


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    Sudheer Babu

    Sudheer Babu is a Management Consultant by Profession a writer. He is the founder and managing director of De Valor Management Consultants (P) Limited headquartered in Kochi, India. He is one of the top business and management writers in Kerala. National Book Stall (NBS) has published his business management book “Varoo, Namukkoru Business Thudangam (Come, Let’s Start a Business) in 2017. Which is in the best-selling chart since publishing. NBS has also published his three literary works. In 2020 DC Books has published another business management book “SamrambhangalVijayippikkam” (Make Businesses Successful). Sudheer Babu is the Mentor of Kerala Startup Mission and Kerala Development Innovation Strategic Council, Government of Kerala. He is a Member of Kerala Chamber of Commerce, Kerala Management Association, Indian Institute of Materials Management, TIE Kerala and Confederation of Indian Industries. He is the State Level Resource Person of Kerala Kudumbhasree Project. He is the Chief Trainer of Prime Minister’s YUVA Project in Kerala.

  • Youth Empowerment Domain


    P.R. Sreejesh

    P.R. Sreejesh is an Indian professional field hockey player and former captain of the Indian national team.In his Hockey Journey, he has played for India for 13 years and has turned up for the National Team more than 200 times in his career. Sreejesh has been a stellar performer, which has earned him various accolades. Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian award Padma Shri for his work in the field of sports in 2017 and has received the Arjuna Award in 2013. Sreejesh made his debut in Junior International Hockey in the year 2004 against Australia. He made his senior debut at the 2006 South Asian Games in Colombo. He played an instrumental role in India's victory in the 2013 Asia Cup. He received the award for the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament in the Asia Cup. At the 2014 Asian Games, Sreejesh again played a crucial role in India's victory. His decision-making ability on the field helped India to win the gold medal at the Incheon Asian Games.In 2016, Sreejesh showed exquisite hockey skills in the Champions Trophy as well as the Rio Olympics. Team India won the silver medal at 2016 Champions Trophy.In 2018, he again proved his efficiency in the field by directing India to a silver medal in Breda Champions Trophy and a bronze medal in the Jakarta Asian games. His presence and guidance will be an advantage to our NGO in executing our mission in the youth empowerment sector.

  • Health And Wellness Domain


    Dr Rajesh Nair

    Consultant Physician MBBS MD(General Medicine)

    Health and wellness Advisor: Dr Rajesh Nair is a Consultant Physician MBBS MD( General Medicine) working at Mar Augustinos Golden Jubilee hospital Mookkannoor .Also Consultant Physician for Lifeline Clinic and Laboratory, Karukutty .He is an active member in Rotary Club of Cochin Airport were he was part of initiating various social care activities. He is committed into promoting health and wellness among public.

  • Dr.Jaya Rajeev

    Studied in Russia. Now in health services since 10 years, Worked in various private hospitals . presently @CHC Kalady.Focus on palliative care services . Conduct in-service training sessions, classes. Attended lot many camps organised by various organizations. She is a Dedicated health care professional in promoting community health.

  • Dr. James Manithottam

    B.H.M.S,M.D(Hom),M.Sc(CFT),D.Pharm.

    Dr. James is a homeopathic practitioner running a child guidance Centre & allergic clinic “Manithottam homeopathy Centre” having various branches across Kerala with a team of professional doctors to support his initiatives. His experience as a medical professional can complement our mission as a domain expert that is to provide better health and wellness solutions to individuals and their families in our society. He has a remarkable service record in the health care industry and is committed to providing his support to ensure better health care assessment, remediation, management, and providing solutions to the community for health care needs. And specializes in homeopathic management as holistic medicine, and he is a specialist expert in handling multiple areas of health sectors to ensure physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health care of the people in our community. He is skillful in organizing awareness medical camps for various chronic diseases, Allergic medicine, lifestyle disease management approach and protocols, Emotional challenges in children, handling depression, suicide prevention, IQ assessment remediation and management, Infertility solutions also drug abuse prevention, and awareness among teens and youth.

  • Training and Development Domain


    K. V. RATHNAM

    K. V. Ratnam he is the President of Learning Systems Inc. a training & development organization established in 1992.He is actively associated with Junior Chamber: Served as:Director (Training) in 1989,Director (PR) and Editor of Challenge National Magazine in 1990 ,National Vice President (Training) in 1991,National Faculty Cel Chairman in 1992 and 1993,National President of Junior Chamber in 1994 with 40,000 members all over the country.International Vice President in 1995 and in charge of 26 States of the United States of America including the Hawaii Islands.Chaired and conducted programs in Latin America (South America) in Paraguay, and Officers Training Seminar at Korea. Travelled extensively all over India, 11 Nations in Europe, all over Asia, the USA and South America.Certified National Trainer in India since 1985.Graduated at the Philippines in 1991 as JCI University PRIME Graduate.Graduated at Singapore in 1994 as JCI University EXCEL Graduate.Graduated at the JCI Academy at KOBE in Japan in 1993.Invitee to the United Nations 50th Anniversary at New York (USA) in 1995. Trained officers of the United States Jaycees in Tulsa (USA), National Presidents of Asia Pacific countries at Korea, at Officers Training Seminars, National Academy of Leadership & Administration (NALANDA), Academy of Business Leadership & Excellence (ABLE), National Train The Trainers Seminar, PROFITS, Presidential Academy, and other prestigious seminars.PILOT for JCI India (NTTTS) Train The Trainers Seminar since 2006. Trained more than 10,000 young and old alike in personal development subjects ranging over a wide gamut. His approach is soft and gentle for best learning to happen. He is an invitee to train executives of reputed organizations, to name a few: Computer Associates, Oberoi Hotels, Rolls Royce Power Generation Co., Birla DLW Ltd., Oilgear Towler Ltd., Hyloc Hydrotechnics, Rotary International (Governing Boards), Lions International (Governing Boards), Insurance Corporations, Banking Sectors, Indian Society for Training & Development (ISTD), Easterm Power Grid Corporation, International Society of Vasavi Group, CARE, TATA Tetley Tea etc.

  • K.V.Raveendran

    Author ,success coach ,former SBA , certified international trainer of JCI university,USA. Pilot faculty for Train the Trainers program in 3 states. 18 years of training experience and trained at IIM- Lucknow, MID- Gurgaon and MDC- Mumbai. Author of books-'Life insurance plan', 'Nikshepangalude vismaya lokam' and 'super sales man', one of the best seller in life insurance field. MBA holder in marketing. 36 years experience in LIC of India as development officer and Senior business associate.Premium Topper in Calicut division and South zone for several years.Conducted more than 1000 training programs in different LIC units, all of over Kerala. Associate at Insurance Institute of India and certified in Financial Planning.

  • Human Resource Domain


    Ramesh P V

    A seasoned professional with more than three and a half decades of experience in the entrepreneurship industry in various capacities as Country Head, Vice President, and Executive Director. A strong astute leader worked and created excellent teams in export management, Distribution channels, Marketing, and sales. With his ability to interact with strong networking skills he was always a demand in the building materials and construction products industry. Art of negotiation and persuasion skills added on to develop down the line managers into leaders and captains now. He is passionate about training and mentoring young entrepreneurs, students, and enterprises SMEs and MSMEs. A visiting faculty of various management institutions during his professional employment added to his credit. Also, he is a dynamic orator and a poet who released his book “ Misty Mornings “.

  • Funding


    Mr. Johnson Fernandez

    Currently working as Operations Manager of KREEK e- COMMERCE PRIVATE LIMITED a Foreign Direct investment company (FDI) Headquarters at Dubai. He started his career as Executive Trainee in ONGC, Ahmedabad project. Resigned and joined Kerala Police as Sub-inspector in the General Executive branch. Retired as Assistant Commissioner of Police. Indian office at Kochi. A keen sports lover and engaged in sports activities. Member of Regional Sports Center (Kochi); Lotus Club (Kochi); Ramavarma Club (Kochi); Gymkhana Club (Kochi); Quilon Athletic Club ( Kollam); Ramavarma Club (Kollam) and held posts in Managing committee of these organizations.

  • Project Director


    Anitha Indira Bai

    She is an educationist, HRD expert having 14 years of experience in the education, Training, Counselling & Guidance sectors. She was the Principal of several schools that follow CBSE and the UK Curriculum. Having so much passion for community development especially supporting people from the different marginalized sectors and empowering teens, youth, women, and differently-abled to improve their self-efficacy and socio-economic status for a better living.

  • Creative Domain


    SUBHILASH SADANANDAN

    Subhilash Sadanandan is an established designer, content creator and photographer. Currently working as an art director for one of India’s leading education institute, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. His simple, dynamic, sensible and human centric designs attracted even international appreciations. From a graphic designer to an art director he is active in the field of art and design almost for last 10 years. Subhilash’s academic background in engineering and social work and enthusiasm in the field of art and marketing provided him with solid success in directing and implementing broad range of design and advertising campaigns from conception to launch.

  • Legal Domain


    Adv. Jenny Susan

    Mrs. Jency Susan Jose is an advocate from Kerala. Mrs. Jency has graduated in law from Government Law College, Ernakulam. She is practicing in the District Courts of Kerala and the High Court of Kerala since 2011.