Associate Director, Research & MLE (Gender x Digital hub)
Mahima Taneja leads research and monitoring, learning & evaluation for the Gender x Digital (GxD) hub at LEAD. She brings over a decade of experience in research and evaluation, with work spanning gender equality, urban policy, WASH, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
Previously, Mahima worked with the Gates Foundation in India, managing multiple evaluations under the Women’s Economic Empowerment and Inclusive Financial Systems portfolios. She has also held roles at Sambodhi, ISST, and Oxfam India, and is an active member of the Evaluation Community of India.
Mahima holds an M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. in Political Science with a specialisation in Gender Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, where her doctoral research explored the gendered politics of urban public spaces. She has taught at the University of Delhi and published widely on feminist evaluation, inclusive cities, and women’s movements in India.
Director, Health Systems and Quality of Life
Sohini Paul leads the Health Systems and Quality of Life portfolio at LEAD, bringing nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of health, gender, and development. Her work spans maternal and child health, adolescent wellbeing, family planning, and food security, with a focus on translating rigorous research into real-world policy impact.
Previously, Sohini held senior research roles at the Population Council and the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), collaborating with government ministries and global donors such as the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Gates Foundation to design evidence-based programs and policies.
Sohini holds a PhD in Economics from the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research and completed postdoctoral research at the Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia. She has taught graduate courses on gender and development economics at Carleton University and continues to mentor young scholars in India and internationally, fostering equity-driven research. Guided by a systems-thinking perspective, she is passionate about fostering collaboration, learning, and amplifying the voices of women and marginalised communities.
Knowledge Management Specialist
Shanmugam Manoharan is a Knowledge Management Specialist at LEAD, with a strong interest in making research and evidence accessible and actionable. Over the years, he has worked with organisations such as the World Bank, Delhi Assembly Research Centre, and other development institutions, contributing to a range of initiatives on rural development, gender-transformative evaluations, and livelihoods programs.
Shanmugam holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Political Science from Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Passionate about the intersection of gender, caste, livelihoods, and social inclusion, Shanmugam is dedicated to delivering people-centered solutions that deliver real impact. Outside work, he enjoys history books, travel, and a good mystery thriller.