Isha Naik
(Co-Founder & Secretary)
Isha’s passion for giving back began at a very young age when she was privileged to interact with children in Indian towns and villages. After listening to their stories, Isha realised her great privilege in life and always vowed to give back to others whenever possible. Over the years, Isha has been lucky to work with several charities and is excited to work with many more through Choose Your Cause. Outside of working with Choose Your Cause, Isha has her undergraduate degree in Architecture and is working full-time, as a Trainee Development Manager.
Khushbu Kumari
(Co-Founder & Treasurer)
Having lived across three vastly different countries (India, Papua New Guinea and Australia) so far, Khushbu had witnessed the inequalities faced by certain communities from a very early age. This, in addition to her experience of working with incredible charities including Destiny Rescue, Compassion Australia and Médicins Sans Frontiérès, ignited her passion of basing her career and life on helping others and inspired her to begin her own charitable organisation one day. Outside of working for Choose Your Cause, Khushbu has her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science and is continuing her studies at Monash University pursuing a MD.
Nitin Naik
(President)
Nitin’s passion for giving back was inspired greatly by his father, the founder of Maharastra Institute of Games and Sports (MIGS), who pursued his passion in community work despite his full-time job. Since 2005, Nitin has been working closely with the Community Aid and Sponsorship Program (CASP) and has gathered his friends and family to collectively sponsor over 160 students for their education in India and 80 through MIGS. His future vision is to promote women and indigenous children in sports, particularly boxing. Outside of his work with Choose Your Cause and other various charities, Nitin is passionate about sharing his cricketing experiences through coaching and social events.
Choose Your Cause is grateful to have Nitin the president as he brings much needed awareness to the amazing charities we support and promotes our company values of inspiring the future generation.
Shameelta Pratap
(Advisor)
A passionate values-based leader, with a balanced focus on strategy and delivery, Shameelta thrives on solving complex challenges through engagement with stakeholders to develop organisations and drive business outcomes. She has a strong focus women, children, animal health and welfare, advocating for philanthropy that is big-hearted, compelling and impactful.
Shameelta has sat on a number of advisory boards and is extremely passionate about supporting charitable causes, particularly through harnessing the next generation of philanthropists and impact investors.
Professionally, Shameelta attains over twenty years of experience working in executive leadership teams across some of the world’s leading construction, engineering and mining companies, Shameelta works closely with leaders to set strategy, lift operational performance, win work and transform culture so that their businesses are future fit for tomorrow.
Choose Your Cause is grateful to have Shameelta as an advisor as she brings a wealth of experience in philanthropy, and provides much needed guidance and support to us and many others she meets daily.