Sneha Mishra, (MSW, LLB, DNHE)
Chairperson IHH
Sneha Mishra, born in 1966 in Bhubaneswar, is a distinguished social worker and activist from Odisha, known for her leadership in advancing the rights of women, children, and persons with disabilities. She holds a B.Sc. (Botany Hons) from RD Women’s College and a Master’s in Social Work and LL.B. from Utkal University, along with a Diploma in Nutrition & Health Education.
She is the founder of Aaina, a prominent organization that has been championing inclusion, gender equality, and disability rights in Odisha and across India for over two decades. Sneha has served as a Board Member of the National Trust, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India (2007–2011), and is a National Resource Person on Gender with NIRD. She is also the former President of the Odisha Professional Social Workers Association (OPSWA).
A certified trainer on child rights, disability rights, and an accredited specialist on the POSH Act, she serves as an independent member on Internal Complaints Committees across government, non-government, and public institutions. She has been a pioneering voice in bringing menstrual hygiene into Odisha’s policy and public discourse organizing the State’s Global MH Day observances since 2013 and founding the Odisha Menstrual Health and Hygiene Alliance. Under her leadership, Aaina has also created RedTalk, an accessible digital app on menstrual hygiene for visually and hearing-impaired users.
With more than 25 years of experience in disaster preparedness, response, and coordination, from the Super Cyclone to Cyclone Fani and the 2023 Odisha train accident, Sneha is known for her expertise in civil society mobilization, humanitarian coordination, and facilitating effective GO–NGO platforms during crises.
She has published widely and led multiple studies on issues related to women, children, and disability, contributing to national seminars, consultations, and academic journals.