With roots in research and a sharp eye for systems, Ipsita is as comfortable managing large datasets as she is holding space for unheard voices during field visits. From building indices that empower women in the informal sector to unpacking the lived realities behind child protection frameworks, her work sits at the intersection of empathy and insight.
In this edition of Team Speak, she opens up about what keeps her grounded, how she brings clarity to complexity, and why social impact consulting, when done right, can shift narratives as much as it shapes numbers.
Ipsita (I): Every time I go on field, my motivation to work in the social impact space is reaffirmed. It reminds me why I chose this path in the first place – offering a sense of purpose through tangible impact, that often gets clouded by deadlines and desk work.
Recently, I began working in the child protection domain and had the opportunity to visit Karnal, Palwal, and Ahmedabad for a project assessing the implementation of a key policy. During these visits, I interacted with government stakeholders as well as survivors of child abuse. Listening to the experiences of the victims was deeply moving and left a profound impact on me. It helped me connect with the issue on a human level, beyond numbers and frameworks.
That experience not only anchored my passion for working in child protection but also brought a renewed sense of purpose to the analytical work I do back at my desk. Since then, I’ve approached data analysis and report writing with far greater clarity and commitment, knowing that the insights we generate can contribute to strengthening systems and improving outcomes for many more children across the country.
I: Research has always fascinated me as it holds the power to unfold realities that seem non-existent at first. Over the past 2.5 years of working in the MERL space across various sectors, this belief has only deepened. Every MERL project has revealed insights that I couldn’t have anticipated at the outset – insights that have not only informed strategies but also enabled impact at a broader scale. It’s this process of discovery and its potential to shape meaningful action that continues to drive my passion for this field.
What drew me to Athena is its distinct approach to global impact. Athena’s commitment to delivering user-centric and contextually grounded insights –enabled by its strong network of both international and local experts, ensures that its recommendations are not only globally informed but also locally relevant. This thoughtful integration of global frameworks with on-the-ground realities is, in my view, is what truly sets Athena apart in the MERL space.
I: Social impact consulting sits at a unique intersection between communities on the ground and decision-makers in boardrooms. It holds the power to translate grassroots realities into actionable policy and funding decisions that can drive meaningful change at scale.
One common misconception I often encounter is that social impact consulting is simply another form of charity, CSR, or NGO work. While it may align with similar goals, the approach is fundamentally different. Social impact consulting is about designing strategies, building frameworks, and using data and systems thinking to address complex social challenges in a structured and scalable way. It’s this ability to bridge insight with influence that makes the work both intellectually engaging and deeply fulfilling.
