Innovating for the Prevention of Human Trafficking

Priyanka is a criminologist and a sociologist who has joined the Hummingbird Foundation as the Programme Manager in January 2021. With 10 years of experience in the development sector, Priyanka has previously worked in senior positions with organisations such as Kamonohashi Project, Terres des hommes Foundation (Lausanne) and Sanlaap. Her areas of interest include Child Protection and anti-trafficking and her core skills comprise of partnership and fund management, documentation and reporting, advocacy and trainings. She also has wide experience in working with a diverse group of people such as survivors of violence and exploitation, individuals who are socially marginalised, children and adults in conflict with law, government duty bearers, donors etc. Priyanka likes to spend her time reading, catching up with family and friends and travelling when she is off from work.

Chris Mathias is a successful entrepreneur and leader, born and raised in India and now living in the UK.  He is married with three daughters and is an active sportsman and keen traveller.  He combines these interests with active roles in private equity and in social and philanthropic investment. Chris studied Politics and Economics at Bristol University, and completed an MBA at INSEAD, Paris in 1987. Chris co-founded CMG Partners and Arbor Ventures, private investment management companies that focus on early stage companies and turnaround/restructure situations. Chris is actively involved with a number of charities and not-for-profit organisations – in particular those that are sustainable beyond the lifetime of a funding commitment, build lasting capacity, develop local skills and are focused on the very poor.  Chris is committed to expanding the reach of Hummingbird and creating a lasting legacy that captures his family’s passion for the region and the cause.

Chris Underhill is a global expert in the delivery of human rights, health and rehabilitation systems to very poor people. A serial social entrepreneur, he is the founder of a number of organisations including Thrive (1978) and ADD International (1985). In 2000 Chris founded BasicNeeds, which is concerned with the delivery of a holistic model to mentally ill people and people with epilepsy in the poorest communities of the world. As an Advisor, Chris brings his knowledge of economic and social development, human rights and organisational start up to HBF. Chris is a Senior Fellow of the Ashoka Fellowship, a recipient of the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship and a Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur. In 2000 Chris was made an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen.

In her role as the Chair and Chief Executive of the Hummingbird Foundation, Clare provides strategic direction to the Hummingbird team to achieve its mission. Working with a number of local community based organisations in West Bengal, this process is underway and is building on the Hummingbird Raise Project, which engaged male adolescents to explore and challenge gender discrimination. Clare has a background in Human Resources having worked as an HR Manager for a major oil company for many years. Married with three daughters, she now runs a private polo organisation in Surrey in the UK. She is also the Chair of the Horsleys Community Fund, aimed at promoting local community philanthropy.

Mrinmoy joined the Hummingbird team in August 2019 and has been working in the development sector for over 12 years in the realm of Inclusive Education, Child protection, Human Rights, Life skills education & Community based care in Mental Health. He has extensively worked with marginalized & socially excluded communities across India with expertise in training, counselling, research, monitoring & evaluations, advocacy and communications. Child protection has been one of his core interest areas and this reflects in his intensive work experience with most vulnerable children of dispossessed communities in Eastern India. He holds a first class Masters degree in Applied Psychology from University of Calcutta. Prior to joining the Hummingbird team, he worked as Sr. Manager (M&E) at Magic Bus India Foundation. He has worked with Action Aid India and Sir Ratan Tata Trust and for a brief period became the Sate Resource Person (Department of Women & Child Development, Social Welfare, Govt. of West Bengal) in rolling out of ICPS programmes. Mrinmoy appreciates fine art and loves in experimenting with visual image communications, certified in Digital Cinematography. He makes both fiction & non-fiction films which have received awards & recognition in International film festivals.

Robert has worked at Arbor Ventures since 2008 where he runs a family office with a particular interest in investing in early stage and start-up businesses. Robert runs a portfolio that normally comprises about a dozen active investments in sectors such as support services, financial services and technology both in the UK and India. As a Hummingbird Trustee, he calls upon his financial and accounting experience (including working as the financial representative of a charitable organisation for the last four years) and over a decade of experience of setting up and working with businesses in India. When not at work, Robert enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and following the fortunes of Arsenal Football Club (which is not always so enjoyable).

Sougat joined the Hummingbird Foundation in June 2015 as the Finance Consultant. He handles financial planning, grant and contract management for the foundation. He also leads effective grant management with Hummingbird’s implementing NGO partners. Sougat holds a Master’s in Commerce from the University of Calcutta, and has worked in the social development sector for 10 years.  He worked for three years as a Coordinator – Projects for the Financial Management Service Foundation (FMSF).  He then moved to the PACS Programme – the largest DfID funded civil society program in India – as a State and then National Finance Manager. He managed a large portfolio while working with various government departments on several flagship government schemes developed for marginalised communities. On the personal front, he lives a well-balanced life as a dutiful son, caring husband and loving father of his son.  He loves to travel and to play cricket.