EDUCATION:
2017 MBA, Accounting and Finance, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry
2007 MA, Sustainable Development, Staffordshire University, United Kingdom
2001 MA, Public Administration, University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
2001 BSc, Zoology, Stella Maris College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Countries: India, United Kingdom, Switzerland
States: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka
Cities: Chennai, Tirunelveli, Bangalore, Vijayawada, Coimbatore, Rajahmundry, Kadapa, Tirupati, Zurich
Languages: English, Tamil, Telugu
Donata Mary worked with the Swiss Development organisation HEKS for more than two decades, where she worked with Dalits, Adivasis and other deserving sections of society. During her stint at HEKS, she enhanced uniformity in programme quality; standardised implementation approach throughout programme activities; and promoted adoption, spread and implementation of best practices across programmes. She was instrumental in introducing computerised financial management and ERP among NGO partners in India. She has trained SHGs, farmers groups and FPOs on group dynamics, documentation, book-keeping, preparation of organic manure and bio-pesticides, entrepreneurship and business plan development. She has documented models of intervention by programme area/practice; developed dissemination plans for internal and external stakeholders by working collaboratively with programme staff; and cultivated and engaged national stakeholders including national government, donors, other implementing partners, academic and health institutions, the private sector and NGOs.
At IIHS, Donata is a part of the Practice programme. Her primary responsibility is to support the IIHS-led Tamil Nadu Urban Sanitation Support Programme (TNUSSP) on gender and social inclusion. She also manages the demonstration of service provision models in public and community toilets in Chennai.