Welcome To Zasha

Meher Gandevia-Billimoria has rich and diverse experience in education and the non-profit sector, both in India and internationally. She began her career at Bangkok Patana School, a leading British International School in Thailand, working with students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

With over 25 years in India’s non-profit sector, Meher has held leadership roles at Akanksha Foundation, Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy (CAP), Make-A-Wish India, and The Bombay Community Public Trust (BCPT). At Akanksha, she led education operations across 23 centres, developing curriculum and building educator capacity. At CAP, as COO, she strengthened sector-wide capacity through workshops and conferences.  She conceived and created the impactful Compliance-Complete Certification – a unique robust program offering NGOs integrated training and support on legal compliance, governance, HR, volunteer management, communication and fundraising. At Make-A-Wish India, including her role as CEO, she aligned international standards with national operations, conducted a program audit, established systems across 11 chapters, and enhanced CSR and donor reporting through robust monitoring and evaluation. She also formalized key organizational policies, engaged with multiple stakeholders and streamlined volunteer and digital outreach. At BCPT, she leveraged her varied expertise and transitioned into a grant-making role, streamlining donor advised funds, upgrading operations processes, improving digital presence, and repositioning the Trust for strategic growth.

Meher’s leadership blends strategic vision with execution, marked by attention to detail and a focus on results. She has served as a Trustee on multiple boards, volunteered with Jai Vakeel Foundation setting processes for their Vocational Training Department for the neurodivergent.

Lesser known is that Meher holds a qualification in food technology and catering, and enjoys creating clean, wholesome meals and bakes. As an innovative fundraiser, she co-authored Cuisine for a Cause, a Parsi cookbook that celebrates non-profit founders through their favorite dishes and recipes for success.

Meher also interviews inspiring personalities and contributes regularly to Jame-e-Jamshed, a Parsi community newspaper.

Currently, Meher consults independently with non-profits. She’s also redefining her personal philanthropy through a legacy fund in memory of her father, Jehanbux J. Gandevia -focusing on meaningful giving to the middle class, a hardworking yet underserved group often left out of traditional aid.