Palak Samani

Scaling Women Farmer Education Programs

Led training sessions for 150 women farmers in Jath on agricultural loans, organic farming, and waste monetization. Designed the program structure, coordinated logistics, and ensured follow-up support to maximize learning outcomes. Observed a ~250% increase in their incomes. Scaled the initiative to 1,500 women through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), leveraging the peer network to sustain knowledge transfer and income growth without constant direct oversight. This demonstrated my ability to create systems that expand impact efficiently.

Radio Outreach for Rural Awareness

Initiated and led a radio campaign on YeralaVani, reaching 80,000 listeners across 62 villages. Scripted content, coordinated with radio hosts, and engaged community leaders to ensure the messaging was actionable. Used the platform to educate rural farmers on sustainable practices, financial literacy, and waste monetization. Successfully built self-sustaining knowledge networks, with leaders personally recognizing the initiative’s contribution to community empowerment.

Digital Awareness via Podcast

Led my own session on Made in Sangli, Sangli’s largest digital channel (116,000+ followers). Strategically presented Zerra, biodegradable mulch, organic farming, and e-Choupal, positioning the content to inform, inspire, and mobilize action. Took responsibility for messaging, preparation, and engagement with viewers, highlighting my ability to communicate complex ideas effectively to a large audience.

Helped File Income tax Returns

Directed a hands-on initiative guiding ~350 farmers through income tax filing. Structured the training, simplified technical processes, and provided ongoing support, enabling farmers to establish formal financial identities, access credit, and confidently participate in broader economic systems. Demonstrated leadership by empowering community members to take control of their financial futures.

Team Member, Yerala Project Society

Took an active leadership role in a multidisciplinary NGO focused on education, women empowerment, climate action, and water conservation. Contributed to project planning, delegated tasks to volunteers, and ensured seamless execution of programs that reached underserved families.

Assisted Author of Arthatarang Won Outstanding Book award by Marathi Arthashastra Parishad.

Collaborated with Prof. Sanjay Thigale on a Marathi-language book examining the connection between individual lives and economic forces. Led research and analysis on rural livelihoods and applied findings to propose actionable insights, showing initiative in bridging academic work and real-world contexts.

Annual Summer Workshop Organization

Led the design and execution of a yearly summer workshop connecting two NGOs, teaching 200 underprivileged children practical skills in agriculture, food technology, mechanics, and electrical work. Oversaw logistics, volunteer coordination, and mentorship, culminating in a student exhibition where creations were sold. Continuously expanded the program each year, demonstrating scalable leadership in education and skill-building initiatives.

Psychometric Testing for NGO Students

Planned and executed free psychometric testing for NGO students, taking charge of scheduling, testing, and interpretation. Guided students in identifying strengths and interests, empowering them to make informed study and career choices. Highlighted my leadership in providing resources and mentorship that extend beyond academics.

Math Tutoring Impact

Led personalized mathematics tutoring for two underprivileged students, improving their scores from ~65% to 98% and achieving rank 1 in their classes. Designed targeted learning plans and maintained consistent engagement, demonstrating initiative, mentorship, and the ability to inspire measurable improvement.

Coding Workshop for Underprivileged Children

Organized and led a trainer-led coding and spoken English workshop for 120 children as a Rotaract director. Coordinated instructors, structured sessions, and ensured active participation, emphasizing leadership in both planning and on-ground execution.

Coordinator, Robin Hood Army, Sangli

Directed weekly food drives and distribution events, managing 400+ volunteers to reach 2,000+ community members. Oversaw logistics, volunteer coordination, and impact tracking, ensuring efficient and meaningful community service.

Organizer, Health Checkup Camps (SUPW)

Led planning and execution of health checkup camps for over 200 public school students across two schools in Panchgani. Coordinated medical professionals, scheduling, and follow-ups, demonstrating proactive leadership in health awareness and student welfare.

CaseQuest 2025 — Winner (BITS School of Management, Sponsored by Nicobar)

Selected as one of 30 participants from ~400 applicants for CaseQuest, an intensive business strategy competition hosted at BITS School of Management, one of India’s top business schools. Sponsored by Nicobar, a leading luxury lifestyle brand, the challenge centered on solving real company problems.

Led a team of four in analyzing Nicobar’s history, operations, and challenges. Chose one of the four live problem statements and designed an innovative digital solution tailored to the brand’s market positioning and customer needs. Over two days, I coordinated research, strategy, and product development, and spearheaded the final pitch to Nicobar’s CEO, co-founders, the BITS dean, mentors, and a large audience of peers and parents.

Our team was awarded Best Idea, Best Product, and Best Presentation, winning the overall competition. A month later, Nicobar invited us for a strategy meeting with their core leadership team, where they confirmed plans to implement our solution in real life. The brand also featured our work in a LinkedIn post, recognizing our contribution as a valuable innovation for their future growth.

Team Leader, Oxford Climate Change Competition

Led my team to design an agriculture-focused innovation: a biodegradable mulch shaped for easy field application. Mulch is a material layered on top of soil to retain moisture, prevent weed growth, and improve crop yields. Our version proved 3x cheaper than plastic mulch, reduced water usage by ~40%, and was resistant to fungus. I organized farmer field trials and guided lab testing, ensuring the solution was both scientifically validated and practically usable. The project was praised for its scalability and for addressing sustainability while lowering farming costs.

Event Head, Math Club of PPSIJC

Organized the largest-ever math competitions and workshops in school, increasing student participation significantly. Wrote feature articles for the club magazine Pi-oneers, including explorations of unsolved problems like P vs NP, aiming to make advanced mathematical ideas engaging and accessible to students. Built an environment where math felt both challenging and exciting.

Director, Rotaract Club of Andheri

Served as Entrepreneurship Development and Professional Development Director. Managed a team to deliver year-long events blending learning with real-world exposure. Organized a Shark Tank–style competition for 150 students, bringing in 5 local entrepreneurs to mentor and judge. Designed and led sessions teaching spoken English and coding to 200 underprivileged children, combining leadership with direct teaching impact.

Founder and President, Math Club of SGI

Founded the school’s first-ever math club, building it from scratch. Designed problem-solving sessions, created resources, and mentored juniors—leading to a 30% increase in their average math scores. Established a culture of collaborative learning and curiosity-driven exploration.

Editor-in-Chief, School Newsletter

Managed a 25-member editorial team to publish a biweekly magazine covering diverse topics in academics and student life. Wrote multiple feature articles that blended mathematics, economics, and everyday applications, such as fractals in stock markets, Markov chains in board games, and Fourier analysis in cricket. The cricket article became the most-read piece in the magazine’s history, earning recognition across the school.

Student Council, Academic Head

Elected as Academic Head of the Student Council. Directed school-wide academic initiatives, organizing workshops, competitions, and mentoring programs. Encouraged broad participation, leading to measurable improvement in overall student performance and enthusiasm for academics.

Organizer, School-Wide Debate Competition

Planned and executed the largest debate competition in school history, with 500+ participants. Coordinated judges, logistics, and student moderators, making it the most well-attended academic event of the year. Successfully raised the profile of debating as an intellectual activity in the sc