Engagement Manager
a design-driver strategist bridging innovation and social impact
In the industry, they sometimes call me as
With over 8 years of experience at the intersection of design, technology, and community empowerment, I specialize in creating meaningful solutions for complex societal challenges.
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My journey spans roles as an Engagement Manager, Product Manager, and Social Innovation Consultant across the governance, healthcare, and e-commerce sectors. Most notably, I've dedicated the past five years to designing and managing initiatives in disaster mitigation, response, and resilience building—work that has reinforced my commitment to human-centered design principles and equitable solutions.
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As a design manager, I lead cross-functional teams in prototyping and implementing scalable solutions that balance community well-being with strategic objectives. My approach integrates design thinking with strategic innovation, particularly focusing on empowering underserved communities. This intersection—where design methodology and principles of design design thinking meet social impact—is where I thrive.
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When I'm not crafting solutions for communities, you'll find me at my pottery wheel or reimagining interior spaces. These creative pursuits continually inform my perspective on form, function, and the user experience.
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Looking ahead, I'm passionate about advancing the field of design management and creating bridges between design excellence, technological innovation, and strategic business thinking to drive meaningful social change.
Product Manager
Head of Programs Social Innovation Consultant
Hi! I’m Aashima
My passion lies in leveraging design thinking and strategic innovation to create meaningful, lasting solutions that address complex societal challenges.
My Story
My journey to design management began with a realization: design thinking could transform not just products, but communities. Starting in e-commerce user experience, I transitioned to tackling complex social challenges through strategic design.
This shift led me to a role with a state Chief Minister's office, managing 14 social development programs in youth skills, digital education, and agrotech. Here, I saw how thoughtful design bridges policy vision with community impact.
A defining moment came in 2021 during the pandemic when I led "DMart Store on Wheels," a mobile grocery initiative addressing workforce shortages. This project, from concept to implementation, showcased design's power to turn crises into opportunities.
How do I unwind?
My creative energy flows beyond professional boundaries into meaningful personal projects. I combine my love for photography and social impact by designing postcards featuring moments captured during my community visits. These postcards do more than tell stories—they help raise funds for initiatives supporting rural Indian women's health and hygiene awareness. Each image represents a connection made, a story shared, and an opportunity to create positive change through design.
Reading is my other sanctuary
I set ambitious yearly reading goals and host intimate book clubs that transform my living space into a hub for intellectual exchange and community building.
My digital bookshelf, which I design and curate, invites others into my literary world, featuring both my current reads and thoughtful reviews. It's become a space where my passion for design, storytelling, and knowledge-sharing intersect.
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.