Janhavi is a development economist by training and now works in the field of maternal health. She has a background in academic research in environmental and development economics, with a particular focus on air pollution. Janhavi is a 2018 alumna of Harvard where she completed her PhD in Public Policy, and holds a 2010 BA, cum laude, in Economics and International Studies from Yale.

Janhavi’s personal experience with childbirth in India left her feeling very disempowered and disappointed in the current birthing process. It brought to light the pitifully minimal standard of maternal care in the country, and deeply inspired Janhavi to instigate change. Coming from a well-respected, socially minded family of entrepreneurs, Janhavi founded Aastrika, an initiative of Nilekani Philanthropies.