MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SECULARIST
Meet Our Team
Our team of journalists, editors, researchers, and contributors is united by a commitment to independent journalism, critical thinking, and meaningful storytelling. Together, we work to inform, inspire, and amplify voices that deserve to be heard.
Meet Our Team
Dr Ritu Mahendru, PhD
Founder and Editor-in-Chief, The SecularistDr. Ritu Mahendru is a researcher, writer, and public intellectual, working on gender, migration, power, and social justice. She is also the founder of Vashi Impact Group, a research and advisory firm working across development, humanitarian action, and public policy
Jyoti Kumari
Head of Human ResourcesJyoti Dhiman is an HR Manager dedicated to building a positive workplace culture. She specialises in talent acquisition, employee engagement, training, and performance management, fostering collaboration, growth, and employee satisfaction.
Farhan Baig
Head of Information and TechnologyFarhan Baig is the CEO & Founder of Infinity Plus 1 with 8+ years in web architecture and digital platforms. He has previously worked with Agoda and BeatO and delivered 50+ projects. He leads the tech infrastructure and development team at The Secularist.
Sucheta Chaurasia
Researcher & JournalistSucheta Chaurasia is a researcher and journalist with The Secularist. Previously, she has worked with print and digital news platforms in India and the UK, telling multimedia stories of human interests, community journalism, climate change, and socio-cultural politics.
Pranita Chimurkar
Social Media and Graphic Design ExecutivePranita Chimurkar manages our social media and graphics. She creates engaging visual content, including, but not limited to, proposal covers, infographics, and videos. She enjoys dancing, painting, cooking, and creative storytelling.
Meet Our Board Member
Lynne O’Donnell
Board MemberLynne O’Donnell is an award-winning journalist, foreign correspondent, and author whose career has taken her to the frontlines of some of the world’s most volatile regions – from war-torn Afghanistan to the corridors of power in China. With decades of experience reporting on war, terrorism, geopolitics, and the global scramble for resources, Lynne has built a reputation for fearless, meticulously researched journalism that refuses to look away from difficult truths. Her 2007 book High Tea in Mosul offered a rare and human portrait of life under occupation, earning critical acclaim for its nuanced perspective on ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. She is currently completing her forthcoming book, The Godfather of Terror, an unflinching investigation into the Taliban, the heroin trade, and America’s long and consequential war in Afghanistan. Based in Victoria, Australia, Lynne continues to report and write about authoritarianism, extremism, the erosion of rights, and the enduring importance of a free press. Her ongoing journalism and analysis are available through her Substack, Project Taliban. As a board member of The Secularist, Lynne brings her deep field expertise and unwavering commitment to truth-telling to amplify the voices and stories that challenge religious extremism, political manipulation, and the systemic marginalisation of vulnerable communities.
Meet Our Interns
Karuna Kumari Kandregula
Researcher & WriterKaruna Kumari Kandregula is an independent writer and researcher from Andhra Pradesh, India. Her work explores social issues, politics, education, gender, child protection, rural development, and climate-related challenges and solutions.
Winston Churchill
Researcher and WriterWinston Churchill is a Kenyan writer and researcher with a strong interest in governance, human rights, law, and public policy. His work explores social, political, and cultural issues through research-driven analysis and commentary. He is passionate about promoting public engagement on issues affecting society, particularly youth, justice, and civic freedoms.
United by Purpose, Driven by Impact
Behind every story is a dedicated team passionate about truth, integrity, and social change. We believe in the power of journalism to inform communities and strengthen democratic values.