Welcoming Our Deputy Director: An Interview with Yangchen Donka

We sat down with Yangchen Donka, Adhikaar’s Deputy Director, who joined the team in April 2026. Yangchen brings over a decade of nonprofit work, in addition to experience in corporate and government relations. Yangchen is the lead for strengthening internal systems, the backbone of any successful organization. Adhikaar is thrilled to have Yangchen’s skills and enthusiasm as part of its senior management team.

Can you share some of your formative experiences from your childhood?

I grew up in Darjeeling, India, a vibrant town known for its tea, diversity, and strong educational institutions. I attended Loreto Convent, an all-girls school that instilled in me discipline, confidence, and the importance of women’s empowerment. Early on, I became aware that many girls around me were not given the same support or freedom to dream,  which made me more aware of inequality and shaped my belief in equity and opportunity for others. As a young adult, I experienced and witnessed discrimination against people from the “Hills” and Northeast India, and often found myself defending my identity, background, and community. My mother was my greatest role model, and I deeply admired the strength and resilience with which she navigated life as a Sherpa woman.

What work experiences do you bring to Adhikaar?

When I first came to New York, breaking into the workforce was difficult. Like many immigrants, I took whatever work I could find, including working long hours for low pay in restaurants, where I experienced firsthand the realities many working-class immigrants face in the U.S. , which means limited benefits, economic insecurity, and constant uncertainty. Later, I joined Chhaya CDC, a nonprofit supporting South Asian immigrant families through housing and economic empowerment. That role became my entry point into the nonprofit sector, and over time, I grew into leadership positions, most recently at Neighborhood Restore, helping families navigate access to affordable housing opportunities.   

Through my nonprofit journey, I witnessed countless families transform their lives through financial stability and trusted community support. Those experiences reinforced my belief that finance can and should be a force for justice, one that creates pathways to dignity and security for working families. I later brought that perspective into the banking sector, helping initiate programs such as HOPE and HomeFirst. What has stayed with me throughout is the understanding that meaningful change is not just about access to information, but about working with people and institutions communities trust. That is the perspective and commitment I bring to Adhikaar.

What are you most excited about in the role of Deputy Director?

It’s only been a few weeks, and I am so honored to be part of such a passionate team that has heart and power. This small group does so much – especially now, at a time when Adhikaar’s advocacy and services and fight is critical.. As Deputy Director, I see my role as helping strengthen the organization internally by improving systems, streamlining processes, and creating structures that allow staff to focus their full energy and care on serving the community and expanding our programs and impact.

One of my first projects is leading the redesign of our office/community center so it is setup for Adhikaar’s day-to-day operations, while also being a welcoming, environment for all who visit, a true “Maiti Ghar”, a home away from home. I often describe myself as both a dreamer and a systems builder, and I am excited to bring both of those perspectives to Adhikaar I hope the community understands that for all that we’ve been through, we are stronger than ever. With new leadership comes new energy, and I am thrilled to be part of Adhikaar’s next chapter.  

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, much of my world revolves around my family and my 11-year-old daughter, Arya. Like many parents of pre-teens, I spend a lot of time in various activities, visiting libraries, listening to endless stories, and supporting her interests while helping her build the confidence, curiosity, and sense of self she needs to thrive. 

And if there’s any time remaining after balancing work, family, and everything in between, I relax with a good Bollywood movie, because sometimes the best therapy is three hours of music, drama, and dancing in the middle of a mountain.