Our Staff
Executive Head
Dr. Chinnaraj Joseph Jaikumar
Managing Trustee & CEO
Dr. Chinnaraj has been with CEDAR ever since its inception in 1994. A Development Sociologist by training, his theory of change is anchored in developing alternative pedagogical methods and in creating ‘agency’ in the children of the marginalized communities. Behind him is long years of experience as an academician, administrator and policy maker. He was formerly the Principal of the American College, Madurai. He had served several committees of the University Grants Commission of India (UGC). He also served the Governing Council of the National Assessment and Accreditation Commission (NAAC) for three years. He is also an avid promoter of media training and education and founded Madurai Media and Film Studies Academy (MMFSA). He is also a documentary filmmaker.
Research Head
Dr. Thressia Joseph
Child Safeguarding Lead
Thressla is a trained sociologist and had a stint in university teaching. She was the Director of CEDAR for ten long years (2010 –2019) before taking up this assignment as Researcher and Child Safeguarding Lead.
Creative Leads (Alternative Art Education)
Michael Raj
Senior Programme Manager
Michael has been working with CEDAR ever since 2010. He started as a Field Assistant and has risen up to hold the position of Field Manager. Michael is a tireless community worker and has been responsible for setting up many of the CRCs in Ettayapuram Block. He also teaches parai the traditional drum, to children. He is primarily responsible for field-level monitoring of the CRCs. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Tamil Language and Literature.
SivavyravaBalaji
Program Manager
Balaji is formally trained as an Engineer. In addition to this, he went to study four-year filmmaking course at MGR Film Institute, Chennai. He has specialized in film editing. He is also teaching children Alternative Theatre. He is a programme manager, responsible for Madurai operations.
Karthi
Senior Creative Lead - Alternative Photography
Karthick is a formally trained filmmaker. He plays a key role in the film production team. Presently he is the Creative Lead for Alternative Photography Programme at CEDAR.
Marikannan
Cluster Coordinator, Kovilpatti
Marikannan’s association with CEDAR spans over a period of 20 years and goes back to his childhood days. He was an active member of CEDAR’s Children’s Collective as a child. Though he is assigned the job of field level assistance, he teaches children computer basics and dance. He is a member of ‘Forum for Child Rights Monitoring’ a state level platform for child protection since 2016. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics.
Guru Prakash
Manager, Post-production
Guruprakash by academic training is an Automobile Engineer. But his passion lies in filmmaking. He has trained himself as a film editor. As a Senior Creative Lead, he heads the postproduction department.
Alasta Miranda
Cinematographer
Alasta is basically interested in Cinematography and making video narratives. She is also teaching creative photography to children. She is also responsible for photo curation at CEDAR.
Jenifer
Social Media Manager
As a postgraduate in English and Literature, she is involved in developing alternative pedagogical practices to teach foundational skills in English. She is also the social media manager of CEDAR.
Administration
Ms. Muthu Priya
Accounts Officer
Before joining CEDAR Muthu Priya had acquired more than 10 years work experience. Starting her career in an NGO, she later shifted to the corporate sector. Working for Aparajitha Corporation she worked in the areas of Labour Law and Financial Law Compliances. She joined CEDAR in 2019. She takes care of Accounts, Statutory Compliances and Office Administration.
Thaveethu Raja
Programme Assistant
One of the long serving employees of CEDAR, Thaveethu joined CEDAR in 2005. With multifaceted abilities and the right attitude for work Thaveethu runs that much required extra mile to run the office on a day to day basis. Coming from very trying circumstances Thaveethu had to fight many odds before he entered CEDAR, his second home. He is a matriculate.
Facilitators
Ms.K.Kalpana
B.A D.T.Ed
Thomas nagar - 2
Her name is Kalpana K. She has completed her bachelor's degree in history during the year 2011-2014. She started her career at CEDAR in November 2022 as a facilitator in Thomas Nagar village.
Ms.H.Howsalya
B. A. D.El.Ed
Thomas Nagar - 1
Her name is Kowsalya H. She has completed her bachelor’s degree, and she did her B.Ed. and DT.Ed. She started her career at CEDAR in February 2020 as a facilitator at Keela Eeral village. She has been serving for four years.
Ms.S.Sangeetha
B.Sc (CS & IT)
Keela eral - 2
Her name is Sangeeta S. She has completed her B.Sc. (CS &IT). For the past four years, she has been working as a facilitator at CEDAR in Keela Eeral village.
Ms.J.Selvi
HSC (+2)
Keela eral
Her name is J. Selvi. She has completed her higher secondary degree. She joined CEDAR in September 2019 at Keela Eeral village as a facilitator. She is the CEDAR faculty member with the longest tenure. She has been serving for five years.
Ms.Chandra
SSLC
Koosalipatti
Her name is Chandra V. She has completed her SSLC and joined CEDAR in March 2020. She pursues her work as a facilitator at Koosalipatti village.
Ms.kanagavali
B.A, B.ED (English)
Lakkamaldevi
Her name is Kanagavalli M. She has completed her B.A degree in English Literature and B.Ed. and joined CEDAR in November 2020. She worked as a facilitator at Lakkammaldevi village.
Ms.KanagaLakshmi
M.Sc., B.Ed(Computer Science)
Koosalipatti - 2
Her name is Kanagalakshmi K. She has completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science and did her B.Ed. She is currently working as a teacher in a private school (R.C primary School). She started her career at CEDAR during February 2023 in Koosalipatti village as a facilitator.
Ms.Mahalakshmi
B.A (History)
Mandhithoopu
Her name is Mahalakshmi S. She has completed her bachelor's degree in history from 2011 to 2014. She started her career at CEDAR in November 2022. And she is pursuing as a facilitator in Manthithoppu village.
Ms.Sowmiya
HSC
Pungavarnatham
Her name is Sowmiya S. She has completed her Higher Secondary in year 2013. She started her career at CEDAR in August 2025. And she is pursuing as a facilitator in Pungavarnatham village.
Ms.Kanagalakshmi
HSC
Kumarikulam
Her name is Kanagalakshmi M . She has completed her Higher Secondary in year 2024. She started her career at CEDAR in June 2025. And she is pursuing as a facilitator in Kumarikulam village.
Ms.Maheswari
B.com(3rd Year)
Manjanayakkanpatti-2
Her name is Maheswari C. She is presently studying in the third year of his Bacherlor of Commerce. She started her career at CEDAR in November 2025. And she is pursuing as a facilitator in Manjanayakkanpatti village.
Ms.Sivakami
HSC
Manjanayakkanpatti-1
Her name is Sivakami P. She has completed her Higher Secondary in year 2013. She started her career at CEDAR in November 2025. And she is pursuing as a facilitator in Manjanayakkanpatti village.
Ms.Nivetha
HSC
Lingavadi
Ms.Karthika
D.T.Ed
Lingavadi
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