About us
We believe in carrying forward our heritage and make it part of everything we do. All our initiatives are centred around making learning about Goa’s heritage easy and accessible.
Our Mission
Our mission is to build awareness, educate, and empower communities through contemporary programs that highlight the significance of heritage in an ever-changing world.
Our Values
Our initiatives aim to make heritage conservation accessible and relevant, fostering a deep sense of pride and responsibility among the residents of Goa.
Directors
Heta Pandit
Heta Pandit has written 11 books on Goa’s heritage. The titles are: Houses of Goa, Hidden Hands – Master Builders of Goa, Dust & Other Short Stories from Goa, Walking in Goa, Walking in Old Goa, Walking with Angels, There’s More to Life Than a House in Goa, Grinding Stories-Songs from Goa, Grinding Stories Retold and Stories from Goan Houses. Her Marathi to English translations have been published in Govapuri and Ferry Crossing-An Anthology of Goan Short Stories edited by Fulbright scholar Manohar Shetty. Grinding Stories Songs from Goa and Grinding Stories Retold are anthologies of songs sung at the grinding stone translated by her from the original Marathi-Konkani dialect. She has numerous published articles and papers in international journals to her credit.
Jack Ajit Sukija
Partner at WelcomHeritage Panjim Inn Goa's first classified Heritage Hotel. It is a Franchisee of Maharaja Heritage Resorts Pvt Ltd, a Joint venture between ITC Hotels and the Maharaja of Jodhpur. Current President at TTAG- Travel & Tourism Association of Goa.
Snigdha Manchanda
Snigdha Manchanda is a first-generation entrepreneur based in Goa, where her love for architecture, nature, and community led her to make it home over a decade ago. She is the founder of Tea Trunk, a global wellness tea brand, with a café housed in a 100-year-old heritage home in Fontainhas, Panjim. India’s first certified Tea Sommelier and a public speaker, Snigdha’s work bridges culture, ritual, and identity—reimagining heritage for future generations, one story, one space, one cup of tea at a time.
The Team
Our team comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, each member brings unique skills, unwavering commitment, and a shared vision for Goa’s heritage.
Harihara S S
Harihara S S is a Communications and Outreach Consultant who helps bring people together around shared ideas and interests. He works across heritage, art, culture, and literature, finding ways to make them more engaging and accessible to wider audiences.
Aaron Monteiro
Aaron Monteiro is a photographer and film-maker who documents the stories and life experiences of objects and the people associated with them. His forte lies in his ability to tell a story without the subject even being aware that she is in focus. For Aaron, it is only when the cultural context and the props are in place that the picture is complete.
Kavita Mirchandani
Kavita Mirchandani began life in Mumbai, trained as a textile professional and worked for many years as a corporate trainer. She later moved to Goa to spend more time with nature. This is where she got introduced to various facets of Goan heritage through guided walks, workshops and books. She is on a mission to soak up as much Goan culture as she can!
Saloni Sardessai
Leaxan Frietas
Leandra Fernandes
Avnita Koshy-Sukhija
Avnita Koshy-Sukhija has spent her gap year volunteering for Heritage First Goa from 2024-2025
Documentation Team
Shubhalaxmi
Chayne Lobo
Nolan Ramos
Daniel D’souza
Daniel d’souza is a documentary and commercial photographer who channels his most exploratory self through his photography. His craft enables him to explore spaces, objects and people with the visual landscapes he creates.