Jyoti Awasthi has been associated with development sector for more than two decades and has worked with NGOs like ActionAid and Christian Aid where she managed and implemented a range of social development programmes with NGOs across India. Her work has largely revolved around the issues of urban poor, including slum dwellers and homeless.

In 2016, Jyoti co-founded a social enterprise, Satat Sampada, with the objective of promoting sustainable agriculture and traditional rural livelihood practices areas, and simultaneously creating a market for the produce in urban centre of Delhi-NCR. Jyoti firmly believes that the long term solution to the poverty situation lies in the rural areas and that the government has to find ways that are people-centred, local and sustainable.