Ms Nayak is from Dakshina Kannada and has been fighting for rights of children over the years. She has also authored several articles and a book.
Ms Nayak was Vice-President of the Indian Council for Child Welfare and member of the sub-committee on children in the National Planning Commission of India. She has served three terms as the chairperson of the Karnataka State Council for Child Welfare. She has fought for the rights of HIV-affected children of Karnataka during her tenure.