A Masters from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, Nivedita Banerji has lived and worked among the tribal communities of the Narmada valley, Central India, for the last 32 years and led the SPS Women's Empowerment Programme. She has guided the SPS strategy of building powerful local institutions led by women, with the vision that these would emerge as a key building block for effective empowerment of the poor, giving these neglected regions a necessary voice in mainstream development and strengthening Indian democracy at the grass-roots. Within SPS she created Kumbaya, a social enterprise that empowers women and people of disability with the art of stitching. Starting with 12 women, 28 years back, today it is a well- known brand and a Producer Company. Her gift for design and the philosophy behind it is embedded deeply in the work of SPS – in the innovative architecture of the Baba Amte Centre for People’s Empowerment; in the watershed works and the nationally acclaimed SPS Watershed Training Manuals that have been translated into many languages. Nivedita Banerji has been the Secretary from 2008 to 2014. In recognition of her contributions, Nivedita Banerji was invited to be a Member of the Government of India’s Working Group on Minor Irrigation and Watershed Management for the 12th Five Year Plan Nivedita Banerji has authored the West Bengal part in the book Saris of India –Bihar & West Bengal published by Wiley Eastern Ltd., London.  She has co-authored the paper “Government Schedule of Rates: Working Against Rural Labour”, (along with P.S. Vijay Shankar, Rangu Rao and Mihir Shah) published in the Economic and Political Weekly, in April, 2006. She is on the board of Nivasa, an Architectural Not-for-Profit Trust, that works to enable humane and dignified living conditions for the underserved segment in India, through design.

Mukteshwari Kaushik Bosco (Mukti), founded Healing Fields Foundation in the year 2000 and has utilized her deep understanding of rural communities and their needs to pioneer a series of community-driven innovations in health and women’s empowerment. Mukti's twenty-year journey developing community health and empowerment began with one of the first few micro-insurance programs in India for which she was awarded the Ashoka Fellowship in 2007, and has expanded to include education, health services and livelihood development. Today, Mukti leads a preventative health education program that reaches over 6 million families in India in about 5000 villages. She is a graduate of Christian Medical College, Vellore, and later did her Masters from the Administrative Staff College of India with Johns Hopkins University.  She has been awarded the Women Social Entrepreneur by MSDS Foundation and was the finalist of the Social Entrepreneur of the Year awarded by the World Economic Forum and Jubilant Bharatiya Foundation in 2019.  In 2022, The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington felicitated Mukti with the Roux Prize – the world's  largest award for evidence-based public health achievement, awarded annually to an individual who has used health evidence in “bold ways to make people healthier” –  and to highlight how visionaries use data to change lives. Healing Fields was also honored to be chosen as one of the Top 50 last-mile responders in India by the World Economic Forum, in recognition of their work during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Cyriac Babu Joseph was the Chief Executive Officer of Axis Bank Foundation from 2010 to 2015. He joined the Bank in 1995 and served at different branch positions before moving to the corporate headquarters in Mumbai in 2005 to head the Advances Department. Prior to joining Axis Bank, C. Babu Joseph worked at the State Bank of Travancore (now a part of State Bank of India).

Narendranath Damodaran (Naren) is an Integrator PRADAN. He joined PRADAN thirty-three years back and have contributed significantly to evolving ideas and programmes around rural livelihoods and women’s empowerment. The work done by Naren and colleagues in the late-80s paved way for the emergence of the Self-Help- Group movement in Eastern India. As a field professional in PRADAN in Jharkhand and Rajasthan, Naren organised rural women in SHGs and implemented livelihood programmes. Later he was involved in a number of national and international research and documentation efforts to build knowledge from practice. Naren set up the National Resource Centre for Livelihoods in PRADAN for influencing and informing the design and implementation of the flagship development initiatives of the Government such as the NRLM and MGNREGA, and facilitated policy dialoguing. He functions as Board member in a few civil society organisations and also takes keen interest in fostering NGO networks. He lives in Delhi with his wife and daughter.

Rohit Bhasin is a Chartered Accountant with over 38 years of experience in leading organisations such as Standard Chartered Bank, AIG Inc, and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). In addition to general management expertise, he has a strong functional experience in the Finance area including Business Strategy, Investment Advisory, Business Planning & Restructuring and Corporate Finance, across sectors.

Rohit is currently a member of the Governing Council (Board) of Save the Children, India, a non-profit organisation that has been serving disadvantaged children since the 1920s. He is also associated with other non-governmental organisations such as the Centre for Policy Research (CPR), the Azad Foundation, and Mobile Creches.

Rohit is also certified as a coach by two international organisations and is a mentor/coach to several industry leaders.

Prasanna Khemariya is the CEO of SRIJAN.

Prasanna worked as a consultant on Aquaculture, Positive Water Balance, Soil and Water Conservation, land restoration, and Integrated Natural Resource Management before joining SRIJAN in 2012. He has 34 years of expertise in designing large-scale development projects and has rich experience in implementing rural development on farm rural livelihoods-related projects.

He started his career as Assistant Engineer with an erstwhile MP Fisheries Development Corporation. He spent almost two decades with the Government of Madhya Pradesh, overseeing and implementing various projects in livelihoods promotion, poverty alleviation, fisheries, and aquaculture initiatives in tribal areas of Chhattisgarh. He held many positions, including Project In charge of one of the sub-projects of Bhoj WetLand Project Bhopal, Technical Officer of State Land Use Board, and State Monitoring and Learning Coordinator in the World Bank-funded MP - DPIP.

He has also worked as an Investment Advisor and co-authored books on the Indian Equity Market's technical aspects.

Prasanna was engaged in consulting roles with projects supported by the Department of International Development, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), OECF (Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund, Japan), and India's MGNREGA initiatives. Over the years, he has gathered deep expertise in Policy Advocacy, Rural Livelihoods Management, Environment, Climate Change, Positive Water Balance, and Regenerative Agriculture.

Prasanna's beliefs are rooted in the holistic development of rural communities by bringing together the power of communities, technology, and innovations to ensure sustainable livelihood opportunities for the underprivileged. He is an avid reader and photographer and has a deep interest in Indian Native Trees and Environmental Issues.

Prasanna has a graduate degree in Agriculture Engineering from College of Agriculture Engineering, JNKVV, (Jabalpur) and did his Masters in Aquaculture Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT), Kharagpur

Namita Pandey, the Chief Human Resources Officer at SRIJAN, exemplifies transformative leadership and dedication to the non-profit sector. Her career is a profound narrative of commitment to organizational development, community engagement, and gender equality. Namita’s innovative HR practices, continuous learning, and advocacy for education-industry collaboration reflect her forward-thinking approach and unwavering dedication to social impact.

Namita’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering from Gobind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar. However, her true calling unfolded when she joined SRIJAN directly after graduation, choosing to work with underprivileged women, Scheduled Tribes, and Scheduled Castes in Rajasthan’s Tonk district. These grassroots experiences shaped her unique perspective on HR and organizational leadership, and her potential led her to lead SRIJAN’s Human Resource cell. There, she redefined recruitment processes, fostering a system to recruit and train fresh graduates as impactful change agents for India’s poorest regions.Her journey also includes a rich tapestry of international exposure, including her participation in the Disha program, guided by the British Prime Minister’s office, where she contributed insights on Public-Private Partnerships.

Namita further honed her global perspective through leadership workshops in London and San Diego, California, bridging cultural and national divides to foster collaboration for societal betterment. As SRIJAN’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Namita spearheads transformative HR initiatives, focusing on recruitment strategies, induction programs, training, and performance management systems.

In her current role, she actively shares her insights on bridging gaps between educational institutions and organizations to address societal challenges. Namita’s journey is a testament to the power of HR and leadership in driving positive change both within and outside organisation.

Stutilina Pal is an accomplished development professional with extensive expertise in designing and implementing programs that empower communities, particularly smallholders, women, and marginalized groups, through innovative livelihood and gender-focused initiatives. With a career spanning over two decades , she has led multidisciplinary teams and worked closely with local communities across central and northern India, specializing in agriculture, horticulture, and natural resource management. Her efforts have consistently aimed to foster economic empowerment, gender equity, and sustainable development.

Stuti’s leadership has driven the successful scale-up of numerous livelihood programs, including pioneering interventions in pomegranate cultivation, SRI (System of Rice Intensification), and dairy enterprises. She has cultivated strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, such as Axis Bank Foundation, American India Foundation, and Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium, while mobilizing resources to strengthen program implementation. Her ability to align grassroots efforts with government-aided initiatives, such as NREGA and state-level livelihood programs, has been instrumental in building resilient and self-sustaining community-based institutions. A recipient of the prestigious Chevening Scholarship from the British High Commission, Stutilina holds a Master’s degree in Gender and Development from the University of Sussex and a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Sciences from Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology. Her international exposure, including academic pursuits at STFX University in Canada, has enriched her perspective on community development and strategic planning. In addition to her leadership roles, Stutilina has contributed significantly to research and knowledge dissemination in the development sector. She has conducted national and state-level studies on agricultural practices, women’s involvement in farming, and value chain assessments for crops like minor millets. Her work includes developing manuals for sustainable livelihoods under NREGA, evaluating WASH programs, and authoring case studies on innovative interventions in agriculture and health. Stutilina is deeply committed to empowering women, as demonstrated by her leadership in initiatives such as the Bundelkhand Initiative for Land, Agriculture, and Water, which emphasized community institution building and political empowerment. She continues to drive strategic planning processes, develop knowledge materials, and foster institutional partnerships that align with her vision of inclusive and equitable development.

Stuti’s work reflects her belief in the transformative power of community institutions, inclusive markets, and gender equity. Her strategic acumen and deep field experience continue to inspire impactful change in rural livelihoods and development initiatives across India.

Purushottam is a highly accomplished development professional with over 21 years of experience in sustainable agriculture, horticulture development, natural resource management, livelihood enhancement, and community wellbeing. His extensive expertise and unwavering dedication to rural transformation have positioned him as a leader in advancing sustainable practices and improving the lives of marginalized farming communities.

Currently serving as the Program Director at SRIJAN, Purushottam spearheads transformative horticulture initiatives that positively impact over 7,000 orchard farmers and 13,000 vegetable farmers. His work emphasizes the development of sustainable nano orchards and vegetable plots, particularly in rain-fed and remote regions. By co-creating knowledge systems and enhancing community skills in horticulture production, he enables farmers to adopt sustainable practices, optimize yields, and secure improved livelihoods.In his leadership role, Purushottam plays a critical part in designing strategic frameworks, formulating actionable plans, and building the capacity of field teams across Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. He is deeply involved in fundraising efforts, the professional development of human resources, and fostering strong relationships with donors to ensure the sustained growth and impact of the organization. His ability to align on-ground initiatives with organizational goals has been instrumental in scaling SRIJAN's reach and effectiveness. Prior to his role at SRIJAN, Purushottam worked with the Reliance Foundation, where he served as Team Leader for the Netrang (Gujarat) and Sendhwa (Madhya Pradesh) clusters. During this tenure, he contributed significantly to the Bharat India Jodo (BIJ) Rural Transformation Program, implementing community-driven solutions to address key rural development challenges. His approach emphasized participatory development, integrating grassroots insights with innovative strategies to achieve lasting impact. Purushottam holds a Master’s degree in Agriculture, with a specialization in Agronomy, from Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur. This strong academic foundation, coupled with decades of hands-on experience, has made him an authority in sustainable agriculture and rural development.

Driven by his passion for empowering rural communities, Purushottam is committed to advancing equitable and sustainable practices that foster holistic development. His work exemplifies the integration of technical expertise, strategic leadership, and a deep understanding of grassroots realities to create meaningful and transformative change in underserved regions.

With over 20 years of extensive experience in rural development and sustainable agriculture, Rupendra is a dynamic leader committed to fostering transformative change in rural communities. As Program Director for Rajasthan and thematic anchor of agriculture at SRIJAN, he has been at the forefront of designing and implementing strategies that promote sustainable livelihoods, natural resource management, and climate-resilient farming practices. Starting as a grassroots practitioner, Rupendra now leads and manages large-scale, critical projects, collaborating with key stakeholders across public, private, and non-governmental sectors.

He has demonstrated exceptional expertise in initiating and scaling sustainable agri-horticulture programs tailored to local farming practices with work spanning from holistic village transformation, watershed development, and crop diversification, to a strong emphasis on empowering women farmers and building resilient community institutions. Key initiatives under their leadership include projects funded by the National Stock Exchange Foundation, Aditya Birla Capital Foundation, HDFC Bank, RBL Bank etc. addressing critical issues like food and nutrition security, efficient energy use, and regenerative agriculture. Rupendra has also played a pivotal role in organizational strategy, including programmatic supervision, resource mobilization, and stakeholder liaison for Rajasthan's regional operations. By leveraging participatory tools and analyzing data insights, he ensured the effective design and implementation of impactful programs. His contributions to projects such as the Rajasthan Agriculture Competitiveness Project (RACP) and the Madhya Pradesh Rural Livelihood Project (MPRLP) have set benchmarks for sustainable agricultural practices and rural development. Besides implementation, Rupendra has developed critical resources for the sector, such as the user manual ‘Building Sustainable Livelihoods of the Poor through MGNREGA’ in collaboration with UNDP and the Government of India. He consistently worked on capacity building through knowledge-sharing materials, training programs, and fostering partnerships with organizations like Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC Bank, and Capri Foundation.

His unwavering commitment to rural development continues to inspire and drive efforts for a more equitable and sustainable future.

Sarvesh is a seasoned development professional with over two decades of experience in designing and managing large-scale programs across the domains of livelihoods, natural resource management, and rural development. Currently serving as Program Director at SRIJAN, he leads strategic planning, program implementation, stakeholder management, and organizational development efforts to drive impactful change in underserved communities.

Throughout his career, He has consistently demonstrated expertise in program strategy, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, and partnership development. He has been instrumental in creating innovative frameworks for livelihood promotion, such as sustainable dairy and horticulture models, while supporting grassroots community organizations, including women-led federations and producer companies. His work has led to impactful collaborations with corporates, government agencies, and international donors. His tenure at organizations such as BRLF and Technoserve further honed his skills in institutional capacity building, program designing, and fostering Public-Private Partnerships. His contributions to global projects, including USAID initiatives in Kenya, reflect a nuanced understanding of cross-cultural program implementation and knowledge exchange. With a strong academic foundation, including a Master’s in Computer Science from NIT Allahabad and specialized training in livelihoods and markets from Coady International Institute, Canada, Sarvesh combines technical acumen with on-ground expertise. He is deeply committed to community empowerment, particularly through gender-inclusive programs, and is adept at aligning organizational goals with broader socio-economic outcomes.

As a member of the management committee, Sarvesh brings a visionary approach, practical experience, and a collaborative spirit to advancing sustainable development initiatives and enhancing organizational impact.

Ansuman Tripathy is the Finance Manager of SRIJAN. In the current capacity, he leads the Finance function of SRIJAN across all locations. He comes with 21 years of experience in corporate and development sector specialising in the areas of Strategy implementation, Financial Management, Grants & Contracts Management, Compliances under FCRA & Taxation, Capacity Building, Procurement and Administration. He has worked with development organisations of repute like Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives, Population Services International, IPE Global Limited, Public Health Foundation of India having handled large scale projects in Eastern states of India and Delhi. He holds a Master’s in business administrations with specialisation In Finance from Fakir Mohan University, Odisha and CA Final from ICAI, New Delhi