Mr. G. Rajendran
Mr. G. Rajendran is a senior banking professional with expertise in Agricultural Finance, MSME Development and Financial Inclusion. As a veteran in the banking sector, he brings over 35 years of experience leading diverse initiatives in agricultural lending, rural and corporate banking and strategic delivery of financial inclusion across India. He offers a unique combination of grassroots engagement and institutional leadership, having advanced through roles from Agricultural Extension Officer to Deputy General Manager at Canara Bank.
He specializes in branch management, MSME and Agri consultancy, microfinance program implementation, and the formulation of banking strategies for financial inclusion. His work is distinguished by direct involvement with farmers, SMEs, and rural communities, as well as oversight of prestigious urban and corporate branches in New Delhi, Gurgaon, Chennai, and Kolkata. He has played a pivotal role in institutional capacity building — serving as Director in Regional Rural Banks, leading major banking projects such as the UIDAI initiative, and establishing foundational frameworks for financial inclusion, including the deployment of business correspondents and banking plans.
He has guided operational teams, championed agri-business solutions, and promoted scalable models for inclusive banking, ensuring that banking services reach underserved populations. In Executive role at Canara Bank, his leadership extended to MSME development, Agri Business Manager programs, and advising numerous need-based programs with community-driven approaches.
Holding an MSc in Agriculture, CAIIB, and a Diploma in Microfinance, he blends deep sectoral knowledge with strategic management skills, contributing to banking operations, regional rural bank governance, and transformative rural development. He continues to advise organizations and government programs, upholding values of inclusion, sustainability, and measurable impact.
Mr. K. Sreenivasa Rao
K. Sreenivasa Rao brings with him over 35 years of rich, hands-on experience in the banking and financial services sector, with a strong focus on agricultural finance, MSME lending, project finance and rural development. Throughout his extensive career, he has held senior leadership positions and contributed to institution-building and product innovation across private sector banks, NBFCs, microfinance institutions and corporate entities.
He has successfully led lending operations in diverse geographies and economic segments, ranging from grassroots rural branches to metro-level financial hubs. His work spans a wide spectrum of functions, including credit and risk management, asset quality monitoring, team leadership, product development and business strategy. A key highlight of his career has been maintaining zero loan delinquency in multiple portfolios and pioneering innovative loan products for farmers, SHGs, micro-entrepreneurs and retail vendors.
He has worked with organizations such as ING Vysya Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Reliance Retail Ltd, Spandana Sphoorty Financial Limited, and Saggraha Management Services Pvt. Ltd., building and managing large-scale lending operations. His experience also includes designing credit products tailored to rural and semi-urban markets, forming strategic partnerships with corporate entities and spearheading new business verticals like LAP (Loan Against Property) within BC (Business Correspondents) partnerships.
Currently, he serves as an Independent Director at Kamarhatty Company Limited and as an Ombudsman with Alpha Alternatives Financial Services Pvt. Ltd., continuing to contribute his deep domain expertise and ethical oversight to the sector.
Academically, he holds an Executive General Management Degree from IIM Bangalore, a Postgraduate Diploma in Co-operation and Rural Studies from Andhra University and a BSc. in Agriculture from Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University. His strong academic grounding in rural economics and agriculture has consistently informed his professional approach to inclusive and sustainable finance.
Mr. G. Srinivasa Reddy
Mr. G. Srinivasa Reddy is a seasoned career banker with over 38 years of extensive experience in General Banking, Treasury Management, Financial Markets, Forex Treasury and Back-office Operations. He carries proven expertise in Forex, Fixed Income, Liquidity Management, Regulatory Compliance, Treasury Systems Implementation and Strategic Financial Planning. Recognized as a leader and change agent, he has consistently delivered business results by improving operational reliability, simplifying processes, and enabling scalable growth in the banking and finance domain.
He has held leadership positions in reputed institutions such as Utkarsh Small Finance Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, CCIL, ICICI Bank and Corporation Bank. At Utkarsh, he was instrumental in setting up the Treasury function, implementing revised investment guidelines, improving portfolio yields, and raising bulk deposits. His earlier roles at Kotak involved establishing Forex Treasury Operations and implementing major treasury systems like Calypso, while at CCIL he played a foundational role in launching the Net Settlement System for Government Securities. At ICICI Bank, he headed Treasury Operations for Forex, Money Markets, Securities, and Derivatives, and began his career at Corporation Bank managing branch operations and later as a dealer in Money and Securities Markets.
He holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. from Osmania University, Hyderabad, along with a Diploma in Advanced Banking Management from NMIMS, Mumbai.
Mr. Abhishek Anand
Abhishek Anand brings over 20 years of rich experience in the banking and financial services sector, with a strong focus on corporate banking, Agri-SME finance, supply chain finance, and structured trade solutions. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership positions, developed key platforms, and contributed to business growth, policy formulation, and product innovation across leading private sector banks and his own entrepreneurial venture.
He has successfully managed P&L responsibilities, led high-performing teams, and built strong corporate relationships at the CXO level across diverse industries. His work spans a wide range of functions, including business development, risk management, policy formulation, regulatory compliance, and strategic advisory. A key highlight of his career has been designing and delivering customized financial solutions for corporates, managing large lending portfolios, and creating sustainable business models in the trade finance ecosystem.
He has worked with organizations such as Kotak Mahindra Bank and ICICI Bank holding leadership roles across Corporate Banking, Supply Chain Finance, Agri Business Finance & Priority Sector Lending. His experience includes structuring financial solutions for domestic and international trade, managing priority sector lending targets, portfolio risk management, and forging strategic partnerships to drive business growth.
Currently, he serves as the Co-founder & CEO of GTFHUB, where he is building a global trade finance ecosystem to facilitate efficient cross-border business transactions. In this capacity, he continues to leverage his expertise in finance, supply chain, and risk management to create impactful and scalable solutions.
Academically, he holds a Post Graduate Program in Management from the Indian School of Business (ISB) with majors in Finance & Strategy and a Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management from Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA). His educational background, combined with his professional experience, has equipped him with a deep understanding of both rural and corporate financial landscapes, enabling him to drive innovative financial strategies.
Dr. Sandeep Kumar
Dr. Sandeep Kumar has more than 18 years of demonstrated work experience in research, program management, monitoring & evaluation, and training. He has worked in a wide range of sectors including public health, gender, youth entrepreneurship, skill development, rural development, procurement, and public policy. He has demonstrated technical expertise in system strengthening, institution building, reforms and coordination.
He has experience of working with the government including various State governments and Central government. Sandeep has worked with credible donors like UK Aid, UNDP, ILO, World Bank, WRI, and UNICEF. He has proven expertise in conducting research projects (both quantitative & qualitative), preparing policy documents, strategy papers, results framework, and presentation to convey key messages & action points to stakeholders
He holds a Master’s and PhD degree in Economics from Gokhale Institute of Politics & Economics, Pune.
Ms. Sita Vasudevan
Ms. Sita Vasudevan is a seasoned professional with over twenty-five years of experience spanning line and consulting roles in Human Resources, Strategy, and Business Management across corporate, social impact, and international development sectors. Her domain expertise lies in Strategic HR, Business Integrated Solutions, tech-enabled initiatives, talent and leadership development, performance management, and organizational development. With extensive exposure to organizations across Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America, she has also had a significant association of more than fifteen years with United Nations agencies, focusing on talent assessment, leadership development, and coaching.
In her career, she has held key positions such as Director HR at Allegis Global Solutions, where she led HR strategy and operations for the India business, working closely with global and local stakeholders. As an Independent Consultant for over a decade, she managed high-impact projects in HR systems, leadership development, and organizational diagnostics for clients like Haqdarshak Empowerment Solutions, Capital One, Airbus, and several UN agencies. Her earlier assignments include roles with Unitus Advisors (Solutions Manager), Gallup India (Managing Consultant), SHL India (Consultant), and IMR Global (Executive HR), with notable achievements in institution building, large-scale talent assessments, capacity building for NGOs, and leadership coaching at both national and international levels.
She holds a PGDM (HR) from SCMHRD Pune and a Bachelor's in Electronics and Communication Engineering from GCT, Coimbatore. She has supplemented her education with certifications in psychometric testing, Gallup talent methodologies, and strategic leadership training from prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School. Passionate about classical music and cycling, she is also dedicated to enabling local entrepreneurship and welfare for the informal sector, and prides herself on a client-centric approach and fostering talent empowerment in every assignment she undertakes.
Mr. Suyash Rai
Suyash Rai is a
Fellow and Deputy Director at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
India. His present research interests are in the areas of political economy, public
institutions, and professions in India. Prior to joining the Carnegie Endowment, he was
a Fellow at the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy.
He has also
previously worked at ICICI Bank and Dvara Trust. He has held consulting
positions at the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) of the World Bank and the
Ministry of Finance, Government of India. His writings have appeared in publications
such as the IMF Working Paper Series, the ADB Working Paper Series, the Wall Street
Journal, Seminar Magazine, and Indian Express. He has also contributed papers in several
edited volumes.
Mr. Saurabh Kumar Sinha
Mr. Saurabh Kumar Sinha is a seasoned policy and development professional with over 18 years of experience spanning government advisory, investment promotion, stakeholder engagement, and project implementation. His career reflects a strong commitment to enabling inclusive economic growth through evidence-based policy support, institution building, and regulatory reforms across sectors such as industrial development, food processing, MSMEs, logistics, and startups.
He has worked extensively with Central and State Governments, public institutions, and leading private sector firms. His portfolio includes key roles in shaping investment and industrial policies, setting up single-window clearance systems, facilitating industrial corridors, and operationalizing government incentive schemes. He has been instrumental in managing public-private partnerships and ensuring effective program implementation at both strategic and ground levels.
Throughout his journey, he has collaborated with organizations such as PwC, Grant Thornton, Deloitte, Mahindra Group, Welspun One Logistics, IL&FS and also worked at Canara Bank. His work has involved high-level liaison with senior bureaucrats (CS, ACS, PS), industry leaders, business associations, and development agencies. Amongst his various endeavours, He has also contributed to the Ease of Doing Business reforms in Bihar, helped implement the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor and supported the development of state startup ecosystems.
His expertise lies in policy formulation, regulatory reform, transaction and investment advisory, stakeholder management, and capacity building. His ability to navigate government systems and translate business needs into policy action has consistently added value to both public and private sector engagements.
He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management from IRMA, Anand, and a Certification in Business Analytics from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. In addition, he is a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB). This academic foundation has enabled him to combine analytical depth with practical execution in all his professional roles.
Ms. Prerna Sharma
Prerna Sharma is a seasoned consultant with over a decade of experience in environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation & ESG. Her expertise lies in integrating biodiversity enhancement with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She has played a pivotal role in guiding both corporate and academic stakeholders towards measurable ecological impact and has engaged with a diverse range of organizations & initiatives.
She has led ESG training programs for global corporates such as AISAN, Fortum, and spearheaded biodiversity assessments under the “Model Eco Village Project” with Hindustan Unilever & Parmarth. As an adjunct faculty at Shri Vishwakarma Skill University & a visiting faculty at KKMII Stratford University, she has mentored thousands of students in sustainability and environmental sciences. Her work as a LINC Fellow and editorial contributor to Samvad Broadcast further highlights her commitment to knowledge dissemination and public engagement. Additionally, her contributions as a freelance consultant and technical assistant at the University of Delhi underline her versatility in both applied and research-driven roles.
She is MSc in Biotechnology; BSc in Botany, Chemistry & Zoology from Maharshi Dayanand University and currently pursuing a PhD in Phytotechnology with a focus on ecosystem services and climate resilience. She has a PG Diploma in Bioinformatics and multiple certifications, including Professional Green Buildings (GEM), Master Trainer in Agriculture, CSIR-CIMAP program on medicinal plants. She has numerous publications, symposium presentations, with a strong foundation in sustainability tools & research methodologies.
Ms. Priyanka Yadav
Priyanka Yadav is a governance expert with 15+ years’ experience leveraging government schemes, including Direct Benefit Transfer and Financial Inclusion, to deliver impactful programs for underserved communities across India.
She combines strategic and operational understanding of government systems across levels and has led high-impact initiatives, including as Program Director at Swaniti Global, where she worked with 35 Members of Parliament to strengthen governance and improve public service delivery in their constituencies. As a Prime Minister’s Rural Development Fellow (PMRDF), she supported senior bureaucrats and local governments in designing and implementing flagship rural development programs of government of India. She has also held leadership roles with the Transforming Rural India Foundation (TRIF) and the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. She is also skilled in qualitative research methodologies and in translating field insights into policy papers and scalable models.
Recognized for her governance expertise, Priyanka was awarded a Professional Fellowship in Governance and Society by the U.S. Department of State and was subsequently supported by the Department to establish the Youth in Governance Initiative India (YiGII) to mentor young leaders in strengthening local governance.
A deep generalist with an ability to work across government, civil society, philanthropic networks, and communities, she holds a Master’s in Psychology from the University of Delhi and is MITx-certified in Evaluating Social Programs.
Dr. Varuni Yadav
Dr. Varuni Yadav possesses a diverse and accomplished professional background with over a decade of experience in Human Resources, Education, Editing, and Law. Her extensive expertise has been instrumental in aligning HR and legal strategies with organizational objectives, with a focus on department growth and development to achieve optimal outcomes.
She has significant experience in teaching and training, having successfully instructed and mentored over 5,000 students and employees, thereby enhancing productivity and performance across various sectors. As the Editor-in-Chief of the Law Times Journal, she led a prominent online legal education platform dedicated to providing free legal resources to students and professionals.
Her academic contributions include her role as an Assistant Professor at AMITY University amongst other distinguished institutions. She has authored 12 publications, further cementing her reputation as a thought leader in her fields of expertise. In the legal domain, her skills encompass policy review, contract drafting, & litigation management, supported by her membership with the Bar Council. Her human resources expertise includes training & development, recruitment, compliance audits & strategic planning, showcasing her strong competencies in both HR & legal disciplines.
She is Ph.D. from GGS Indraprastha University, Delhi, an MBA from IMT Ghaziabad, and an LLB from Delhi University. Additionally, she is UGC NET Certified and graduation from Hindu College, Delhi University.
Ms. Yachna Srivastava
Yachna Srivastava is a Senior Development Consultant with expertise in the domains of Gender, Health, Livelihoods & Monitoring. As a development professional, she come with over 20 years of experience leading impactful programs across gender equality, maternal and child health, adolescent well-being, education, and sustainable livelihoods. She brings a rare blend of grassroots sensitivity and strategic leadership, having worked with organizations like PATH, CARE, PRADAN, Digital Green, GIZ, and ActionAid across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and other regions of India.
She specializes in Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), baseline & endline studies, randomized control trials (RCTs) and policy-relevant research. Her work is rooted in community engagement, especially with women, adolescent girls and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs); and is driven by a strong belief in inclusive and data-informed development.
She has supported institutional capacity building, led skill and labor market assessments, and designed frameworks for gender-responsive programming. She continues to advise civil society organizations, government programs, and donors, ensuring that development initiatives are not only well-designed, but also measurable, meaningful, and equitable.
With a PG Degree in Social Work from TISS and a specialization in Data Science & Business Analytics from the University of Texas, she combines deep field knowledge with strong technical capabilities in tools like SPSS, Python, Tableau, and Atlas.ti.
Mr. Naveen Kumar Singh
Naveen Kumar Singh is a seasoned development professional with over 17 years of experience in leadership roles and expertise spanning Project Management, Planning and Budgeting, Training and Skill Development, Proposal and report writing, research (market research, value chain, survey and assessment studies), Audit, Business Plan preparation, etc.
He has extensive experience of working in thematic areas like Livelihoods (rural, tribal), Institution Building (FPC/Cooperatives) Microfinance, Training, Communication and Skill Development, Consulting across diverse topics like research, Business planning, report preparation, etc.
In his variegated journey, he has had opportunity of having worked in close collaboration with Government departments (Like Forest, Employment and Technical Education) and organisations like NABARD, Ford Foundation, UNDP, TERI, etc.
His unique strength remains his all-round knowledge and working experience across multiple topics of development sector like financial inclusion, Institution Building, Training (on Microfinance and Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship, Business planning) and covering a large gamut of consulting assignments (surveys, assessments, M&E) with big organisations like Deloitte, E&Y, KPMG, etc.
He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management from IRMA, Anand. This training as a professional has endowed him with theoretical understanding, analytical skills that coupled with practical experience has helped him in various professional roles.