who we are

Our Team

Biraj Patnaik Executive Director Biraj Patnaik Executive Director Prior to joining NFI, Biraj was formerly the Principal Adviser to the Commissioners of the Indian Supreme Court in the Right to food case for close to a decade. He has been part of the right to food campaign in India since its inception. He co-founded the ‘Mitanin’ community health worker program that trained and deployed 70,000 health workers in Chhattisgarh. Biraj has post-graduate degree in management from the Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA), and was a Chevening Gurukul Senior Scholar at the London School of Economics and Social Sciences.	Dolly Gupta Finance Associate Dolly Gupta Finance Associate Dolly is a finance and accounting professional with over 5 years of experience. A graduate in commerce and diploma holder in E-accounting, she has previously worked with Goonj	Imsutoshi Programme Officer Imsutoshi Programme Officer Imsutoshi is with the Media Fellowship Programme team. He believes that India will grow as a nation only when her multifarious diversities come together and celebrate their differences. He is a Political Science graduate, did his Master's in International Relations, and M.Phil in American Studies. Previously, he worked as a consultant to a member of the Planning Commission, and also as a research assistant to a member of Rajya Sabha. Self-respect and equal respect for all is his guiding principle through which he aspires to contribute positively to humankind and the environment.	Ipsapratibimbita Sarangi Programme Lead Ipsapratibimbita Sarangi Programme Lead Ipsapratibimbita Sarangi is a development professional with more than two decades of experience in working for the wellbeing of marginalised communities. Prior to joining NFI, she worked with some of the reputed organisations like PRADAN, CARE India, and NRLM. Her area of expertise is in planning , designing, and implementing large scale programmes, strengthening civil society organisations, capacity building of CBOs, women empowerment and gender, financial inclusion, and grooming development professionals. She holds a graduate degree in Chemistry, post-graduate degree in Mass Communication with a PG diploma in Disaster Management.
Kamya Research Associate Kamya Research Associate Kamya is a researcher by training with a keen interest in understanding developmental issues and providing socially sensitive solutions. She has an M.Phil degree in Economics from the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning (CESP), JNU. At NFI, she is part of the direct implementation team and currently involved in managing Abhijit Sen Rural Internship programme.	Khilanand Joshi Receptionist and driver Khilanand Joshi Receptionist and driver Khilanand Joshi has been working with NFI as a driver and receptionist since 1993. Before NFI, he worked with Shipra Hotel and Bindal Agro Limited.	Kiran Verma Research Assistant Kiran Verma Research Assistant Kiran Verma is a Research Assistant in the Climate Action program. Before joining NFI, she was working with the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) in Gujarat. A post-graduate in Development Policy, Planning and Practice from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Kiran specialises in areas such as women empowerment, sustainable livelihoods and capacity building of Community Based Organisations (CBOs).	Mahtab Alam Communications and Public Engagement Lead Mahtab Alam Communications and Public Engagement Lead Mahtab is a communications professional and trainer with over 15 years of experience in the field of media and development sector. Before taking up the current role, he has worked as the managing editor of NFI Media Fellowships program.
Meenakshi Hans Senior Content Producer Meenakshi Hans Senior Content Producer Meenakshi is a video content strategist with specialisation in production management & creative direction. An alumnus of Lady Shri Ram College For Women, she has previously worked with Josh Talks	Mohammad Raza Office Attendant Mohammad Raza Office Attendant Mohammad Raza has been working with NFI since 1997 as an Office Attendant. He handles overall office support work. Before NFI, he worked with IGNOU and Limca.	Mohammed A. Faraz Senior Research Associate, Climate Action Mohammed A. Faraz Senior Research Associate, Climate Action Mohammed Faraz is a public policy specialist with an experience of more than seven of working with government, consulting firms, and international agencies. A graduate the University of Reading (UK), he has expertise in policy, technical consultation, and policy recommendation. Prior to joining NFI, Faraz has worked with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), British Red Cross and Marmore MENA Intelligence Private Limited.	Narayan Devanathan Chief Narrative Officer Narayan Devanathan Chief Narrative Officer Narayan is a seasoned communications and strategy professional with over two decades of experience across some of the largest and most reputed communications companies in the world, including Dentsu and Ogilvy. Prior to joining NFI, he was the Chief Client Officer with Dentsu in India, and a part of the market leadership team overseeing 3000+ diverse staff across different skill and solution cohorts. Alongside his professional commitments, Narayan has worked with the social sector, advising organizations such as Pratham, Naz Foundation, Smile Foundation, Goonj and Teach for India on their strategies and narratives and is an invited contributor to leading business dailies such as the Economic Times and Mint. Narayan holds an undergraduate degree in Biology and an MBA in Marketing from India, and an MS in Mass Communications and an MA in Strategic Communications from the United States.
Niba Mirza Social Media Manager Niba Mirza Social Media Manager Niba is a social media specialist and communication professional. A postgraduate in development communication from Jamia, she previously worked with Vanangana and Work In Progress Labs.	Pooja Gupta Assistant Programme Lead Pooja Gupta Assistant Programme Lead Pooja Gupta works as Research Associate in the Climate Action program. She has more than 9 years of work experience in the field of environment, gender, labour/human rights and sustainable development. Before joining NFI, Pooja was Senior Research Associate in Environics Trust, where she felicitated and coordinated different projects. She was also country coordinator for right based network iBAN, advocating for just transition in asbestos industry. She holds a masters' degree in Environmental Science and is a Climate Reality fellow.	Radhika Assistant Programme Lead Radhika Assistant Programme Lead Radhika is a development professional with master’s degree in social work from Savitribai Phule Pune University. She has a diverse experience of working with different organizations on the issues related to human rights, caste and gender-based discrimination, violence against women, and mental health of violence survivors among many others. Before joining NFI, she worked with the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) and Centers for International Projects Trust (CIPT). At NFI, she is associated with the direct implementation team and currently involved in implementation of Abhijit Sen Rural Internship program and #SamvidhanSeHum campaign.	Rajeev R Pillai Finance Manager Rajeev R Pillai Finance Manager Rajeev R Pillai, a postgraduate in finance, has joined NFI in February 2021 as Finance Manager with more than 20+ years’ experience in NGO /FCRA financial management. His main role is to provide financial reports and interpreting financial information to managerial staff, supervising finance team to ensure efficient operation of the Finance department. Formulation, review and implementation of policies, systems, and procedures to enhance and ensure efficient management of finances.
Rohtash Kumar Office Attendant Rohtash Kumar Office Attendant Rohtash Kumar has been working with NFI since 1996 as an Office Attendant. He handles office support work. Before NFI, he worked with Capitol Developers Pvt. Ltd.	Rumana Nizami Administration and HR Manager Rumana Nizami Administration and HR Manager Rumana Nizami joined NFI in August 2016 as HR and Administration Officer. She has a rich experience of 16 + years in administration, HR, operations, banking, and finance and accounts with corporates. Before NFI, she worked with Genpact, Bank of America, IndusInd Bank, TCS, and ICICI Bank.	Samira Mallick Field Project Lead Samira Mallick Field Project Lead Samira Mallick is a Field Project Lead based at NFI Desk - Odisha. He has experience in different professional capacities working with the issues of poverty, rights and entitlements, hygiene and sanitation, socio-economic exclusion, and vulnerabilities in development, corporate and government sectors. He has done Master's in Business Administration as well as in Social Work, and a Diploma from London. He has been exposed to different international agencies to learn more about the social issues prevalent in societies.	Santosh Kumar Finance Officer Santosh Kumar Finance Officer Santosh Kumar has been working with NFI since 1994 and has completed 25 years. He is the Finance Officer. Before joining NFI, he worked with NS Leasing and Financing Company.
Satyendra Pandey Field Project Lead Satyendra Pandey Field Project Lead Satyendra Pandey is working as Field Project Lead for Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh under CSO support program- Ankuran. He has 14-year experience working in both urban and rural areas specially the remotest tribal pockets in MP. He has worked as an advocate in district court, Sagar and High court of Madhya Pradesh. In the starting of his work with civil society, he worked with the community groups in slums of Madhya Pradesh to insure their housing rights and basic services. He also worked to insure Forest rights, education, and livelihood security for tribal communities.	Soubam Bidyarani Associate Program Lead Soubam Bidyarani Associate Program Lead Soubam Bidyarani believes in equality and diversity for all in every works of life and has deep passion for women economic empowerment. She has nine years of experience working with vulnerable groups of children, women empowerment, gender issues and livelihood. She has expertise in human rights, gender sensitization, women empowerment, child rights & protection. She holds Master’s degree in Social Work. Before joining NFI, she has worked with Azad Foundation and Butterflies NGOs.	Sufian Farooqui Senior Communication Associate Sufian Farooqui Senior Communication Associate Sufian is a communication professional with specialisation in video production. A post-graduated in Development Communication from AJK MCRC Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. He has more than 7 years of experience in visual communication, advocacy, campaign and community media. Prior to joining NFI, Sufian worked on numerous film making projects related to disaster management, nomadic & DE notified tribes, gender sensitisation and health.	Utpala Chakma Assistant Programme Lead Utpala Chakma Assistant Programme Lead Utpala is a development professional with more than seven years of experience in monitoring and evaluation, community engagement and project management. She has a masters degree in Dalit &Tribal Studies and Action from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. Since 2015, she has worked on issues related to child rights, women empowerment, gender justice, resilient leadership building of women and youths from Dalit and other marginalized communities. Prior to joining NFI, Utpala was project administrator at Dalit Human Rights Defenders Network (DHRNet).

OUR BOARD

Satyananda Mishra

Chairperson

Satyananda Mishra

Chairperson

After an illustrious career in the IAS (1973 batch) culminating as Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India, Satyananda Mishra was appointed as Information Commissioner in 2008. He served as Chief Information Commissioner of India from 2010-13.

He is currently the Executive Director of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad, run by the Mata Amritanandamayi Math.

Satyananda Mishra is currently the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the National Foundation for India. He is also the UGC nominee on Board of Governors of REVA University, Bangalore.

Mr. Mishra is the Chairman and public interest director at Central Depository Services (India) Limited- IFSCA in the IFSC Gift City, Gandhi Nagar (Gujarat). CDF-IFSCA has been tasked to be India’s first Bullion Exchange.

He holds independent directorships on the Boards of Paradeep Phosphates, Invesco Trustee Company and is also the Chairperson of UGRO Capital.

With a keen interest in arts and culture, Satyananda Mishra is currently the President of the Orissa Dance Academy and President of the Rang Sri Little Ballet Company, the oldest continuing ballet school in India. He has formerly served as the Secretary Culture in the Government of Madhya Pradesh, Member-Secretary of Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal and Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Film Development Corporation. He was instrumental in setting up the Bhopal Film Club.

He has held various Board positions including as a two-term director on the Board of SIDBI. He had a three year term as Chair of the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) tasked with the role of revamping the institution.

Mr. Mishra has a Masters in Policy Planning in Developing Countries from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a M. Phil in Public Administration from the Punjab University. He was awarded a D Litt (Honoris Causa) by the Ravenshaw University.

Rama V Baru

Trustee

Rama V Baru

Trustee

Professor Rama V Baru is a well-known academician and an expert on social medicine & community health. Her area of interests and specializations are Health Policy, Commercialization of Medical Care and Inequalities & Health.

Professor Virginius Xaxa

Trustee

Professor Virginius Xaxa

Trustee

Professor Virginius Xaxa is a renowned sociologist and author. Currently, he is a visiting Professor at the Institute for Human Development (IHD), New Delhi.