Our Team

Abhimanyu works as a Senior Project Lead in the EdTech team and is based out of Delhi. He currently focuses on improving and scaling various edtech products catering to the FLN segment to ensure continued learning at home. Prior to CSF, he worked with 321 Education Foundation after completing the Teach For India (TFI) Fellowship in 2017. At 321, he collaborated with more than 30 low-cost private schools across Mumbai and Bangalore to improve classroom instructional practices and student mastery in grades K-3. As a TFI Fellow, Abhimanyu taught 37 students in grades 2 and 3 in Ahmedabad. He holds an MBA in Strategy from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and an undergraduate degree in engineering from NMIMS, Mumbai. In his free time, he enjoys watching Formula 1, exploring the best food joints in town and travelling to new destinations.

Abhishek works as a Project Lead in the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Delhi. Prior to CSF, he managed and led multiple CBSE projects including CTET, working in the Government Project team. Abhishek has also worked with Teach For India (TFI) and 321 Education Foundation. At 321, he worked as a Kaizen Manager on the monitoring aspects of the school strengthening/teacher training programs. During his time as a TFI fellow, he taught Maths to 210 students in a government school and iTeach school across 2 years. Abhishek is a commerce graduate from National PG College, Lucknow University. During his free time, he can be found solving puzzles, number problems, and travelling.

Abhishek works as a Project Manager in the State Reform team and is based out of Punjab. Prior to joining CSF, he was a Manager at Nation with Namo, where he worked on various governance and policy initiatives. He also served as a Mahatma Gandhi National Fellow in Patiala, driving skill development initiatives and district-level reforms. Before transitioning to the development sector, he worked in financial markets, specialising in derivatives trading. Abhishek holds a Certificate in Public Policy and Management from IIM Ahmedabad and a B.E. in Electrical Engineering from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology. In his free time, he enjoys engaging in policy discussions, playing badminton, and spending time in nature.

Aditya works with the UP-DPMU team at CSF as a Project Associate. He holds a B.Tech in Biotechnology with Genetic Engineering from SRM Institute of Science and Technology and is a graduate of the Indian School of Public Policy (ISPP). His research in regenerative medicine at Harvard Medical School sparked a growing interest in the policy side of health and systems thinking. Prior to CSF, he has also interned across ESG consulting, telecom regulation, and education financing. Outside of work, Aditya is a passionate debater, history buff, weekend footballer, and mountain trekker who thrives on a good challenge whether intellectual or physical.

Ajaysinh works as a Project Manager in the Strategic Support States Team and is based out if Gujarat. He holds a degree in Civil Engineering and a Postgraduate Diplomain CSR. With over four years of experience in the social development sector, Ajaysinh has worked across various domains such as education, skill development, health, and water. His journey in the social sector began with the Gandhi Fellowship, where he developed a deep understanding of primary education and community engagement. Prior to joining CSF, Ajaysinh contributed to impactful initiatives at Educational Initiatives, NavGurukul, and CSRBOX. In his free time, he enjoys classical dancing and fun loving activities.

Dr. Akashi Kaul works as a Director in the RMEAL team at CSF and is based out of Delhi. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Literature from Punjab University, a Master’s Degree in Communication from SIMC, a Master’s in Education Degree from University of Pennsylvania, and a PhD in Education Policy from George Mason University. She specializes in evaluation methods and designs, with close to 15 years of experience. Her previous roles include leading the education, child protection and equity vertical at a leading Indian RMEL firm, contributing to external evaluations for NIH, NSF, NASA and US Dept. of Labour and State as an evaluation expert and conducting independent research on advancing evaluation methodologies in the global south. She enjoys designing research and evaluation for complex interventions in complex contexts, particularly with an eye towards using innovative methodologies and learning mechanisms.

Akhand works as a Project Lead with the Classroom Instruction and Practice team and is based out of Bulandshahr. He works closely with schools to support the implementation of the FLN mission in the state of Uttar Pradesh. His journey in the education sector started with Teach for India fellowship and since then he has worked on improving the quality of education through teacher training, quality implementation of programs and effective monitoring across multiple organizations. Prior to the education sector Akhand worked in operations for almost 5 years. In his free time Akhand enjoys reading comics, he also spends his free time supporting and mentoring aspiring young entrepreneurs.

Akshay works as a Project Manager in the Classroom Instruction & Practice Team and is based in
Delhi. He holds a Master’s degree in Education from Azim Premji University and a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication. Prior to CSF, Akshay worked at Peepul, where he played a key role in developing a Math toolkit that is now implemented at scale across all Municipal Corporation of Delhi schools. He has extensive experience in program implementation in the education sector across various geographies in India, including Bangalore, Hyderabad, Nagpur and Delhi. In his free time, Akshay enjoys reading books, listening to podcasts, exploring new AI tools, and writing poetry and short stories.

Akshit works as a Senior Project Manager with the State Reform team and supports the implementation of its FLN program across 3 states in North and Central India.He holds a B.Tech Degree from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh and loves to quiz. Prior to CSF, Akshit has worked as a Research Analyst with Mckinsey’s Digital vertical and briefly for the governance consulting firm Samagra; where he supported Uttar Pradesh government’s healthcare service delivery program, Mission Niramaya.He enjoys sketching and is always up for a conversation about rock bands and Formula 1.

Alankita works as a Project Lead in the RMEAL team at CSF and is based in Delhi. She holds a M.Phil. (Political Science) from the University of Delhi and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. Prior to joining CSF, she has explored both university lectureship and research. Alankita worked with the National Assessment Centre-PARAKH at NCERT where she was a part of the team responsible for the development and administration of National-level large-scale assessments like the Foundational Learning Study (FLS), 2022 and National Achievement Survey (NAS), 2021. In her free time, Alankita can be found reading fiction and chilling at beaches.

Alluri works as a Project Associate in Strategic Support States Team at Bhadradri Kothagudem
District, Telangana. Prior to this, he was part of Peepul in Bhopal, where he supported the CM RISE
Schools project through content creation for teacher capacity building, facilitation, and
government stakeholder engagement. He holds M.A. Education from Azim Premji University, Bangalore. Before enroling in Master’s, he worked for 6 years as a teacher and trainer in schools across Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. Having studied in government schools himself, he is passionate about transforming public education in India. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, playing chess, bike riding, and listening to music.

Amarjit works as a State Head in the Strategic State Support team and is based out of Bhubaneswar. His work involves working closely with various State government stakeholders and executing Nipun Odisha Mission (FLN) and other projects. Amarjit had full time and consultancy positions with UNICEF, British Council and international organisation in the school education sector and provided strategic direction, vision and leadership in demonstrating the movement of child-centred pedagogy into practice in classroom teaching and learning through harnessing open resources, online learning and social media tools. During his association with the State Government of Odisha as CEO, Mo School Abhiyan, Amarjit was responsible and accountable for the management of programmes, alumni, CSR and govt grants, large-scale technical collaborations, CSR and Industries connect, and Communication & Media management. Amarjit holds a master’s degree in social work and culture from Utkal University of Culture. In his free time, he enjoys reading books and writing articles on public policies and current issues.

Amola works as a Project Manager in the EdTech Team and is based out of Delhi. She works to improve and scale diverse EdTech solutions. She works closely with grantee organizations and funders to develop a supply of vibrant products for children from low-income backgrounds. She joined CSF after graduating from Ashoka University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. She is interested in the intersection of technology and development, and opportunities to see change up close. Her time outside of work is spent chasing her cat, bouldering, and traveling.

Ananth works with the state reform team as a Project Lead and is based out of Panchkula. Ananth holds an engineering degree from NIT Trichy and a management degree from IIM Calcutta. Prior to CSF, he has worked on pivotal roles at GDi Partners, BCG, IPAC, and Saint-Gobain. He seamlessly blends corporate expertise with his lifelong passion for education, characterized by an insatiable curiosity for positive change. When free, You’ll find him engrossed in books or engaged in interesting debates with anyone who wishes to join in.

Aniket works as Project Manager in the RMEAL team and is based out of Delhi. He has a strong commitment to evidence-based policy making in India. He holds a master’s degree in Public Policy from Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, Delhi, and a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune. With prior experience at Samobdhi Research and Communications and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Aniket brings invaluable insights to his role. In his leisure time, he enjoys immersing himself in video games and exploring history through documentaries.

Anindita works in the Administration Team at CSF as Manager-Facilities and Resources and is based out of Delhi. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (Hons) from Jesus and Mary College, DU. Prior to CSF, she has worked with various Indian and multinational companies like the Spice Group, Sangeet Natak Akademi, ChrysCapital, American Express and Global Innovation & Technology Alliance (CII) all of which have helped widen her knowledge base. She enjoys interacting with people from all spheres of work and also being socially active. She is an avid traveller and passionate about art, music and dance.

Anirudh works as a Senior Project Lead in the RMEAL team and is based in Delhi. He holds a Masters degree in Education (Research Design and Methodologies) from University of Oxford and a Masters degree in Education (Elementary) from Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai. Prior to CSF, he has over a decade of experience across more than ten countries working with global think tanks, research institutions, and government stakeholders to produce high-quality, evidence-based research outputs.

Anirudh works as a Project Manager in the EdTech team and is based out of Delhi. Prior to joining CSF, he worked as a business manager at Internshala wherein he was working to bridge the gap between millions of employers and jobseekers in the country. He holds a master’s degree in development studies from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and a bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering from Amrita University. In his free time, he enjoys playing football, exploring new places, and catching-up with the latest happenings in the world of politics.

Ankit works as an Associate Project Director in the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Delhi. Prior to joining CSF, he was working as a management consultant and was involved in planning and implementation of upcoming MDB funded metro/rail projects in Delhi NCR region. He has extensive experience of supporting government clients with solutions based on project portfolio management, financial analysis & planning and performance improvement. Ankit holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from IIT-Roorkee and MBA in Business Management from XLRI-Jamshedpur. He believes that India’s journey from a developing country to a developed country can be expedited by reforming the school education landscape in the country. He is passionate about travelling in mountains.

Ankur is committed to solving India’s development problems like quality education in the public system. In 10+ years of experience, he has designed and implemented scalable models that delivered. He started his career as an entrepreneur and provided Ed-tech services to 31 low-income private schools in rural Haryana, supporting the career progression of 3600+ students to top-notch colleges in the country. In 2015, he got his first multi-state engagement with Ravi J. Matthai Centre for Educational Innovation, IIM Ahmedabad, where his team could impact government school students from over 16,000+ schools of Gujarat via GCERT. Later, working as an ED of a non-profit, he spearheaded a state-wide educational transformation project with the Haryana government, impacting over 4900+ teachers and 2.6 lacs+ students during COVID. In 2021, he worked with Delhi Government to set up the Desh Ke Mentors program, India’s largest mentoring program supporting over nine lakh school students in exploring their career journeys. This short stint with Delhi Government helped him bring transformation from within the system. Currently, as a part of the Government Projects team at CSF, he is leading TicTacLearn – India’s largest content repository of Maths & Science educational content available in six languages. Ankur earned a post-graduate diploma in management from XLRI Jamshedpur and a bachelor’s degree in computer science & engineering from Guru Jambeshwar University, Hisar.

Ann Ria is a Project Manager with the School Governance Team based out of Delhi and she is an alumna of the Integrated B.Ed-M.Ed. Programme at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Over the years, she has been associated with a range of organizations in the education sector, including EdTech platforms like History Diaries, AugLi and Clapingo, as well as institutions such as the Gateway School of Mumbai, Mantra4Change, and various international research collaborations like the Multimodal Approach to Teacher Professional Development (MATPD) and Innovative Financing for Education at TISS. Her diverse experiences have shaped her deep interest in exploring the multiple dimensions of education and schooling in India. She is a curious and enthusiastic learner who enjoys asking questions and connecting with new people. In her free time, you’ll likely find her spending time with friends or unwinding with a movie or series.

Anna K Jacob works as a Project Manager in the DPMU (UP) team. Originally from Kerala and currently based in Delhi, Anna’s journey has been shaped by her schooling across seven schools in India, thanks to her defence background. An Economist by training, she holds a B.Sc. from Christ University, Bangalore and an MA degree from the Central University of Kerala, in Economics, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Policy and Governance from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Hyderabad. Before her postgraduation, she had a brief stint with Deloitte, where she worked with Big Data Management. Post-TISS, she worked with Thinkthrough Consulting, working across diverse development themes like education, health, gender, livelihoods, skill development, etc., before joining CSF. Deeply connected with the education space since her undergraduate days through volunteering and other engagements, Anna brings both inquisitive depth and grassroots passion.

Anuj works as a Project Manager in the Classroom Instruction and Practice team and is based out of Delhi. He was associated with Teach for India as a fellow in Delhi, where he taught grade 4 & 5 students at a budget-private school near Bhajanpura, Seelampur. During his fellowship, he realised the power of an effective curriculum on a larger landscape of the education system and, hence, explored different roles around curriculum and international pedagogy. Prior to joining CSF, he worked as a Teaching Faculty with Shiv Nadar School. He is often described as a ‘go to person’ by his friends and you may find him binge-watching sitcoms during his spare time.

Anurag works with the State reform team as Project Manager and is based out of Bhopal. He holds an integrated Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. Before joining CSF, he was working as an associate consultant with Ernst and Young LLP in planning and implementation of the public transportation projects. He wants to be part of India’s transformational journey and solve complex grass root problems of
Indian society. He enjoys reading non-fiction books, playing online blitz chess and loves watching biopic movies.

Anushri works as a Project Manager in the State Reform team and is based out of Lucknow. Anushri has a foundation in Sociology and holds a master’s degree in development from Azim Premji University. Prior to joining CSF, she worked as a good governance fellow with the Govt. Of Punjab and has had experience working in varied domains like microfinance, employability, youth, health and gender. In her free time, she likes to immerse herself in theatre and remains interested in how creativity and art can ameliorate self-esteem and mental health.

Anustup leads the Classroom Instruction & Practices (CIP) team at CSF. In his role, he works with multiple CSF partner organizations and state government agencies to support the implementation of the FLN mission. Prior to working at CSF, his work involved supporting and scaling up an entrepreneurial venture named XSEED Education. Anustup joined CSF to pursue his passion to improve public education at scale. He did his master’s in education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Public Policy at Georgia Tech. He is passionate about equipping teachers with the right tools and skills to succeed in the classroom. In his free time, he enjoys listening to podcasts and is constantly on the search for the next viral meme.

Arabinda works with the Strategic Support States team as a Project Lead and is based out at Bhubaneswar. Arabinda holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Gokhale Institute of Politics and
Economics, Pune and Master in Population Studies from IIPS, Mumbai, and has worked with diverse teams across India.Prior to joining CSF, Arabinda has worked with UNICEF, CARE,
UNFPA, INDEPTH Network and KHPT, Bangalore. He is a development sector professional whose primary engagement in development sector as monitoring, evaluation and research domain. He has designed and implemented various research project in developmental issues including education for over 16 years with a deep interest and commitment towards bridging practice with scientific research findings.

Arpit is a Project Manager with the School Governance Team at CSF, currently based in Udaipur, Rajasthan. He brings rich experience in implementing tech-enabled, 21st-century school ecosystems across 40+ underserved schools in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Telangana, and Rajasthan. His work has directly impacted ~600 teachers and key decision-makers, driving systemic change in school governance and pedagogy. Prior to this, he briefly worked in primary and secondary market research and forecasting for global food and beverage clients, and also contributed to projects in the women’s livelihoods sector. Outside of work, Arpit finds joy in the quiet of unspoiled nature, trekking in the Himalayas, engaging in climate action, and exploring architectural heritage and culturally significant sites.

Arpit works with the State Reform Team at CSF as a Project Lead and is based out of Panchkula. Arpit holds a Master’s in Business Management from IIM Lucknow complementing his professional expertise with a robust academic foundation. Previously a Teach For India fellow in 2016, he brings a wealth of experience in the education sector, particularly in the management of expansive projects. In his free time, Arpit enjoys exploring unconventional destinations, demonstrating a keen interest in offbeat travel experiences during his leisure time

Ashish works as a Project Manager in the DPMU teamand is based out of Agra. He holds a Master’s degree in Disaster Management from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. His professional engagements include collaborations with multilateral and government institutions such as UNICEF and Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management. Prior to joining CSF, he has worked as a Chief Minister’s Good Governance Associate in Ambala and as a consultant with Directorate of Urban Local Bodies, Haryana. In his free time, Ashish likes to play basketball and hike with his friends.

Ashu works as a Project Manager in the Classroom Instruction & Practice Team and is based out of Bulandshahr. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Ambedkar Central University, Lucknow, and is pursuing an online MBA in HRM from Andhra University. Prior to joining CSF, Ashu worked with Foster & Forge Foundation, leading the Beacon Educator Fellowship, which aimed to build a moment of teacher leaders who can reimagine their classrooms as experiential learning spaces through FLUX Pedagogy, an experiential learning program. Ashu entered the development sector with the Gandhi Fellowship in 2019. As Co-Founder of STEP AHEAD India, he strongly believes in creating young change leaders to solve various societal challenges and create social impact. With over five years of experience in the education ecosystem, Ashu has worked with various organizations, including Piramal Foundation, Sanjhi Sikhiya, and Foster & Forge Foundation. In his free time, he enjoys music, theatre, sports, storytelling, and exploring new places.

Atma works as a Project Lead in the EdTech team and is based out of Delhi. She is responsible for managing stakeholders including researchers, grantee organizations, and implementation partners to execute projects that can drive the evidence generation agenda for EdTech. Prior to joining CSF, Atma was part of the Corporate Services Division at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Geneva providing partnerships and stakeholder engagement support to governments in Somalia, Ghana, Uganda, Mozambique, Iraq, Colombia, and South Asia. She has also previously worked with multiple organisations within the development sector such as UNDP India, UNJIU Geneva, and the SOS Children’s Village in Nepal. Her interest in the education sector comes from her time as a Teach For India (2016) Fellow, serving as a full-time teacher in a low-income government school in Yerwada, Pune. Atma holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from TISS and a master’s degree in Development Studies from the Graduate Institute of Geneva. Outside of work, Atma is always trying to read at least 3 books simultaneously and hopes to write her own someday.

Atul works as a Project Lead in the Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives team and is based out of Delhi. He holds a bachelor’s degree in science from Hansraj College, Delhi University, and began his journey in the development sector at IIM Ahmedabad’s Ravi J. Matthai Centre for Educational Innovation as National Campaign Manager, overseeing the creation of 2000+ learning projects for 16,000+ government schools across Gujarat and Maharashtra. As a CMGGA in Haryana, Atul conceptualized Shikshit Haryana, an e-learning district initiative (DI) scaled as the state’s response to COVID-19, which became the first CMGGA DI to win the Haryana Good Governance Award and the ICT Award 2021 from CIET (NCERT). Prior to joining CSF, he supported the Director, Urban Local Bodies, Haryana, in planning and implementing waste and air quality management programs in the state. In his free time, he enjoys practicing yoga.

Avantika is joining as a Project Manager at Central Square Foundation in the RMEAL team and is based in Delhi. Her experience spans across research, monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and program evaluation for large-scale initiatives. Prior to CSF, Avantika was working on last-mile district-level implementation as a Chief Minister Good Governance Associate with the government of Haryana. As a Research Associate at Pratham Education Foundation, she led end-to-end design and implementation for the northern states of India for the ASER survey 2021 and 2022. Throughout her career, she has led key projects in good governance, large-scale survey design and implementation, and district-level strategic implementation, particularly focusing on education, early childhood and social protection. Outside of work, Avantika loves diving into historical narratives, unraveling mysteries, and trading spine-chilling ghost stories.

Avinash Jha works as a Project Manager in the Policy and Communication team, based in Delhi. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from Kirori Mal College and an LLB from the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. Avinash has extensive experience in government policy and legal advisory. Previously, he worked as a Senior Associate with Lochan & Co, where he was involved in legal drafting, negotiations, and policy advisory. Prior to that, he served as an Analyst with the Quality Council of India (QCI), where he worked on various government policy schemes, focusing on policy implementation and evaluation.
Avinash has over 4 years of experience in policy analysis, stakeholder
management, and government advisory,
making him adept at navigating complex policy environments.
An avid sports enthusiast, Avinash enjoys staying connected with various sporting events in his free time. His keen attention to detail, strong legal background, and commitment to public policy make him a valuable asset in driving impactful policy and
communication efforts.

Avnish Kumar works with the State FLN Projects team as a District Consultant based in Bihar. He brings years of experience in child rights, education, and governance with masters in accounts. He found his purpose when he witnessed how soft skills enabled him and his peers. Previously he has been a Fellow at Transforming Rural India Foundation under Aspirational District Transformation Program and Gandhi Fellow for two years. He has worked closely with the District Magistrate and supported the district administration in strategic planning, project management, implementation, and fundraising across rural India. He loves writing poems and stories. He aspires to drive change in society at scale

Ayush Prabhat works as a Project Manager in the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Agra. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Humanities and Social Sciences from University of Delhi. Prior to CSF, he worked at Teach for India where he had the opportunity to work on various projects. Apart from being passionate about the possibilities in our classrooms, Ayush is always up for long walks. He enjoys exploring curious questions about the world we share together.

Ayush works as a Project Manager with the State Reform team, and is based out of Bhopal. He graduated from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), University of Delhi with a degree in B.Com (H). Prior to joining CSF, he worked in the Founder’s Office at an Early Stage E-Commerce Startup. He has gained experience as a Management Consultant with Zinnov and as a Founder of a social innovation think-tank. He has also worked in the slums of Delhi, leading a venture to supply affordable Sanitary Napkins to all females. In his free time, you will find him reading, trekking, running marathons, and enjoying open water swimming.

Ayushi works as a Project Manager in the Strategic Support States team and is based out of Kodangal in Telangana. She holds a master’s degree in development studies from SOAS, University of London and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Delhi University. Prior to CSF, she has worked in the research and design area for over 4 years. She worked at NISG and Deloitte in the e-governance vertical. In her free time, she loves exploring places while walking and you will almost always find her on a football field or playing any sport.

Barasha works as a Senior Project Manager with the  Strategic Support States team and is based out of Guwahati. She holds a Bachelors degree in Political Science (Honours) from Ramjas College and a Masters in Political Science from Indraprastha College for Women. She was a Teach For India Fellow (2018 cohort, Delhi) and has worked as a Program Manager in NEAID implementing various education projects across Northeast India. Barasha finds painting therapeutic and loves to travel around observing different cultures and traditions of diverse communities, while enjoying the nature. Also, she is an adventure junkie and a thrill seeker.

Bhagyashree works as a Research Associate with the Classroom Instruction and Practice team at Central Square Foundation. Prior to joining CSF, Bhagyashree worked with Samavesh on primary education for 3 years in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, where closely worked with 112 teachers on foundational numeracy and literacy, as well as early childhood education. She liaised with various stakeholders such as block officials, students, SMC, and the tribal community. In TPD, she developed the modules for teacher training programs. During her time as a volunteer, Bhagyashree taught social studies to till 5th std in Bhandara, Maharashtra. She has completed a Masters in Education (MA Education) from Azim Premji University, Bengaluru and Commerce graduate from Nagpur University. During her free time, Bhagyashree enjoys writing poetry.

Bhawna works a Project Manager in the Finance Team and is based oout of Delhi. She is responsible for day-to-day accounting and managing the monthly MIS, along with employee engagement. Bhawna has spent 5+ years in the corporate sector as a Finance Executive and has experience of all compliance handling like including GST, ESI, PF, etc. Bhawna holds an M.COM degree From Indira Gandhi National Open University along with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Delhi University. During her free time, she enjoys watching movies and TV series, listening to music and travelling with family and friends.

Bula works as a Project Manager in the State Reform Team and is based out of Panchkula, Haryana. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi. Before CSF, she worked in political consulting for nearly two years, contributing to election strategy across Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, and West Bengal. Her interest in the social sector grew through leading initiatives with organisations like Enactus and the UNCTAD Youth Action Hub. She hopes to apply her passion for impact and experience in strategy to drive meaningful change in education. An extrovert at heart, she finds joy in sunflowers, dancing, and exploring cafés.

Chandni Kalra works as a Senior Project Manager with the Strategic Support States team based in Bhubaneswar. She has Experience in combining human and material resources to deliver excellent education, ensuring fair treatment with equal opportunity when it comes to access to resources. She started off her journey in the Education space as a TFI Fellow, moved on to be a member of the Selection team at TFI and then joined LEAD to understand stakeholder management better. Having explored all these she is here at CSF to learn and grow with everything that this role has to offer. You can often find her lost in her Lalaland, far away from the chaos with a bowl of Mississippi.

Damini works as a Project Associate in the Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives team based in Delhi. She holds a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) degree in English from Ashoka University. Her passion for research is rooted in the belief that it must bring real-world change, which is what drove her to work in educational reform. During her university days, she tutored students in critical thinking and research writing and worked with NGOs focused on school education. Outside of work, she can be found with her nose in a book, trying to learn new languages to translate from, or searching for fun cafés in Delhi.

Debapriya works as a Project Manager in the Research, Monitoring & Evaluation, Assessment and Learning (RMEAL) Team and is based out of Delhi. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Lady Shri Ram College for Women and a Master’s degree in Development Studies from Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Prior to CSF, she has worked as with Sambodhi as a research manager. Her primary research interests lie at the intersection of gender, labour and education. She likes to spend her free time reading and travelling. She also enjoys music and dance, and is currently learning Odissi.

Debesh has a diverse experience of over 15 years as a Media & Comms professional, working across the media, digital comms, and behavioural campaigns spaces. In his last professional stint, he worked with WaterAid India as the media and comms lead, where he was leading on the communications strategy and overseeing execution plans for building advocacy and thought-leadership around water, sanitation, and hygiene issues. Before that, at Youth Ki Awaaz- a youth centric online platform- he was working on developing strategy and planning online and offline campaigns on various social justice issues; business development; including building capacity for campaign acquisition and outreach for new campaigns with brands and non-profit entities. Prior to this, he has been associated with organizations like British Council; The Indian Express, The Pioneer; with brief stints at The Guardian & BBC World News, where he was working on different aspects involving: planning and executing digital comms. strategies; designing social media campaigns; digital project planning; securing and managing non-paid partnerships in areas of digital innovation; writing and reporting on features and urban lifestyle trends.

Deepak works as a Senior Project Lead in the State FLN Projects team. He has over ten years of experience with managing program portfolios, strategic planning, program scale up, advocacy and partnerships with governments. He has previously worked with consulting firms, and large-scale technical assistance organizations such as Evidence Action, Georgetown University’s Institute for Reproductive Health. He is a Post-Graduate in Health & Hospital Management from IIHMR University, Jaipur.

Deepanshi is a Project Manager in the Research, Monitoring, Evaluation, Assessments, and Learning (RMEAL) team at CSF, based in Delhi. She has previously worked as a Teaching Fellow at Ashoka University, where she mentored students in data analysis and econometric methods, with a focus on development and health economics. Her core skills include impact evaluation, causal inference, and working with large-scale datasets using STATA. Deepanshi holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics. In her free time, she enjoys reading a wide range of books and exploring poetry.

Deepika works as a consultant with the State Reforms team in Uttar Pradesh. She holds a Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Science and has over 13 years of diverse industry experience. Her professional journey includes roles at prominent organizations such as Himalaya, Accenture, Novo Nordisk and ICICI Bank. Deepika is also a Chevening Fellow from Oxford University, United Kingdom. The Chevening program inspired her to transition into the community development sector, which led her to work with the Shiv Nadar Foundation, the Dettol Banega Swasth India program, and Sarthak Foundation (UNICEF). In these roles, she actively contributed to projects focused on health, education, rural education, hygiene, menstrual health and river conservation. Outside of her professional work, Deepika enjoys reading and she has a keen interest in fitness.

Deergha works as a Senior Project Manager in the State Reform Team and is based out of Delhi. She graduated from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. Her interest lies in exploring all the nuances of the education system. She is a designer turned educator with experience managing projects, research, and design with stakeholders from SCERT Sikkim, Azim Premji Foundation, government school teachers, and school communities in Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Delhi. Before working with CSF, she was a fellow at Teach For India, Delhi. Deergha is never without an audiobook and has experimented extensively to concoct her version of the perfect cup of ginger chai.

Devam works as a Project Manager in the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Jhansi. He holds a Masters in Rural Management from IRMA. Prior to CSF, he worked as an Assistant Manager at Mahindra and Mahindra’s. His journey reflects a keen enthusiasm for nation-building, rooted in the belief that education is key to social progress. Outside of work, Devam enjoys solo traveling, mountaineering, and playing outdoor sports, finding joy in adventure and exploration.

Devanshi works as a Project Manager in the EdTech team and is based out of Delhi. She holds a degree in Chartered Accountancy. Prior to CSF, Devanshi worked with Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Ltd. and Bain & Co. She ventured into the development space via a short policy making course. Her belief in education being a fundamental game changer coupled with the curiosity to understand how scale projects work brings her to CSF. In her free time, she can be seen reading, trying new yoga poses, exploring the art scene around and is always up to create an itinerary for random, scenic places.

Dinesh works with the Administration team as the Facilities Manager and is based out of Delhi. He holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Delhi and a Diploma in Hotel Management from the Indian Hotel Management Institute in Delhi. Prior to CSF, he was associated with firms such as Accenture, Omicron, Rockwell Automation, etc. that operate in the fields of IT and industrial automation. Most recently he worked with The Convergence Foundation for more than a year and a half. In his spare time, Dinesh enjoys traveling, listening to music and reading.

Parthajeet leads the State FLN Projects team which provides strategic support to states in their programmes to improve foundational learning. The team takes a systems approach and strengthens the academic as well as governance intiatives of the states. Parthajeet holds a PhD and Masters in Management and has more than a decade of rich national and international experience across top management consulting firms of advising governments, multi-lateral donors and foundations. In his free time, he loves to travel, read, write and listen to music.

Dr. Vaibhav Sindhi works as a Project Manager in the DPMU (UP) team and is based out of Ghazaibad. He did his Post Graduation in Public Policy, Design & Management at the Indian School of Public Policy, Delhi. Prior to CSF, he worked at Health Department (NHM), led a team to develop COVID-19 facilities and managed critical healthcare logistics and Lifeline Foundation where he trained over 8,000 people in life-saving courses & secured funding for road safety education. His commitment to environment is showcased through his work on zero plastic policies & carbon-neutral event planning with Grant Thornton Bharat LLP. His entrepreneurial spirit is evident from his co-founding of Estudy Partner, aiding students in overseas dental education.

Eesha works as a Project Lead in the Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives team and is based out of Delhi. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from NIT Hamirpur and a Master’s degree in Development Studies from University of Sussex. Prior to CSF, she worked as a software developer in Oracle Financial Services Software (OFSS) and later as a team lead in a tech-media startup, Fossbytes. After deciding to pursue her passion for the development sector, she worked with Centre for Science of Student Learning (CSSL) where she discovered her love for education and development. In her recent engagement as a Change-Maker in Education (CMIE) Fellow with the Delhi Government. Having grown up in a military family, Eesha has traveled extensively, which has nurtured her love for exploring new places, people and cultures.

Saquib works in the District Project Management Unit (UP) team as a District Consultant and is based out of Aligarh. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Physics from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Uttar Pradesh and a Masters in Social Work from Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Hyderabad, Telangana. Prior to CSF, Saquib has been a Gandhi fellow and has worked with organisations like Avanti Fellows, Aashiyana Foundation and GDI Partners. He has worked on programme implementation, baseline, end line, sessions, training of children and staff of the child care institutions. He also conducted baseline assessment training for more than 150+ block resource persons (BRPs/ABRCs) for proper execution of assessment and test conduction in school. Saquib likes to swim, play cricket and carom and has also started stock trading as a hobby.

Chaitanya works as a Project Associate in the State Reform Team and is based out of Lucknow. She holds a PG Diploma in Public Policy and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. She pursued a fellowship in social sciences that enriched her understanding of the education sector and inspired her commitment to driving meaningful change in this field. Before joining CSF, Chaitanya gained experience across multiple sectors, including tourism policy development at KPMG, where she contributed to policy formulation and stakeholder engagement within the Tourism PMU in Karnataka, as well as digital marketing in medical tourism with Practice Buzz. In her free time, Chaitanya enjoys playing the violin, listening to Carnatic music, reading poetry, and experimenting with new recipes.

Garima works as a Project Lead with the Strategic Support States Team and is based out of Delhi. She supports implementation of foundational literacy and numeracy programs to improve learning levels across five states. Previously, she worked with D. E. Shaw Research, out of their Hyderabad office, leading projects in operations and recruitment for the computational drug discovery research firm. Garima has an undergraduate degree in Commerce and Economics from Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi. When not working, she spends time traveling, reading, and practicing yoga.

Gaurav works as an Associate Project Director in the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Delhi. His journey with the education sector started as a fellow in Teach for India where he taught a classroom of 50 girls in 5th and 6th grade. Post fellowship, he worked as a Program Manager in TFI’s Delhi team, building professional and personal capacity in 30 fellows. Prior to CSF, Gaurav co-founded his own non-profit, Slam Out Loud, and led it as the Chief Operating Officer for 5 years. Gaurav has a Masters in Public Administration from National University of Singapore and is a certified action learning coach from the Action Learning Center, UK. Post work, he spends time solving puzzles, hoarding trivia, discovering new poetry, reading non-fiction and having conversations over/about food.

Gaurav Saroha works as a Project Manager in the School Governance team and is based out of Guwahati. He has previously worked with the Quality Council of India as an Associate Manager; worked on projects likeMade in India Brand Scheme and India’s Trade Deficit Policy. His work centred around government advisory, policy making and implementation. He has completed Young India Fellowship from Ashoka University and graduated with a BTech in Computer Science and Engineering. Most of his free time goes dabbling into foreign language movies and reading non-fiction books.

Gayathri joins works as a Senior Project Manager in the Strategic Support States team, Telangana and is based at Medchal-Malkajgiri. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics & Electronics from Loyola Academy – Alwal, Secunderaba. Prior to CSF, she has worked as a full-time Teaching Fellow & as a Transformational Teaching Fellow with Teach for India, Hyderabad. As the Content Advisor at TFI, Hyderabad, she held communities of practice for Secondary Science teachers in content and pedagogy. She established the first community centre in Teach for India, Hyderabad, impacting students, alumni and stakeholders of the community and designed a Science curriculum for the high school students of Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) – USA, a global community. In her free time, Gayathri can be found exploring street food or discussing Marvel comics.

Geetika works in the RMEAL team as a Senior Project Lead, designing and implementing assessments for different stakeholders in the school education system. She has been working in the education sector for more than a decade now. In her previous instinct as well, she has worked for designing and implementing large-scale assessments for different geographies to understand the impact of various programs. She has worked with teachers for their professional development and with policy makers to implement educational initiatives across geographies. Geetika is an IIM Lucknow alumnus, PhD in Economics, trained in business and data analytics and master’s in business administration. At heart she is a teacher and always tries to make things simpler for people to understand and implement. She likes to blend creativity and simplicity in the teaching, training by weaving story around work. She hails from the royal blue city of Jodhpur, married to a finance professional- professor and both love cooking and exploring food. In her free time, she can be seen playing mathematical games and doing creative work. She is associated with Robin Hood Army, which is an NGO works for providing free meals to the needy.

Gouri Gupta leads CSF’s work in the area of Education Technology. She works with a portfolio of EdTech products that take high-quality, contextual solutions to young children from low-income backgrounds to support learning. She works with leading researchers to build evidence on what works in EdTech and supports the building of public goods like EdTech Tulna that fill critical white spaces in the EdTech ecosystem. Gouri is part of many global and Indian expert groups in EdTech and skill development.

Prior to CSF, Gouri was part of the founding team at the National Skill Development Corporation, a public-private partnership created by the Govt. of India to invest in skill development ventures in India. Gouri crossed over into the development sector from The Boston Consulting Group where she was a Project Leader working primarily in the financial services domain. Gouri is a Chartered Accountant by training and a management graduate from IIM Bangalore.

Harish Doraiswamy is the Director of the Edtech team at CSF and his work involves working with state governments on their Edtech strategy and implementation. Prior to joining CSF in early 2020, Harish was Vice-President at Pearson India where he was responsible for the K12 School Management, Vocational Education, and International Qualifications verticals. Harish is an alumnus of IIT Madras and IIM Calcutta and has over 30 years of experience across various sectors and functions. He is excited to work on realizing the potential of technology to transform school education for the disadvantaged. In his free time, he loves to enjoy good food, music, the company of his friends, and travel.

Harnoor works as a Project Manager with the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Ghaziabad. She holds a Bachelor’s in Commerce degree from University of Delhi. Prior to CSF, Harnoor worked as a Teach For India Fellow where she ignited the academic journey of about 200 students, infusing passion for learning and fostering tangible growth. Founder of the Harnoor Madhar Foundation, she champions underserved communities in Punjab, ensuring access to quality education and holistic support. In her free time, she likes spending time with animals.

Harshit works as a Project Manager in the Policy & Communications team and is based out of Delhi. Prior to joining CSF, Harshit worked as a Reputation Manager at The Mavericks Communications LLP where he serviced some of India’s leading developmental sector institutions, helping them craft their communications and policy advocacy strategies. He has also worked with the Aam Aadmi Party, heading their survey and political research departments during the Delhi assembly elections and also handled their media department during the Punjab assembly elections.

Harshita works as a Project Lead in the State Reform team and is based out of Bhopal. She has an MBA degree from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. She also has 6 years of experience in the education space as a Teach for India Fellow, and with a non-profit startup, Saarthi Education, where she developed and scaled EdTech solutions. She enjoys reading, going on long trails, bicycling and sipping coffee. She is passionate about learning about climate change and sustainability.

Hemani works with the ECE team and is based out of Delhi. She is a science graduate from Miranda House, Delhi University and a qualified teacher. Prior to working with CSF, she has worked at LEAD for more than four years where she designed curriculum, and created books and digital plans with resources for pre-primary. She was a Fellow at Teach for India, teaching Maths and Science to grade 7-10 students. She also spent a summer at SECMOL, Ladakh, teaching conversational English and foundation mathematics to the students there. In her free time, Hemani enjoys reading, painting and watching movies.

Hemant works as a Project Manager in the District Project Management Unit (DPMU) in Uttar Pradesh. A philosophy graduate from the University of Delhi, he began his career at Decathlon before joining the Teach For India Fellowship. There, he led initiatives to strengthen parent agency, set up after-school learning centers, and spread awareness on neurodiversity. His work extended to building teacher capacity as well. A cinephile who sees film as a reflection of society, Hemant balances an active life of trekking, basketball, and running with quiet moments spent reading and enjoying world cinema. He believes deep change begins with empathy, consistency, and asking the right questions.

Hita works as a Project Associate in the EdTech team and is based out of Delhi. She holds an undergraduate degree in Communication Studies, Psychology, and Literature. Prior to CSF, she completed the Young India Fellowship, earning a postgraduate diploma in Liberal Studies from Ashoka University. Hita has always aspired to work in the development sector, particularly in education, as she views it as powerful means towards social justice. Beyond her work, she writes poetry, enjoys reading, cherishes her time with nature, and is a cat parent.

Indranath works with the State FLN Projects team as a State Lead and is based out of Guwahati. He hails from North East India and is passionate about systemic reforms. He has 16 years of multi-faceted management experience in the development sector, successfully designing, implementing, and managing large-scale projects. Previously, he has worked with various state governments and multi-lateral agencies such as GIZ, UNICEF, and Mott Macdonald and holds a master’s degree in management. He is currently leading the CSF team in Assam towards ensuring FLN skills for all children.

Iram Gul works as a Project Manager in the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Aligarh. She holds a B.tech in Mechanical engineering from Techno India University, Kolkata. Prior to CSF, she worked in the automotive industry with notable names like Maruti Suzuki. She embarked on her journey in the Education sector with Teach for India. She worked with several ed-tech companies such as Lead School and Convegenius. Iram played a crucial role in implementing innovative ed-tech solutions in both affordable private schools and government institutions, particularly in aspirational districts. In her free time, she likes writing poetry and traveling with an ardent inclination towards exploring spirituality.

Jahanavi Sharma works as a Project Manager with the State Reform team and is based out of Panchkula. She holds a Postgraduate Degree in MSc. Development Administration and Planning from University College London, along with a bachelor’s in political science from Hindu College, University of Delhi. Previously, Jahanavi has interned with Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation and the Bachpan Bachao Andolan, where she co-led the ‘Justice for Every Child Campaign’ and has led several sponsored research projects in Brazil, Uganda, Singapore, and India. She enjoys reading dystopian fiction, playing Foosball and listening to the musical ‘Hamilton’.

Jatin works as a Project Manager in the State Reform Team and is based out of Panchkula. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Hansraj College and has served as Chief Minister’s Good Governance Associate in Sonipat. Previously, Jatin spent the past few years with Pravah, where he worked with youth and adolescents to develop their leadership capacity and enabled them to drive community action projects. He has also spearheaded initiatives on agency building, comprehensive sexuality education, and intersectional issues of caste, sexuality, and gender. In his free time, Jatin enjoys baking cakes, exploring new places, and discovering new art forms.

Jayashree works as a Project Manager in the Strategic Support States team and is based out of Guwahati. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature (Hons) from Hindu College (University of Delhi), and a master’s degree in Development Studies from Ambedkar University Delhi. Prior to CSF, Jayashree was involved with Pratham Education Foundation as a Project Associate. At Pratham, she took over projects centred on foundational learning of Anganwadi children. Her inclination towards the development sector is rooted in the desire to create an impact in society using education as an apparatus. Jayahsree loves to spend her leisure time watching anime, reading and cooking. She is also fond of exploring new places and cuisines.

Jephthah works as a Project Lead in the Strategic Support States team and is based out of Kodangal, Telangana. He recently moved back to India after spending 2 years working on an English Literacy project in Valencia, with the Ministry of Education, Spain. He holds a Masters degree in Sociology from Osmania University. In his free time, Jephthah likes to cook, hike and spend time with family and friends. He is a polyglot and can engage you in conversations about food, history and travelling.

Jigisha works as a Project Manager, Schools Governance team at Central Square Foundation is based out of Gandhinagar, Gujarat. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work. Prior to CSF, she has worked in various in variou, including Academic Excellence Manager, Project Coordinator, Program Leader, Program Mentor, and Gandhi Fellow. Their drive to make a meaningful difference and create impactful learning experiences led them to pursue a career in education. Jigisha derives pleasure from crafting transformative learning experiences and spearheading constructive societal transformation. She is an Adventure seeker and Campsite DJ. Also she has an uncanny talent for transforming mundane work situations into hilarious memes that instantly lighten the mood and go viral within the office.

Jitendra works in the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Aligarh. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from JNTU Kakinda. He is an alumnus of the Gandhi Fellowship Program. Before joining CSF, he worked at Azim Premji Foundation and Mantra4Change. While working with Azim Premji Foundation he worked with teachers to improve perspectives, beliefs, teaching practices, pedagogical approaches, content development, and Supported in covid Vaccination project. In his free time, Jitendra loves listening to music and is passionate about exploring diverse cultures and languages.

Juhi works as a Senior Project Lead in the DPMU(UP) team and is based out of Delhi. She holds a degree in Civil Engineering from NIT, Kurukshetra. After spending a year in the corporate sector designing Android applications, she transitioned into the education sector where she has over 7 years of experience working across levels from classroom, school, district to state-level projects. She started as a Teach for India fellow and then worked with Peepul as a School Leader. Since last 4 years, she has been working in Governance Consulting roles with the Government of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh while being a part of organisations like Ashoka University and Samagra Governance in projects like CMGGA and Mission Prerna. She has a deep interest in spirituality, yoga, meditation and neuroscience and in her free time, can be seen reading or watching content for the same.

Junaid works as a Project Manager with the State Reform Team and is based out of Lucknow. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from BITS Pilani and Masters degree in Public Policy from Azim Premji University. Prior to CSF, he was working in the tech sector. It was during the pandemic, while working with the district administration and community schools, that he realized his true passion is in public policy. Junaid is particularly interested in education, especially when it comes to helping kids develop strong foundational literacy and numeracy skills before the Grade 3 inflection point. He loves everything about football, and in his free time can be seen playing, watching or debating game tactics.

Jyotsna works as a Senior Project Lead in the Policy & Communications Team and is based out of Delhi. She completed her graduation and post graduation in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, and Delhi School of Economics, respectively. Post her education, Jyotsna pursued projects that had the potential to create impact at scale. She worked as a political consultant for nearly 6 years at I-PAC, where she designed and led high-decibel political campaigns, while managing high-profile stakeholders. Her interest in the field of education and CSF was spurred by her desire to transform and impact people’s lives for the better. In her spare time, you can find her reading about the workings of the human brain, playing with her dogs, or admiring nature.

Jyotsna works as an Associate Project Director in the Classroom Instruction and Practice team and is based out of Delhi. An alumna of Delhi University’s B.El.Ed program, she advanced her expertise with M.Ed. and M.Phil degrees from Jamia Millia Islamia. Prior to CSF, she worked with XSEED and New Globe. She has over 20 years of experience in education, spanning teaching, curriculum development, teacher professional development and program implementation. At XSEED Education, she held mulitple positions and managed program implementation with a team of 70+ education coaches. As Regional Director at New Globe, she has led academic programs across continents, implementing academic program implementation in public school systems in Liberia, Rwanda, and Manipur, India.

Kainat joins as a Project Manager with the DPMU (UP) Team at CSF. She holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science from New York University, Abu Dhabi. Prior to CSF, Kainat began her journey in the Education sector through Teach For India Fellowship. As a human rights enthusiast, Kainat also volunteered with international agencies like the UNHRC. In her leisure time, Kainat enjoys reading, running and cycling.

Kamal Nath Jha leads the State FLN Projects team as a State Lead in Bihar. He supports the government in the functioning of PMU for FLN in the state. He is also engaged in collection of evidence and deeper implementation of FLN activities in a few districts to showcase that FLN goals and targets are achievable within the time frame. He has a Masters degree in Political Science from JNU, New Delhi. Before joining CSF, he has worked with IPE Global, UNICEF, Save the Children and Bihar Education Project Council. During 24 years of his career span in the development sector, he has experienced early, elementary and secondary government schooling systems and learnt about the challenges they face. He was involved with the World Bank project on improving efficiency in Teachers’ Training College Institutions in Bihar. In his free time, he loves talking to children, cooking, reading and listening to music.

Kapil works as an Associate Project Director in the School Governance team and is based out of Delhi. He started his career as a teacher and content writer, and grew up to lead sales and business transformation. He founded an EdTech business on teaching improvement that has impacted 8000 school teachers and over 200,000 learners in the early childhood, primary and middle grades across India and the Middle East. Aside from this, he has headed Sales and Marketing in FMCG and Pharmaceuticals industries. Kapil is deeply passionate about impacting the learning outcomes in schools. He has invested most of his career in education in K12 schools working on programs improving the foundational learning. He has worked on adult literacy and career counseling pro bono, treating these as his civic responsibilities. Kapil did his bachelor’s in Computer Sciences and master’s in business management from IIM Lucknow. In his free time, Kapil is found planning meticulously for his large extended family gatherings, which keep happening unplanned anyways.

Karan works with the State Reform Team as a Project Manager and is based out of Panchkula. He holds a Bachelors degree in Information Technology from UPTU and Masters in Rural Management (PGDM) at XISS, Ranchi. Prior to working with CSF, Karan For the initial 1.5 years, he served as a Young Professional in the district and state teams of Livestock at Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society under the Rural Development Department in Bihar. Karan has also been part of Samagra Development Associates, contributing to the Family ID team under the Planning Department and the Mission Niramaya team under the Department of Medical Education in Uttar Pradesh. During his free time, Karan enjoys watching series and indulging in gardening activities.

Karishma works as Project Manager in the State Reform Team and is based out of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. She holds a Masters degree in Education from Azim Premji University with a honours degree in Education from Banaras Hindu University. Before CSF, Karishma spent around seven years working at various organisations such aş Mantra Social Services, Azim Premji University, Neev Trust. She also worked setting up an organisation promoting art education called Shuruart Foundation. She identifies as an anxious reader and calm painter, who likes to find philosophical explanations everywhere.

Karthik works as a Project Manager in the Strategic Support States team and is based out of Telangana. He holds a Bachelors in Social Work from Osmania University, Hyderabad and Masters in Social work In Public health from TISS, Mumbai. Prior to CSF, Karthik worked as a former Telangana State Outreach Coordinator at Thanal, he played a pivotal role in establishing micro-learning centres aimed at reintegrating dropout children into the formal education system. In his free time, he loves to travel and holds a black belt in karate.

Kaushalya works as a Senior Project Lead in the Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives team and is based out of Delhi. Before joining CSF, she led stakeholder management for NITI Aayog and advised education non-profits at Sattva Consulting. At the World Wide Web Foundation, she led the global Tech Policy Design Lab. Her experience includes advising 85 UK charities at The Partnering Initiative Oxford, drafting the UK Government’s Digital Skills Partnership Strategy, and contributing to the Oxford Covid-19 Government Response Tracker. As a Researcher to an Indian Member of Parliament, she advised on governance reforms. Kaushalya also campaigned with Oxfam Ireland and led humanitarian communications at Oxfam India. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Oxford and an MSc in International Development from University College Dublin. She enjoys painting and hiking.

Kavita Malik works as a Project Manager in the School Governance Team based out of Udaipur. Prior to CSF, she worked with Lead School as an Academic Advisor where she was committed to ensure excellence in education through school transformation across Rajasthan. As a TFI fellow, she worked with students of five nationalities and ran ‘Journey Across Nations and Continents’ as the BTCP during her fellowship which brought fellows and students of 13 TF All partner countries for interdisciplinary exchange. As a TIJ at TFI in 2022, she is committed to learn and grow incessantly. In her free time, she loves to watch movies and is a fitness enthusiast.

Kavita Rawat works as a Senior Project Manager with the EdTech team. She joined Central Square Foundation after completing her Teach for India fellowship (2020) where she led more than 150 girls across 2 government schools and 3 classrooms in the East Delhi community. Kavita holds a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Ambedkar University Delhi. It was in one of these classrooms that she realised how rather than being angry or debating about things which are not working behind closed walls, it was more important to find sustainable solutions on the ground. During her free time, you can find her reading books, buying books or/while listening to Taylor Swift.

Khushboo is a Consultant with the Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives Team and is based out of Delhi. Previously, she was a Senior Associate at The Education Alliance where she led flagship Delhi government projects, including establishing the Delhi Sports School from its inception and shaping future pathways for students at the Schools of Specialised Excellence. A biology graduate from Sri Venkateswara College, Khushboo discovered her passion for the development sector during her college years through her involvement in art-for-cause initiatives to raise awareness for gender equality. Post which she began her journey in the education sector with the Changemakers in Education Fellowship of Delhi Government. Outside of work, Khushboo loves to express herself through art. She is a trained Kathak dancer and enjoys doing calligraphy and painting during her free time.

Kirati Thakore has joined as a Project Lead – Gujarat, Strategic Support States team. She is an education technology professional with over 10+ years of experience in content strategy, project management, and educational innovation. Her journey began with a Master’s in Microbiology from Nirma University, but she discovered her true passion in transforming learning experiences. At Educational Initiatives, Kirati has led content development across 9 vernacular languages, managed complex projects, and helped scale educational programs. Her background blends scientific precision with creative problem-solving, allowing me to develop high-impact educational content that truly engages learners. Kirati’s passion lies in creating high-quality, data-driven educational content that truly enhances learning experiences. By leveraging structured thinking, strategic planning, and insights-driven approaches, she aims to develop impactful programs that drive meaningful outcomes in public sector initiatives.

Komal works as a Project Lead in the School Governance Team and is based out of Delhi. She holds an MBA degree from the Indian School of Business and has a Masters degree in Biotechnology. Prior to CSF, she has led multiple 0-1 product journeys in EdTech start-ups over the last few years. She started her journey in the education sector as a Teach for India fellow in Mumbai. Since then she has been keen on solving diverse problems in the education space and furthering her impact in the sector. In her free time, she likes to explore new dance classes, read fiction, and go out with friends.

Komal works as a Project Manager with the State Reform team and is based out of Bhopal. With a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Miranda House, Delhi University, and a Masters in Development Studies from TISS, Mumbai, she has developed a deep understanding of development dynamics. Prior to CSF, she worked at Sattva Consulting and has garnered valuable skills in research and project management. When not immersed in work, she enjoys exploring new books, savouring new cuisines, embarking on mountain adventures and spending time with dogs. She loves her chai and is always open to conversations about thriller shows and movies.

Krishnakanth works as a Project Manager in the Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives team and is based out of Delhi. He holds a Master’s in Education from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai s well as a MSc in Physics from the University of Calicut, Kerala. Previously, he interned with the School of Education, Tamil Nadu and was a part of the Interactive Flat Panel project with the government of Telangana at TISS, Mumbai, which refined his abilities in curating learning resources and designing interactive learning activities. In his free time, he likes to listen to music, read books and explore food joints.

Kritagya Kriti works as a Project Manager in the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Sitapur. She holds a masters degree in Social Entrepreneurship from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Prior to joining CSF, she worked on multiple initiatives in the remote Himalayan regions in Nepal, in areas such as climate change, sanitation and education. She has also led a research initiative in the space of climate change impacts on marginalised communities in the mountains. In her free time, you will find her crocheting, reading or making travel plans.

Satyam works a Project Lead in the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Aligarh. He studied journalism from University of Delhi. At work, he is mostly seen visualising ways to make system generated data more reliable. Currently he is on an exploratory journey to figure out if small is indeed beautiful or systemic intervention is the best possible approach to solve public issues. He was profoundly inspired by Jean Dreze’s idea of research for action and made the switch from journalism to the social sector. Previously, he has worked at Indus Action and Piramal Foundation. In his free time, you will always find him overthinking; he is a serial over-thinker!

Kumud works as an Associate Director with the Strategic Support States team and is based out of Delhi. Before joining CSF, he served as a Nudge Indian Administrative Fellow with the Government of Punjab in the Higher Education Department. With 16 years of extensive experience in capital markets, Kumud has held roles in investment banking, asset management, credit rating, and analytics. In his free time, he enjoys reading books, watching movies, exercising, and meditating.

Kunal works as a Project Lead in the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Jhansi. He is a lawyer by education and has been working in the policy sector for the past few years. He worked as a research and policy associate for Late Mr Rajeev Satav, Member of Parliament and Chief Minister’s Good Governance Associate in Sirsa and Kaithal district, Haryana. Kunal is an avid reader and enjoy reading about Indian culture and history. He has also previously acted and directed plays.

Kunjan works as a Project Manager with the Madhya Pradesh – State Reform Team and is
based out of Bhopal. He holds a Master’s degree in Inorganic Chemistry from Savitribai
Phule Pune University. He entered the development sector with the Teach For India
Fellowship in 2021. He has spent over four years in the education ecosystem working with
organizations such as Teach for India, and Samarthya. He likes to spend his free time taking
long walks, or playing a sport, preferably, Badminton.

Kusum works as a Consultant with the State Reform Team, currently based in Delhi. She brings over three decades of deep and diverse experience in education. Throughout her career, she has engaged deeply with students, teachers, and school leaders, contributing significantly to designing, developing, and implementing impactful educational programs across various contexts. Beyond her professional pursuits, she finds joy in spending time amidst nature, immersing herself in books, and enjoying soulful music.

Lakshita is a Senior Project Manager with the Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives team and is based out of Delhi. She has lived in and around Delhi her entire life and continues to find inspiration in this city she calls home. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from Delhi University and a postgraduate diploma in Liberal Studies from Ashoka University. Her time at both universities was underscored by an active involvement in the performing arts. Lakshita started her career with Deloitte, where she worked in the Risk Advisory practice in the Telecom and Media industry. She later joined Genpact as a Chief of Staff to the COO, managing the Consumer Goods portfolio. Across both roles, she honed her generalist tendencies, gaining cross-functional experience in different industries and departments. Outside of work, Lakshita enjoys anything that gets her moving, whether it’s running, walking, swimming, yoga, or cycling. She’s equally likely to be found with a book in her bag, reading wherever she gets the chance, at home or on the go.

Lata works as a Senior Project Manager in the Strategic Support States Team and is based out of Mohali. She holds a Master’s in Education from Azim Premji University. .Prior to joining CSF, Lata who has been a Teacher Professional Development (TPD) Professional, has been deeply engaged with children’s learning processes and the workings of government schools. She is committed to fostering effective teaching methods. Outside of work, She is an avid traveler and trekking enthusiast, always seeking new landscapes and experiences. Through her journey, she strives to make impactful contributions to education and inspire curiosity in both children and adults.

Likhitha works as a Project Manager in the Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives team at CSF and is based out of Delhi. Prior to CSF, she worked as the Learning and Skills Officer at YuWaah (Generation Unlimited), UNICEF, where she led large-scale skilling and career guidance initiatives for youth across 17 states. She previously served as a Mahatma Gandhi National Fellow under MSDE in Arunachal Pradesh, where she focused on strengthening the skilling ecosystem and value-driven development projects, especially for the Galo tribal community. She is a Political Science graduate from University of Hyderabad with a specialization in Public Policy and Management from IIM Visakhapatnam. Outside work, she enjoys film reviewing, creative writing, digital art, and flâneur photography.

Lubhavani works as a Project Lead in the EdTech Team and is based out of Delhi. She is a firm believer in creating equal opportunities for all students, thus starting her journey as an educator. She completed her bachelor’s degree in education from Gargi College, the University of Delhi, followed by an M.A in education from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Most recently finished her M.Phil. in education leadership & school improvement from the University of Cambridge. She has worked in the education sector for the last four years. She started her journey as a Teach For India (TFI) Delhi fellow, continued working in TFI as a Course Designer with the Firki Team and was last working as an Education Researcher with the CMR University before joining CSF.

Mahima works as a Senior Project Manager as part of the Policy & Communications team. She works on building the CSF brand and creating resonance for the foundation’s work through various digital communication channels. After studying Journalism from Kamala Nehru College, Delhi University, where she developed a keen interest in branding, communications and PR, she went on to pursue the post-graduate diploma in Advertising and Public Relations from the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication in New Delhi. Prior to CSF, Mahima was with Edelman India, the world’s leading PR agency, where she worked with top brands in the FMCG and F&B spaces. Her core competencies include campaign planning, content strategy and media relations. When not working, Mahima enjoys exploring new cafés and trying out unique perfume notes.

Manpriya works as a Project Manager in the Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives Team and is based out of Delhi. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Jesus & Mary College. Prior to joining CSF, Manpriya has worked for Teach for India, where she managed acquisitions and outreach strategy on the National Development team. There, she led projects across resource mobilisation, knowledge management, strategy, and operations, while actively working with the Senior Leadership on strategic communications and advocacy. She has also worked with a diverse range of private and development sector organisations, focusing on sustainable development, youth leadership and mobilisation, and entrepreneurship.

Mansi works as a Project Manager in the EdTech team and is based out of Delhi. She has completed her bachelors from Ashoka University, where she studied Economics, Environmental Studies and Entrepreneurship to understand how businesses can contribute to sustainable and inclusive living. She is interested in the social and environmental impact sector. She has also volunteered with IamGurgaon, to help make her city a better place to live in. She assisted with the founding of Leap Cities, an accelerator program that works with growth stage companies in the impact sector in India. She is also a mixed medium artist and designer. Mansi likes to spend her spare time cooking, reading and practicing yoga.

Megha works as a Project Manager in the Classroom Instruction and Practice team and is based out of Ghaziabad. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi and Masters in Organic Chemistry. She is a Young India Fellow and has also completed her diploma in Liberal Arts from Ashoka University, Sonipat. Prior to CSF, Megha worked with Azim Premji Foundation for three years. In her free time, she enjoys reading and doing craft work, which ranges from paper crafts to wire crafts.

Misha works as a Senior Project Lead with the Strategic Support States Team at CSF. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Punjab University. She pursued her Masters in Business Administration from Pune. She is passionate about bringing to life CSF’s vision of quality learning for all children. Prior to working with CSF, Misha has worked as Investment Analyst, TFI fellow, Entrepreneur, Academic Expert and L&D specialist in multiple organisations. In her free time, she enjoys solving Sudoku and crossword puzzles. She loves to travel with her family.

Faizan works as a District Consultant in the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Aligarh. He holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Hindi from Aligarh Muslim University and his Master’s in Social Work from MANU University Hyderabad. In his previous role at Piramal Foundation, he managed 15 Gandhi Fellows and stakeholder engagement in two aspirational districts of Uttar Pradesh. In his free time, you will either find him in the gym or you will find him making delicious meals for his child.

Mohini Thakur works as a Project Lead in the State Reform Team and is based out of Lucknow. With over 8 years of experience in ESG strategy, project management, and CSR consulting, Mohini brings a wealth of knowledge in public service and sustainability. She has collaborated with both public and private sector stakeholders, advising on policy, designing high-impact programs, and driving sustainability initiatives. Previously, she held roles at organizations like Sattva Consulting and UNDP, where she led projects in governance and environmental conservation. An alumna of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Mohini loves trekking and creating a green sanctuary through her passion for gardening.

Mokshit works as a Project Manager in the State Reform team and is based out of Panchkula. He is an advocate and has a keen interest in constitutional matters. He holds a degree in Masters in Public Policy and Governance from Azim Premji University. He is a public policy professional working towards creating positive social impact at scale through systemic reforms. He has experience working with senior bureaucrats in drafting the rules for the labor codes and making policy proposals at the NITI Aayog. He likes to discover poetry, converse about wide ranging topics and appreciate art.

Mridula works in the Strategic Support States team as a Project Manager and is based out of Bihar. She did her masters in Home Science from Patna University and M.Ed. from Barkatullah University, Bhopal, M.P. She has 6-8 years’ experience in Health, Nutrition and Education with UNICEF, ICDS, JEEViKA (BRLPS), Going to School and Aga Khan Foundation. She had closely worked with SCERT Bihar in the Teacher Education and DIET strengthening. Mridula loves to write poem/Story/Case Study/Slogan and interact different communities to know their cultures and tradition. She wants to drive change in society through right education of each child.

Mukul works as a Project Manager in the Classroom Instruction and Practice team and is based out of Amroha. He supports the NIPUN program in Western Uttar Pradesh, based in Amroha. A graduate in Mechanical Engineering, his career took a significant turn when he joined the Azim Premji Foundation as a Campus Associate in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. There, he gained firsthand insight into the government education system, working closely with primary schools to better understand educational challenges and opportunities. Building on this experience, he collaborated with government teachers to improve their teaching practices through workshops and sessions focused on science and mathematics. To further enhance his knowledge, he joined Peepul as a Project Associate (TPD) for the Assessment-Informed Instruction Program, funded through a Development Impact Bond (DIB) structure. In this role, he was responsible for creating and curating mathematics resources, as well as designing and facilitating impactful training sessions aimed at improving teacher effectiveness and student outcomes. He enjoys drawing and wall painting. On long weekends, you’ll usually find him exploring new treks on his bike in the mountains.

Murali works with the Strategic Support States Team as a Project Manager in Telangana. He holds a Master’s from Azim Premji University. With over 8 years of experience in the education sector, Murali previously worked on improving education quality in private schools and coached school leaders to enhance student learning outcomes. His interests encompass teacher education, school leadership, running, doodling, and photography.

Mustafa works as a Project Manager with the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Sitapur. He holds a degree in psychology and firmly believes in the transformational power of education. Prior to CSF, he ran his own community center, worked with Teach for India, and led a project in government schools to improve the monitoring of the midday meal program at the ground level. In his free time, he enjoys reading about Delhi and its rich past in his free time.

Nanda works as a Project Lead in Strategic Support States Team, Telanagna at CSF. Nanda was born in the village of Ghanpuram, in Telangana. Having grown up in a teacher family in rural Telangana, his understanding of school education and its importance in society grew over time. After UG, he chose to go back home, and manage a family-owned low-cost private school for 3 years. During this time, he engaged with students of early grades, 1 to 5, experimenting alternative education. Pursuing PG Diploma in Rural Development from NIRD&PR equipped him with relevant skills and theoretical knowledge needed to work on large scale rural development programmes. In his previous roles with HCL Foundation & School Education Department of Andhra Pradesh, he worked on stakeholder management, curriculum development, community mobilization, training of teachers, research, inter-governmental liasoning, program Design and management. Fun Fact: He can break into a song any minute of the day.

Natasha works as a Senior Lead in the Human Resources Team and is based out of Delhi. Her key responsibilities include efficient management of the entire employee lifecycle and providing avenues for Organisational development driven through people engagement. Her foray into the social development sector began with a corporate partnerships role with The Nudge Foundation. She spent 5 years in the corporate sector in a sales and business development role with Diageo followed by Michael Page. Natasha had a short and exciting entrepreneurial stint in 2019 when she set up a microbrewery restaurant. She holds a MBA degree from NMIMS, Mumbai and an undergraduate degree in Engineering from Jaypee University. It was through her volunteering work during the Covid outbreak that she realized her true calling lies in working directly with the less privileged, a cause she is truly committed towards. Always saving up for her next trip, Natasha is also a certified scuba diver.

Navneet works as a Project Manager in the School Governance Team and is based out of Udaipur. She holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Miranda House, University of Delhi. Prior to CSF, she was a part of the 2020 Young India Fellowship cohort, where she worked on a project working towards retention of out-of-school females in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Her diverse experience encompasses research and teaching assistance in gender studies at Ashoka University, as well as roles in leadership consulting at Egon Zehnder and technology consulting at Code Brew Labs. Navneet aspires to forge a career in assessment, governance and education reform within South Asian societies.

Nawlesh works as a Project Manager in the Classroom Instruction and Practice team and is based out of Amroha. He is a mechanical engineer by qualification and transitioned into the education sector, driven by his passion for social change through education. He worked as a Program Associate at Room to Read India Trust, focusing on supervising district-level literacy- strengthening programs, providing technical guidance to block- and district-level officials, conducting supportive supervision, and leading various training sessions while supporting strategic planning. Previously, he contributed significantly at Azim Premji Foundation to teacher professional development, FLN strategy implementation, research coordination, and assessment tool development. He enjoys cooking, long solo walks, and exploring food, culture, humour, societal issues, and geography. He is passionate about reading and watching content on Indian politics, international relations, health topics, and educational research. Nawlesh also enjoys writing on Quora about a variety of subjects.

Nidhi works a Project Manager in the Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives team and is based out of Delhi. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economic Honours from Christ University, Bangalore. She has previously worked with policy experts in the field of education, gender, and skill development, which ignited her interest in the development sector. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, dancing and doing yoga.

Niharika Suresh works as a Consultant in the School Governance team and is based in Guwahati, Assam. Niharika completed her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Dayalbagh Education Institute, Agra and went on to pursue the Young India Fellowship from Ashoka University. Prior to CSF, Niharika was working as a Program Officer at The Antara Foundation in Madhya Pradesh. Her role revolved around managing quality service delivery of maternal and child health services across two developmental blocks in the district of Betul. In her free time, Niharika enjoys binge-watching TV shows and going on hikes.

Niharika Suresh works as a Project Manager in the School Governance team and is based out of Guwahati. Niharika completed her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Dayalbagh Education Institute, Agra and went on to pursue the Young India Fellowship from Ashoka University. Prior to CSF, Niharika was working as a Program Officer at The Antara Foundation in Madhya Pradesh. Her role revolved around managing quality service delivery of maternal and child health services across two developmental blocks in the district of Betul. In her free time, Niharika enjoys binging TV shows and going on hikes.

Nihith works as a Project Manager with the Strategic Support States team and is based out of Telangana. Prior to this, he was managing bids and proposals in one of the
large global professional services firms helping them submit proposals to various RfXs. Nihith attended Young India Fellowship at Ashoka University which grounded him in the Humanities
and Social Sciences education. As a young development professional, he’s all ears to learn, unlearn, and relearn. In his free time, he can be found casually flipping pages through a non-
fiction book or deeply engrossing into watching any of F1, cricket, and Tennis.

Nikhita works with the State Reform Team as a Project Manager, and is based out of Lucknow. She holds a Masters in Development from Azim Premji University, and a bachelor’s degree in Engineering. Prior to joining CSF, Nikhita has worked at Sattva Consulting, and has previously founded a social enterprise as well. In her personal time, Nikhita likes to read, binge watch and loves eating or thinking about food and making travel plans.

Nisha works as a Project Manager in the State Reform team and is based out of Panchkula. She holds an integrated bachelor’s degree in Science and Education. Her professional journey began as a teacher at G.D Goenka Public School, working on children’s foundational literacy and numeracy. Recently, Nisha completed her Master’s degree in Development Studies from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Before joining CSF, she worked as an Analyst in the Monitoring and Evaluation team at IPE Global Limited, gaining valuable experience collaborating with government, bilateral, and multilateral organizations.

Nishant works as a Project Lead in the School Governance team and is based out of Bikaner. Nishant has worked extensively in the world of academic content and teaching, and has created teaching and learning content for multiple subjects upto grade 10. He is passionate about education reform and has worked in the sector in multiple roles. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology, Pilani.

Nitin Kumar is currently working with the DPMU (UP) team and is based in Gorakhpur as
a Project Manager, leading the implementation of the NIPUN Bharat initiative. A Civil Engineering
graduate with over six years of experience in government programs and stakeholder management,
he brings deep expertise in policy execution and large-scale projects.
An alumnus of IIM Bangalore, Nitin was awarded the Gold Medal in Public Policy and
Management under the MGNF Fellowship Program by the Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship. His extensive work in vocational education and livelihood generation has
contributed to several impactful district and state-level projects. Nitin’s internship in Data Analytics at IBM further enriched his technical skill set, reinforcing his commitment to data-driven decision-making. With a strong focus on building sustainable government systems and improving educational infrastructure, he strives to develop processes that ensure long-term impact.

Nitin works as a Senior Project Lead in the Strategic Support States team and is based out of Delhi.  He is a post-graduate in Social Work and has studied Rural and Urban development. He brings close to two decades of professional experience to the team in multiple thematic areas such as education, system strengthening, government consulting, and partnerships. His experience across multiple organizations, roles, and industries has helped him develop skills specifically in managing large-scale projects and impact delivery and a keen understanding of the sector. He strongly believes that change in society and systems are only possible through a change in the self (individual). He is passionate about creating a synergistic effect amongst people through adoption of inclusion, convergence and empathy as core values.

Nitish works as a District Consultant in the Strategic Support States team, Bihar. Nitish holds a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in History from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi. He started his career as a Gandhi Fellow, introducing innovative ideas for education in a district. He is responsible for ensuring effective implementation of projects in Bihar State. Prior to this, he worked with GuruJal, an initiative of the Gurugram district, as an Associate, leading communication, community mobilization, and strategic program implementation. Passionate about driving change in society, Nitish enjoys traveling to historical places and monuments, reading fiction books, and indulging in mobile photography, Hindi movies, and documentaries.

Noopur works with the EdTech team as a Senior Project Lead and is based out of Delhi. She has over 10 years of experience across strategy, product and management consulting. Thematically, she has focused on K-12 education in the past few years. Prior to her return to CSF, Noopur was working with LEAD, a B2B EdTech unicorn. She worked on incubation and scaling of early stage enterprises during her previous stint at CSF and has also been a management consultant on social impact projects at BCG. She holds a Masters in Economics from Oxford University and a Bachelors in Economics (Hons.) from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her beagle, experimenting with healthy recipes and planning her next vacation.

Kavya works as Project Manager in the Partnerships & Strategic team and is based out of Delhi. With a rich background as a rural management intern at the International Water Management Institute, Kavya brings a wealth of experience and a passion for the development sector. She has dedication to create positive change. In her free time, you’ll find her deep in the digital world, seeking out new knowledge, or sketching cherished memories into works of art.

Pankaj works as a Project Lead in the the State Reform Team and is based out of Delhi. He holds a Masters in Science and Master in education from Azim premji University. He has more than 10 years working in the field of education across different states in India. Prior to CSF, he worked closely with government educational departments ensuring effective implementation of educational reforms. He has also worked with different organisations such as Star Education, Manipur, Lead School, Avanti Fellows Haryana, STiR education Uttar Pradesh, Bodh Shiksha Samiti, Rajasthan across the professional years. In his free time, he likes to travel and read.

Pranav Keshan works as a Senior Project Manager with the RMEAL Team and is based out of Delhi.
Prior to CSF he worked as a Knowledge Management and Learning Specialist at CARE USA under the USAID-funded IPEL project, he focuses on data analysis, reporting, and driving data-informed decisions. WIth experience at UNDP, Projects ECHO, and IQVIA, he has contributed to major public health and education initiatives. Skilled in quantitative and qualitative analysis, dashboard management and stakeholder engagement, Pranav is passionate about using data to improve programs and policies. In his free time, he likes to go on trips and explore new places.

Pranav works as a Project Associate in the EdTech team and is based out of Delhi. He holds a degree in History and International Relations, with a minor in Computer Science, from Ashoka University, and brings a multidisciplinary lens to the intersection of education and technology. He focuses on contributing to impactful solutions that improve learning outcomes at scale, particularly in contexts where access remains a challenge. His role allows him to apply his academic background to real-world problems in meaningful ways. Outside of work, Pranav enjoys late-night walks and YouTube deep dives on topics that spark his curiosity.

Pratik works as a Project Lead in the Early Childhood Education Team and is based out of Lucknow.
Prior to CSF Pratik worked with Delhi Board of School education where he managed partnership
with International Baccalaureate for 40 Programs (MYP+PYP) and also managed School of
Specialised Excellence operations. Pratik entered the Development sector with Teach For India Fellowship in 2016 (Pune). Pratik has more than 8 years of experience in the development  sector working with 5 state governments on diverse initiatives such as Teacher Professional development,
Officer Professional Development, New initiatives for Pre-service education, Smart Classrooms, and
Vocational Schools (SOSE, SOAL Delhi, SOAL Punjab) with various organisations such as Leadership For Equity, The Education Alliance, and Teach For India. Pratik is fond of listening to
music and spending time on Mountains.

Pratik works as a Project Lead within the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Aligarh. With a unique journey from engineer to musician to educator, he brings a diverse perspective to his role. Before joining CSF, Pratik headed government programs at The Unifly Collective and has contributed to organisations such as Mantra4Change, Sattva, and Enabling Leadership. His career began as a Music-cum-Life Skills teacher, sparking his extensive work in Life Skills and Social-emotional development, which also prompted him to start a not-for-profit, Varta Education Foundation, focused on creating SEL-inclusive schools. Pratik is a staunch advocate for fostering greater respect for children within the education system and is committed to gently driving this crucial change. When he’s not immersed in work, you can often find him singing, diving into anime, or lost in a good book.

Pratik works with the Strategic Support States Team as a Project Manager and is based out of Dhenkanal, Odisha. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from KIIT University, Bhubaneswar. Prior to CSF, Pratik has worked as a Teach for India fellow in 2019 and as an Academic Excellence Manager at Lead School where he impacted 17 schools, touching the lives of 300 teachers and 3000 students, ensuring a quality educational experience. In his free time, Pratik loves teaching and nurturing young minds.

Pratiksha works a Project Consultant with the State FLN Projects team and is based out of Bhubaneswar. A teacher at heart, Pratiksha is a triple-major in Journalism-Psychology-English Literature. Her passion for teaching and learning brought her to Teach For India where she started as a Fellow in 2016 focusing on foundational learning for her early graders. Committed to providing children with quality education, she then continued this journey as a Program Manager coaching Fellows in their leadership journeys, and also took up the role of an Instructional Trainer at TFI’s Training Institute, facilitating learning on classroom culture-pedagogy-SEL-foundational literacy. Her desire to see impact of holistic learning at scale brought her to CSF. Fun Fact: She can hold long conversations on Partition Literature and Iced-Black-Coffee is her Elixir.

Prayasha works as Project Consultant with the EdTech team and is based out of Bhopal. She holds a Masters in literature from Pondicherry University. She loves to work at the intersection of education and gender. Prayasha nosedived in the development sector as an Associate at Azim Premji Foundation in western Rajasthan where she transformed rural schools through one year of intensive field practice in the scorching deserts of Thar, working closely with displaced tribal marginalized communities. Post this, she worked with CARE India spearheading content development, design, and implementation of ECE curriculum in Anganwadi Centres of north Uttar Pradesh floodplains. A rookie video editor and an artist herself, when she’s not backpacking for trips, you can find her learning a 5th language (French) or solving a 1000-piece puzzle.

Priya is currently serving as a Project Manager with the District Project Management Unit (DPMU) team and is based in Gorakhpur. She brings over three years of diverse experience spanning government initiatives, international ministry-led projects, and IT networking domains. Her multidisciplinary expertise and strategic approach to project execution have equipped her with valuable insights across various sectors. Priya excels in managing cross-functional coordination involving stakeholders, vendors, project reporting, and on-ground field visits, making her a strong asset to development-focused programs. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Banaras Hindu University and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Delhi.

Priyank joins Central Square Foundation as a Senior Project Lead in the State Reform Team and is based out of Lucknow. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering from NSIT and a MBA Degree from Symbiosis International University.
He has over 10+ years of experience in driving strategic growth initiatives across industries. Prior to CSF, He has worked extensively with multiple stakeholders in the Government and Public sector and Social Impact ecosystem. His contributions played a key role in driving Digital Transformation initiatives across South Asia and East Africa in the areas of job-creation and youth employability. He embraces a customer-centric approach to designing and delivering a transformational experience for beneficiaries. In his free time, Priyank engages with young entrepreneurs and students. He likes to read, play sports and travel.

Priyanka works as Project Manager in the State Reform team and is based out of Bhopal. She holds a bachelor degree in Physics from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata and has completed the Young India Fellowship programme in Liberal Studies from Ashoka University. With 3.5 years of work experience, prior to CSF she has worked with organisations like PRADAN and Transform Rural India (TRI). She likes to spend her free time reading, appreciating art, and reflecting on life.

Puja works as a Project Lead in the Strategic Support States team and is based out of Bihar. She holds a Masters Degree in Mathematics and a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.). She has built a solid foundation in both subject matter and pedagogy. Prior to CSF, Puja has made impactful contributions at Care India, Azim Premji Foundation and Vikramshila Education Resource Society. Her journey as a social sector practitioner has been enriched by hands-on teaching at Christel House India School for underprivileged students. Her grassroots experience illuminated the crucial need for extensive educational intervention. Outside of work, Puja loves spending time in script reading, public speaking, and providing background voices.

Purba works as an Associate Project Director in the State Reform Team and is based out of Delhi. She leads reform work in state governments through governance and pedagogical reforms, and brings a special focus on leveraging data and tech for better solutions and decision making. She currently leads the Madhya Pradesh FLN mission and the Madhya Pradesh Nipun Professional fellowship. Purba has a background in management consulting, policy research and tech consulting, and has driven transformative change for cross-sector clients. She holds a Bachelor of Technology from the West Bengal University of Technology and a Master’s in Public Administration from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Rabb Nawaz works with the State FLN Projects team as Project Consultant based in Bhubaneswar. He is passionate about providing excellent education to all children and believes strongly in bringing in impact by driving systemic changes on ground. As an Academic Excellence Manager, he has conducted multiple training sessions, workshops for development of teachers and implemented the LMS platform across schools of Odisha and Chattisgarh. As a part of the Strategy and Operations team at Lead, worked deeply in the areas of data analysis and end-to-end project management impacting more than 2500 schools across India. He is a big time car enthusiast. He also enjoys going for long drives and exploring new food joints.

Radhika is a communications professional with rich experience in managing campaigns, social media strategy, media relations, and brand communication. Prior to joining Central Square Foundation, Radhika was leading digital communications at Alliance for an Energy-Efficient Economy (AEEE), one of the leading organisations in India that works on creating awareness about energy efficiency as a resource. She has also worked as a communications officer at Oxfam India and SOS Children’s Villages of India, respectively. Her core strength lies in translating technical content into meaningful narratives, packaged in the form of online and offline campaigns. With a demonstrated history of working in the development sector, Radhika is adept at drafting regional and national communication plans and strategies, and project implementation. Radhika holds a post-graduate diploma in Mass Communications from Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, New Delhi and a Bachelor (Hons) in Literature from Delhi College of Arts and Commerce (DCAC), Delhi University (DU). She is based out of New Delhi and is an avid animal rights activist, who tries her best to work closely with the cause.

Raghav works as a Senior Project Lead in the District Project Management Unit (UP) Team and is based out of Delhi. He is overlooking the implementation of FLN programs in specific demonstration districts. Raghav has had a diverse career prior to CSF, including among others, Teach For India (TFI) and LEAD. At LEAD, a private EdTech company, Raghav managed a portfolio of about 100 schools directly impacting 35000 students. During his time as a TFI fellow, Raghav taught English and Social Studies to 140 students in Govandi, Mumbai. Raghav is an Economics graduate from Royal Holloway, University of London. In his free time, he can be found listening to audiobooks or generally chatting with people in the cafeteria.

Rajit works as a Project Manager in the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Sitapur. He holds a Master’s degree in Policy Design & Management from Indian School of Public Policy. Prior to CSF, he navigated established MNCs and exciting startups, before switching to the development sector. Rajit played a key role in managing and analyzing data from 100+ schools in Uttarakhand’s FLN project. In his free time, he is a dedicated animal lover, fostering pets. A former U-15 football player with Mohun Bagan, he prioritises family and friends.

Raju works as a Project Lead in the State Reform team and is based out of Bhopal. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass communication from Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya in Haridwar. Most recently, he worked as a state consultant with the WCD Department, Government of Haryana, where he had the chance to participate in the diagnosis and planning of schemes. Prior to that, he was a fellow in the CMGGA Programme. In his free time, he loves to read poetry and learn about the Indian Knowledge System. He also likes practicing yoga.

Raneem works as a Project Manager in the Classroom Instruction and Practice team and is based out of Bulandshahr. She is a passionate educator, and creator who brings energy and purpose to everything she does. After earning her master’s in Human Rights & Duties Education from Jamia Millia Islamia, she taught 89 girls in Sangam Vihar as part of the Teach For India fellowship. Her journey then led her to manage over 30 fellows in Delhi schools as a Program Manager at TFI, and today she continues to focus on transforming education for the better. As the owner of Quirky Ali, she also creates the most exquisite accessories from clay. Founded in 2014, it has been a journey to self-discovery and a medium of expression for her. Every creation is hand crafted by Raneem which then goes through a multi-step process to ensure high quality. She creates durable pieces keeping in mind the use of resources, which if taken care of, can be cherished for a lifetime. On her day off, Raneem can be found at carnivals, exhibiting her products. If you spot her, do swing by her stall for a quick hello! She loves meeting new people and is an exceptional conversationalist. Raneem firmly believes in empowering people to become bold and independent learners, ready to take on whatever life throws their way.

Rhea returns to CSF as a Project Lead on the EdTech team. Prior to this stint at CSF, Rhea worked on the scale-up of evidence-based programs in early childhood education on the Policy team at J-PAL South Asia; led evidence generation initiatives on the EdTech team at CSF; worked on maternal and child health at the Antara Foundation; and researched education innovation at the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution. Rhea is an Economics and Politics major from Scripps College in Claremont, California. Outside of work, Rhea is a pet parent, professionally trained Kathak dancer, amateur handpoked tattoo artist, and a budding potter.

Riddhi works as a Project Associate with the DPMU Team. She has completed her Bachelor’s in
Economics from Hindu College, University of Delhi. Prior to joining CSF full-time, she interned with the Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives team to support the SAFAL pilot, and later with the School Governance team to support the implementation of SSSA. Both experiences gave her a closer look at how policy translates into action and shaped her desire to contribute to on-ground impact through her work. In her leisure time, Riddhi enjoys reading and listening to music.

Rishabh works as a Project Manager in the Classroom Instruction and Practice Team and is based out of Amroha. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and has a keen interest in History and Geopolitics. Before joining the RCT Team, he gained valuable experience in the education sector through his work at Lead School. He is passionate about leveraging data-driven insights and innovative strategies to drive impactful educational initiatives. In his free time, he enjoys exploring historical narratives, analyzing geopolitical trends, and engaging in meaningful discussions on societal transformations.

Rishika works as a Senior Project Manager in the Strategic Support States team. She holds a Master of Social Work from Assam University, Silchar, with a specialisation in Disaster Management. Prior to CSF, Rishika has been a Gandhi Fellow where she was placed in Mumbai for 2 years. She has also worked as a Curriculum Designer at Swiflearn (Edu tech Company), Pratyek, Delhi and In Adhyayan Foundation, She worked with 465 schools of Arunachal Pradesh and 634 schools in Tripura to Implement Shaala Siddhi Framework by enabling school and system leaders in the Government Education Department to answer the question-
“How do we know our schools are good schools and how do we enable them to improve? In her free time, Rishika finds solace in trekking and is known for her love of collecting antique postcards from different parts of the world.

Rishu leads the Finance team and is responsible for day-to-day accounting and monthly MIS. He builds processes and policies to strengthen internal and external compliances like FCRA, Income Tax, GST. He manages reporting requirements for international and domestic donors. Rishu has worked with Airtel Payments Bank, Sambodhi Group, Religare IT division and KPMG. He has experience in Internal Audit, Financial Planning & Analysis, Management Reporting and Grant Accounting. Rishu is a Chartered Accountant and holds bachelor’s degree from SGTB Khalsa College, Delhi University. During his free time, he watches LiVE sports, driving and travelling with Friends & Family.

Ritesh works with the State Reform Team as a Project Lead. He supports the state in designing and implementing the NIPUN Bharat Mission in Gujarat. Currently, working on developing the FLN Monitoring System under Nipun Gujarat Mission along with other data and report-related processes at the state level. He is an alumnus of the Gandhi Fellowship Program. He has done his master’s in Public Policy and Governance from Azim Premji University, Bangalore, and holds an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has 6+ years of experience in policy research, designing, process re-engineering, strategic initiatives, administrative initiatives, and implementation with the different state governments and implementing agencies. He has explored the different geography and governance systems through his association with the states such as Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Sikkim. His interest lies in exploring the ground of governance, decoding, and developing initiatives for large-scale impact in the domain of education. He loves to comprehend the world through cinema and literature during his leisure time.

Rituparna works as a Project Lead in Classroom instruction and practice, primarily focusing on Numeracy programs and Teacher Professional development. Before that, she worked with Leadership for Equity and Bridge International Academies. She has done Teach For India fellowship prior to Bridge and taught 45 grade 2 and grade 3 students in a Government school in Hyderabad. Before she shifted to the development sector, she was working in Nigeria at an oil company named Sterling Oil and Gas exploration. Rituparna holds an M.tech in Petroleum Geoscience from IIT Bombay, and an undergraduate degree in Applied Geology from the University of Calcutta, Kolkata. In her free time, she loves to make routines, year planners, or reading lists for interesting reads. She uses cooking as a therapeutic measure for stressful situations.

Romonika currently assumes the role of Project Director, Policy & Communications at CSF. Prior to CSF, she worked for the Government of India for over two decades at senior policy-making levels. Earlier in her career, she was associated closely with the education sector, teaching at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, where she completed her undergraduate and graduate studies in English Literature. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, creating mosaics, and learning new languages.

Roopala works as a Project Lead in the State Reform Team and is based out of Panchkula. She holds a degree in Economics Hons. from the University of Delhi. Prior to joining CSF, she worked at the Haryana Right to Service Commission. As a Teach for India Fellow 2018, she served as a full-time educator in an elementary classroom to accelerate learning outcomes. She has also served as a Good Governance Associate to the Chief Minister of Haryana in the year 2020-21. She has also been recognized as a top global educator by World’s Largest Lesson & UNESCO MGIEP, wherein she participated in a cross-country exchange of best practices as an Empatico Fellow to promote Education for Sustainable Development. Roopala enjoys listening to music and traveling to hills.

Rushali works as an Associate in the Human Resources team and is based out of Delhi. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences and Masters in Business Administration (Human Resources). She began her journey at Central Square Foundation as an intern where she learnt how human resources is not just a support function anymore but a strategic one. In her leisure time, you can find her engaging with scientific monographs and binge watching thrillers.

Pradyoth works with the EdTech – B2G team that focuses on supporting the central and state governments on their Ed-Tech Programs. Currently, he works on helping the states with both in-school and out-of-school EdTech programs driven by evidence and programmatic approach. Pradyoth has a diverse work experience of working with the UNHCR, as a Zilla Swachh Bharat Prerak, and at the 17000 ft Foundation. Pradyoth holds a PGP in Public Policy from the Indian School of Public Policy, and B.A in History, Economics, & Political Science from Christ University. Pradyoth enjoys exploring new food recipes and places.

Saket works as a Project Manager in the DPMU UP team and is based out of Sitapur. He has a bachelor’s degree from Shri Ram College of Commerce. He has 3 years of work experience in the development sector with both private and government organizations. Saket enjoys working on the ground in different cities. Apart from work, he likes playing badminton and gyming. He is an avid reader.

Saksham works as a Senior Project Lead in the Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives team and is based out of Delhi. After studying mechanical engineering, Saksham worked on manufacturing steam turbine blades for Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited. After earning his master’s in manufacturing from MIT, Boston, he pivoted his career to policy and development to make an impact on India’s growth. He joined NITI Aayog to design & deploy programs to support the Indian innovation ecosystem. Following that, he went to work for the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the GoI & Invest India to develop collaborative R&D clusters in the country. At home, he enjoys reading science fiction, playing strategy games, and listening to music across genres.

Sakshi works as a Project Associate in the State Reform team and is based out of Bhopal. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the National Law School of India University, Bangalore, and a Bachelor’s degree in Technology from VJTI, Mumbai. Post her undergraduate studies, she joined the Gandhi Fellowship, worked in two districts Indore and Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh. During the fellowship, her work involved dealing with multiple levels of stakeholders to advance initiatives of NITI Aayog’s SATH-E project. Leveraging her interdisciplinary degree and grassroots experience, Sakshi aspires to contribute to the CSF to drive more effective outcomes. In her free time, she enjoys visiting historic and cultural sites, as well as exploring bake houses.

Sambhrant works as an Associate Project Director in the State Reform Team and is based out of Delhi. He has extensive experience in collaborating with national and international NGOs, CSR initiatives, and governments in Haryana, Delhi, and Maharashtra. Throughout the past decade, he has been involved in diverse roles such as teaching students, coaching government teachers and Anganwadi supervisors, designing curricula, spearheading organizational strategies and expansions, as well as providing advisory and consulting services to government entities. In his previous position, he held the role of Program Lead, overseeing education policy and administration at the Office of the Deputy Chief Minister in Delhi. Sambhrant holds an engineering degree and is an alumnus of Teach For India from the 2013 batch.

Sambit works with the Strategic Support States team in Odisha as a Project Manager and is based out of Dhenkanal. He holds a bachelor’s degree from VSSUT, Burla and a Masters from TISS, Mumbai. Prior to CSF, he has worked with Quest Alliance, Save The Children India, BYJU’S and Shiksharth in domains of curriculum development, training and program management. Beyond his professional realm, he indulges in reading, exploring web content, and reconnecting with himself through nature walks. Sambit is passionate about education and has a personal quest for knowledge.

Sandeep works as a Project Lead in the DPMU(UP) team and is based in Gorakhpur. He holds Master’s degrees in Philosophy, Law and Project management from Institutions like BHU and DU. He believes that teachers are key agents of change and investing in teachers’ professional capacity could exponentially increase the rate of returns in the form of student learning. He is passionate about empowerment and innovative solutions for complex problems in society today. Education, Youth and Gender equality are his core interest areas. He holds more than 12 years of experience with elementary education departments in 5 States. He worked with Organizations like Catalytic Corps, The Teacher App, STIR Education & QUEST Alliance.

Sanjay works as part of the ECE team at CSF.  He holds an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, LLM from NALSAR University, and B.Tech from NIT Warangal. Prior to joining CSF, Sanjay was running a not-for-profit in the slum community rehabilitation, skill development, and women entrepreneurship space. Sanjay is a big movie buff and also seeks out unconventional books to read in his free time.

Santanu works as a Project Director in the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Delhi. Prior to CSF, he has been in leadership positions across startups, medium-sized companies and some larger brands. In education & skilling, Santanu has worked with for-profit (e.g Cuemath) and not-for-profit organisations (e.g Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship), aiming to improve education systems. Santanu has also been a sports business manager, culminating as COO of Rajasthan Royals (IPL) from founding to a global brand over a roller-coaster nine years. He is a father, footballer, foodie, quizzer, riddler, a big fan of Gandhi and more.

Sarvpriya works as a Project Manager in the Policy and Communications team and is
based out of Delhi. Prior to CSF, she worked with Room to Read and SRF Foundation,
leading strategic communications across content, media, and digital platforms. She holds a
master’s in New Media Technology and is passionate about storytelling that informs and
inspires. Her work has focused on education and social impact, using communication as a
tool to drive meaningful change. In her free time, she enjoys exploring visual narratives and
watching documentaries.

Satyam works as a Project Manager in the DPMU(UP) team and is based in Gorakhpur. He has developed a versatile skill set during his 13 years of experience in the corporate and social sectors. He worked in Quest Alliance (Anandsala Program), STIR Education (Enable Teacher as a change maker). He holds Bachelor in Business Management from Magadh University & Master degree in Rural Management from NIM. He invested his efforts in content creation and developed his abilities as a facilitator. Withstanding his journey, he knows quite well that quality education is the only means to create sustainable change in society. He adds value by being is a visionary leader known for his ability to win community support, develop key coalitions and build relationships with a shared sense of purpose.

Saumya works as a Project Manager for the ECE project based in Lucknow, she brings a blend of passion and expertise to her role. With a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and nearing the completion of her PGDM in Business Analytics from Great Lakes Institute of Management (virtual mode), she exemplifies dedication to continuous learning. Saumya’s professional journey began as a dynamic Gandhi Fellow with the Kaivalya Education Foundation, where she contributed to NITI Aayog’s Aspirational District Program in Damoh, MP, collaborating with officials to elevate educational outcomes. Her zeal for impactful change led her to the Piramal Foundation as a visionary Program Leader in the Government Partnership Team. There, she fostered robust partnerships with stakeholders across district, state, and central levels, spearheading transformative projects under NITI Aayog’s Aspirational District and Block Programs. In her leisure time, Saumya enjoys traveling, exploring diverse cultures, cooking, and indulging her creative spirit.

Saurabh works as a Project Director in the Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives team and is based out of Delhi where his work involves working closely with various central government stakeholders and executing numerous national-scale education projects. He has led multiple CSF engagements on the National Education Policy, NIPUN Bharat Mission, National Achievement Survey, DIKSHA, CBSE SAFAL, TicTacLearn, etc. Prior to joining CSF, Saurabh built EnglishLeap, an online English learning application, which catered to more than two million users. He also has experience in data analytics and has worked across continents with Fortune 500 clients. Saurabh holds a B.Com degree from Shri Ram College of Commerce and an MBA from IIM Lucknow. In his free time, he enjoys reading books and watching TV shows, especially those related to Indian politics and history.

Saurabh works as a Program Lead with the State Support Team in Punjab and is based out of Mohali. He holds a Masters in Public Policy from O P Jindal University and has completed her Masters in Sustainable Development from TERI School of Advanced Studies. Saurabh is a Diploma Holder in Data Science with specialization in Climate Change and Public Health from IIITD, New Delhi. He brings over 12 years of experience in the social development sector, having held roles such as Senior Researcher, Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, State Lead, and Data Science Fellow. His past associations include leading institutions like The Nudge Institute, J-PAL South Asia and Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs . He has a deep appreciation for structured patterns in data and thrives on the investigative, journalistic nature of uncovering insights that drive meaningful change.

Saurav works as a Project Lead in the DPMU(UP) team and is based out of Ghaziabad. He holds an MBA from the Army Institute of Management (Kolkata) and is pursuing his Masters in Development Studies at the Institute of Development Studies, UK. Prior to CSF, he has worked with grassroots impact organisations and government leaders across different geographies in India. In his leisure time he goes for long walks, reads books and engages in creative writing.

Shagun works as a Senior Project Manager with the Strategic States Support team and is based out of Mohali. She holds a Bachelor’s in Literature from Lady Shri Ram College. Prior to CSF, Shagun formally began her journey in the Education Sector with the Teach For India Fellowship. In her professional journey so far she has worked as an Educator, Designer, Trainer, Founder, and Leader with a number of organizations in the development sector. Prior to joining CSF, she worked as a Foundational Literacy Anchor with the Shiv Nadar School. She is often described as an “enthu cutlet” by her students and you may find her binge-watching her favorite Netflix Series during her spare time.

Shairin works as a Project Manager in the School Governance Team and is based out of Lucknow. She has completed her Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of Delhi and Master’s in Public Policy and Governance from Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Prior to CSF, she has been volunteering in college-initiated educational programmes and interned with various NGOs. In her free time, one could find her listening to different genres of music while taking a stroll in nature’s beauty.

Shaista works as a Project Manager in the State Reform team and is based out of Panchkula. Prior to CSF, she was a Governance Consultant at GDi partners wherein she steered a range of projects in education and gender working closely with the Department of Education, the Delhi Commission for Women and providing strategic support to the foreign philanthropies. She was a 2020 Teach for India Fellow and holds an academic degree in French language, literature and culture studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University and loves to immerse herself in cinema, literature and books.

Shalet works as a Project Lead with the Strategic Support States team and is based out of Delhi. Prior to joining CSF, she worked as an Assistant Manager at Samhita where she managed various CSR projects. She was also a Chief Minister’s Good Governance Associate in Haryana and managed various governance initiatives across domains in the districts of Panchkula and Rohtak. She has a BA in Economics from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai and an MA in Educational Planning, Economics and International Development from UCL, London. She also holds a Post Graduate Diploma from Indian School of Development management in Noida. Her hobbies include making people laugh (by making puns) and dancing.

Shalini Shakshee is a Project Associate with the Strategic Support States team and is based out of Dhenkanal, Odisha. She is a social work professional with a Master’s in Social Work (Gold Medalist) and a Postgraduate Diploma in CSR. Recently, she worked as a Gandhi Fellow with the Piramal School of Leadership in Odisha, where she closely supported district education officials in implementing FLN initiatives, tracking progress, and building teacher capacity. In the past year, she has led scholarship outreach, supported vocational education, and developed assessment tools to enhance student learning. She is deeply passionate about creating change at the grassroots level and excels in environments that combine data, policy, and collaboration to strengthen public education systems.

Shaurya works as a Project Manager with the State Reform team and is based out of Panchkula. Shaurya holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science and History from St. Stephen’s College in Delhi, and a Master’s degree from the Institute of Education at University College London. Prior to CSF, he has previously worked as a Business Analyst at Zomato. In his free time Shaurya loves to play football and watch cinema. He is a die-hard Real Madrid fan and can quote every line from the Dark Knight trilogy – ask him anytime!

Shilpi works as a Project Lead with the Strategic Support States team in Delhi. She has had diverse experiences of working in the corporate and development sector with the Tata Group, Swaniti Initiative and Grofers. Her willingness to work at the grassroot and make an impact in the lives of people is what motivated her to move to the development sector. During her previous experiences, she has worked with the Government of Jharkhand in strengthening the delivery of Government schemes at the district and state level across sectors such as education, health and livelihood. Shilpi holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from DSCE, Bangalore and a Post Graduate Diploma in Liberal Studies (Young India Fellowship) from Ashoka University. She loves spending time in the mountains and has done a couple of high-altitude treks.

Shirin works as a Manager with the Talent Management & OD team and is based out of Delhi. She has done her Bachelors and Masters in Political Science from University of Delhi and a certification course in Strategic Human Resource Management from Loyola Institute of Business Administration. She joined CSF as an intern in the TMOD Team and explored her passion for HR while working with the team.  Outside of work, Shirin can be found debating in MUNs, and participating in cultural events and different art festivals.

Shivam works as a Project Manager in the Early Childhood Education team and is based out of Aligarh. He holds a B.Tech degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from SRM University and a Master’s degree in Development Studies from Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Prior to CSF, he has worked in TCS, in Early Childhood Education and Digital Skilling in Bihar’s aspirational district, Jamui, focusing on innovative educational models encouraging community participation, particularly in the five domains of ECE learning. In his spare time, he indulges in geeking over poetry, football, and cinema while also engaging in public policy challenges.

Shivam works as a Project Manager in the DPMU(UP) team and is based out of Sitapur. He holds a master’s degree in Physics from Mumbai University and extensive experience in the education sector. At the DPMU, he has excelled in managing initiatives, building the capacity of trainers, enhancing efficiency, and achieving strategic goals. His experience with the 2019 Teach for India cohort provided deep insights into educational inequities. During COVID-19, as part of the Transformational Teaching Fellowship, he adapted to remote teaching and contributed to innovative solutions. He was part of the Lead School, where he implemented the lead curriculum in schools and built the capacity of school leaders. Combining analytical skills, leadership, and a passion for transformative education, Shivam is dedicated to driving impactful programs and fostering positive change in education. He likes activities such as swimming, cricket, bike ride and trekking.

Shivangi works as a Project Lead for TicTacLearn(Under Government Projects Team). She is a “Teach For India” Fellow (2015) and taught 60 students at a Municipal School in Mumbai. Post-fellowship, she worked with Lead School as Curriculum and Training Manager and led the development of English curriculum for primary grades. She also worked at XSEED Education as a Senior Education Coach and supported 50 schools on implementation of the XSEED’s K-8 experiential learning curriculum. She has done Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy and Management from IIM Bangalore in 2021. Before moving to the development sector, she worked on consulting projects for clients Morgan Stanley and CVS Caremark at Genpact-Headstrong. She loves travelling and her best travel experiences includes a bike trip to Ladakh and a train journey to Jungfrau.

Shivani works as a Consultant with the Human Resources team and is based out of Delhi. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University and a Mastes in Elementary Education from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Prior to CSF, Shivani has more than 6 years of experience in the development sector. A Teach for India (TFI) alumna, she has previously worked with Peepul India as Sr. Project Manager, CM Rise TPD Programme in Madhya Pradesh and Centre of Excellence in Teacher Education, TISS as a Teacher Professional Development Consultant on a World Bank funded project with the Ministry of Education. Prior to joining CSF, she worked as Deputy Manager (HR) for A-PAG. In her free time, Shivani likes to sing and paint.

Shreya works as a Project Manager in the Early Childhood Education team and is based out of Delhi. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi. Prior to CSF, she interned with Centre for Civil Society, University of Cambridge and Climate Front India in the fronts of research and advocacy and has also worked with Teach For India as a fellow. She worked in community capacity building and classroom development with 24 first and second grade students in the community of Pul Prahladpur. In her past time, she likes to play basketball, and enjoys gardening and reading.

Shreyan Acharya works as a Project Manager in the State Reform team and is based out of Delhi. He is academically trained in law with a Master’s in Development Studies from the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex. He has previously gained experience in education and governance at the Directorate of Education in Delhi. He publishes on different topics of education and development and has also presented at national and international conferences. He has a fondness for nature hiking especially after his stay in Brighton and a trip to Meghalaya. In his daily routine, he cherishes reading, outdoor activities and outings with his peers.

Shruti works in the RMEAL team as a Senior Project Manager. Prior to joining CSF, she has worked with ASER Centre, where her role involved test development for a variety of funded and govt. partnership projects. Being a part of the core working group, she has also contributed extensively to the development of an international numeracy assessment tool as part of ELANA (Early language and numeracy assessments). Shruti has a total of nine years of experience in the education sector where she spent the initial two years in writing grade 9th and 10th Science textbooks for Chhattisgarh SCERT. She likes to spend her free time with her dog named ‘Scooter’.

Shweta works as a Senior Project Manager with the Strategic Support States team in Bihar. She is a skilled development professional who holds Masters in Social Work from Banaras Hindu University. She started her career in the development sector as a Gandhi fellow and impacted the lives of children by enhancing the education system. She has worked with Dept. of WCD Govt. of Delhi and Ministry of Skill Development, GOI and has taken the responsibility in enhancing the lives chances of youth, women and children by enabling them through skill development and Education. She loves working for the people, by the people and of the people. Apart from this, she loves watching cooking videos.

Shweta works as a Manager in the Finance Team and is based out of Delhi. Her work focuses on verifying and approving employee reimbursement & vendor payments, processing payments, reconciling accounts payable and receivable apart from this she assist in Taxation and Statutory compliance . She holds a bachelor’s degree from Bharti College, Delhi University and has pursued her MBA in Finance from NMIMS. In her free time, she can be found gardening, dancing, swimming or watching horror/thriller movies.

Shweta works as Senior Project Lead in the Partnerships and Strategic Initiative team and is based out of Delhi. Prior to joining CSF, she was working with Reach to Teach in Gurgaon. She is a development sector professional whose primary engagement has been with the education sector in India. She has been designing and leading operations in education programs for over 15 years. With a deep interest in education research, her commitment has been towards bridging practice with research findings. Shweta has a Masters in Social Work from TISS, Mumbai, and has worked with diverse teams in different locations across India. In her free time, she engages in café hopping, long walks, and yoga.

Shyam Sunder Sharma works as a Project Lead in the Strategic Support States Team, Telangana. He holds a Master’s degree in Economics from St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru. After two years of immersive engagement as a TFI fellow in a low-income private school, he worked with the Government of Telangana as a Kakatiya Governance Fellow. Shyam has also worked closely with the Secretary of Finance and the Secretary of Social and Tribal Welfare Schools. His responsibilities included creating a digital repository for all cadres in the state, building and managing partnerships for academic collaborations, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and strengthening higher education in both societies. Apart from work, Shyam is a movie enthusiast and loves exploring local street food.

Siddhant works as a Project Manager with the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Agra. He holds law degree from MNLU Mumbai, where he also interned with the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission and CCS. Prior to CSF, he inspired young minds as a Teach for India fellow in Mumbai, guiding 9th and 10th graders. In his free time, Siddhant explores the road less traveled, conquering uncharted treks, while always carrying a non-fiction book.

Simran Singh works as a Project Manager with the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Agra. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. Prior to CSF, she worked at Teach For India, fueling her passion for social impact. She founded NextGenShift, an initiative teaching 21st-century skills (data, tech, AI, entrepreneurship, design thinking) to high school students. At McKinsey & Company, Simran honed her data representation skills as a Business Presentation Specialist, leading teams on time-sensitive projects in sectors like Banking and Securities.

Siri Sriram works as a Project Associate in the Strategic Support States Team and is based out of Medak. She completed her B.A. in Economics from Fergusson College. She has worked with Xseed Education and Teach For India, supporting educators and enhancing student learning outcomes.

Sneha works as a Project Manager in the District Project Management Unit (UP) team and is based out of Jhansi. She holds a philosophy honours degree from BHU and a PGDM (RM) from IRMA. Sneha also has a minor in Education, where, in an extensive field work during her post-graduation, she highlighted numerous gaps in the education system that require urgent attention. She also interred with Asia’s largest dairy cooperative, Banas Dairy, and has also worked with Care India on capacity-building initiatives for women. In her free time, she enjoys reading and writing and aspires to publish her own novel someday.

Sneha works as a Project Lead on the Classroom Instruction and Practice team and is based out of Delhi. A Genetic Engineer by education, Sneha’s journey in the development sector began with the Teach for India Fellowship in 2014. She has worked with organizations like Teach For India, Madhi Foundation, and Slam Out Loud on leadership development, building large-scale government partnerships, designing capacity-building frameworks for over 1 lakh educators, and coaching social entrepreneurs in contexts like Kashmir and Delhi’s red light area. With over a decade of experience in program design, leadership coaching, and stakeholder management across the education and development sectors, Sneha strives to focus on equity, systemic change, and stakeholder-centered approaches. Outside of work, she enjoys visiting the parks in Delhi with her dog Ivy and exploring the amazing food scene the city has to offer.

Snehankita works as a Project Manager in the Strategic Support States team and is based out of Delhi. Before joining CSF, she contributed her skills to Tata Trusts in the ‘Antaran Transforming Crafts’ project, focusing on crafts-based livelihood development. Snehankita earned her bachelor’s degree in Child Protection and a Master’s in Social Work with a specialisation in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati. Her journey in the development sector is deeply rooted in her passion for social change and empowerment. Her decision to join the development sector is rooted in a belief in the transformative power of grassroots initiatives, especially when it comes to shaping the futures of young minds. She firmly holds that education is a cornerstone for societal progress, and focusing on children is key to creating a positive and sustainable impact. Outside work, her interests include culinary adventures, exploring new destinations, savouring diverse cuisines, and engaging in sports during her leisure time.

Soni works as a Project Associate in the Administration team and is based out of Delhi. She holds a Master’s Degree in Travel and Tour Management from IITTM, Gwalior, along with a Bachelor’s in Mathematics. With extensive experience in the travel domain, she has honed a strong understanding of the industry’s operations. Soni is also passionate about reading and exploring new IT technologies, combining her professional expertise with a love for continuous learning and professional development.

Sourabh works as a Lead in the Finance Team at CSF. He has worked across manufacturing, corporate consultancy and the social sector, bringing a wealth of expertise in financial management, statutory audits, accounting, budgeting, statutory compliances, costing, research, analysis and MIS.
Before joining CSF, he held key roles in Wadhwani AI, CARE India, Haritika, Group Soufflet and Self Reliant initiative through Joint Action (Srijan). He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Finance. He is also a semi-qualified Chartered Accountant (CA).

Sparsh works as a Project Manager in the School Governance Team and is based out of Delhi. She holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree with Honours in Commerce from the University of Delhi. Prior to CSF, she did her fellowship with Teach for India, where she taught as well as learnt from 50 curious and kind young girls. Since then, her faith in the power of education has deepened even further. Beyond her professional endeavours, Sparsh finds joy in nature, poetry, music and yoga. She is also on a quest to sculpt yoga poses that consistently let her gaze at the sky from ever-shifting angles.

Sree Kumar works as a Project Lead in the DPMU team and is based out of Sitapur. He holds a Master’s degree in M.Phil in Gender studies from Jamia Millia Islamiya and a degree in Marine Engineering from BITS Pilani. Sree’s experience spans over a decade in public education across Delhi and Haryana, where he has worked as a teacher, researcher and school leadership development facilitator at SCERT (Delhi). Prior to joining CSF, Sree completed the South Asian Leader Lab 2020 at the Swedish Institute and founded FemiNest Fridays, a reading club dedicated to first-generation learners and gender empowerment. In his free time, he practices Buddhist meditation, enjoys listening to Urdu poetry and likes to doodle.

Sri Harsha works as a Senior Project Manager in the Strategic Support States Team and is based out of Narayanpet (Telangana). With an MBA in Banking and Finance from Andhra University and over 6 years of work experience, he has contributed to transformative initiatives in leading non-profits like Room to Read, Piramal Foundation, worked with think tanks like the Foundation for Democratic Reforms (FDR), & government institutions like NABARD. He is an MBA turned Development sector professional. Under the mentorship of Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, IAS, at Foundation for Democratic Reforms, he developed a deep understanding of India’s education challenges and the need for systemic reforms. Eager to apply policy insights at the grassroots level, he joined the Gandhi Fellowship, where he implemented impactful strategies across 107 government schools in Katihar, Bihar, including the Padhe Pranpur Badhe Pranpur campaign to enhance foundational literacy. In his idle time, he can be seen studying equity markets, exploring music.

Srijita works as a Project Manager in the Edtech team and is based out of Delhi. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Amity University and a Master’s degree in International Development from Monash University. She has been involved with different organisations in the development sector and worked in various domains such as environment, sustainable development, poverty alleviation and education. Prior to CSF, she worked with Ashoka University in designing curriculum for state government schools in Delhi. Outside of work she enjoys reading, learning new dance forms and loves to explore new cuisines through cooking.

Srishti Duggal works as a Project Associate in Strategic Support States team and is based out of Punjab. She holds an M.A. in Cities and Governance from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Hyderabad, and a B.A. Honors in Political Science from Gargi College, University of Delhi. Srishti is skilled in data analysis, Python and R, Power BI, Data Monitoring, Impact Evaluation and Policy Analysis. She is dedicated to leveraging these skills to enhance educational initiatives and drive sustainable development.

Stuti works as a Project Manager in the State Reform Team and is based out of Panchkula. She has completed her bachelor’s degree from Ramjas College, University of Delhi. Prior to CSF, Stuti has worked extensively in the policy space, engaging with parliamentarians and government agencies during her time at Varahe Analytics and Mukherjee Fellowship. With her work at CSF, she hopes to translate her knowledge of policies into action and work towards achieving universal education for underprivileged children. In her free time, Stuti enjoys watching Formula 1 and cricket and exploring new eateries.

Subhransu is a competent development professional with organizational experience across leading projects, operations, and generating results. He holds a Master’s in Social Innovations and Entrepreneurship from TISS, Maharashtra. He has extensive experience in Project Implementation, Capacity Building, Research & Learning, and Accountability in the areas of Education, Child Protection, Health, and Women Empowerment.

Sudarshna works as a Senior Manager in the Human Resources team and is based out of Delhi. Her academic journey began at Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram, and continued with a degree in Literature from Delhi University. She then ventured on completing a PG Diploma in HR and Administration from TISS Mumbai, followed by a dual Masters degree in Business Administration and Project Management from Torrens University, Australia. Prior to CSF, Sudarshna worked with Invest India, an Invest Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Commerce within the HR department. She has also contributed to various development sector projects and is eager to support more impactful initiatives through CSF. Known for her attentive listening, Sudarshna is excited to embark on new adventures and gather experiences at CSF. She loves to travel and is passionate about baking!

Suman Bharti works with the Strategic Support States team and is based out of Jehanabad, Bihar. She is a commerce graduate from Ranchi University and a Gandhi Fellowship alumna. Following her fellowship, she worked for Tata Trust on the Swachh Bharat Mission in three districts of Jharkhand, supporting the district administration on both an operational and strategic level. Later, she joined Mantra4Change to strengthen teacher training institutions in Bihar.She enjoys watching movies and exploring different cultures and cuisines.

Suman is a Project Manager in the District Project Management Unit (DPMU), Uttar Pradesh, where she anchors impactful education and community development projects under the NIPUN Bharat Mission. An alumna of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) with a Master’s in Social Work, Suman’s career is rooted in her deep commitment to social impact and grassroots change. Her academic foundation in political science from Jadavpur University has equipped her with a critical understanding of governance, policy-making, and social justice. Over the years, Suman has spearheaded initiatives like foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) missions, CSR projects for Jindal Steel Foundation, and state-level education reforms under the NECTAR World Bank Project. She is known for designing scalable solutions, fostering government partnerships, and building capacity within underserved communities to drive long-term impact. Outside of her professional work, Suman enjoys reading, exploring diverse cultures, and capturing stories from the communities she serves. She is driven by the vision of a more equitable and inclusive world, where every child has the opportunity to learn, thrive, and reach their full potential.

Sunetraa works as a Senior Manager with the Human Resources Team and is based out of Delhi. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Honors. Prior to CSF, her journey into the development sector started with Teach For India 2018 onwards where collaboration and differentiated learning for classrooms aided her understanding of the importance of quality education.She worked as Recruitment Manager Consultant at TFI and Bhumi. She introduced the I-Grow plan (individual growth of team members) for the Recruitment team. She loves traveling and learning different cultures and gets excited with furry animals! Calls herself an ambivert, so when you know her, she can easily become the go-to person.

Sunita Boro works as a Senior Project Manager with the Strategic Support States team and is based out of Jehanabad in Bihar. She has completed her Bachelors in English Literature from Assam, and Masters in Social Work from Dibrugarh University, Assam. She started her career as a Gandhi Fellow in Bihar where she worked towards the improvement of education quality in public schools of Katihar district. Prior to CSF, Sunita was working with Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights as a Child Rights Fellow and was leading the project ‘Early Warning System’ in 1046 Government schools under the Directorate of Education, Delhi. In her leisure time, Sunita likes to binge-watch TV series and is also passionate about sports.

Suresh Ghattamaneni works as an Associate Project Director, Telangana with State FLN Projects team working on improving Foundational Literacy and Numeracy in the state. Suresh ventured into social sector after his graduation in Mechanical Engineering and has worked with think tanks, government and not for profit organizations for around 13 years. He is a former Prime Minister’s Rural Development Fellow having worked with the Ministry of Rural Development, GoI, supporting the local administration in the last mile delivery of development initiatives. Suresh believes in continuous learning and has completed his Masters in Communication and Journalism and pursued various certificate courses as well. He also completed Post Graduation Programme for Working Professionals (MBA) from Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. Suresh loves exploring diverse fields and further connect dots to create models for social good. He is passionate about Education, Governance and Technology for Social impact.

Susmit works as a Project Lead in the RMEAL Team and is based out of Delhi. He has more than four years of experience in managing research and evaluation assignments from diverse themes including agriculture, sustainability, climate change, energy, public health, education, livelihoods, and skilling. His favorite part of the job is the extensive travel that comes with it, as his work has enabled him to visit more than 24 states in the country over the last four years. Susmit holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) from Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), with a focus on data analytics and public policy. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Economics from Calcutta University. Currently, he is pursuing a PGP degree in Data Science and Business Analytics from Austin University, Texas, a PGP degree in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence from Great Lakes Institute, and a MS in Data Science from Deakin University.

Swati works as a Project Lead with the School Governance team and is based out of Lucknow. She holds a Bachelor’s in Commerce from Sri Ram School of Economics, DU and Master of Arts in Political Science from IGNOU. Prior to CSF, she has worked with Deloitte and was a part of the Chief Minister’s Good Governance Associates Programme in Haryana. The experience fortified her passion for public policy – as she finds the diversity of opportunities in the field refreshing, and the chance to bring about positive changes rewarding. In her leisure time, Swati loves music in many forms and enjoys cooking.

Swati works as a Senior Project Manager in the EdTech team and is based out of Delhi. She has extensively worked in the education sector with on-ground programs, edtech platforms as well as technology policy with Milaan Foundation, the Karta Initiative (incubated by the Tata Trusts), and The University of Chicago Trust. Additionally, Swati founded a social enterprise that promotes ethical clothing through the use of handlooms from Odisha. Her educational background comprises a master’s degree in Development Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi. She is an Odissi dancer, and enjoys dancing and reading.

Tanuj works with Talent Management & OD team as an Associate Director & is based out of Delhi. Tanuj has tried his hands in multiple professions – which includes the sciences, service centres, hospitality and sales before discovering his true passion in Human Resources. He holds an MBA in HR from IMT, Ghaziabad. In the past, Tanuj has worked with organizations like Airtel , Bharti Walmart, Star Sports, American Express, and most recently, Amazon. As a certified leadership coach with more than 400 hours of coaching experience, he is passionate about how human experiences and motivations drive organizational success. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and his Golden Retriever. His other interests include listening to classic rock music, 5k runs, and cooking.

Tanvi joins as a Senior Project Manager in the State Reform Team and is based out of Bhopal. She holds a B. Com (hons) degree from Delhi University and secured an Impact MBA Scholar certification from Global Governance Initiative. She has 6+ years of work experience in business development, consulting & operations departments; ranging in diverse industries like automobiles, extended-reality, healthcare, finance etc. Prior to joining CSF, she has worked with multiple Government bodies including ITPO, Pharmexcil, Chemexcil, and NSDC & respective SSCs as a part of her project deliverables. Previously, she has worked with EY & KPMG in the Advisory service line & business transformation competencies. In her free time, she likes to engage herself in music, discussing various facets of life with loved ones, writing, travelling and meditation & well-being initiatives.

Tanya Singh works as a Project Consultant in the EdTech team and is based out of Shimla. She holds a BE in Information Technology from SGSITS, Indore, and a Certification in Public Policy & Management from IIM Visakhapatnam. Prior to joining CSF, Tanya worked with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in Arunachal Pradesh, focusing on strengthening the employment ecosystem for tribal youth. She later served as a Skill Development Consultant, leading training programs to enhance soft skills and managerial competencies for mid-level management. Driven by her passion for human development, she is dedicated to empowering India’s youth with the education and skills needed for the future.

Tarendra works as a Senior Project Manager in the Strategic Support States team. He has done his Graduation in chemistry from the Magadh University, Bodh Gaya and Post-Graduation in journalism from the Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Mass Communication, Bhopal. He holds a Master degree in Sociology from the IGNOU as well. He is a journalist turned media educator with more than 10 years experience in journalism and one year teaching experience as a lecturer of mass communication. Prior to CSF, Tarendra joined the Azim Premji Foundation as a fellow and learnt about the school ecosystem and planned interventions in it to improve the learning outcomes. He likes to call himself a movie buff, avid reader, passionate writer and a travele

Tushar works with the State Reform Team as a Senior Project Manager and is based out of Haryana. Tushar holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration, a Bachelor’s in Economics (Honors), and is a Bayer Scholar with certification in Data to Policy from Johns Hopkins University. Prior to CSF, His impactful career spans roles as a development and governance consultant for the Government of Punjab, partnerships for labor innovation research at the Good Business Lab, and monitoring and evaluation of the Central Sector Schemes for the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. Tushar is also the founder of the Annihilate the Taboo Initiative. In his free time, he loves to immerse himself in dance, music, and books.

Udayan works with the State Reform Team as a Project Manager and is based out of Panchkula. He is a Gold medalist law graduate from Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur. Prior to CSF, He served as a Legal Assistant at the Law Department in Government of Chhattisgarh’s Mantralaya between 2018 and 2019 and has also been a Mahatma Gandhi National Fellow under Ministry of Skill development and entrepreneurship from 2021 to 2023 at Rajnandgaon. Udayan played a pivotal role in implementing diverse short-term skilling initiatives and philanthropic projects for the District Skill Committee. As part of the fellowship, he earned a Certificate in Public Policy and Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode. Udayan finds joy in traveling, practicing meditation, and derives happiness by bringing smiles to people’s faces.

Vaibhav works as a Senior Project Lead in the State Reform Team and is based out of Lucknow. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Leading Ashoka University’s flagship Chief Minister’s Good Governance Associate program, Vaibhav has gained strong insights into the large-scale governance in school education and service delivery. Previously he has supported constituency development efforts of a Member of Parliament in Rajasthan. With a strong entrepreneurial appetite, he has been at the forefront of setting up an incubator for social enterprises.Vaibhav is a passionate reader, actively follows contemporary socio-political discourse and enjoys long distance running.

Vidisha works as a Project Manager in the Classroom Instruction and Practice team and is based out of Bulandshahr. Vidisha embarked on her professional journey in the development sector as a 2021 Teach For India Fellow driving educational initiatives with passion. Her subsequent roles have included Lead teacher, Consultant, Mentor Coach, teacher trainer and Resource person with esteemed organizations like Teach For India’s firki, Barefoot Education, Tapasya School etc. Vidisha holds her Master’s degree from Delhi University’s Indraprastha College and her graduation from Hansraj College. She has also cleared UGC NET exam and has served as an Assistant Professor (guest) at Delhi University’s colleges, fostering academic growth and excellence. Outside of work, Vidisha enjoys immersing herself in fiction novels, dramas, and movies, exploring the world of storytelling, voice-over and creativity.

Vijay works with the Finance team at CSF as an Associate and is based out of Delhi. He holds a Bachelor’s in Commerce from Patna University and has pursued Chartered Accountancy. Prior to CSF, Vijay has been a professional accountant and has 7 years of experience handling all aspects of accountant functions i.e bookkeeping, finalization of accounts, taxation, auditing etc. He has also worked in Dr. Shroff Charity Eye Hospital as an accountant for 2.5 years. In his free time, Vijay enjoys singing, listening to music, eating, cooking, playing cricket, watching movies and traveling.

Vinod leads the state reform work in UP, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. His work entails developing FLN reform frameworks to drive reform in states in the context of the NIPUN Mission. Prior to CSF, He has spent over 10 years in the Indian education landscape providing founder-level leadership in projects like STIR Education and TheTeacherApp. He specializes in designing at-scale programs with state governments with a sharp teacher lens. He also spent over 8 years in investment banking and was part of Lehman Brothers and Nomura. Vinod holds a Master’s from Delhi School of Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Delhi University. In his free time, you can find him watching content online and reading just about anything!

Vishakha works as a Senior Project Lead in the State Reform team as a Project Manager and is based out of Delhi. As part of this role, she coordinates with the on-ground FLN partner teams and drives effective implementation of the state’s FLN mission. Vishakha has close to 7 years of experience in the development sector working across various organizations like Teach for India, Stanford University, and Leadership for Equity before joining CSF. In her free time, she can be found listening to podcasts, taking walks, reading illustrated comics, or just reflecting on life.

Vivek works as a Project Lead with the DPMU (UP) team and is based out of Agra. He holds a Master’s degree in Development from Azim Premji University, Bangalore, and a Bachelor’s in Information Technology from RGTU Bhopal. Prior to CSF, he has worked in Strategic Projects Management Team at Transform Rural India Foundation and led NITI Aayog’s Aspirational District Program in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh as a Program Manager at Piramal Foundation. In his leisure time, Vivek is passionate about participating in community service, and utilising data analytics for educational improvement.

Eswar works as the Project Lead with the Strategic Support States Team, Telangana at CSF. He received his entire education in a residential setting, from preschool to Masters. He did his BTech from GMR Institute of Technology and then a M.A in Public Policy and Governance from Azim Premji University. His stand for causing oneness in people drove him to work in the education sector as a teacher, teacher trainer, and with the governments . He is looking to leverage his on-ground experience at Central Square Foundation. Fun Fact: His day doesn’t pass without having an ice-cream. He is a big time chocolate fan.

Yasawini works as a Project Manager in the EdTech team and is based out of Delhi. She holds a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from JNTUK University. Prior to CSF, she worked in the automobile sector and later worked with Teach for India, Xseed to explore her passion for the education sector. She effectively trained teachers in driving the implementation by supporting different stakeholders holders. She enjoys playing keyboard and is a trained classical dancer in Kuchipudi.

Yash Patle works as a Project Manager in the DPMU(UP) and is based in Gorakhpur. He is a strategic and impact-driven development professional with a Master’s in
Management from IIHMR University. He has consistently demonstrated a strong ability to drive
systemic change in the health and education sectors through data-led planning and grassroots
execution. Currently, Yash serves as the Project Manager for the NIPUN Bharat Mission in Gorakhpur, where he leads cross-functional teams focused on improving foundational learning outcomes, strengthening institutional capacity, and embedding evidence-based practices at every level of the education ecosystem. With rich experience managing multi-stakeholder projects, Yash has played a key role in designing and implementing robust monitoring frameworks and in translating complex data into actionable insights. His past work includes impactful contributions to programs led by the School for Development, NHM Bhopal, and SIGMA R & C. He brings a unique combination of field sensitivity, analytical depth, and leadership acumen and is proficient in tools such as SPSS, STATA, Power BI, and KOBO Toolbox. Yash is passionate about bridging the gap between data and decision-making to enable inclusive, scalable, and sustainable development outcomes.

Zephyr works as a Project Associate in the School Governance team and is based out of Guwahati. She has completed her Master’s in Media Practice for Development and Social Change from the University of Sussex and Bachelor’s in Literary and Cultural Studies from FLAME University. Prior to CSF, she actively engaged in research through college and internships which has reinforced her belief in the primacy of learning through practice and real-world engagement. In her free time, you can find Zephyr with her camera, cooking/baking or zoning out by the Brahmaputra.