Our Advisory Board comprises renowned experts and thought leaders from diverse fields who provide strategic guidance, technical expertise, and valuable insights to strengthen our organization's impact. These distinguished professionals bring decades of collective experience in rural and urban development, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and social entrepreneurship.
The Advisory Board plays a crucial role in shaping our strategic direction, ensuring program quality, and helping us navigate complex development challenges with evidence-based approaches.
Seasoned experts providing strategic guidance across our key program areas and organizational development.
PhD in Gender and Environmental Policy, Co-Founder – Development Partners Network (DPN)
Dr. Niharika Tyagi is an environmental policy specialist with over ten years of experience promoting equitable and sustainable development.
As Co-Founder of Development Partners Network (DPN), she directs strategy, partnerships, and climate-focused initiatives that incorporate gender and social inclusion into policy and practice. Her work involves collaboration with global organisations such as USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and WaterAid UK, with a focus on governance, stakeholder engagement, and institutional capacity building. Niharika holds a PhD in Gender and Environmental Policy and has made significant contributions to research and policy discussions on climate transitions and environmental equity across South Asia.
Read moreLead – AI Support Cell, Rural Development Department, Government of Jharkhand
Vinod Kumar Pandey works with the Government of Jharkhand, where he leads the AI Support Cell in the Rural Development Department, focusing on strengthening governance through data-driven decision-making and AI-enabled solutions.
He plays a key role in designing and delivering AI capacity-building programmes for senior bureaucrats, mid-level officers, operational staff, and newly appointed IAS officers. Vinod is the founder of several social initiatives including Rozgar Dhaba, Girls2School, HerJobs, Social Change (Soch), and Social Bay, and also serves as an Advisor to ILFAT. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore (NUS), and is an Acumen India Fellow, GivingTuesday Fellow, MGG Academy Fellow, and an alumnus of IIM Bangalore.
Read moreFounder – LoomKatha | Textile Revivalist & Social Entrepreneur
Arushi Chowdhury Khanna has been working towards the revival of indigenous textile traditions for over 12 years, with a deep focus on sustainable livelihoods and craft-based enterprises.
Prior to founding LoomKatha, she led the Enterprise Support Program at the All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association, where her work on reviving the traditional Mubarakpur handloom weaving technique was recognized as a UNESCO case study in 2016. A self-taught natural dyer, Arushi's product developments are carried by renowned global brands such as Dosa and Eileen Fisher. She has also served as visiting faculty at the Swiss Textile Foundation (STF), Zurich, and Ashoka University, Delhi. She is an Acumen India Fellow and the recipient of the Woman Social Entrepreneur Award at We Deliver, Vancouver, 2019.
Read moreOur Advisory Board members play multiple crucial roles in strengthening our organization and maximizing our impact.
Provide insights on long-term strategy, program direction, and organizational development to ensure sustainable impact.
Offer specialized knowledge in agriculture, environment, gender, and other thematic areas to enhance program quality.
Facilitate connections with relevant stakeholders, donors, and partners to expand our reach and resources.
Guide our engagement with policymakers and help shape favorable policies for rural and urban development and livelihood security.
Review program designs, monitor implementation quality, and suggest improvements for better outcomes.
Introduce innovative approaches and research-based methodologies to address emerging development challenges.
Hear directly from our Advisory Board members about their vision and commitment to rural and urban development.
"Our mission is to create sustainable livelihoods that empower rural and urban communities and preserve our ecological heritage for future generations. The Centre for Livelihoods Security represents a holistic approach to development that combines economic empowerment with environmental sustainability."
"Strengthening local livelihoods through innovation and skills is the foundation of sustainable communities and inclusive economic growth."
"When rural talent is nurtured with opportunity and resources, it transforms villages into engines of long-term development."
We are always looking for experienced professionals and subject matter experts who can contribute to our mission of creating sustainable livelihoods in rural and urban India.
If you have expertise in rural and urban development, agriculture, environmental sustainability, or related fields and would like to contribute your knowledge and experience, we would love to hear from you.