BOARD MEMBERS
Chairperson
Mr. Manohar Lal Yadav
Mr. Manoharlal Yadav is a senior social and agricultural development professional with more than 50 years of experience in rural development, agriculture, natural resource management, climate change adaptation, livelihoods, and community mobilization. He has worked extensively with farmers, tribal communities, women, and other marginalized sections and has managed programmes supported by several national and international development agencies. He has a long-standing association with CECOEDECON, contributing to natural resource management, organic farming, water conservation, agroforestry, farmers’ networks, and livelihood initiatives. He has also held leadership positions in various civil society organizations and networks in Madhya Pradesh. His areas of expertise include project planning, monitoring and evaluation, sustainable agriculture, community institution building, training, advocacy, and capacity building.
Secretary
Mrs. Manju Bala Joshi
Mrs. Manju Bala Joshi is the Secretary/CEO of CECOEDECON. With more than 40 years of association with the organization she has worked extensively with a rights-based approach on three basic themes: basic rights, livelihood and economic justice. In her leadership a separate unit was established in 2000 to ensure gender equity and equality at the community and organization levels. In her guidance, the unit has developed its capacities in various aspects such as trainings to CBOs, PRIs, government functionaries, partner organizations for capacity building, gender sensitization and organizing campaigns on gender issues etc. She has also worked extensively for the prohibition and prevention of sex-selective practices, enhancing the political status of women, rights of the girls of deprived and marginalized communities and has played a lead role in anti-human trafficking program. She has extensive knowledge of project planning and management, organizational governance and development and maintaining donor relationships.
Treasurer
Dr. Shipra Mathur
Dr Shipra Mathur is a development communication and media campaign specialist with over 18 years of experience in the field of communication and journalism. She is also an educationist and advises a number of journalism programs. She is also the Chief Editor of MEERA, a digital paper for Rural Youth with Gender lens. She also engages with many social development initiatives and has worked with a range of organizations on Development communication. She has a passion for giving voice to the grassroots communities and has launched several campaigns to support social causes.
She is also an Alumni of prestigious programs like the International Visitors Leadership Programme (IVLP) Accountability, Transparency and Misperception about Corruption, US dept of State; Outstanding Person Fellow, Ministry of Cultural affairs, Govt of India. She has strong networking relationships with government officials and at the state and national government levels which she has extensively leveraged to support social projects. She has also been a leader of innovative movements and social efforts on critical issues in the state of Rajasthan and beyond. She has received a number of recognitions for her efforts in the fields of journalism and social development
Member
Dr. Manish Kumar Jha
Dr. Manish K Jha is a Professor at the Centre for Community Organization and Development Practice in the School of Social Work at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. He is also a former Dean of the School of Social Work.
His research interests include Rural and Urban Poverty and Migration, Development and Governance, Marginalities and Justice, Backward caste movements, Human Rights and Human Security and New Middle Classes. He is a member of several UGC committees. Prof. Jha is on the Board of governors of Calcutta Research Group, Kolkata, G.B. Pant Social Science Institute Allahabad and other NGOs.
Member
Mr. Vikas Nagda
CA. Vikas Nagda is a Chartered Accountant with over 15 years of experience in strengthening the financial management and accountability of non-profit organizations. A graduate of DAVV University and a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), he has been closely associated with NGOs, Societies, and Trusts, guiding them on financial planning, compliance, and good governance.
He has played a key role in helping organizations comply with Income Tax and FCRA regulations, improve financial reporting systems, and maintain the highest standards of transparency. His focus has always been on building systems that inspire confidence among donors, regulators, and stakeholders.
Passionate about supporting the development sector, Vikas combines his professional expertise with a deep commitment to social accountability. His guidance enables NGOs to use resources effectively, strengthen their credibility, and remain focused on their mission of creating lasting social impact.
Member
Mr. Kunal Jain
Mr. Kunal Jain is a seasoned public policy professional having more than a decade long experience in dealing with various ministries and govt. departments at the centre. His expertise lies in understating regulatory challenges, active policy advocacy, consensus building, relationship building with senior industry officials and senior govt. bureaucrats / Ministers, and stakeholder management.
A commerce graduate from Delhi Univ., he has worked in various national non-profit trade bodies like the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Indian Chemical Council (ICC), etc. He has also worked at Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), Govt. of India. Presently, he is handling Corporate Affairs which includes government relations, public policy and government advocacy and regulatory affairs for a Fortune 500 Indian conglomerate. He is also a representative in / part of various industry bodies viz., CII National C’ttee on Chemicals & Petrochemicals, FICCI national C’ttee on Chemicals, Regulatory Representatives & Managers Association (India & Sweden), and AMAI as also few C’ttees / Sub C’ttees formed by the govt departments. Mr Jain has been formally appreciated on record by high ranking IAS officers and central ministers for his work in the above areas.
Member
Dr. Kartik Sapre
Dr. Kartik Sapre is a development and management professional with diverse experience in environmental conservation, public policy, administration, research, corporate management, and academia. He currently serves as the Chief Executive of Narmada Samagra, where he works on holistic river conservation and community-driven environmental initiatives. He has previously worked with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, and has participated in several national and international forums, including UNFCCC COP conferences. He has also served on various government and civil society committees. Currently, he is a Member of the Expert Appraisal Committee on River Valley and Hydroelectric Projects and the State Ganga Committee, among other engagements. His areas of expertise include environmental governance, river conservation, rural development, public policy, project management, and organizational leadership.