governing Body
Dr. Debasish Mohapatra, President
Dr. Debasish Mohapatra holds a PhD in Rural Management from KIIT Deemed to be University in Bhubaneswar. He also has a PGDRM from XIM Bhubaneswar and a B.Sc. in Agriculture from OUAT, Bhubaneswar. With over 30 years of work experience, he has collaborated with international agencies like The World Bank, UNDP, TechnoServe, Traidcraft, IPE Global, Oxfam GB, CARE, and MART. He is currently an Associate Professor at KIIT School of Rural Management, with interests in sustainable development, agribusiness management, and entrepreneurship.
Ms. Itishree Kanungo, Vice President
Ms. Itishree Kanungo has done her MBA-RM from XIMB and has over 20 years of experience in policy advocacy, microcredit management, and social campaigns. She has worked with UNDP, NISER, and Grant Thornton. She is currently a professional at Grant Thornton and contributes as a Climate Parliament member, working on renewable energy policy with State and Parliament leaders.
Ms. Rojaleen Bhuyan, Secretary
Ms. Rojaleen Bhuyan is a highly experienced Development Practitioner with over two decades of expertise in livelihood promotion and gender relations. She has demonstrated her proficiency in strengthening grassroots institutions such as Producer Groups, SHG Federations, and FPOs, and is an active member of the National Alliance of Women in Odisha (NAWO). With her extensive contributions to gender equality, inclusion, and mainstreaming in various projects, Ms. Bhuyan has collaborated with renowned NGOs, leveraging her skills to empower marginalized communities.
Mr. Bimal Kanta Panda, Treasurer
Mr. Panda holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Jyoti Vihar, Sambalpur University. Throughout his more than 2 decades long work history he has designed numerous theme-based training modules for different non-profit organisations. Most part of his working tenure has been spent in the backward regions of the state and he devoted his time and energy towards the capacity building of NGO functionaries and project managers. While mixing his prior engagements and years long training expertise, he is leading the training department of Mahashakti and designs training modules as per the operational methodology and related regulatory requirements of the development sector.
Dr. Pradip Kumar Mohapatra, Member
Dr. Mohapatra brings an extensive 33 years of experience in the development sector, holding various positions in managing projects and programs across India. He has demonstrated his exceptional skills in effectively coordinating Civil Society Organizations, Government Agencies, corporate entities through CSR initiatives and International Institutions for the successful execution of development projects. Additionally, he possesses significant expertise in the microfinance sector. Dr. Mohapatra’s areas of specialization encompass Institutional Development, Income Generation, Enterprise Development, Livelihood Promotion, Program Management, Action Research, Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation, and Capacity Building.
Mr. Himansu Kumar Mohapatra,Member
Mr. Himansu Kumar Mohapatra has worked as a Senior Professional in Agriculture and Farmer's Empowerment Department, Government of Odisha in different districts of Western Odisha and in SC&ST Development Department as in charge Special Officer, CBDA, Sunabed . He was in charge of Special Officer of Chakotia Bhunjia Development Agency for almost three decades at Nuapada. Chakotia Bhunjia are a Primitive Tribal Community (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group) residing at Sunabeda Plateau in Nuapada district. His role was to support in their holistic development and bring them to mainstream. He holds an academic Post Graduation degree in Agriculture Extension from the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar, PGDAEM from MANAGE, Hyderabad and two year's Certificate Course on Soil Microbiology from CSIRO, Australia. He has expertise on Millets Production Technology, Organic Farming and Natural Farming too. His current interest is in Promotion of Entrepreneurship as a role model for Agri-graduates and interested people. He is successfully running an EC Poultry Farm in Nuapada and practising Strawberry cultivation on commercial basis.
Ms. Abha Mishra, Member
Ms. Abha Mishra is the State Head of the United Nations Development Programme in Odisha, bringing with her over three decades of rich experience in the development sector. She has worked extensively on inclusive development, climate change, women’s empowerment, and strengthening community-led initiatives across the state. Her leadership continues to drive impactful collaborations that promote sustainable livelihoods and social transformation.