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Board and Advisors
Guided by experience, vision, and commitment to inclusive development.
Our Guiding Leadership
Agrasar’s Board of Trustees and Advisors bring together leaders from industry, development, and academia who guide the organisation’s mission with integrity, foresight, and empathy.
Leadership
Chetan Kapoor
Co-Founder and Board Member
Chetan is a thought leader in the development sector with over two decades of experience across rural and urban landscapes. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Tech Mahindra Foundation, where he conceptualized and scaled the flagship SMART program—one of India’s largest urban skill development initiatives. He has been part of key committees including FICCI’s Skill Development Committee and the Curriculum Reform Committee of the Delhi Government. In his career, he has held leadership roles at Pratham, Bharti Foundation, and American India Foundation, and co-founded Agrasar. Chetan also led Edulever, a consulting firm supporting social sector organizations. He holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi.
Sushmitha Paidi
Board Member
Sushmitha has been associated with Agrasar since its inception in 2011. She holds a BA in Economics from Lady Shri Ram College and an MSc in Development Studies from the London School of Economics, with over a decade of experience across education, health, employability, and livelihoods. She has worked with Times Foundation and Youthreach, managing CSR partnerships with GE Foundation, Nokia, PepsiCo, and Yum. A certified Master Trainer in Life Skills, she has trained NGOs in India and abroad. Now based in Washington DC, she supports school counselling and parent engagement while guiding Agrasar on corporate partnerships and community interventions.
Dr. Sunil Pahilajani
CEO and Managing Trustee
Dr. Sunil Pahilajani, Managing Trustee of the Board and the incumbent CEO, brings over four decades of leadership across industry and the social sector. He has served as CEO, MD, and Board Member in leading organizations such as Maruti Udyog, Mahindra Navistar, Suzlon Energy, and Greaves Cotton, with expertise in governance, change management, and strategic leadership. Passionate about social development, he has championed disability inclusion, having chaired Anushruti (a school for hearing-impaired children) and currently serving on the boards of Muskaan, Mission Chetna, and Sarthak Educational Foundation. An alumnus of IIT Roorkee, Dr. Pahilajani holds a PhD in Management and is a certified Independent Director and Coach.
Advisors
Dr. Ramesh Bhatt
Advisor, Research & Impact
An economist and policy researcher, Dr. Bhatt advises Agrasar on impact evaluation and social protection frameworks. His expertise ensures that data and research continuously strengthen programme design and evidence-based advocacy.
Sushmitha Paidi
Advisor, Communications & Partnerships
With over a decade of experience in development communication, Neha supports Agrasar in narrative building, media outreach, and donor engagement. She helps amplify community voices and connect Agrasar’s work with wider audiences.
Dr. Sunil Pahilajani
Advisor, Strategy & Systems
Vikram brings management consulting experience in scaling nonprofit operations. He mentors Agrasar’s strategic planning, process improvement, and performance systems to ensure long-term sustainability and organisational excellence.
Our Governance Approach
The Board meets regularly to review programme progress, financial management, and strategic priorities. This collective oversight ensures Agrasar remains transparent, accountable, and aligned with its vision of building an empathetic, equitable society.
