Shouvik Mitra
First Director, Manjari Foundation
Shouvik Mitra, an advisory member and was among the first of Manjari Foundation’s directors, brings over 25 years of expertise in rural development, focusing on livelihood value chains, social inclusion, and inclusive finance. He was the one who coined the name “ Manjari” for the organization.
He has worked directly with organisations like the World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), DFID, and others, and has worked with NGOs like Freedom from Hunger and PRADAN. Shouvik's fieldwork spans across states in India and countries like Nepal, Kenya, and Pakistan. He was awarded the prestigious Fulbright-Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship in 2009.
Shouvik is also the Co-Founder of OUTLIERS Development Services Pvt Ltd, a start-up providing services to the development sector, and Manjari Foundation, a non-profit working on poverty alleviation. He mentors non-profit trust SDS and for-profit ag start-up Ayanat Pvt Ltd Co in North East India.
Shouvik aims to leverage his extensive experience and expertise in rural development to drive impactful change and sustainable development in marginalised communities, both in India and globally. His vision is to create a more inclusive and prosperous society where every individual, especially those in rural and urban poverty, has access to opportunities for economic empowerment, social inclusion, and improved livelihoods.