Our Team

Ashwajit Singh is a first-generation social entrepreneur who brings over three decades of development sector experience to advancing social equity, and sustainable change across Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Under his leadership, the Group has evolved into one of the largest social sector consulting firms in South Asia, impacting over 600 million plus lives globally. Headquartered in New Delhi with five international offices in Ethiopia, Germany, Kenya, Philippines, and United Kingdom. IPE Global has successfully undertaken over 1200+ assignments in over 120 countries. Through strategic partnerships with governments, global development agencies, philanthropic foundations, and the private sector – including USAID, FCDO, World Bank, ADB, JICA, WHO, NITI Aayog, and UN agencies etc. – IPE Global continues to drive transformative change across health, gender, education, climate resilience, urban development, and livelihoods among others.

A Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary (Gold Medallist), Ashwajit has served as Central Council Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and Chairman of its Capital Markets Committee. His leadership extends globally as Chairman of Triple Line Consulting (UK), Director of Maternity Foundation (Denmark), and Senior Advisor to SAMRIDH, India’s first blended finance facility for healthcare. He also serves as a Trustee of the India International Centre, New Delhi. His journey reflects a rare blend of financial acumen and social purpose.

Recognised nationally and internationally, Ashwajit’s work has earned him several honours: ICPA Leadership Award – For Exceptional Leadership and Innovation; CA Hall of Fame Award at 19th ICAI Awards; Forbes – We Serve India Social Change Champion Award (Inclusive Healthcare & Accessibility), Business World Social Impact Leader Award, India–UK Achievers Award, Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Modernites’ Excellence Award, Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award, Distinguished Alumni Award from Shri Ram College of Commerce presented by the late Honourable Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley, CA Global Achiever Award by ICAI, and the Global Punjabi Society Achiever Award by Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. He has also been ranked among the Top 10 Global CEOs in Consulting & Business Services.

An Inlaks Scholar and alumnus of Harvard Business School, the London School of Economics, and Shri Ram College of Commerce, Ashwajit continues to contribute as a columnist and speaker on issues of economy, governance, and sustainability.

Leads the Corporate Communication & Quality Assurance functions within the Group to promote the Group’s vision, Strategy, and Client engagement. Tanya Singh guides and strategically advises on the organisation’s goals and operational objectives for maximising business potential.  

Tanya is also the Managing Trustee of the Centre for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) and a board member of the IPE Centre for Knowledge & Development. She is committed to creating a gender-inclusive environment that enables people to work without fear of prejudice. She believes in giving back to society by mentoring organisations in their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities to bring positive change in the community.

She has a Bachelor’s degree from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) and is a Chartered Accountant from Pricewaterhouse (PwC). Earlier, she worked with the Oberoi group of Hotels as Manager, Credit & Finance. She has been a leading marketing partner with Bank of America and ABN AMRO and a corporate partner with Bharti Airtel for over a decade.

Himanshu Sikka is strategy and operations management specialist with experience in supporting government and private sector clients in policy and project development in the healthcare sector. He has conceptualised and delivered several projects in the health systems strengthening and health financing space. He has worked with several international agencies including The World Bank, DFID, USAID, UNICEF, ADB, and WHO, in diverse geographic settings of India, Bangladesh, Philippines, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Kenya, and UK.

He holds a M.Sc. degree in Development and Planning from University College London, United Kingdom and is a Shell Centenary Chevening Scholar and Otto Königsberger Scholar.

Sudarshan Panda is a Procurement and Compliance Specialist extensive experience in implementing robust compliance programs ensuring organization not only meet legal and industry standards but also achieve operational excellence through strategic procurement practices. He brings over two decades of experience in corporate risk management, compliance, and strategic procurement. He has experience in risk identification and mitigation, policy development, and leading procurement teams to achieve cost-saving objectives. He has worked with several international agencies including The World Bank, DFID, USIAD, ADB, UNICEF, WHO in geographies of India, Bangladesh, Kenya, Ethiopia, Kenya, Myanmar and Philippines. He holds a Master’s in business administration from Sambalpur University, Odisha. Beyond his professional endeavours, he finds tranquillity in long-distance cycling and conducting in-depth research on the when-how-why of various cuisines and food.

Rattan Chhabra, a seasoned professional with over 30 years of expertise in Finance & Corporate Business Services, currently holds the position of Senior Director at IPE Global. His extensive career encompasses key roles at Phoenix International and TSL technologies, where he served as Head of Finance. Renowned as a skilled dealmaker, Rattan has successfully led equity transactions exceeding $10 million, structured investor exits, and managed funds totalling over INR 1,500 million across diverse financial instruments. With a global perspective, he has navigated international business units and orchestrated cross-border transactions in the UK, Africa, and Southeast Asia. As a strategic advisor, Rattan has played a pivotal role in guiding the allocation of more than INR 500 million over the past five years, collaborating closely with leadership to translate vision into actionable financial strategies. Beyond his financial acumen, Rattan is a dedicated leader and mentor, actively fostering ethical growth and contributing significantly to SAMRIDH's overall success.

He has over 25 years of experience in the development sector, working in civil society organisations and international development agencies like DANIDA and DFID. As the Head of State Partnerships at the DFID India, he was responsible for developing partnerships, programme design, management and strategic oversight of all programmes implemented in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. He has managed various development programmes. His expertise lies in driving operational, financial and programmatic transformations. Before DFID, he was associated with Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), Help Age and World Wildlife Fund.

He holds a Master’s degree in Business Management with specialisation in Human Resource Management and Finance. He is extensively trained in Project Cycle Management, Grant Management, Performance Management, Leadership Skills and Change Management.

Vinayak Sarolia is a public health professional with over 17 years of experience in managing and scaling health programs across India. As Associate Vice President at IPE Global Limited, he leads the health business development function and contributes to strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening health systems. His expertise spans project operations, proposal development, client engagement, and partnerships with governments and international agencies including USAID, UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, and the World Bank. Vinayak’s core focus areas include RMNCH+A, quality of care, community processes, and system strengthening, with a strong foundation in evidence-based planning and monitoring. Committed to improving public health outcomes, Vinayak continues to play a key role in designing impactful solutions for complex health challenges.

Abinash currently leads the climate change and sustainability Practice at IPE-Global, a globally accredited international development organisation providing expert technical assistance and solutions for equitable development and sustainable growth in developing countries. He is a climate change expert and a reviewer of the Intergovernmental Panel (IPCC) on Climate Change’s sixth assessment report (AR6): Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. He is involved in designing decision-making toolkits for effective policy-making around the intricacies of climate change risks, sustainability, and environmental resources management. His work is focused on climate change risk assessment and adaptation solutions for concerned stakeholders.

He has more than a decade and a half of experience in evidence-based policy research on climate change impacts and risks, water management, climate change financing, and managing projects thereby advising, and supporting key decision-makers to mainstream climate change and sustainability from margins. He has led multiple research assignments on climate risks and adaptations and devised India’s first-of-its-kind Climate Vulnerability Index.

Anil Bansal leads the Group’s Sustainable Cities, Infrastructure, and Responsible Tourism business unit. Anil, a seasoned professional and business leader for one of the largest and most diverse portfolios, manages these businesses in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa geographies. With 20+ years of experience, he has led Project Management and Business Development for the Urban sector in areas of urban planning, infrastructure engineering, solid and plastic waste management, water & sanitation, infrastructure planning and development, public-private partnership, tourism and heritage conservation, urban reforms and governance, capacity building, and institutional strengthening.

He has spearheaded over 150 assignments and successfully implemented flagship programs and missions like SBM, AMRUT, Smart Cities, and HRIDAY. He has extensive experience working with bilateral and multilateral agencies, donors, and stakeholders, including ADB, DFID, WB, JICA, various ministries, and governments.

Anil holds an MBA with M.Tech in Environmental Science & Engineering and is an acclaimed ISWA-certified solid waste management expert.

Raghwesh Ranjan leads Social and Economic Empowerment practice for the Group. A social change enthusiast and a systems thinker with over two decades of work in the social sector, he creatively designs solutions that bring the best of communities and governments together to tackle some of the complex developmental challenges.

Raghwesh has implemented and managed several transformational initiatives focused on sustainable livelihoods, voice and accountability, normative change, and government reforms to boost economic, health, nutrition, and education outcomes for women, girls, and marginalised communities.  Prior to joining IPE Global, he worked with Department for International Development (DFID), PwC India, and Development Alternatives. He has contributed to several peer-reviewed journals and has book chapters to his credit on a range of sustainable development issues. Raghwesh holds an MA in Governance and Development from the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex, United Kingdom. He is a recipient of the prestigious Ford Foundation International Fellowships Programme.

Shalender Sharma is a development sector expert with over two decades of experience in Education and Skills Development (ESD) with organisations like UNESCO, UNICEF, ADB, The World Bank, DFID, NITI Aayog, and National and State Governments. He has led, managed, and worked as a specialist on large-scale transformation projects and business process reengineering assignments for national and international organisations. Leading the department, Shalender continues to undertake a variety of roles, including policy review and reform, program design, and on-ground implementation. He offers strategic direction and guidance to businesses in the area and helps position them as a best-in-class offering for clients and stakeholders. Shalender has led projects related to the professional development of teachers, reforming pre-service and in-service teacher training, development of the School Education Quality Index, Baseline for the SANKALP (Skill sector strengthening program), Training Management System, etc. Before joining IPE in 2013, he worked for 15 years with MHRD and NUEPA/NIEPA.

Shantanu Das leads the Research and Evaluation and PFM practice for the Group. With over 20 years of experience in International Development, he has demonstrated expertise in designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating large multi-million-dollar programs and multi-country evaluation assignments.

Shantanu has experience working in many countries in Asia and Africa- Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Uganda, and many others. He has expertise in designing and evaluating assignments covering urban, HNWASH, nutrition, agriculture & food systems, private sector development & inclusive economic growth, and climate change.

Shantanu holds a Postgraduate degree in Economics and Business Administration. Prior to joining the Group, he worked with KPMG, DFID(FCDO) as an SRO and Economic Adviser, the Confederation of Indian Industry, and the Japanese Government.

Aanchal holds extensive experience in impact investing, innovative finance consulting, and financial advisory domains. Professionally, she has worked with consulting firms such as KPMG and leading investment banks in India, wherein she worked closely with private equity and venture capital funders to gain experience around structuring and executing investment deals for sustainable organizations. At forefront, Aanchal is responsible for assessing high impact enterprises and device and deploy blended finance structures to enable access to affordable capital and strike meaningful partnerships to foster innovative finance to promote development.

Aanchal is working on expanding SAMRIDH's footprint beyond India and ensuring its sustainability. She is an enterprising person, who is uniquely combining her core financial and investment experience to promote on-ground development impact. When she is off work, she enjoys reading, travelling, and experiencing new cultures and cuisines. Academically, she is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds a bachelors degree in financial and investment analysis.

Bringing in rich experience from her stints in the advertising industry, Vinaina has a knack of turning nuggets of insights into meaningful communication solutions. With over 16 years of industry experience, she has developed and implemented numerous cross-channel communication campaigns and initiatives. She started her career working with advertising firms such as Lintas IMAG and Saatchi & Saatchi, and served as a brand manager at a leading Indian daily - The Times of India. Having managed marketing and communication responsibilities in the business sector for a few years, Vinaina is now making its principles work in the policy context. She transitioned to the development sector in 2011 and has been spearheading communication and policy outreach roles for development projects supported by the Government of India, international development agencies and corporate philanthropies. Vinaina has a bachelor's degree in design, and is a postgraduate in Development Management from the London School of Economics.

Bharat is an integrated strategic and creative communications professional with a professional experience spanning over five years specifically in the development sector. His professional journey is underscored by the receipt of a gold medal for postgraduate studies in Development Communications from Jamia Millia Islamia and an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Indraprastha University. As a seasoned communication professional, Bharat has artfully navigated both marcomm agency and nonprofit environments, fostering a profound understanding of the intricacies within the realm of communications and the development sector. He has excelled in crafting comprehensive communication strategies and successfully overseeing a myriad of projects, engaging with a diverse array of stakeholders, including bilateral and multilateral institutions, government bodies, corporate entities, NGOs, and CSR partners. Beyond professional accomplishments, Bharat is a certified life coach, specializing in holistic internal well-being. His passion for knowledge and personal growth is fuelled through his dedication to continuously learn which reinforces his adaptability in this ever-evolving field.

Biswajit Biswal is a seasoned development professional with over 13 years of experience in program management, technical planning, and multi-sectoral implementation across government and donor-led initiatives. He holds a B.Tech in Civil Engineering from BPUT, Odisha, and has worked with reputed organizations such as IPE Global Ltd., Ernst & Young LLP, and TUV-SUD South Asia.

His core areas of expertise include program coordination, quality assurance, climate-resilient planning, watershed management, and technical support under flagship initiatives such as DMF, OTELP, and other tribal and rural development programs. Biswajit has developed strong working relationships with government counterparts in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh, enabling effective collaboration and smooth program implementation at the state and district levels. Known for his proactive approach and problem-solving skills, Biswajit is committed to advancing sustainable and inclusive development outcomes through well-coordinated and technically sound program delivery.

Deepti comes with 9+ years of career expanding across diverse roles of program management, M&E, and business development with national/international agencies, consultancy groups, and grass-root NGOs. She has led projects in the domains of nutrition, health, WASH, education, and financial inclusion. Deepti is Instrumental in project life-cycle management, proposal writing, research surveys, long-term partnerships, M&E/impact assessment, proposal writing, and documentation. Prior to joining IPE, Deepti was with The Akshaya Patra Foundation as a Program Manager for internal process improvements and beyond meal initiatives, where she undertook 10+ small- and large-scale surveys for improving efficiency in last mile Mid-day meal delivery and increased MDM uptake at government schools through behaviour change interventions. She has twice received training fellowships for Monitoring & Evaluation systems and impact measurement from Wageningen University, Netherlands, and WITS University, South Africa. She holds bachelor’s in Health Sciences from Sam Higginbottom Institute of Technology and Sciences, and master’s in social work. She is a multicuisine cook and a travel enthusiast. Her best-loved escape is to create ‘best out of waste’ products.

Dr. Ankita is a professional in healthcare innovation and WASH domain. She has a decade long experience ranging from the development of novel antibiotics, combating antibiotic pollution, to developing personal hygiene products including regulatory compliances and management of intellectual property rights. She has experience of working with several institutions in India and abroad from academic to medical research centre to healthcare start-up.

Dr. Ankita holds a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from IIT Gandhinagar with Best Thesis Award and Director’s Gold Medal. She is a visiting researcher at Texas Tech University Health Science Centre and a reviewer for journals of international repute in the space of antibiotics research and resistance. She is also a WIPO featured IP professional with record holder in India Book of Records. When she is not working you may find her experimenting in her kitchen lab with spices and idly.

Dr. Rucha Wankhede graduated from Government Dental College and Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra, with a degree in dentistry. She further pursued her Master's in Public Health- Health Administration from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.

Dr. Wankhede has made notable contributions to numerous national peer-reviewed journals and reputable national newspapers. With a deep-rooted passion for exploring the interplay of public health and its pivotal role in the development sector, Dr. Wankhede firmly believes in its influence on inclusive and holistic progress within the country. She also possesses a keen interest in understanding how gender intersects across all sectors of society. Apart from her professional pursuits, Dr. Wankhede indulges in various hobbies such as reading, traveling, writing, sketching, and stargazing.

Sandeep is a public health expert with a demonstrated track record in Health Systems Strengthening, Clinical Epidemiology & Research, Disease Surveillance Outbreak Response and Non-communicable diseases like Diabetes and Cancer. He has over 15 years of experience in the health sector and was extensively involved in COVID-19 Surveillance and Public Health Response.

He believes that IT in healthcare is going to be the biggest driver in Public Health. With the wider adoption of Health Information Systems, Digital Health, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning into healthcare, we are going to have newer insights into how best to target our efforts to the most vulnerable regions and populations as well as to individualise medicine.

Vijender is a pathologist, public health expert, Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma + PMP, regulatory affairs and quality assurance expert. He has worked in the fields of public health, development of healthcare innovations, business, operations, research and validation, and regulatory affairs. In his vast career spanning over more than two decades, he has led the conceptualization, development, validation, implementation, and commercialization of six digital healthcare solutions; raised/booked grants, funding business of approximately USD 20 million; and managed more than 10 healthcare projects in India and globally.

Ishan brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role at IPE Global. As a former Investment Analyst with the Xander Group, Ishan played a crucial role in the Investment and Asset Management team, focusing on the North India real estate credit portfolio. Right from sourcing, screening, analysis, negotiations, execution, to monitoring of investment opportunities, he has acumen for strategic investments within the financial services sector.

Additionally, Ishan made notable contributions to the Private Equity team, evaluating diverse businesses, and making strategic investments. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics & Finance from Ashoka University, Ishan possesses a strong academic foundation that underpins his professional acumen.

His education has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the financial landscape, enabling him to navigate complex investment scenarios with precision and sound judgment. Beyond his professional pursuits, Ishan is an avid sports enthusiast, has a keen interest in gaming and nurtures his wanderlust through traveling. Combining his analytical prowess, investment expertise, and passion for diverse interests, Ishan is dedicated to making a positive impact at IPE Global.

Mayank Kapoor is a seasoned public health professional with over 19 years of experience in strengthening and reforming healthcare systems across India. With expertise spanning Human Resources, Change Management, Organisation Development, and Program Management, he has conceptualized and implemented numerous initiatives for state health departments and international agencies. As Team Lead for Human Resources for Health (HRH) at the World Bank-funded ASSIST project in Assam, Mayank oversees project implementation, provides technical assistance, and develops HR management frameworks to support policy reforms.

Mayank's background includes an MBA in Human Resources and a Commerce degree from Kanpur University. He has worked extensively with government agencies, including the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and has led technical assistance programs funded by UNDP, DFID, ADB, and the World Bank. With a strong commitment to improving public health outcomes, Mayank continues to develop impactful solutions for complex health challenges, leveraging his expertise in policy formulation, advocacy, and institutional strengthening.

Puneet is a project management expert focused on facilitating cross-collaboration among healthcare initiatives. With nine years of extensive experience in project management, business operations, and militarization, Puneet has worked closely with state governments across 21 states and 12 aspirational districts, fostering synergies between public and private organizations. Holding a master's degree in project management from the University of Limerick, Puneet possesses a unique combination of strategic acumen, practical proficiency, and unwavering commitment to project success.

His expertise extends to working with startups across various programs, including RMNCH+A, cancer detection and prevalence, and entrepreneurial development. He has played a pivotal role in crafting revenue mechanisms to establish self-sustaining workforces within these startups. Additionally, he has provided extensive deployment support during the COVID-19 pandemic, defining project scopes, allocating resources judiciously, and effectively managing risks. His operational proficiency transcends theoretical knowledge, as evidenced by his track record of translating project plans into tangible outcomes and delivering impactful results.

Shiv Kumar Yadav’s professional journey commenced at SIIC IIT Kanpur, where he efficiently managed the BIRAC BIG program, providing crucial management support to numerous healthcare and agritech startups. Further, he transitioned to India Accelerator, assuming the role of Investment Analyst within the healthcare vertical. At India Accelerator, Shiv Kumar streamlined processes and optimized the accelerator program for enhanced efficiency. Additionally, he skillfully managed cohorts while concurrently evaluating prospective healthcare startups for potential inclusion in the acceleration program.

He earned his B Tech degree in Chemical Engineering from NIT Jalandhar and demonstrated his academic prowess by successfully clearing the GATE 2021 examination. Beyond his professional pursuits, Shiv Kumar finds joy in playing cricket and volleyball, immersing himself in music, and exploring new destinations through travel.

Snigdha is an Associate in the Impact Financing Practice at IPE Global. Her work involves conducting rigorous research and market analysis to inform strategic decisions, with a focus on healthcare and results-based financing models. She supports initiatives that mobilize public, private, and philanthropic capital to address critical social challenges. She has contributed to capital mobilization efforts through the design and development of impact financing proposals for multilateral agencies, philanthropic institutions, and CSR partners. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Commerce (Honours) from Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, where she studied investment analysis, financial management, economics, and international business. Her academic background aligns with her interest in the transformative potential of impact investing to address complex social problems.