Sharmila Goswami, co-founder and President of Udbaru Foundation, has spent over 3 decades driving change for marginalized communities across India and South Asia. Her journey began in 1993, fuelled by her early experiences as a young scholar witnessing the struggles of women in Delhi’s urban fringes. This experience shaped her lifelong dedication to addressing gender inequality and advocating for the socio-economic and political inclusion of vulnerable groups. With a background in Anthropology from the University of Delhi and an M.Sc. in Development Economics from the University of Wales, Swansea UK, Sharmila has worked with tribal communities in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and beyond, focusing on issues like social exclusion, water and sanitation, livelihoods, and public health. Her work has spanned both national and international NGOs, always pushing for sustainable solutions that empower women and marginalized populations.
Sharmila’s career extends beyond India, with experience working in Sri Lanka and Nepal and contributing to global development efforts with organizations like the Department for International Development (DFID), Government of the UK, Population Council, UNDP-World Bank Water and Sanitation Programme, and others having had early honing at the Centre for Social Research (CSR). A champion of the rights-based approach, she has combined her expertise in human rights law with her deep understanding of community needs, ensuring her work is not only impactful but transformative. Now, as President of Udbaru Foundation, she continues to foster partnerships and lead initiatives that drive real, lasting change, particularly in India’s most vulnerable regions. Born and raised in Delhi, Sharmila’s journey reflects her dedication and unwavering commitment to creating a more equitable world for all.
Our Advisors & Mentors
Amarendra, that is, Kumar Amarendra Narayan Singh, co-founder and CEO of Udbaru Foundation, has spent over 34 years working tirelessly to uplift tribal communities—driven by a passion that took root during his Anthropology studies in the late 1980s. With advanced degrees in the field, his career has been dedicated to improving the lives of marginalized groups across tribal regions, from Jharkhand to the Northeast. He has been deeply involved in transformative movements like the Self-Help Group initiative that empowered women and the implementation of the Panchayati Raj Act, bringing decision-making to the grassroots level – since early 1990s. His hands-on involvement in these reforms, alongside his leadership in health, education, livelihoods, and post-disaster recovery, has had a profound impact on countless lives.
Working with leading NGOs, global organizations like the World Bank, and top consulting firms such as EY, KPMG, and Grant Thornton, Amarendra has been engaged with several marquee projects. His work in disaster recovery & rehabilitation, including the Gujarat Earthquake, Tsunami, and Kosi Floods, has shown his ability to lead when communities need it most. His leadership during the 2018 World Men’s Hockey Championship in Odisha further showcased his capacity to manage large-scale initiatives with precision. Amarendra, served as member of the Academic Council of the KIIT University (a deemed University), Bhubaneswar during, 2021-23. Today, as the co-founder of the Udbaru Foundation, Amarendra continues to forge partnerships, blending local knowledge with strategic solutions to create real, lasting change for tribal and other disadvantaged communities. Born and raised in Ranchi, his journey from local roots to national leadership is a testament to his relentless commitment to building a more equitable future.
Our Growth Partner
Irish Taylor & Co is a global consulting firm that delivers innovative technology solutions to enhance business efficiencies. With offices in Australia, India, and the USA, we are dedicated to providing prompt, insightful, and forward-thinking advice to clients worldwide. Our roots stretch back to the 1940s, continuing a family legacy of quality and service.
Founded in 2021 as a fulfillment of a childhood promise, Irish Taylor & Co reflects a commitment to building lasting value for clients, partners, and team members. Drawing from diverse experience in fields such as education, healthcare, construction, and technology, we foster a culture of collaboration, where creating collective value takes precedence over individual achievements.
With over 18 years of experience, Jeremy Taylor has helped clients optimize their technology investments by designing and supporting IT collaboration systems like Microsoft SharePoint across the Australian Federal Government, large enterprises, and SMBs. Combining a strong foundation in technology and business management, Jeremy holds a BBA, MIB, and numerous IT certifications since 1999.
His expertise spans multiple industries, with advanced studies at Kellogg School of Management and Stanford University, focusing on leadership, entrepreneurship, and AI.
Shri. Pravir Kishna IAS (retd.)
Former Managing Director TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, GOI; Currently Advisor, Bodo Territorial Council, Govt of Assam; Senior Adviser, EDI, Ahmedabad
Shri. Anand Singh Bhal IES (retd.)
Former Principal Economic Adviser, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, GOI; Economic Adviser, DFID India; Adviser, Corporate Relations, L&T; currently regular panellist on economic issues on various TV news channels.
Shri. Sanjiv Nair IAS (retd.)
Former ACS Govt of UP; DG of Northeast Centre for Technology Application & Reach; currently engaged in leveraging drone technology in agriculture.
Shri. Lokesh Jayaswal IFoS
Chief Wildlife Warden, Govt of Telangana, Hyderabad; former PCCF of CAMPA; expert in climate resilience, environment & forestry.
Shri. Kunal Prasad
One of pioneers in startup in agTech sector in the country - co-founder of the CropIn and then currently co-leading another startup Bambrew - a deep-tech material innovation company specializing in sustainable packaging solutions.
Dr. Sudha Chandrashekar
Public Health Specialist & Health Economist; Senior Consultant, World Bank; Adviser, HSTP; former Executive Director, National Health Authority, GOI.
Dr. Madhumita Sarkar
Gender & Diversity Specialist - specialisation in disaster and conflict situations; Senior GenCap Adviser at NORCAP; worked with UNDP, UN OCHA, UN Women, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNSOM and UNMIL, and with INGOs like Care India
Dr. Sourav Banerjee
Education Specialist; currently Senior Adviser to the Room to Read Global; formerly Country Director, Room to Read; former Senior Education Specialist, USAID.
Shri. Ratnesh Jha
Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network India; formerly with the NIPFP and UNDP.
Shri. Jeremy Taylor
Founder of Irish Taylor, a progressive Growth Partner for clients across the world. His initiatives include building custom software across Australia, India and USA, education in rural India, data science, Cybersecurity, and generative AI.
Shri. N. M. Prusty
President, Humanitarian Aid International; on Board of various NGOs; expert in disaster management
Shri. Sanjiv Ray
Chartered Accountant, Procurement and Finance Specialist; formerly with the DFID India, Oxfam, Welthungerhilfe, RECOFTC, PwC; currently working with schools, colleges, professional institutions, management team members in both the private and the public sectors.
Sharmila Goswami, co-founder and President of Udbaru Foundation, has spent over 3 decades driving change for marginalized communities across India and South Asia. Her journey began in 1993, fuelled by her early experiences as a young scholar witnessing the struggles of women in Delhi’s urban fringes. This experience shaped her lifelong dedication to addressing gender inequality and advocating for the socio-economic and political inclusion of vulnerable groups. With a background in Anthropology from the University of Delhi and an M.Sc. in Development Economics from the University of Wales, Swansea UK, Sharmila has worked with tribal communities in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and beyond, focusing on issues like social exclusion, water and sanitation, livelihoods, and public health. Her work has spanned both national and international NGOs, always pushing for sustainable solutions that empower women and marginalized populations.
Sharmila’s career extends beyond India, with experience working in Sri Lanka and Nepal and contributing to global development efforts with organizations like the Department for International Development (DFID), Government of the UK, Population Council, UNDP-World Bank Water and Sanitation Programme, and others having had early honing at the Centre for Social Research (CSR). A champion of the rights-based approach, she has combined her expertise in human rights law with her deep understanding of community needs, ensuring her work is not only impactful but transformative. Now, as President of Udbaru Foundation, she continues to foster partnerships and lead initiatives that drive real, lasting change, particularly in India’s most vulnerable regions. Born and raised in Delhi, Sharmila’s journey reflects her dedication and unwavering commitment to creating a more equitable world for all.
Sharmila Goswami
Co-Founder & President
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Amarendra, that is, Kumar Amarendra Narayan Singh, co-founder and CEO of Udbaru Foundation, has spent over 34 years working tirelessly to uplift tribal communities—driven by a passion that took root during his Anthropology studies in the late 1980s. With advanced degrees in the field, his career has been dedicated to improving the lives of marginalized groups across tribal regions, from Jharkhand to the Northeast. He has been deeply involved in transformative movements like the Self-Help Group initiative that empowered women and the implementation of the Panchayati Raj Act, bringing decision-making to the grassroots level – since early 1990s. His hands-on involvement in these reforms, alongside his leadership in health, education, livelihoods, and post-disaster recovery, has had a profound impact on countless lives.
Working with leading NGOs, global organizations like the World Bank, and top consulting firms such as EY, KPMG, and Grant Thornton, Amarendra has been engaged with several marquee projects. His work in disaster recovery & rehabilitation, including the Gujarat Earthquake, Tsunami, and Kosi Floods, has shown his ability to lead when communities need it most. His leadership during the 2018 World Men’s Hockey Championship in Odisha further showcased his capacity to manage large-scale initiatives with precision. Amarendra, served as member of the Academic Council of the KIIT University (a deemed University), Bhubaneswar during, 2021-23. Today, as the co-founder of the Udbaru Foundation, Amarendra continues to forge partnerships, blending local knowledge with strategic solutions to create real, lasting change for tribal and other disadvantaged communities. Born and raised in Ranchi, his journey from local roots to national leadership is a testament to his relentless commitment to building a more equitable future.
K. Amarendra N. Singh
Co-Founder & CEO
Sharmila Goswami
Co-Founder & President
Sharmila Goswami, co-founder and President of Udbaru Foundation, has spent over 3 decades driving change for marginalized communities across India and South Asia. Her journey began in 1993, fuelled by her early experiences as a young scholar witnessing the struggles of women in Delhi’s urban fringes. This experience shaped her lifelong dedication to addressing gender inequality and advocating for the socio-economic and political inclusion of vulnerable groups. With a background in Anthropology from the University of Delhi and an M.Sc. in Development Economics from the University of Wales, Swansea UK, Sharmila has worked with tribal communities in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and beyond, focusing on issues like social exclusion, water and sanitation, livelihoods, and public health. Her work has spanned both national and international NGOs, always pushing for sustainable solutions that empower women and marginalized populations.
Sharmila’s career extends beyond India, with experience working in Sri Lanka and Nepal and contributing to global development efforts with organizations like the Department for International Development (DFID), Government of the UK, Population Council, UNDP-World Bank Water and Sanitation Programme, and others having had early honing at the Centre for Social Research (CSR). A champion of the rights-based approach, she has combined her expertise in human rights law with her deep understanding of community needs, ensuring her work is not only impactful but transformative. Now, as President of Udbaru Foundation, she continues to foster partnerships and lead initiatives that drive real, lasting change, particularly in India’s most vulnerable regions. Born and raised in Delhi, Sharmila’s journey reflects her dedication and unwavering commitment to creating a more equitable world for all.
Sharmila Goswami
Co-Founder & President
Amarendra, that is, Kumar Amarendra Narayan Singh, co-founder and CEO of Udbaru Foundation, has spent over 34 years working tirelessly to uplift tribal communities—driven by a passion that took root during his Anthropology studies in the late 1980s. With advanced degrees in the field, his career has been dedicated to improving the lives of marginalized groups across tribal regions, from Jharkhand to the Northeast. He has been deeply involved in transformative movements like the Self-Help Group initiative that empowered women and the implementation of the Panchayati Raj Act, bringing decision-making to the grassroots level – since early 1990s. His hands-on involvement in these reforms, alongside his leadership in health, education, livelihoods, and post-disaster recovery, has had a profound impact on countless lives.
Working with leading NGOs, global organizations like the World Bank, and top consulting firms such as EY, KPMG, and Grant Thornton, Amarendra has been engaged with several marquee projects. His work in disaster recovery & rehabilitation, including the Gujarat Earthquake, Tsunami, and Kosi Floods, has shown his ability to lead when communities need it most. His leadership during the 2018 World Men’s Hockey Championship in Odisha further showcased his capacity to manage large-scale initiatives with precision. Amarendra, served as member of the Academic Council of the KIIT University (a deemed University), Bhubaneswar during, 2021-23. Today, as the co-founder of the Udbaru Foundation, Amarendra continues to forge partnerships, blending local knowledge with strategic solutions to create real, lasting change for tribal and other disadvantaged communities. Born and raised in Ranchi, his journey from local roots to national leadership is a testament to his relentless commitment to building a more equitable future.
K. Amarendra N. Singh
Co-Founder & CEO
K. Amarendra N. Singh
Co-Founder & CEO