Vinay Rana is a dynamic social development professional with a strong foundation in engineering and a passion for driving sustainable change in rural communities. After completing a B.Tech in Electronics & Communication in 2010, Vinay transitioned to the social sector, pursuing a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) to deepen his expertise in community development.
He has further enriched his skillset with a Post Graduate Diploma in Data Science and Climate Change from IIIT-Delhi, equipping him with advanced knowledge in data-driven solutions and sustainability. Complementing this, he holds a certification in Public Policy and Administration from the London School of Economics, broadening his understanding of governance and public policy frameworks.
With over 15 years of experience, Vinay specializes in rural livelihood promotion, community institution building, value chain development, and market linkages. He has successfully led and executed large-scale livelihood initiatives across Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh, holding key leadership roles at renowned organizations such as PRADAN, Digital Green, Transforming Rural India Foundation, and The/Nudge Lifeskills Foundation.
Throughout his career, Vinay has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to fostering resilience and creating sustainable impact in rural communities, leveraging cross-disciplinary expertise and collaborative leadership.
Omair Shahid is a multidisciplinary professional with a solid academic background, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Integral University, Lucknow (2012), and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Geoinformatics. Over the course of more than a decade in the corporate sector, Omair has cultivated a diverse skill set across e-commerce, technology, fintech, and cloud communications.
He has demonstrated strong leadership at globally renowned organizations, including Amazon, where he led teams dedicated to 3D content creation, cataloguing, and branding at the Bengaluru office. Omair further expanded his expertise at Adobe in Noida, managing North America sales for Creative Cloud products. His entrepreneurial drive is evident from his leadership roles in startups, where he oversaw sales and operations within the fintech and cloud communication sectors in Hyderabad.
Motivated by a deep commitment to social impact, Omair made a decisive shift to the development sector. He now serves with The/Nudge Institute, focusing on empowering underprivileged communities through sustainable livelihood initiatives. By leveraging his extensive corporate experience and combining it with a mission-driven approach, Omair continues to drive positive and purposeful change in society.
Prakash Shankar is a multidisciplinary professional blending a strong engineering foundation with rich managerial experience and a passion for social impact. He holds a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Dhanbad (2013–2017). During his undergraduate years, Prakash actively contributed to social causes by working with NGO Kartavya, focusing on providing basic education to underprivileged children.
Recognizing the power of data-driven approaches in addressing social sector challenges, he pursued a Data Science and Machine Learning program at IIM Kozhikode (June 2023 – August 2024), further sharpening his analytical skills and problem-solving capabilities.
Prakash began his career at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) from 2017 to 2021, where he held multiple managerial roles in sales, operations, and business expansion across Rajasthan and Punjab. He managed large-scale fuel distribution networks and successfully led process optimizations, forged strategic partnerships, and drove revenue growth initiatives generating business worth over INR 600 crore annually. His accomplishments include setting up new fuel stations, implementing data-driven monitoring systems, and launching customer loyalty programs, demonstrating strong operational leadership and business acumen.
Driven by a deep commitment to social development, Prakash transitioned to The/Nudge LifeSkills Foundation in 2023. As Manager – Value Chain and later Manager – Product for the Asha Kiran Program, he has been instrumental in building sustainable rural livelihoods by promoting backyard poultry and goat farming for SHG women. He established the sales division, standardized processes, achieved a 50% reduction in operational costs, and crafted a data-driven trade and pricing strategy based on thorough market research and consumer surveys across multiple districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Prakash’s combined expertise in engineering, data science, and large-scale project management along with his leadership in social enterprises uniquely position him to drive scalable, impactful solutions for rural and marginalized communities.
Dr. Prabhat Yadav is a seasoned livestock expert with a decade of field experience in developing small ruminant production systems, with a particular focus on genetic improvement and strengthening inclusive value chains. His work centres on enhancing productivity, resilience, and market integration for rural communities, especially small, marginal, and landless farmers.
Dr. Prabhat Yadav earned his Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (2010–2015) from Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan, Mathura, and completed his Master of Veterinary Science (2015–2017) in Veterinary Extension Education from the prestigious Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly. His master’s research focused on the holistic development of goat productivity and value chain, combining scientific innovation with practical interventions. To further broaden his competencies, he undertook a Post Graduate Diploma in One Health (2023–2024) from GADVASU, Punjab, underscoring his commitment to integrating veterinary science with broader social and ecological development.
With over 10 years of active engagement, Dr. Yadav has played a pivotal role in promoting sustainable, goat-based livelihood interventions across Rajasthan, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. He has collaborated with both national and international organizations, leading efforts to scale up livestock productivity, develop inclusive value chains, and facilitate access to markets for underserved farming communities.
Dr. Yadav’s expertise spans genetic improvement, institution building, capacity development, and design of innovative extension models. His approach emphasizes participatory methods, ensuring community ownership and systemic resilience in livestock-based livelihoods.
Fostering a prosperous future where every individual thrives with dignity, lasting opportunities & Resilient Ecosystem.