Meet Our Team
Tapan Patel
MSc Disaster Mitigation, B.Tech Construction Tech
Tapan is the driving force behind our on-ground innovation and impact. With over two decades of diverse experience across housing, WASH, water resource management, watershed development, and waste management systems, his expertise bridges both Indian and international landscapes. He brings deep insight into rural realities, combining strategic thinking with hands-on execution. Tapan specializes in training, capacity building, and monitoring & evaluation, ensuring that interventions are not only technically sound but also community-responsive. His ability to translate complex challenges into practical, scalable solutions makes him a vital catalyst for sustainable development at the grassroots
Tanvi K Patel
M.Phil Disaster Mitigation, Diploma in Clean Development Mechanism, B.Tech Construction Tech
Tanvi is CFID’s research compass, bringing over 20 years of experience in watershed management, natural resource management, climate change and clean energy decentralized sanitation, and WASH systems. Her expertise in research design, data analysis, and documentation ensures that evidence drives every intervention. She has collaborated with institutions like the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (Thailand) and Climate and Disaster Governance (UK). Recognized amongst the best entrepreneurs in the Women in Business Challenge 2009–10 by BIDNETWORK Foundation, Netherlands, she was honored for promoting domestic wastewater treatment through public-private partnerships in India, blending innovation with impact at the intersection of sustainability and governance.
Prajwal Patel
The Geo-Intelligence Explorer
With a mind wired for maps and a passion for precision, Prajval Patel leads CFID’s spatial analysis with cutting-edge GIS and remote sensing expertise. Holding a Master’s in Geomatics and a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering, he bridges technical depth with real-world application. His experience at IIT-Bombay’s GISE Hub honed his skills in satellite imagery, spatial databases, and terrain modeling. At CFID, he supports geo-referenced decision-making across projects like watershed planning and urban sanitation mapping. Prajval transforms complex geospatial data into actionable insights, combining scientific rigor with creative curiosity to turn pixels into progress.
Kishore Shailja
M.Sc. Environmental Sciences
A veteran in waste and water systems, Kishore brings 28 years of experience in development. His deep focus on environmental sustainability, especially in sanitation and waste management, makes him a critical thinker and doer in shaping urban and rural infrastructure programs.
Harish Parmar
BA LLB
Harish is CFID’s community conscience. With more than 25 years in community development, he has evaluated and led projects in livelihoods, education, WASH, and disaster preparedness. He has a talent for rooting every intervention in social equity and grassroots engagement.
Mahesh Patel
B.Sc Agriculture
A stalwart in sustainable farming, Mahesh brings over 30 years of experience in participatory research, M&E, and training. His hands-on approach to agriculture and unwavering support to farmer-led innovation is the backbone of CFID’s agri-focused initiatives.
Chandan Singh
MSW
Chandan builds bridges—between communities, governments, and ideas. With 12+ years working with international NGOs, he brings practical experience in disaster risk reduction, WASH, and livelihoods. His ability to liaise effectively with local and state governments ensures lasting, scalable change.
Harikrishna Patel
BA
Harikrishna is the people’s researcher. With 15 years of experience leading large-scale social surveys and mobilization efforts, he specializes in CAPI (Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing) and grassroots outreach that captures the lived realities of rural communities.
Nitesh Chaudhary
MA, B.Ed
A ground-up strategist, Nitesh has 12+ years of experience conducting social research, coordinating field surveys, and engaging directly with communities. His skill lies in converting field insights into actionable knowledge.
Meet Our Associates
Shailesh Bagtharia
B.E. Civil
A disaster response expert, Shailesh has led infrastructure planning and humanitarian logistics for over 20 years. His collaborations with international agencies have helped rebuild lives and structures after some of India’s most challenging disasters
Mamata Pradhan
MS- Public health
A veteran in public health, Mamata’s 30+ year career spans WASH, nutrition, and government–NGO collaborations. Her ability to design and deliver health interventions with precision has saved lives and informed policy
Dr. Astad Pastakia
FPM, IIM, Ahmedabad PGDM, Agriculture, IIM Ahmedabad
A thinker, teacher, and change architect, Dr. Pastakia consults on rural entrepreneurship, CSR, and livelihoods. He is a published author and has taught at India’s premier business schools, guiding the next generation of development professionals
Jaykaran Sagar
BA
Jaykaran is CFID’s digital storyteller. Since 2012, he’s supported mission-led organizations with creative branding, user-centric design, and tech-enabled communication. He helps bring our work to life through compelling digital narratives.
Zahir Sheikh
M.Tech Climate Change and Sustainable Development
Zahir champions climate-smart solutions. With 15 years of experience across environmental conservation, water systems, and agriculture, he designs and scales solutions that help communities adapt and thrive in the face of climate challenges.
Kirtida Vora
B. Com
Kirtida is a grassroots feminist and field mentor. With three decades in development practice, she brings unmatched insight into gendered development, women's collectives, and advocacy. Her facilitation of women's leadership in rural India is both powerful and practical.
Punit B. Patel
B.Tech (Civil) PG in Project Management
A leader in ESG and sustainability reporting, Punit brings 28+ years of experience in project management across sectors—from oil & gas to infrastructure. His expertise in BRSR (Business Responsibility & Sustainability Reporting) adds a strategic edge to CFID’s work in governance and compliance
Suneet Anand
Architect, Development and Emergency Practitioner, PhD in Climate Resilience of Social Housing
Sunit is a specialist practitioner with over 20 years of expertise in complex systems design, climate and disaster resilience, and human‑centric spatial planning. His work encompasses systems thinking, cross‑functional coordination, project leadership, and field implementation across both Indian and international contexts. Combining technical rigor with a humanistic outlook, Suneet excels in integrating sustainability into spatial and infrastructural interventions. As a seasoned researcher and designer, he is adept at navigating the interplay between environmental risk, community needs, and systemic innovation—making him a core asset for multidisciplinary, impact‑driven initiatives.