Our Governance

The Board of Directors

• Mr. Pavan Bakeri Chairman
  

  Mr. Pavan Bakeriis the Managing Director of Bakeri Group, one of Gujarat’s oldest and most respected real estate companies. An MIT postgraduate engineer, he has led landmark projects delivering millions of square feet of residential and commercial spaces. Beyond real estate, he is a serial entrepreneur and investor in renewable energy, technology, and social ventures. Actively involved in community and cultural initiatives, he also serves as President of the Alliance Française, Ahmedabad, and supports nonprofits through SVP India.

• Rajesh Shah Managing Director
  

  An architect by training, Rajesh Shah has over 50 years of experience in the social sector. He is the founder and managing director of SAVEPvt. Ltd., technical service organisation focused on combating climate change through afforestation and promotion of renewable energy products. He is also the founder of VIKAS Centre for Development a not profit organisation engaged in rural development since 1978.

• Dr. Dineshawasthi (VC of LJ University & Former Director, EDI – INDIA)
  

  Dr. DineshAwasthi is an Economist with extensive experience in Entrepreneurship education, research and training.Worked extensively on policy issues related to SMEs with several multilateral agencies like ILO, UNIDO, UNDP, as a Consultant on several international assignments. At present, Dr. Awasthi is the Director of Entrepreneurship Institute of India (EDII), Gujarat, India. Dr. Awasthi is a Member of various Apex Committees and Core Groups of Ministries of MSME, Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation, Department of Science & Technology, etc. Dr. Awasthi has penned four books, over 55 research papers and 14 research reports. His areas of interest are: policy research, cluster development, sub-sector analysis, micro-finance and rural banking, rural entrepreneurship and NGOs.

• Prof. Sukhpal singh (Prof. Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad)
  

  Prof. Sukhpal Singh is a Professor at IIM Ahmedabad and former Chairperson of its Centre for Management in Agriculture. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from ISEC, Bangalore, and has been a visiting fellow at IDS Sussex, Chulalongkorn University, and the University of Manchester. Earlier, he taught at IRMA for over a decade and co-founded the NGO PROGRESS in Rajasthan. His work spans agricultural markets, rural development, and social enterprises, and he serves on several academic and professional bodies.

• Mrs. Daksha Shah (Consultant, Friends of Women’s World Banking)
  

  Mrs. Daksha Shah is an IIM-A graduate with specialization in Finance and Marketing. She began her career managing her family’s textile unit in Ahmedabad, later consulting for and running a chemical manufacturing company as Managing Director. After nearly two decades in business, she transitioned to the social sector as Credit Head at Friends of Women’s World Banking, India, where she spent over 11 years supporting and building the capacity of more than 80 microfinance institutions across India. She continues to serve on the boards of MFIs and as a trustee of several social and humanitarian organizations.

Former chairpersons

• Mr. S. M. Palia
  

  Mr. Palia is a Development Banker by profession. He served IDBi bank during 1964-1989 in different positions including that of an executive director. He provided his services as an advisor to Industrial Bank of Yemen, Saana (North Yemen) and Industrial Bank of Sudan, Khartoum (Sudan) under World Bank assistance programme. He was also the managing director of Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation Ltd. set up to provide consultancy service to micro enterprises and small and medium enterprise. He is a director on the boards of leading companies including Tata Steel, Tata Motors, and a trustee of various institutions Viz. Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi, Guwahati, Bombay Community Public Trust and Godrej memorial Trust.