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 Strategic Partner, Mentors & Advisers
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
As Udbaru Foundation begins rolling out its operations, it has partnered with Irish Taylor & Co. to build a strong technology and systems backbone. Headquartered in New Delhi, with presence in Australia and the UK, Irish Taylor brings deep expertise in digital transformation, data systems, and cyber security. The firm is supporting Udbaru Foundation in setting up scalable, tech-enabled frameworks for project operations, sector specific tech interventions, monitoring, knowledge management, and stakeholder engagement.
Jeremy Taylor, the firm’s Director, is a seasoned consultant known for helping mission-driven organizations build credible, outcome-focused systems. This partnership ensures that Udbaru Foundation, even in its early stages, is equipped with the tools and insights needed to grow into a high-impact institution.
Mentors
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Prof. (Dr.) Pankaj Kumar – Professor, OB at IIM Lucknow. Organizational behaviour and leadership expert.
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Mr. Amar Jha – Managing Partner, SkillO Pvt Ltd.; Ex-CEO Jharkhand Skill Development Mission, Ex-CEO Spectrum Energy Pvt Ltd.; Energy and Skill development Specialist.
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Ms. (Dr.) Shyama Nagrajan – MD, SahaMantran Pvt. Ltd. Ex-World Bank; ED at E&Y India. Public Health specialist.
Advisers
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Mr. Pravir Krishna, IAS (Retd.) – Tribal development expert, former Managing Director (MD) of Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED), Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt of India.
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Mr. Sanjeev Nair, IAS (Retd.) – Technocrat; led large-scale digital and institutional systems.
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Mr. Anand Singh Bhal, IES (Retd.) – Macro-Economist, MSME and enterprise policy expert.
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Mr. Gopa Kumar Thampi – International expert on governance, social accountability & capacity building.
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Mr. Kunal Prasad – AgriTech entrepreneur, co-founder of CropIn and Bambrew.
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Ms. Madhumita Sarkar – Gender and inclusion specialist; UN expert
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Mr. Biswajit Sen – SHG, microfinance, and livelihoods expert; ex-World Bank; Chairperson of the Board, PRADAN.
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Dr. Sudha Chandrasekhar – Public health expert; ex-NHA, World Bank
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Mr. Ratnesh Jha – Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network India.
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Mr. Rajib Ghosal – former Global head, Climate, Portfolio & Quality, Save the Children International, Singapore. Climate change & disaster management specialist.
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Prof. (Dr.) Indrajit Roy – Professor of Global Development Politics, University of York, Heslington, England. Decentralisation & governance specialist.
Collaborations/ MOUs with:
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Irish Taylor & CO
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Magic Billion
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Voluntary Action Network India (VANI) – institutional membership
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 & President
A development economist and anthropologist with over three decades of experience working across India and South Asia, with a strong focus on communities facing social, economic, and political exclusion. Her professional journey has been shaped by long-term engagement with tribal populations, women, and other marginalised groups, and by a commitment to development approaches that foreground rights, dignity, and equity.
She has worked with leading multilateral and international organisations, including UNDP–World Bank programmes, the Population Council, and the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), contributing to initiatives spanning public health, social inclusion, gender equity, and governance reforms. Her work combines rigorous research, field-based practice, and policy engagement, enabling her to bridge evidence with action in complex development contexts.
At the heart of her leadership lies a deep belief in community agency and inclusive institutions. Sharmila brings nuanced insight into the social dimensions of development, particularly gender relations, tribal identity, and power structures, and applies this understanding to design and guide programmes that are both contextually grounded and systemically relevant. As Co-Founder and President of Udbaru Foundation, she anchors the organisation’s values, ethical compass, and people-centred approach, ensuring that its work remains responsive to community voices while engaging constructively with governments, donors, and other stakeholders.
K. Amarendra N. Singh
Co-Founder & CEO
An anthropologist and development practitioner whose professional journey spans more than three decades of working at the intersection of policy, institutions, and community realities. His work has consistently focused on improving the lives of marginalised and tribal communities through integrated approaches to public health, disaster recovery, livelihoods, and social development.
Over the years, he has held leadership and advisory roles with the World Bank, national and international non-governmental organisations, and leading management consulting firms, most recently serving as Director at Palladium India. Across these engagements, he has led large, multi-stakeholder programmes and supported governments, donors, and civil society organisations in designing and delivering solutions at scale.
At the core of his work lies a strong belief that lasting development must be rooted in community agency. Dr. Singh brings together rigorous analytical thinking, field-based experience, and a pragmatic understanding of public systems to advance models that align government priorities, technological innovation, and local leadership. As Co-Founder and CEO of Udbaru Foundation, he provides strategic direction to the organisation, guiding its vision to work with communities not merely as beneficiaries, but as partners and leaders of change.
*Kumar Amarendra Narayan Singh
K. Amarendra N. Singh
Co-Founder & CEO