sjsm

Advisory Board

Advisory Board Member

Upmanyu Patil

SJSM is pleased to welcome Upmanyu Patil as a member of its Advisory Board. With over three decades of experience in rural development, climate action, and social enterprise, he brings deep expertise in designing and scaling community-led initiatives.

A trained civil engineer with a management background, Upmanyu has held leadership roles at Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP), where he contributed to strategic planning, operations, partnerships, and large-scale development programs across water, sanitation, energy, and rural livelihoods.

He is the Founder Director of Sakhi Unique Resource Enterprise and a pioneer in promoting clean energy solutions, including the co-creation of the Oorja cookstove and a rural distribution model engaging over 2,200 village-level entrepreneurs, reaching more than 200,000 households. His work on climate-resilient solutions and nature-based practices has impacted over 3,000 villages and 500,000 families.

His guidance will strengthen SJSM’s efforts in sustainable livelihoods, climate resilience, and community-driven development.

Advisory Board Member

Yugandhar Mandavkar

Yugandhar Mandavkar is a distinguished expert in watershed management, climate change adaptation, and rural livelihoods, with over four decades of experience in community-based natural resource management. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, he has contributed to the design and implementation of several pioneering national and international development programmes supported by institutions such as NABARD, the World Bank, and GIZ.
He has extensive experience in strengthening civil society organisations, promoting farmer producer institutions, and advancing climate-resilient agriculture and water governance systems. Known for his strategic insight and hands-on approach, he has supported numerous organizations in building scalable, community-driven development models.
His association brings valuable guidance and depth to SJSM’s efforts towards sustainable and inclusive rural development.