About Us
Our Story
Established in 2016, CSIP aims to enable strategic and robust philanthropy by addressing critical gaps in knowledge, networks and capabilities within India’s social impact ecosystem. Through our pillars of knowledge creation, capacity building, and convening, we strive to cultivate a stronger civil society for a vibrant and equitable India.
Pioneering Initiatives
CSIP has launched several first-of-its-kind initiatives, including the Talent Study, an ecosystem mapping report, the seeding of India Development Review, India’s first independent media platform for the development sector, and the creation of India’s first Case Centre for social sector pedagogy. Key longitudinal projects include How India Gives, the first pan-India study of everyday giving.
Go Forward Strategy
Team with Advisory Council
Jinny Uppal
Jinny has over 20 years of experience in driving transformational growth by leading technology and business strategies in several North American Fortune 500 telecom and retail companies. She has worked with various causes throughout her career, including artisan empowerment, human rights protection and women’s advocacy.
She is a graduate of the University of Mumbai, Florida International University, and Harvard Business School. Her multiple award-winning book, “IN/ACTION: Rethinking the Path to Results”, was published by New Degree Press in 2021. Jinny is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Jinny Uppal
Director and Head CSIP
Jinny has over 20 years of experience in driving transformational...
Krishanu Chakraborty
Krishanu Chakraborty is the Head of Research at the Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy at Ashoka University. As the Head of Research at CSIP, Krishanu leads large and complex research projects, including primary and secondary research for thematic focus areas which have a measurable impact on the sector at large.
Krishanu holds an MBA from the Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB) and is currently a part-time PhD student at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, in the School of Public Policy. He also has an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Engineering. As a non-residential Early Career Research Fellow at the National Data Innovation Centre at NCAER, Krishanu has over 12 years of experience in evidence-driven policymaking. He has successfully led large-scale research programs, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) projects, and policy and strategy formulation for philanthropic organizations, private companies, and government entities. Additionally, he has advised on projects funded by bilateral and multilateral agencies. In his most recent role at IDinsight, Krishanu provided technical support and led a global interdisciplinary team in developing cost-effective approaches to gathering fast, accurate, and affordable data for responsive policies and programs.
Krishanu Chakraborty
Deputy Director and Head of Research
Krishanu Chakraborty is the Head of Research at the Centre...
Rekha Rathore
Rekha is the Senior Manager at CSIP, where she leads initiatives in capacity building, research, and convenings for the social sector. She has worked across diverse sectors including education, livelihood and women’s empowerment, and public policy.
An alumna of Teach For India (2016 Delhi Fellow), she has also served as an Assistant School Leader at the Akanksha Foundation. At SEWA Bharat, she led project strategy and managed operations across three states.
In addition, Rekha has advised several mission-driven organisations on communication and strategy. She holds a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University.
Rekha Rathore
Senior Programme Manager
Rekha is the Senior Manager at CSIP, where she leads...
Kajal Chaudhari
Kajal Chaudhari is the Deputy Manager who manages Finance and Operations at CSIP, and also leads student engagement initiatives. Kajal has previously worked with the All India Council for Professional Training and Research and has completed her Chartered Accountancy internship. She has a strong foundation in finance and accounting that enables her to effectively contribute to her role.
She holds a postgraduate degree in Commerce and a Diploma in Financial Management from Mumbai University.
Kajal Chaudhari
Deputy Manager
Kajal Chaudhari is the Deputy Manager who manages Finance and...
Gayathri Lobo
Gayatri Nair Lobo is the Chief Executive Officer of Educate Girls, a nonprofit organisation that mobilises rural and remote communities in India to advance girls’ education. A senior leader in India’s development sector with nearly 25 years of experience, she brings deep expertise across strategy, operations, and grassroots impact. Currently, Gayatri leads the organisation’s new strategy – a bold, decade-long mission to help 10 million learners unlock their right to education, agency, and opportunity.
Gayatri has led diverse organisations at the intersection of education, sustainability, and community empowerment. As CEO of the A.T.E. Chandra Foundation, she focused on sustainable development through water body rejuvenation, regenerative agriculture, and nonprofit capacity building. At the India School Leadership Institute, she strengthened school leadership across low-income
communities, investing in principals as change agents. Earlier, as Chief Operating Officer at Teach For India, she was instrumental in building delivery systems and scaling operations during the organisation’s formative years. She has also held leadership roles at top-tier consulting firms, including Dalberg Advisors, where she led multi-sectoral projects for nonprofits, multilaterals and foundations.
Gayathri Lobo
Chief Executive Officer,
Educate Girls
Gayatri Nair Lobo is the Chief Executive Officer of Educate...
Naghma Mulla
Naghma Mulla serves as the CEO and Director of EdelGive Foundation, where she has dedicated over a decade to fostering collaborative philanthropy. Her mission is to democratise access to grants by bringing together government, business, philanthropic, and grassroots leaders to co-design ambitious projects. Her work emphasises creating solutions that integrate high accountability with measurable impact, particularly for smaller organisations striving for sustainability and serving the most marginalised and socially excluded communities in India. A chartered accountant by education, Naghma has leveraged her financial expertise to forge valuable partnerships with diverse stakeholders, both international and Indian.
Under Naghma’s leadership, EdelGive Foundation has transformed from a grant-making entity into a philanthropic asset management platform. Her commitment to collaborative philanthropy and innovative partnerships has driven this evolution, positioning EdelGive as a leader in the sector.
Naghma Mulla’s work exemplifies a blend of strategic vision, collaborative spirit, and unwavering dedication to social justice and empowerment. Her contributions continue to create meaningful and lasting change in the philanthropic landscape of India.
Naghma Mulla
CEO,
EdelGive Foundation
Naghma Mulla serves as the CEO and Director of EdelGive...
Arnav Kapur
Arnav leads and oversees Gates Foundation’s Policy, Communications, and Partnerships team in India to advance the country’s health and development goals. He leads these efforts by anchoring foundation’s engagement with central and state government, media and creative agencies, and philanthropists. He also oversees the philanthropic partnerships portfolio across Asia and Middle East.
Previously, he was the Global Lead for the Philanthropic Partnerships portfolio focusing across India, Asia, Middle East, and Africa. In this role, Arnav built several high impact partnerships to advance health and poverty alleviation goals in the Global South. He also led and developed the foundation’s Asia strategy and built partnerships with government, philanthropy, and media partners across Asia.
Prior to that he worked with the Foundation’s India Policy & Poverty Alleviation team and worked on foundation’s agriculture and health policy portfolio, including leading a large a primary healthcare transformation program in Rajasthan.
Prior to joining the foundation in July 2013, he worked as a Consultant with Deloitte Consulting, where he advised senior clients across sectors on strategy, financial planning, and supply chain management.
Arnav holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and is a computer science engineer by training.
Arnav Kapur
Deputy Director,
Policy, Communications, and Partnerships,
Gates Foundation
Arnav leads and oversees Gates Foundation’s Policy, Communications, and Partnerships...
Praveen Khangta
Head, Strategy, Investment, and Portfolio Development,
The Convergence Foundation
Eshwara Venkatesam
Venkat Eshwara is the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Development, Placements and Alumni Relations). He has been associated with the Ashoka University project since 2013. While his principal role is fundraising globally for Ashoka, he has essayed multiple roles at the university. Venkat built a 20-year career in start-ups and early stage organisations in financial services – in investment banking, equities, financial research and communication, and data analytics – before transitioning to Ashoka.
Eshwara Venkatesam
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Development, Placements, Alumni Relations and Strategic Communications), Ashoka University
Venkat Eshwara is the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Development, Placements and Alumni Relations). He...
