Rupa Ram
Lead PAI
Rupa Ram is a development professional with over 18 years of experience in rural development, livelihoods promotion, program management, stakeholder engagement, and policy implementation. As Lead, Policy Advocacy Initiative at VAAGDHARA, he works closely with policymakers, government departments, development partners, civil society organizations, community institutions, and other key stakeholders to advance policies and programs that respond to the needs and aspirations of tribal and rural communities. His work focuses on strengthening community-led institutions, facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue, generating evidence from grassroots experiences, and translating community voices into actionable policy recommendations. He also contributes to the development of advocacy strategies, knowledge products, resource materials, and capacity-building initiatives that support inclusive and sustainable development. Rupa Ram brings extensive experience in designing and scaling livelihood interventions, building strategic partnerships, and strengthening public systems through collaboration and convergence. His professional journey includes leadership roles with The Nudge Institute, Transforming Rural India Foundation (TRIF), Digital Green, IDE-India, and PRADAN. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture & Technology and an MBA in Organic Farming, combining technical expertise with a deep commitment to community-driven development.
Nagendra Singh Khangarot
Lead Policy Advocacy
Serving as the Lead-Policy Advocacy in the organization, he plays a crucial role in providing support related to governance processes, policy formulation, institutional strengthening, and engaging civil society in Tribal Areas. With a rich background, he has previously worked with organizations such as BARC-Astha, GVT, AMS, and the RACP Project. His expertise spans state and state agricultural budgets, State Government agricultural schemes, State Government Tribal Budget, Farmer Producer Organizations, Panchayati Raj Institutions, and more. Proficient in data analysis, research, and editorial articles, he has established good liaisons with top bureaucrats and politicians. Holding a master's degree in agriculture with a specialization in Agriculture Economics from SKN University of Agriculture, Jobner, Jaipur, his educational background complements his expertise in policy advocacy within the agricultural domain.
Rajesh Hiran
Lead Networking
Rajesh Hiran is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of diverse experience across healthcare, pharmaceuticals, non-governmental organizations, and administration. He currently serves as Lead - Networking at Vaagdhara, where he plays a pivotal role in strengthening stakeholder engagement and program execution. His previous positions include State Head – Rajasthan at Fluxlite NIMS Pvt. Ltd. and Senior Program Facilitator at Vaagdhara. Rajesh has consistently demonstrated expertise in sales strategy, team training, and government liaison and has directly contributed to impactful projects with SIHFW, UNICEF and Vision Spring, focusing on child protection, public health and community outreach, reflecting a deep commitment to social development. With a solid academic background in pharmacy and life sciences, he integrates scientific knowledge with operational excellence. Known for his leadership, strategic thinking, and public speaking skills, Rajesh has been recognized by government bodies and NGOs alike for his advocacy efforts. He received a Certificate of Appreciation from the District Collector and the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation, Jaipur, for his efforts in tobacco control. Additionally, he was honoured with a Certificate of Excellence in recognition of his outstanding advocacy by Vaagdhara. He continues to drive sustainable change through innovation, dedication, and collaborative partnerships.
Shalu Soni
Lead Policy Engagement (Indigenous Issues)
Shalu is a development professional with over 5 years of experience in program management, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and leadership. She has strong expertise in problem diagnosis and solution design, enabling her to design and implement effective, context-driven interventions.
At VAAGDHARA, Shalu works under the Policy Advocacy Initiative, where she actively collaborates with policymakers, government officials, political leaders, civil society organizations, networks, and other key stakeholders. Her work focuses on strengthening community institutions, facilitating participatory processes, and translating grassroots realities into actionable advocacy strategies. She also contributes to the development of resource materials, knowledge products, and policy briefs to support evidence-based decision-making.
Shalu brings extensive experience in research, and program implementation, with a strong ability to bridge community voices and policy platforms. She holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Management, which enhances her capacity to navigate complex social, political, and institutional contexts with sensitivity and effectiveness.
Neha Gogoi
Facilitator-Policy Engagement and Outreach
Neha Gogoi has been supporting the unit with a focus on translating community experiences into informed policy dialogue. Her work spans across climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable livelihoods, energy sovereignty, and governance in tribal regions. With an academic background in Political Science and International Relations, she contributes to policy research, stakeholder coordinations and outreach aimed at strengthening community aspirations and advancing inclusive, sustainable development.