Meet Our Team
We're a cross-cultural team, passionate about creating opportunities for rural communities, prioritizing lifelong learning, and ecological balance toward positive change.
Abodh
Co-founder and Trustee
“Madad, mehnat aur mannat (help and hard work, good wishes) are never wasted. If people achieve their dreams through my work, my dream would be achieved.” Abodh began working at his father's blacksmith workshop in Bihar at a young age. At 10, he started his own street juice stall and with his first earning bought a Sanskrit grammar book for Rs. 7.5! He further went on to self-fund his high school and college! Ha has a Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership Development from Azim Premji University, Bengaluru and his drive toward personal development and community impact has led him to lead all our community activities and bring key on-ground insights to our strategic decisions.
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Alex
Program Lead -Youth programs
Alex is a development professional with over 6 years of experience managing diverse portfolios encompassing business development, operations, stakeholder engagement, and community development. Alex's unique strength lies in his experience spanning the social sector spectrum, including grassroots NGOs, CSR, Social Enterprise, and most recently with NITI Aayog through a government consulting project. When he's not working, Alex can be found biking, indulging in nature, or simply enjoying a laid back weekend. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Tamil, Alex wishes to learn Bhojpuri and other local dialects during his tenure with Project Potential.
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Amanpreet
Chief People Officer
Amanpreet Kaur is the Chief People Officer at Project Potential, where she focuses on building supportive systems, strengthening team culture, and nurturing the growth of youth and staff. She brings a calm, people-first approach to her work and is known for creating thoughtful spaces where individuals feel heard, valued, and able to show up fully. At PP, she hopes to build a culture where everyone feels supported, stretched, and celebrated—basically a place where people thrive, not just work. Amanpreet also enjoys using creative tools—stories, reflective exercises, and game-based activities—to make learning and people development more engaging and meaningful.
Anuradha
Associate Program Manager - SoP
Anuradha is originally from Bihar and was brought up in Delhi. She is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Education from IGNOU. She has a deep passion for education and women's empowerment, which has been the driving force behind her career choices. In past she was a Teach For India (TFI) fellow in cohort 2022-2024. Prior to this, she worked with the Alohomora Education Foundation. With over five years of experience in the social sector, she is dedicated to making a significant impact in the society. She finds joy in explorations, meaningful conversations, and connecting with new people; always seeking to foster holistic learning and development.
Arzoo
Program Manager - Youth Programs
Arzoo Identifies herself as a young Feminist Leader. She has done her graduation in Urdu Honours from Lady Braboune College in Kolkata. She has volunteered for World Vision India and Play for Peace USA. Since 2016 her journey in Play for Peace has grown from a volunteer to a South Asia regional Coordinator. Arzoo has worked with leading organizations in various professional capacities. Throughout her career, She has worked at esteemed organizations like Nguvu Collective, Change.org, Play for Peace, SwaTaleem Foundation, Wipro Foundation, and Project Potential. She wants to build safe, inclusive, and equal learning spaces for young people in India where they can grow to become informed, responsible citizen-leaders.
Dharmendar
Site Associate - eArth Nirmaan
With a degree in Political Science, Dharmendar faced challenges in finding office jobs due to family preferences and lack of local opportunities. Undeterred, he embraced being an artisan and taking up jobs in the village, leading to joining in the making of eArthshala. Formerly an artisan at our construction site, Dharmendar is currently expanding his skill set by learning the intricacies of storekeeping, purchasing, and other site-related operations.
Eureka
Co-founder (eArthshala)
Eureka found us (pun intended) on her self-designed learning journey in 2016. As an architect, inspired by eArthshala's vision she joined in envisioning, developing, and managing it. Her role has evolved into multiple aspects of our operations as she enjoys bringing in systems thinking and design thinking approaches to our processes. She has been a Jagriti Yatri, an UnSchool Fellow, and has shared our journey at Tedx. She believes that solutions lie in interdisciplinary zones and that architecture cannot work in isolation. She has been a local in Assam, Goa, and Kolkata and today lived for Bihar’s sattu paratha.
Kriti
Associate Director: Finance and Compliance
Kriti Gupta is a qualified Chartered Accountant turned development sector professional. She started her professional journey as a tax consultant and transitioned into the development sector through SBI Youth for India Fellowship. In 2019, she co-founded Tales & Treasures—an initiative that sought to bridge the gap between rural regions of the nation and the wider market through an innovative online and offline marketing platform. Kriti's professional background also includes tenure with KPMG, where she contributed her skills and insights in the sphere of Government & Public Advisory services.
Kush
Associate Program Manager - MIS & ME
Kush Chaturvedi is the go-to person at Project Potential when it comes to all things data and operations. With a strong foundation in grassroots engagement and systems management, he brings precision and heart to his role, ensuring that numbers tell meaningful stories and operations run smoothly across geographies. He aspires to build data systems that not only track impact but also empower communities to shape their own development narratives. At PP, Kush is driven by the dream of making data more human—accessible, actionable, and deeply rooted in local realities. Outside of spreadsheets and dashboards, Kush is a self-proclaimed chai enthusiast and an early riser who loves morning walks in quiet villages. He believes that every data point, like every person, has a story worth listening to.
Lily
Youth Associate - RIYL
Born and brought up in Dohar village of Bahadurganj block, Lily Naaz completed her Bachelor’s degree in History. Earlier, she worked with Jan Sahas Foundation, where she gained valuable learning and experience. Currently, Lily Naaz is working as a Youth Associate at Project Potential. She believes that stepping out of one’s comfort zone is essential for personal growth. Filled with energy and enthusiasm, she is eager to contribute and make a positive impact.
Narayan
Master Trainer & Foreman - eArth Nirmaan
Starting as a mason from Saharsa, Bihar Narayan ji has 3 decades of work experience behind him. In 2008 when the River Kosi submerged his village he was inducted into the rehabilitation efforts by Hunnarshala Foundation - paving the way for his expertise in sustainable building techniques. His portfolio of work includes Muzaffarnagar (post-riot) rehabilitation at METI school, in Bangladesh. With his conscious routine and mannerisms, knowledge of plant-based cures, and sage-like life advice - he is in many ways our north star!
Navin
Admin Associate - Thakurganj
Navin Kumar Poddar, born in Bihar's Kishanganj district, has always loved learning and exploring. His parents prioritized the need for education and hard work, motivating him to strive forward. With support from loved ones, he graduated with an Economics Honours degree from Maulana Mazharul Haque Arabic and Persian University Patna. He has worked at the Civil Court Kishanganj and the Registry Office. As an Admin Associate (SoP) at PP, he aims to contribute to the company's growth with his skills and experience. He hopes to not only improve personally but also contribute significantly to the team’s success by implementing fresh ideas and strategies.
Premchand
Program Manager - Health Access
“If you work with positive mindset you will never be failure” Premchand is a core member of Project Potential, responsible for the on-ground implementation of the Health Access program in Thakurganj, including stakeholder coordination and local administration. With over 12 years of experience, he has previously worked as a Senior Coordinator at Haqdarshak and began his career with Agragami India as a Field Investigator. He holds a Master’s degree in Rural Development Management from Magadh University, Bodhgaya
Rashid
Accountant
Rashid is from Bhagalpur, Bihar and as been associated with Project Potential since he was 17 years old. eginning as a Village Visionary and later evolving into a Swayam Seekhi, he actively engaged in Jagriti Yatra and dedicated his time to volunteer work with Shikshantar in Udaipur and Ahimsagram in Jaipur. With four years of experience as an accountant for a Hero spares distributor, Rashid has rejoined us, eager to contribute his skills and distinctive interests to the growth of eArthshala and in turn his own growth.
Raj Kishore
Operational Manager: Admin, HR and Finance
Raj Kishore is from Supaul, where his tight-knit family lives. His career began as a math and computer teacher at Pratham's CLC program from 2010-2013. He honed his skills as a trainer in their CAMaL method. and continued to nurture it with Project Potential thereafter. With a degree in Computer Application and DPCTT, he secured a data entry job in Pune but longed for family life and social action. He has played a critical role in addressing our many evolving operational needs. He's our "Prince" of hospitality and enjoys cricket, music, and movies.
Rohit Kumar Ganesh
Youth Associate - RIYL
Born and brought up at a village in Thakurganj block, Rohit completed his bachelor’s degree in Geography from Kishanganj. His experience of working in Tribal Integrated Development and Education Trust (TIDE) - a subsidiary of the Adarsh Gramin Yojna gave Rohit a much needed and a life altering experience of experiencing the challenges being faced by communities in the grassroots, leading to his desire to work in the social sector. Rohit believes in the power of stepping outside one’s comfort zone to achieve growth as a person. Filled with heaps of energy and liveliness, Rohit is supremely looking forward to being and working with us.
Rohit Ranjan
Program Lead - Partnership & Fundraising.
Rohit is a bihari who has grown up in West Bengal. His sisters shaped his guiding philosophy that education is meant to be more than just a livelihood earning tool and that it should benefit others in one's vicinity as well. He has 7+ years of experience in fundraising, daily operations, financial reconciliations and knowledge dissemination programs for a diverse portfolio of projects ranging from passive solar architecture to desert greening and solar energy/energy efficiency to ecosystem restoration initiatives. At PP, he identifies upskilling opportunities (including green skilling), finds relevant project partners, and builds an evidence-backed list of donors working in rural Bihar—while also supporting day-to-day operations. In his free time he likes to read, write and ride his bicycle. Besides playing board games and dancing (without much skills), he loves teaching maths and science and enjoys living in rural areas surrounded by nature.
Rupam
Associate Program Manager - SoP
Rupam born and raised in West Champaran, Bihar, has 10 years of experience working with organizations such as J-PAL, Sigma, Smile Foundation, IDInsight, Care India. Her career focuses on community mobilization, program implementation, and project management, where she has demonstrated her skills in leading impactful initiatives. She is driven by a strong desire to make a meaningful contribution to society, dedicating her efforts to bring about positive change within communities. On the personal front, she enjoys a fulfilling family life, happily married and devoted to raising her wonderful son.
Sanjay
Tea Plantation Supervisor
Sanjay started farming at 13 on his family farm in the same village as eArthshala. He moved to Delhi at 17 and worked in factories for six months. He returned home in 1996 to learn about tea plantations and learned the ropes of managing a 60-acre plantation. Fast forward two decades, he met us as part of the land he managed was set to be eArthshala. Sanjay is our living one-stop resource for local tea plantation history. He also plays a key role in our community-based activities. When not busy caring for our farm, he enjoys interacting with people and always has stories to share.
Sanyukta Shekhawat
Communication Officer
Sanyukta is a creative mind under-construction! She has worked as an HR, Auditor, Digital Marketer, and a Video editor, and yet has a multitude of aspirations to explore. Her passion to 'give back to the society' has made her a part of Project Potential. Luckily we provide a safe space for her to conquer her explorations. She believes her role in the society can be much larger and impactful, and aspires to show the world the power of societal transformation through her lens.
Saquib
eArthshala Facilities Manager
Saquib, who holds an engineering diploma, had to leave his hometown in Bihar in search of job opportunities and landed a job at L&T in Delhi, but his passion for socially contextual construction work brought him back to Bihar when he learned of the opportunity to join our team. As a site engineer, he oversees our construction project at eArhtshala’ ensuring we meet targets, adhere to quality standards, and stay within budget.
Shubhangi
Associate Program Manager - Youth Programs
Shubhangi, feel she is an ordinary girl on a journey of self-development and nation-building. As a Gandhi fellow, she delved into grassroots organizations in Bihar, enjoying the process of learning and unlearning. With a Bachelors in Mathematics and Masters in Development Studies, Shubhangi puts academic theories to the test on-ground, contextualizing them to Bihar's unique needs. Her belief that actions speak louder than words drives her passion for effecting real change. She finds joy in traveling and crowdsurfing, forming connections and creating families in every state she visits.
Tanuj
Program Manager - Skilling Initiatives
Born in Firozabad (City of Bangles), Tanuj has found a home in different corners of the country through his work with some of India’s leading educational and development organizations like Piramal Foundation (Katihar, Bihar), Azim Premji Foundation (Gopeshwar, Uttarakhand), the Delhi Education Department (NCR), and Mantra4Change (Patna, Bihar). What sets Tanuj apart isn’t just his experience, but the energy he brings into every space. He doesn’t set out to motivate, yet he inspires. His sincerity runs deep, and so does his joy. Catch him in a meeting, and you might find him deep in thought one moment and laughing wholeheartedly the next — and chances are, you’ll be laughing with him. Tanuj is the kind of person who quietly nurtures people and possibilities. He builds trust, holds space, and leaves behind lasting connections. Work with him once, and you’ll know what we mean.
Tarun
Admin Coordinator
Tarun, passion for exploration, and motorcycle travel, began with basic education in his village, complemented by learning driving, electrical work, plumbing, and tailoring. His journey reflects a commitment to continuous learning, often seizing opportunities to teach others. After completing B.Com, Tarun managed a computer center. He served as a driver for Bihar police before transitioning to a data operator role at CSP in 2016. He has been with Project Potential's EKM program and as a field supervisor during the COVID pandemic, promoting vaccine awareness. In 2023, Tarun joined Bandhan Bank for a year and started back with Project Potential as an Admin Associate in 2024. Throughout his journey, Tarun's has been inspired by his parents' emphasis on education and hard work, guiding his continuous growth and contribution to society.
Tonmoy
Comms Manager
Tonmoy joined us as an AIF Clinton Fellow, and coordinated our public health projects on TB along with Covid 19 relief, awareness and vaccination initiatives. An Assamese at heart and an avid dreamer, Tonmoy was raised in a small oil refinery township in Assam, named Numaligarh Refinery Township. A strong believer in equitable/sustainable policy making, Tonmoy is currently on his quest to find his definition of impact. His ultimate dream in life is to use his knowledge and experience to work towards the upliftment of his home state - Assam. In his free time, Tonmoy enjoys watching cinema (especially documentaries), reading up on human psychology, and going for runs.
Uday
Fundrasing Associate
Uday works as an Associate – Accounts cum Compliance at Project Potential, where his calm presence, curiosity, and eye for detail help in keeping the systems organised and accountable. A graduate of the Rural India Youth Leadership (RIYL) programme, Uday blends grassroots understanding with a growing interest in finance, compliance, ethical leadership, and fundraising. He lives with the quiet urge to write everything he observes, turning moments into meaning. A natural storyteller, Uday believes every person and place holds a story waiting to be heard. Whether it’s through blogs, short films, or reflections, he’s always capturing the world around him. Beyond his spreadsheets and reports, he’s worn many hats; shopkeeper, tutor, sales guy, and now, a changemaker exploring his inner potential one story at a time.
Zubin
Founder
Zubin began his journey in Bihar in 2012 as a Pratham volunteer during a gap semester, where he met Abodh. He holds a BA in Pol. Sc. and SA Studies, an MS from UPenn and an MPP from Yale (on a full scholarship). He has been an Acumen Fellow, N/Core Incubatee, and Penn Social Impact House fellow, and has been invited to speak at various public events, including TEDx and Jagriti Yatra, and Babson India Symposium. Born and brought up in New York, Zubin has spent nearly a decade of his early adult life in rural Bihar. He is dedicated to creating intellectual learning communities that are committed to the principles of self-determination, social justice, and environmental sustainability. He makes sure to run each day, and can always pull out a basketball analogy for any life situation!
Meet Our Interns and Fellows
Exploring, inspiring, and driving positive change—they embody our values of lifelong learning, embracing opportunities, and on-ground action.
Bablu
Youth Facilitator - RIYL
Bablu Kumar Pandit brings a deep-rooted sense of responsibility and a burgeoning confidence to his work. Having stepped up as the eldest in his family in Besarbati, Thakurganj, early on, he understands the practical challenges and immense potential within rural communities. His journey, especially his volunteer work during the COVID-19 pandemic and his role in facilitating Ayushman Bharat cards, has cultivated his exceptional ability to connect with people and foster trust. Beyond his community engagement, Bablu also possesses a keen eye for detail and a knack for data entry, ensuring smooth operations behind the scenes. Bablu is driven by a powerful aspiration: to ignite the spark of leadership within other young people in rural India. He envisions a future where youth are empowered to chase their dreams, understand their rights, and actively contribute to the positive transformation of their communities. His goal is to nurture a generation of informed and confident leaders who can champion change from within. Off the clock, Bablu has a surprising talent for quickly building rapport with anyone he meets – a skill that often lightens the mood and makes complex conversations feel approachable.
Deepika
Job Sathi
Deepika Som hails from Thakurganj, where she also completed her graduation. Currently, she balances her responsibilities as both a working professional and a dedicated housewife. She is also a proud mother to a young son. She is deeply empathetic and driven by a strong sense of social responsibility. She dreams of creating a safe and nurturing space for the destitute, especially those who have no one to care for them. Her vision is to offer them shelter, dignity, and support, becoming a source of hope in their lives. Through her actions and commitment, Deepika wishes to bring meaningful change and become a pillar of strength for those in need.
Digeshwari
Youth Facilitator - RIYL
Digeshwari Sahu, a young woman from Raipur (Chhattisgarh), comes from a modest background. She completed her education up to 12th grade but could not continue further due to financial challenges. Instead of giving up, she used her tailoring skills to start working from home and became self-reliant. During this time, she learned about the “Sajhe Sapne” organization, which inspired her to move forward. Although she was afraid of going to Bihar, she chose to give her dreams a chance. She applied to Project Potential and has been associated with it since August 2025. Currently, she works as a Youth Facilitator in the Rural India Youth Leadership (RIYL) program, inspiring other girls.
Imtiyaz
Youth Facilitator - RIYL
MD Imtiyaz Alam is a grounded and compassionate youth mobilizer from Dallegaon Panchayat in Thakurganj block, whose work with Project Potential Trust reflects both his commitment to community service and his natural ability to connect with people. He began his journey in 2021 as part of the organization’s COVID-19 response efforts, where he worked for 13 months mobilizing people for vaccination and conducting community surveys; a role that highlighted his calm leadership and sense of responsibility during crisis. Following that, Imtiyaz joined the Rural India Youth Leadership program. As a Youth Mobilizer, he formed and facilitated youth clubs, led community action projects, and proudly inaugurated a library in his own panchayat with the support of Project Potential, a project close to his heart. Imtiyaz aspires to continue building learning spaces and leadership opportunities for young people in rural areas. Something unique about Imtiyaz is his belief that real change begins with listening. Whether it’s a village elder or a curious teenager, he listens deeply — and often finds that the spark for change is hidden in those very conversations.
Mokim
Youth Facilitator - RIYL
Mokim is a Youth Facilitator at Project Potential, known for his calm thinking, grounded approach, and natural ability to connect with young people instantly. He leads every session with patience, curiosity, and sincerity, creating a space where participants feel safe, heard, and deeply engaged. He aspires to grow into a facilitator who empowers youth to identify their unique strengths, develop leadership skills, and drive positive change within their communities. A quirky strength of Mokim is his ability to remember small personal details about people, which helps him build strong rapport and enables young participants to open up and express themselves freely.
Santona
Youth Facilitator - RIYL
Santona is a dedicated Youth Facilitator with Project Potential, working closely with her community to drive positive change. Known for her resilient spirit, she takes on every challenge that comes her way with determination and turns it into a learning opportunity. Her aspiration is to approach life with a mindset of growth, embracing every obstacle as a chance to evolve. When she's alone, she sometimes finds joy in singing, it’s her little way of keeping herself company.
Thakur
Youth Facilitator - RIYL
Thakur Baaskey’s educational journey began in 2008 when he was admitted to a hostel. In the beginning, he faced several challenges adjusting to a new environment, new people, and unfamiliar food. He struggled to focus on his studies and would sometimes run away from the hostel. However, over time, he adapted and continued his education, spending 12 years in the hostel. After leaving the hostel, he enrolled in a government school and began preparing for his 10th grade, but dropped out midway. With encouragement and guidance from his parents, he resumed his studies, appeared for the exams, and successfully passed the 10th grade. He then enrolled in 11th grade but once again discontinued his studies. Later, motivated by his school principal, he restarted his education and, while taking care of children in the hostel, completed his 12th grade. After this, he moved to Bhagalpur for further studies but returned home after a few months and began supporting his family. Eventually, he got an opportunity to work with Project Potential, where he learned new skills and built his identity. Today, he leads four Youth Clubs and actively motivates young people to pursue education.
Uposi
Youth Facilitator - RIYL
Uposi Kumari is a youth facilitator from Janglabhitha village in Kishanganj district, Bihar. She holds a degree in History and has been actively working to empower rural girls through leadership and learning initiatives She began her journey in the social sector during the COVID-19 response program at Project Potential, and later joined the Rural India Youth Leadership program, first as a Youth Mobiliser and now as a Youth Facilitator. So far, she has helped four rural girls access different opportunities for personal growth. Having faced gender and financial challenges herself, Uposi is deeply committed to ensuring that rural girls are not held back by the same barriers. Her mission is to support them in becoming confident, independent, and active citizens.
Vikky
Youth Facilitator - RIYL
Vikky Kumar Gupta is a Youth Facilitator at Project Potential, known for his grounded thinking, empathetic nature, and strong commitment to community development. Coming from Bhatgaon Panchayat in Thakurganj, Bihar, he brings a deep understanding of rural challenges and connects easily with young people through sincerity and purpose. Through his journey with Project Potential, Vikky has strengthened his teamwork and leadership skills, while actively contributing to creating awareness and positive change at the grassroots level. He aspires to build a society where quality education reaches every village, people support one another, and communities grow with a shared sense of responsibility and unity. A personal strength of Vikky is his natural inclination to help others and his belief that small, consistent efforts can lead to meaningful and lasting change.
Words from Our Past-Teammates
Hear from our past teammates who played a crucial role in shaping PP's culture, values and successes thus far.
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To this very day, Project Potential Trust remains the best organization that I’ve worked for. I had the amazing opportunity to support PPT from 2017-2018 and together we held our first major celebration at eArthshalla. I learned far more from the PPT team than they might have learned from me. My small contribution was to begin thinking of the best organization practices (HR) for the growing PPT team; since then the PPT team has expanded significantly and grown their practices to fit their organization’s culture and style. Thankful for my time with Project Potential.
Esmeralda Herrera
AIF Fellow - HR Manager 2017-2018
