Executive Board
Mr. Ravikiran M. Katkar
Mr. Ravikiran Manik Katkar is the visionary founder and President of MITRA Foundation. With over 13 years of extensive grassroots experience in rural development, he has spearheaded numerous initiatives focusing on sustainable agriculture, financial inclusion, and community empowerment. His profound technical expertise has been instrumental in designing climate-resilient farming models and establishing successful Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) across drought-prone regions. Under his dynamic leadership, MITRA Foundation has grown from a localized initiative into a highly credible institutional partner for major stakeholders like NABARD and various CSR bodies. He remains deeply committed to empowering marginalized communities through data-driven, sustainable interventions.
Mr. Karhale
Mr. Karhale serves as the Secretary of MITRA Foundation, bringing a wealth of experience in program management and community mobilization. With a deep-rooted understanding of the socio-economic challenges faced by rural communities, he oversees the seamless execution of all grassroots initiatives. His expertise lies in forging strong relationships with local stakeholders, organizing village-level awareness campaigns, and ensuring that interventions are tailored to the specific needs of the beneficiaries. He has played a pivotal role in the successful implementation of the Save Water Campaign and various Child Labour eradication drives, consistently ensuring that operations are transparent, inclusive, and highly impactful.
Mr. Ghumare
As the Treasurer of MITRA Foundation, Mr. Ghumare is responsible for the financial stewardship and administrative oversight of the organization. He ensures that all institutional funds, grants, and CSR contributions are managed with the highest degree of transparency and accountability. With a strong background in commerce and financial accounting, he has developed robust internal audit systems and compliance frameworks that meet the rigorous standards of institutional donors. Mr. Ghumare also takes a keen interest in the financial literacy components of the SHG and JLG programs, directly mentoring women entrepreneurs on financial planning and book-keeping.
Operations & Technical Leads
Ms. Sunita Deshmukh
Ms. Sunita Deshmukh leads the field operations team at MITRA Foundation, coordinating directly with village coordinators and community resource persons. She specializes in women’s empowerment and the formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Over the past decade, she has successfully mobilized thousands of rural women, guiding them through capacity-building workshops and financial inclusion drives. Her empathetic approach and deep community ties make her an invaluable asset in ensuring that MITRA's programs reach the most vulnerable households effectively.
Dr. Anil Kadam
Dr. Anil Kadam serves as the Chief Agronomist, driving the technical vision for MITRA Foundation's agricultural interventions. With a doctorate in Agronomy, he brings scientific rigor to the promotion of organic farming, soil health management, and climate-resilient crop varieties. He is directly responsible for training thousands of smallholder farmers and guiding the agricultural strategy for the newly formed Farmer Producer Organizations. His research-backed methodologies have consistently resulted in reduced input costs and higher yields for the farming community.
Mr. Santosh Pawar
Mr. Santosh Pawar is the driving force behind the Save Water Campaign and other environmental initiatives. A civil engineer by training, he applies his technical expertise to the design and construction of watershed management structures, check dams, and micro-irrigation systems. He works closely with Gram Panchayats and local communities to execute large-scale plantation drives and desilting projects, ensuring that Marathwada's vulnerable villages build long-term climate resilience and secure their water futures.