Our Team

Leadership and senior team

Prof (Dr) Rakesh Kumar Sharma
– CEO & Director (Academics & Innovation)

Professor (Dr) Rakesh Kumar Sharma is an academic and disaster management expert with a background in pharmaceutical sciences. He has held leadership roles at leading institutions and contributed to CBRN defence guidelines. He is listed among the world’s top 2% of scientists and has launched new medicines. An Honorary Professor and Adjunct Professor, Dr Sharma mentors young scientists. He has an extensive publication record, numerous patents and international collaborations in academia and disaster preparedness.

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Mr Rakesh Jha
– Founder & Executive Director

Rakesh Jha has wide experience across sales, online and offline marketing, business development, operations, administration and journalism. Besides his role at the Center for Disaster Preparedness, Recovery & Research (CDPRR), he manages Playzone Media Management Pvt Ltd and ResQore Technologies Pvt Ltd. For four years he was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sharp N India, a Noida-based company that makes and distributes gifts, accessories, stationery and garments. Before that, he spent more than 17 years in print and web media, working with national newspapers including The Times of India, Hindustan Times, Deccan Chronicle and The Statesman.

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Mr Biswajit Sahoo
– Director of Communication, Training and Capacity Building

Biswajit Sahoo is a management and communications professional with expertise in project, content and knowledge management. He specialises in digital communications, media handling and new initiatives, and is experienced in content creation, planning and execution. His strengths include stakeholder relations, client engagement, tailored capacity building and corporate communications, along with relationship building, people management, creative visualisation and conflict resolution. He has planned projects across diverse sectors, with a focus on project development, knowledge and strategy management, social development and digital media consultancy. His work covers content services from news to electronic and print media, as well as public relations.

Mr Mukesh Kumar
– Chief Marketing Officer

Mukesh Kumar has more than 20 years of corporate experience across banking, NBFC and fintech. Early in his career, he managed portfolios for Standard Chartered Bank, American Express and Home Credit in the banking and NBFC sectors. He later led business development, sales and marketing strategy for fintech companies including PayNearby, Vidcom and RNFI, mainly in North and East India. Alongside his sales experience, he has a broad understanding of both offline and online business, and enjoys learning and taking on new challenges. Mukesh holds an MBA in Business Management, a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Delhi University and a postgraduate degree in Political Science.

Ms Shreya Pathak
– Director, Strategic Partnerships and Public Policy

Shreya Pathak has experience in corporate communication and policy design, with a focus on partnerships and event management. She has worked with the National Book Trust, India, under the Ministry of Education, where she managed strategic collaborations and sponsorships for major book fairs. She is skilled in policy research, content development and project coordination, and takes a practical approach to communication and social media engagement. She is keen to advance education and cultural initiatives through effective communication.

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Mr Himanshu Tripathi
– CTO

Himanshu Tripathi has more than 15 years of experience in the IT industry, including web and mobile applications, and heads IT operations at the Center for Disaster Preparedness, Recovery & Research (CDPRR). He plans, organises and delivers the Centre’s technical initiatives, oversees production releases and rollouts, assigns tasks to staff and presents on project progress and outcomes. He holds a Master’s degree in Computer Application from Manipal University and began his career as a web developer, working with numerous multinational corporations. His interest in technology and entrepreneurial drive led him to set up his own venture early in his career.

Ms Saniya Sheikh
– Project Co-ordinator

Saniya Sheikh is a Finance and Marketing graduate with skills in financial budgeting and event management. At university, she organised several TED Talks, drawing on her leadership, organisational and coordination abilities. She communicates ideas clearly and works well with diverse teams. Her background in finance and marketing helps her bring a strategic view to projects, while her event management experience supports the smooth delivery of large-scale work.

Parth Singh Deol
– Project Co-ordinator

Parth Singh Deol is a biotechnology graduate with strong communication and project management skills and experience of organising and leading international conferences and summits. He builds useful collaborations and is skilled in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement, which helps projects run smoothly. He works well in multidisciplinary, fast-paced environments and is committed to building strong global networks.