Chandrakant Pradhan

Accomplished, multi-disciplinary International Development Leader with over 20 years of experience directing large-scale project portfolios, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and environmental governance initiatives. Proven expert in upstream pipeline building, policy dialogue with federal and state government entities, and executing multi-million-dollar portfolios funded by multilateral/bilateral frameworks (including the EU and World Bank). Award-winning technical writer and strategist skilled at aligning corporate, sovereign, and non-sovereign stakeholders to maximize sustainable development and project readiness in South Asia.

Lead – Climate Resilience - CONFEDERATION OF INDIAN INDUSTRY (CII) FOUNDATION - Delhi, India

(2019-01)

Direct a rapidly growing portfolio of multi-stakeholder climate action and infrastructure initiatives, consistently raising ₹25 to ₹30 Crore ($3M–$3.6M USD) in corporate funding annually. Lead and mentor a team of 30 professionals. Successfully scaled the "Cleaner Air Better Life" initiative from a 20-village pilot in Punjab to a massive farm biomass management network covering over 1,000 villages across 15 districts in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh by 2026.

Act as the strategic focal point to align federal agendas, state governments, municipal bodies, and corporate donors for complex urban and rural programs, including large-scale wetland restoration in Chennai/Gurugram and integrated air quality initiatives in Ghaziabad/Faridabad.

• Portfolio Oversight & Resource Mobilization: Direct a rapidly growing portfolio of multi-stakeholder climate action and infrastructure initiatives, consistently raising ₹25 to ₹30 Crore ($3M–$3.6M USD) in corporate funding annually. Lead and mentor a team of 30 professionals.
• Upstream Scaling & Pipeline Excellence: Successfully scaled the "Cleaner Air Better Life" initiative from a 20-village pilot in Punjab to a massive farm biomass management network covering over 1,000 villages across 15 districts in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh by 2026.
• Inter-Agency & State Coordination: Act as the strategic focal point to align federal agendas, state governments, municipal bodies, and corporate donors for complex urban and rural programs, including large-scale wetland restoration in Chennai/Gurugram and integrated air quality initiatives in Ghaziabad/Faridabad.
• Global Recognition & Knowledge Work: Received the UNDP India UNSDG Action Award (2020) and the Global Development Network Innovative Programme Award (2021). Co-authored cutting-edge research on sustainable agricultural interventions, winning the prestigious Babbage International Policy Forum Industrial Innovation Policy Award 2026 (USA).
• Emergency Operations Coordination: Directed emergency portfolio rollouts, leading CII's rapid-response relief and infrastructure rehabilitation frameworks during the Punjab Floods (2025), Chennai Floods (2017), and pan-India pandemic response.

Project Manager - CONFEDERATION OF INDIAN INDUSTRY (CII) FOUNDATION - Delhi, India

(2017-07 - 2018-12)

Programme Officer – Rural Development - AGA KHAN FOUNDATION (AKF) - New Delhi, India

(2010-09 - 2017-07)

Co-managed a €32 Million environmental conservation program funded by the European Union (EU), coordinating multiple NGO networks to execute cross-sectoral agribusiness, water management, and climate change mitigation projects. Launched AKF India's breakthrough "Community Solar Project," developing strategic entry points for private village entrepreneurs to deploy solar microgrids, community irrigation, and clean energy systems. Anchored the Organic Cotton Promotion Initiative in Madhya Pradesh (2015–2017), designing value-chain linkages between seed suppliers, international organic certifying agencies, and corporate buyers.

Directed the Community-Based Savings Groups (CBSG) project from 2012–2016, scaling the microfinance model across Bihar to cover 40,000 households, and extended financial literacy programs to 25,000 households across Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.

• Multilateral Portfolio Administration: Co-managed a €32 Million environmental conservation program funded by the European Union (EU), coordinating multiple NGO networks to execute cross-sectoral agribusiness, water management, and climate change mitigation projects (awarded the JSW-Times of India Earth Care Award 2014).
• Sovereign & Non-Sovereign Alignment: Launched AKF India's breakthrough "Community Solar Project," developing strategic entry points for private village entrepreneurs to deploy solar microgrids, community irrigation, and clean energy systems.
• Upstream Strategy & Capacity Building: Anchored the Organic Cotton Promotion Initiative in Madhya Pradesh (2015–2017), designing value-chain linkages between seed suppliers, international organic certifying agencies, and corporate buyers.
• Large-Scale Financial Inclusion Operations: Directed the Community-Based Savings Groups (CBSG) project from 2012–2016, scaling the microfinance model across Bihar to cover 40,000 households, and extended financial literacy programs to 25,000 households across Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.

Researcher - CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENT FINANCE (CDF), IFMR - Chennai, India

(2008-07 - 2010-06)

Formed part of the core evaluation team conducting field research on the Vazhndhu Kattuvom Programme (a landmark World Bank-sponsored community development project) for the Government of Tamil Nadu; co-authored final advisory reports. Investigated clean technology adoption determinants across informal and small industry clusters in India, presenting policy briefs at workshops and national conferences.

• MDB Evaluation & Field Research: Formed part of the core evaluation team conducting field research on the Vazhndhu Kattuvom Programme (a landmark World Bank-sponsored community development project) for the Government of Tamil Nadu; co-authored final advisory reports.
• Clean Technology Studies: Investigated clean technology adoption determinants across informal and small industry clusters in India, presenting policy briefs at workshops and national conferences.

Intern, Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention - UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM (UNEP) - Geneva, Switzerland

(2007-05 - 2007-07)

Handled technical research assistance for the development of the global "DDT Information System" web platform; analyzed data to forge strategic public-private partnerships aimed at eliminating persistent organic pollutants.

• International Knowledge Systems: Handled technical research assistance for the development of the global "DDT Information System" web platform; analyzed data to forge strategic public-private partnerships aimed at eliminating persistent organic pollutants.

Executive (Projects) – Jharkhand and Bihar - PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT ACTION (PRADAN) - India

(2000-11 - 2006-06)

Managed block and district-level field implementation of natural resource portfolios funded by UNDP and Indian central agencies (Ministry of Rural Development, Central Silk Board), leading large capacity-building and training programs for rural collectives.

• Project Readiness & Client Execution: Managed block and district-level field implementation of natural resource portfolios funded by UNDP and Indian central agencies (Ministry of Rural Development, Central Silk Board), leading large capacity-building and training programs for rural collectives.

M.A. - International Development Policy - Duke University, Sanford School of Public Policy (2006 - 2008)

B.Sc. - Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (2000)