Aditi Pandey, currently heads Partnerships and communication at CDD India. She comes with an extensive experience of about 15 years in domains of environment and social issues. A trained social worker from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai , she has she has been influential in forging strategic partnerships across various stakeholders, including public, private, multilaterals and non-profit organisations. These partnerships have resulted in creating impact on ground. In the last six years her interest in the domain of water and climate change and its interconnectedness with gender and social equality has led her to design some of the most unique programs along with securing partners and resources. These are some of the most path breaking solutions in the space of water and wastewater. She is one of the very few trained Indians who has studied Nature Based Solutions from Oxford and currently all her work and solutions take the approach with support from CDD India, which is a pioneer of Nature Based Solutions and DEWATS in India. She holds two postgraduate degrees from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai specialising in Globalisation and Labour Studies and Mass Communication in Community Media. She believes strongly that inclusiveness is a non-negotiable in the space of water . Women, while being worst hit , also can be highly influential in ensuring the success of any intervention in the thematic. The inherent nature of women being primarily responsible for it at a household level, make it mandatory to ensure participation of women in all interventions to ensure success and sustainability of any intervention. Her belief greatly aligns with the vision of CDD India, and together they are working towards innovating solutions to face the challenges of water and sustainability of water.

Sandhya brings over 22 years of cross-sectoral experience in infrastructure development, with a strong focus on sanitation, urban planning, real estate, and financial services. A Civil Engineer and MBA (Finance), she has advised governments, municipalities, foundations, and multilateral agencies on project planning, implementation, and policy advocacy. As Senior Project Manager at CDD India, she leads large-scale programs in water security and rural waste management, while also contributing to capacity building and training initiatives. Sandhya has played a key role in developing and implementing non-sewered sanitation and FSM projects in Karnataka and beyond. Her expertise spans PPP frameworks, risk assessment, bid process management, and decentralized infrastructure financing. She actively represents CDD in national and international forums promoting nature-based solutions. Her diverse background and deep belief in sustainable systems inform her work in policy, strategy, and on-ground execution.

Andrews Jacob brings over 20 years of expertise in the water sector, specializing in planning and implementing nature-based solutions for wastewater management, faecal sludge management, waterbody rejuvenation, and integrated urban water and natural resource systems. With a strong focus on climate change resilience, he has led diverse projects across India and internationally. His core competencies span project design, business model development, stakeholder engagement, M&E, and capacity building. Andrews holds an M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences and multiple postgraduate diplomas in Remote Sensing & GIS and Water & Wastewater Treatment. He is also certified in Urban Infrastructure Planning (CEPT University) and Faecal Sludge Management (AIT Bangkok). Currently, he is driving initiatives in blue-green infrastructure to advance climate-adaptive urban and rural systems.

Krishna Swaroop Konidena is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in urban water management and environmental planning. His expertise spans across water resource management, wastewater treatment, and sustainable urban development. He has successfully led numerous projects focusing on integrated water resource management, water conservation, and capacity building initiatives. With a strong technical background and project management skills, he has contributed significantly to policy formulation and implementation in the water sector.

Rohini Pradeep is an Environmental Engineer with a specialization in the sanitation sector, bringing over 17 years of experience to the field. She holds a Master’s degree in Sanitation Science, Engineering, and Management; a Bachelor's in Environmental Engineering; and a Diploma in Industrial Safety. In addition, she has completed specialized programs in Environmental Planning and Management from CEPT University, Ahmedabad, and Faecal Sludge Management from AIT, Bangkok. Rohini has extensive hands-on experience in the design and implementation of decentralized, nature-based sanitation systems, spanning scales from individual households to clusters and city-wide applications. She currently represents South Asia on the SuSanA Global Steering Committee and is a member of the IWA Lakes and Water Reservoir Expert Committee. At CDD India, she leads Used Water Management and Research & Development, while also heading the NABL-accredited in-house laboratory. Her work involves overseeing the design, implementation, and operation & maintenance of numerous DEWATS™, waterbody rejuvenation initiatives, and faecal sludge treatment systems across India. Rohini actively contributes to capacity-building programs in various roles, and is also involved in business development and stakeholder management across projects.

Puneeth S is an Experienced Location Intelligence and GIS Specialist with over 6 years of industry experience. Skilled in AutoCAD, ESRI-ArcGIS Package, and Remote Sensing data processing. Holds a Master's in Geo-Informatics from VTU Extension Centre, Karnataka State Remote Sensing Application Centre, Bengaluru. Co-author of a book published in Springer Nature journal and author of numerous research papers on geospatial applications. Experienced in setting up and carryout Geo Spatial studies regarding Natural Resources Management and Urban Planning projects.

Has a background in Architecture and Environmental Planning. Has done her internship at Ladakh as a result of special interest in Earth-based Architecture. Majorly worked on designing modular earthen buildings. Later interned with LEA Associates Delhi during Masters in Planning at the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi. Worked on ADB-funded ESAMP (Environmnetal and Social Assessment and Management Plan) Projects in the State of Sikkim and other Namami Gange Projects in the Gangetic Belt.

I have around 18+ years of experience in secretarial, administrative & HR functions. Graduated in secretarial & office administration from Bangalore University. A keen learner, is always eager to learn new things on the professional and personal front and excel in the same. Joined CDD in July 2019 as a Sr. Executive Assistant (earlier assisted The Programs Director & currently assisting The CEO.
1. Assisting the CEO in all his day to day activities – calendar management, time management, travel, coordination, documentation, PPT’s & filing, etc.,
2. Arranging internal/ external meetings, preparing & mail MOM to the concerned teams/ departments.
3. Scheduling external meetings – travelling & boarding arrangements 4. Zoho Administration – Projects, Time management, Onboarding, Reports generation, etc.,
5. Online Meetings Administration – Zoom Accounts Management
6. Shared Drives – update drives project wise
7. Library In-charge – Maintaining all books categorically, update the same, record of issues/return of the books
8. Update CDD Organogram - as & when needed of Sikkim and other Namami Gange Projects in the Gangetic Belt.

Darshan is a dedicated IT professional with over a decade of experience in system administration and infrastructure management. He has been an integral part of CDD India since 2015, currently serving as a Senior Associate – IT. With certifications from Microsoft and Apple, Darshan has strong expertise in managing IT environments across both Windows and macOS platforms. His responsibilities include maintaining server infrastructure, ensuring system performance and availability, managing networks, and supporting both physical and virtual IT environments. Darshan is highly skilled in providing technical support for both hardware and software issues, managing IT equipment, and ensuring the security and reliability of all systems. He is also experienced in handling Apple devices and technologies, offering end-to-end support for macOS and iOS environments. Known for his problem-solving abilities and hands-on approach, Darshan ensures smooth IT operations and supports the organization's digital infrastructure with reliability and professionalism.

Over 20 years of proven success as a leader in Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and Technology across diverse industries and operational settings with a wide global reach, market presence, and community impact. My extensive experience includes finance transformation and change management, covering finance, accounting, internal controls, people management, governance, grants, contracts, and project management, from highly unstructured environments to advanced, technology-driven settings.

Rohini Pradeep is an Environmental Engineer with a specialization in the sanitation sector, bringing over 17 years of experience to the field. She holds a Master's degree in Sanitation Science, Engineering, and Management; a Bachelor's in Environmental Engineering; and a Diploma in Industrial Safety. In addition, she has completed specialized programs in Environmental Planning and Management from CEPT University, Ahmedabad, and Faecal Sludge Management from AIT, Bangkok.

Rohini has extensive hands-on experience in the design and implementation of decentralized, nature-based sanitation systems, spanning scales from individual households to clusters and city-wide applications. She currently represents South Asia on the SuSanA Global Steering Committee and is a member of the IWA Lakes and Water Reservoir Expert Committee.

At CDD India, she leads Used Water Management and Research & Development, while also heading the NABL-accredited in-house laboratory. Her work involves overseeing the design, implementation, and operation & maintenance of numerous DEWATS™, waterbody rejuvenation initiatives, and faecal sludge treatment systems across India.

Rohini actively contributes to capacity-building programs in various roles, and is also involved in business development and stakeholder management across projects.

Molly brings over 20 years of experience in the development sector, with a strong focus on office administration and personnel management. She holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration (Human Resources) and a Bachelor's in Business Management.

Since joining CDD India in 2010, Molly has played a vital role in streamlining administrative operations and supporting human resource functions across the organization. Her work spans recruitment, employee engagement, office systems, and operational efficiency—ensuring a supportive and organized environment that enables the team to thrive.

Molly believes deeply in the untapped potential of every individual, and she is passionate about building a workplace culture where people feel empowered, valued, and inspired. Her vision aligns with CDD India's mission to not only innovate sustainable water and sanitation solutions but also become a Great Place to Work.

Girija Ramakrishna is a development professional and research scholar, currently serving as Technical Expert (Reuse and Circularity) at CDD India, Bengaluru. She has over a decade of experience in resource recovery and reuse of used water, faecal and sewage sludge, municipal waste, and soil and water conservation.

Her work spans research, policy, and implementation in sustainable sanitation and agriculture within a circular economy framework. She previously worked with the Foundation for Ecological Security on sustainable agricultural practices.

Girija represents India on the Management Committee of the International Water Association's Resource-Oriented Sanitation Specialist Group. Her work was featured in CGTN America's Zero Hour during COP26.

She received the Bright Polestar and Innovative Polestar Team Awards from Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC) at COP27 and served as a Global Youth Ambassador for Climate Action.

Yogish Lakshminarayana works as a Technical Expert at CDD India since July 2017 in the Sanitation sector. His work includes construction monitoring and designing of wastewater and fecal sludge treatment plants, and capacity building at the community levels towards sanitation and waste management.

Prior to joining CDD India, he worked with Samrudh Architects & Interior Designers as a Project Engineer. His technical expertise contributes significantly to CDD India's mission of developing sustainable sanitation solutions.

Anushka Patodi is an architect and planner with a specialization in infrastructure, currently serving as Associate Program Manager at CDD India since June 2022.

Her professional experience includes:

• Architectural internship at Green Space Alliance, Pune
• Architectural internship at Noorani Architect, Ahmedabad

At CDD India, her responsibilities encompass:

• Urban sanitation planning
• Feasibility studies (water and sanitation, public health services)

Her background in architecture and infrastructure planning brings valuable perspective to CDD India's urban sanitation initiatives.

Aparna Unni is a water policy and governance professional currently serving as Associate Program Manager at CDD India. She brings extensive experience working across both rural and urban contexts in multiple states and diverse geographic terrains throughout India.

Her expertise spans various aspects of the water sector including:

• Water security in rural areas
• Water quality management
• WASH in flood-prone terrains
• Recurring water-related disasters
• Community-managed water resources
• Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM)

Aparna's comprehensive understanding of water challenges across different Indian contexts contributes significantly to CDD India's mission of developing sustainable water solutions.

Irfan Ulla Shariff currently serves as Associate Program Manager at CDD India. He rejoined CDD in December 2022, bringing valuable experience from his previous role in sanitation and waste management.

Prior to rejoining CDD India, Irfan held significant positions including:

• Senior Research Associate at Centre for Policy Research (CPR)
• State Co-Team Lead for Urban Rural Convergence in:
  • Faecal Sludge Management (FSM)
  • Plastic Waste Management (PWM)

These roles were part of the Scaling City Institutions for India (SCI-FI) initiative, focusing on the state of Odisha. His expertise in both FSM and PWM contributes significantly to CDD India's urban sanitation and waste management programs.

Kaivalya Kunkala currently serves as Associate Program Manager at CDD India, bringing architectural expertise to the organization's programs.

Professional Experience:

• Junior Architect at Dutta Kannan Architects (2018-2019)

Architectural Skills:

• Conceptualization and schematic drawings
• Good for construction drawings
• Critical detailing
• Service and vendor coordination
• Site execution and client coordination

Technical Proficiencies:

• AutoCAD
• SketchUp
• Revit
• Photoshop

Kaivalya's architectural background and technical skills contribute valuable perspective to CDD India's projects and programs.

Sourabh S Unnithan joined CDD India in February 2022 as an Associate Program Manager, bringing his expertise to the organization's critical environmental projects.

Current Responsibilities:

• Managing projects in wastewater treatment
• Overseeing faecal sludge management initiatives
• Leading waterbody rejuvenation programs

Sourabh plays a vital role in implementing sustainable solutions across these key environmental sectors, contributing to CDD India's mission of developing innovative water and sanitation solutions.

Prashantha Y.K. serves as Senior Associate, Finance and Procurement Officer at CDD India, bringing over 16 years of specialized experience in NGO financial management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Handling statutory compliance, accounting, and audit processes
• Managing billing and utilization certificates for CSR grants
• Overseeing procurement (purchases and services)
• Providing customer support and financial consultation

Technical Expertise:

• General Ledger management
• Accounts Receivable and Payable
• Invoicing and Collections

Professional Strengths:

• Effective communication with senior management
• Building productive relationships with consultants
• Comprehensive knowledge of NGO financial systems

Prashantha's extensive experience in financial operations and procurement contributes significantly to CDD India's organizational efficiency and compliance.

Praveen Raje Urs joined CDD India in July 2017 and currently serves as Senior Associate, Laboratory, where he oversees and maintains all laboratory activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing day-to-day laboratory operations
• Ensuring quality control and maintenance of lab equipment
• Coordinating laboratory testing and analysis
• Maintaining laboratory safety standards

Previous Experience:

• 4 years as Research Associate at Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment
• Gained valuable experience in ecological research methodologies

Praveen's extensive experience in both research and laboratory management contributes significantly to CDD India's scientific work and research initiatives.

Kannan R is an accomplished Senior Program Engineer with diverse experience across construction, power research, and government water projects.

Key Professional Milestones:

• Currently leading engineering programs at CDD India since 2021
• Provided technical consultancy to Karnataka's Rural Drinking Water & Sanitation Department
• 6 years of research experience at Central Power Research Institute
• Field experience as Site Engineer with Garuda Construction

Sectoral Expertise:

• Water and sanitation infrastructure development
• Research-oriented engineering solutions
• Government project implementation

Kannan's multifaceted engineering background brings valuable technical perspective to CDD India's programs and initiatives.

Shinde Sachin is a dynamic Management Associate with over a year of experience in water security and environmental projects at CDD India.

Core Functions:

• Leading water body rejuvenation initiatives
• Managing contracts and vendor relationships
• Driving community mobilization efforts
• Supporting marketing and outreach for new programs

Professional Background:

• Procurement and supply chain experience
• Sales and business development background
• Public awareness campaign management

Shinde brings a unique combination of technical project management skills and business acumen to CDD India's water conservation initiatives.

Shamala S is a seasoned engineering consultant with over 25 years in civil engineering and 22+ years specializing in wastewater treatment systems.

Current Role at CDD India:

• Lead - Quality Assurance, overseeing project deliverables
• 15+ years association with CDD in various capacities
• Previously served as Project Coordinator managing DEWATS/FSTP projects
• Contributed to 300+ DEWATS projects implementation
• Key role in establishing Devanahalli FSTP as demonstration project

Professional Highlights:

• Former Deputy General Manager at Banka BioLoo Pvt. Ltd.
  • Designed FSTPs using Geo-tube technology
  • Implemented STPs using SBR technology
• Freelance consultant for STP/FSTP design
• Wastewater Specialist with WASH Institute (SUWASI project)
  • Reviewed FSTP designs for Directorate of Municipal Administration
  • Coordinated Urban Local Bodies for SBM-U 2.0 sanitation works
  • Supported SLTC, SHPC, and TSC meetings

Shamala's extensive technical expertise and leadership have significantly contributed to advancing sustainable wastewater solutions across India.

Priya Sharma is a research leader with over 10 years of expertise in sustainable water and sanitation solutions, currently heading Research and Capacity Building at CDD India.

Key Contributions:

• Pioneering research on:
  • Natural coagulants for water treatment
  • Hybrid DEWATS systems
  • Advanced disinfection technologies
• Significant contributions to national programs:
  • MoHUA's Jal Hi Amrit initiative
  • STP performance benchmarking
  • COVID-19 wastewater surveillance

Academic Leadership:

• Published researcher in:
  • Microbial fuel cells
  • Sludge dewatering techniques
  • Pharmaceutical removal technologies
• Active participant in innovation platforms like INK@WASH
• Develops technical proposals and research articles

Priya's work bridges cutting-edge research with practical implementation, driving innovation in India's WASH sector.

She is a Research associate in the Research and Development section, specializing in decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS) and sustainable sanitation solutions. She earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, and brings over five years of academic and applied research experience focusing towards cost-effective, nature-based wastewater treatment technologies. She is also actively involved in pilot-scale studies, technology adaptation for peri-urban and rural settings. She has published in peer-reviewed journals, contributed to technical reports, and collaborates with academic institutions.

Kush brings over 10 years of experience in VFX, video editing, motion graphics, and storytelling magic. He's worked with brands like Wacom India and Sunovatech,his work has won awards for short films (Viewer's Choice at 24fps, Best Camera Angles at Jaipur Film Festival), and even taught VFX at UPES Dehradun.He's a pro with tools like Premiere Pro, After Effects, Maya, Blender, Houdini (yes, all of them!) and loves turning creative chaos into compelling visuals.