An expert on disaster management and capacity building, Anshu believes in technology-based interventions. This has given a unique edge to the initiatives undertaken by the organization, including the use of AI-based platforms for disaster management.

In 1994 he co-founded the non-profit agency SEEDS, which is a global leader in disaster management. SEEDS was awarded the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar, India’s highest award for disaster management, in 2021. In 2022, it also won the UN Sasakawa award, the highest global award for disaster management awarded by the UN.

His over three decades in the sector entails extensive work across 12 countries. He has worked as an advisor to the government, the NDMA, various UN agencies, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, International Red Cross, and other INGOs.

Manu has worked extensively on building resilient communities across the Asia-Pacific landscape. He has been at the forefront of advocating for and championing citizen-led initiatives. He brings ground realities to global perspectives and is actively involved in global conversations on humanitarian issues.

As co-founder of SEEDS, he has been conferred the United Nations Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction 2022 and Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Award 2021 by the Government of India.

He sits on the boards of several global and national organisations and is visiting faculty at global institutions. Manu holds degrees in Physical Planning and Urban Planning from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, and a doctorate in community-based disaster management from Kyoto University, Japan.

With a background in architecture and urban planning, Zoya leads the Disaster and Habitat portfolio, integrating design, policy, and on-ground insight to strengthen community resilience. Her work spans disaster preparedness, resilient housing, and inclusive urban systems.

Zoya has worked on district and city-level disaster management plans, post-disaster housing prototypes, and community engagement programmes. She believes that rebuilding after disasters is a chance to create safer, fairer futures for all.

She holds a Master’s in Urban Planning from CEPT University, and a Bachelor’s in Architecture.

Raghav works at the intersection of resilient habitat design, urban systems, and disaster risk reduction. His work combines architecture, research, and participatory planning to develop practical, context-responsive solutions that strengthen community resilience.

He has experience in architecture, urban design, master planning, and stakeholder engagement across projects in India and Nepal. Raghav believes that resilient places are shaped through collaborative design processes that respond to local context and the needs of communities.

He holds a Master's in Urban Design and a Bachelor's in Architecture from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi.

Apurva works on disaster and habitat initiatives with a focus on environmental planning, resilient urban development, and nature-based approaches to climate resilience. Her work integrates planning, architecture, and spatial analysis to support sustainable and context-responsive development.

She has experience in environmental planning, urban design, GIS-based analysis, and climate-responsive planning. Apurva believes that resilient places are built by working with natural systems and local contexts to create practical, inclusive, and sustainable solutions.

She holds a Master's in Environmental Planning from the School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, and a Bachelor’s in Architecture from DIT University, Dehradun, India.

Shreyasi leads the knowledge and innovation function, developing data systems, digital products, and responsible AI strategies that link technology with resilience. She works to make complex information accessible and actionable.

Her experience spans strategy design, impact measurement, and research across climate and humanitarian sectors. Shreyasi’s focus lies in enabling decision-making that is ethical, informed, and equitable.

She holds a Master’s in Urban Planning from IIT Kharagpur, and a Bachelor’s in Architecture.

Aniruddh works at the intersection of environmental planning, climate resilience, and disaster risk reduction, applying spatial analysis and research to support evidence-based planning. His interests include climate vulnerability assessment, resilient infrastructure, water security, and community-centred approaches to disaster resilience.

His work focuses on spatial analysis, climate risk assessment, and policy research, contributing to evidence-based planning for resilient and sustainable communities.

He holds an Integrated Bachelor of Planning and Master of Planning with a specialization in Environment Planning from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi.

Srishti manages the climate policy portfolio, focusing on research and environmental planning that inform city and state-level strategies. Her work explores the intersection of science, governance, and action in shaping climate policy.

She has experience in climate modelling, air quality management, and urban sustainability frameworks. Srishti believes policy is most effective when rooted in clear evidence and local experience.

She holds an Masters in Biodiversity and Conservation (Environmental Sciences) and a Bachelors in Life Sciences from the University of Delhi.

Anurag combines software engineering and artificial intelligence to develop intelligent digital solutions that are scalable, efficient, and user-focused. His interests span backend systems, full-stack development, and the application of AI to solve real-world challenges.

He has built applications using large language models, agentic AI frameworks, and modern backend technologies, with experience in retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), cloud-native development, and automation. He enjoys translating complex technical problems into practical and reliable solutions.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Technology from the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur.

Ishan oversees financial management, operations, and compliance across climate and disaster resilience initiatives. He plays a key role in ensuring that financial systems, procurement processes, and reporting mechanisms align with both organizational goals and donor requirements.

With a strong foundation in finance and administration, Ishan brings precision, transparency, and structure to complex projects, ensuring accountability and efficient resource utilization. His expertise spans budgeting, audits, vendor and contract management, taxation, and operational planning, enabling seamless coordination between field teams, partners, and management.

He holds a Masters of Business Administration in Finance.