Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Accomplishments
Timeline
Languages
Awards
Languages
ProjectManager
Asha Rajendran

Asha Rajendran

Kollam

Summary

Experienced development sector professional with 16 years in rural livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and youth employability. Managed multi-location programs, built partnerships with government and private stakeholders, and strengthened rural enterprise ecosystems. Specialized in NRLM/SRLM structures and executing youth skilling initiatives for sustainable livelihood outcomes.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate

Work History

Project Manager

IMAGO Global Grassroots India Pvt. Ltd.
Madhya Pradesh
08.2024 - Current
  • Currently managing 10+ women-led agro-processing centres across multiple locations, generating ₹2+ crore annual revenue.
  • Led planning, implementation, and monitoring of SHG-led agro-processing and livelihood value chain initiatives, enhancing community livelihoods.
  • Managed operations of community processing centres, overseeing production planning, coordinating supply chain, tracking sales, and monitoring financial performance.
  • Design and deliver capacity-building programmes for SHGs, centre teams, and rural entrepreneurs.
  • Strengthened partnerships with State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM), local government bodies, and market stakeholders, fostering collaborative community engagement.
  • Led programme documentation and impact reporting, developing operational guidelines that ensured effective programme execution.

Project Head – Swavalamban Connect Kendra (SIDBI Project)

Access Livelihoods Consultancy India Ltd.
Madhya Pradesh
10.2023 - 07.2024
  • Led end-to-end implementation of SIDBI-supported livelihood resource centres focused on enterprise development and financial inclusion.
  • Managed a 50-member multi-location team, ensuring achievement of programme milestones.
  • Coordinated with financial institutions, government departments, and ecosystem partners to strengthen collaboration and optimize resource sharing.
  • Oversaw MIS, reporting, and monitoring systems, ensuring performance reviews were accurate and informed decision-making.
  • Supported entrepreneurs through business development services and financial linkages, fostering enterprise incubation and growth.

Business Consultant / Small Business Support Manager / Feasibility Analyst

Karuna–Shechen India
Bihar
07.2022 - 09.2023
  • Implemented enterprise development and skill training programmes for rural youth and women, fostering sustainable economic growth.
  • Boosted small business revenue by providing targeted support and resources.
  • Secured credit linkages and provided comprehensive business planning support.
  • Led feasibility studies to establish vocational training and employability centres, enhancing local workforce skills.
  • Delivered cash crop training programmes, including mushroom and strawberry cultivation, to enhance farmer income diversification.

Program Coordinator – HDFC Bank Parivartan Programme

Krishi Gram Vikas Kendra (KGVK)
Jharkhand
04.2021 - 03.2022
  • Coordinated 50+ training programmes on agriculture and high-value crops, enhancing participant knowledge and skills for improved farming practices.
  • Strengthened youth employability and increased farmer capacity through targeted capacity-building initiatives, contributing to sustainable livelihoods.
  • Managed agriculture and livelihood development projects to meet donor objectives and enhance community resilience.
  • Collaborated with NGOs under HDFC Parivartan to implement programmes that support community development and resource access.

Block Anchor Person – SVEP (NRLM)

JSLPS / Kudumbashree NRO
Jharkhand
10.2017 - 03.2021
  • Led implementation of Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) at block level, enhancing local entrepreneurship initiatives.
  • Strengthened rural enterprise ecosystems through targeted mentoring and training, fostering sustainable business growth.
  • Collaborated with NRLM institutions, SHGs, and government stakeholders to align program objectives and enhance community engagement.

Mentor – Micro Enterprise Development

MSRLM / Kudumbashree NRO
Maharashtra
12.2014 - 09.2017
  • Facilitated entrepreneurship development programmes that fostered new business ventures and stimulated local economic growth.
  • Supported entrepreneurs in business planning, training, and market linkage, enhancing business viability.
  • Built and mentored network of 47 micro enterprise consultants to strengthen their capacity in supporting local businesses.

Micro Enterprise Consultant

Kudumbashree Mission
Kerala
01.2010 - 10.2014
  • Conducted feasibility studies and facilitated market linkages, increasing access to resources for local businesses.
  • Enhanced economic empowerment for women through targeted enterprise development initiatives that increased participation in local economies.
  • Advocated for women-led micro enterprises and self-help groups, boosting local economic resilience and community engagement.

Education

MA - Rural Development

IGNOU University
New Delhi

Diploma in Entrepreneurship & Business Management (DEBM) -

Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII)
Ahmedabad

Bachelor of Commerce - Co-operation

Kerala University
Thiruvanathapuram

Skills

  • Project Management
  • Programme leadership
  • Budget management
  • Monitoring and evaluation
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Partnership development
  • Team leadership
  • Community Development
  • Youth entrepreneurship
  • Diversity Initiatives

Certification

  • Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) Trainer Training – NIESBUD
  • TEAM (Training for Entrepreneurship & Administration Management) – Kudumbashree

Accomplishments

  • Supported establishment of 5000+ micro enterprises under NRLM ecosystem programmes.
  • Strengthened 67+ Micro Enterprise Consultants across Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
  • Established 4 vocational training centres in Bihar and Jharkhand.
  • Led establishment of 25 Swavalamban Connect Kendras (SIDBI project).
  • Set up 7+ agro-processing value chain centres, generating strong revenue outcomes.
  • Facilitated creation of 250+ small businesses through enterprise support programmes.

Timeline

Project Manager

IMAGO Global Grassroots India Pvt. Ltd.
08.2024 - Current

Project Head – Swavalamban Connect Kendra (SIDBI Project)

Access Livelihoods Consultancy India Ltd.
10.2023 - 07.2024

Business Consultant / Small Business Support Manager / Feasibility Analyst

Karuna–Shechen India
07.2022 - 09.2023

Program Coordinator – HDFC Bank Parivartan Programme

Krishi Gram Vikas Kendra (KGVK)
04.2021 - 03.2022

Block Anchor Person – SVEP (NRLM)

JSLPS / Kudumbashree NRO
10.2017 - 03.2021

Mentor – Micro Enterprise Development

MSRLM / Kudumbashree NRO
12.2014 - 09.2017

Micro Enterprise Consultant

Kudumbashree Mission
01.2010 - 10.2014

MA - Rural Development

IGNOU University

Diploma in Entrepreneurship & Business Management (DEBM) -

Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII)

Bachelor of Commerce - Co-operation

Kerala University

Languages

  • Hindi
  • Malayalam
  • Tamil
  • Marathi
  • English, Working Proficiency
  • Hindi, Working Proficiency
  • Malayalam, Native
  • Tamil, Basic Understanding
  • Marathi, Basic Understanding

Awards

  • Runner-up – Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Leadership Award (2019)
  • Business Plan Competition – IGNOU (2022)

Languages

  • Hindi
  • Malayalam
  • Tamil
  • Marathi
  • English, Working Proficiency
  • Hindi, Working Proficiency
  • Malayalam, Native
  • Tamil, Basic Understanding
  • Marathi, Basic Understanding
Asha Rajendran