Upasana Saha

Provided strategic inputs to strengthen Lodha Foundation's women's empowerment initiative and was leading the core programs to increase women's workforce participation and income generation in peri-urban and urban areas. Worked closely with foundation leaders,advisors and team members to deepen and scale the program impact.

• Forged alignment between business and CSR goals through cross-functional collaboration with Lodha Industrial & Logistics Park.
• Designed and integrated the MIS for program data tracking and decision-making, resulting in streamlined operations.
• Led organization-wide transitions, assuming program leadership and mentoring cross-regional teams on data-driven management.

Managed a $600,000 grant portfolio as Shadhika's principal representative in India, spearheading the development of a robust programmatic and partnership due diligence strategy to support over 500 at-risk young women across the country. Provided technical leadership to enhance the institutional capacities of 15+ grassroots and women-led organizations focused on gender justice, education, and SRHR. Promoted from Program Officer to Director of Programs within two years, assuming responsibility for India team management, operations, and the delivery of high-quality, collaborative programs.

Led 'Project Raise,' a Nilekani Foundation-supported initiative that reached over 5,000 youth across 10 states, providing technical leadership to design and adapt a gender-transformative program within schools and communities

• Managed and provided technical support to seven grassroots organizations in Bihar and Jharkhand, enhancing local governance systems and increasing women's political participation.
• Managed a network of grassroots women-led NGOs, providing technical support to strengthen local programs focused on advancing menstrual health and hygiene, early forced marriage prevention, and increasing political visibility at Gram Panchayat, resulting in the empowerment of over 500 women and girls in UP, Bihar and Jharkhand.

• Led the planning and successful execution of ICRW's year-long flagship pilot program in two districts of Jharkhand, targeting gender equality and violence prevention among 11 to 14-year-old boys and girls enrolled in low income government schools.
• Instrumental in promoting knowledge transfer at the state level and advocating for the expansion of the program across multiple districts of Jharkhand through effective engagement with the Government.

• Managed and supported the implementation of projects in alignment with established plans, standards, and criteria across all Raleigh country offices.
• Organized workshops and training sessions aimed at developing essential life skills in young people, such as communication, leadership, and problemsolving.