RDIF is a people-driven organization – right from the people who started it with a vision, to the people who work with us to bring change at the grassroots, to the people who support our work, and most importantly the people who we serve on the ground through our work. Committed, responsible people who are passionate to make a difference to the world around them are the backbone of RDIF.
OUR FOUNDERS
Mr. Sekhar Pattanayak
Mr. Sekhar Pattanayak, founder of RDIF, is a visionary leader with a B.Tech, LLB, and advanced studies from IIT Delhi and Sussex University, committed to sustainable rural development and human security
Mrs Kabita Pattanayak
Kabita Pattanayak, co-founder of RDIF, plays a pivotal role in advancing holistic rural development. She champions women’s empowerment, education, and health, fostering resilient, self-reliant communities through compassionate leadership.
Education Advisory Board
The Education Advisory Board guides RDIF in designing transformative educational programs that foster digital literacy, vocational training, and leadership skills among rural youth. The board ensures access to quality education, focusing on building future-ready citizens who are empowered to lead change, break generational poverty, and uplift their communities through knowledge, awareness, and social responsibility.
Education Advisory Board Members
Hope Anderson
Partner in Data, Privacy and cybersecurity
Hope Anderson
Partner in Data, Privacy and cybersecurity
Hope Anderson
Partner in Data, Privacy and cybersecurity
Health & Well-being Advisory Board
This board advises on strategies to integrate healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation within RDIF’s development model. Recognizing the vital link between health and learning, the board focuses on preventive care, child wellness, maternal health, and access to essential services. Their insights help ensure that health challenges do not disrupt education or livelihood, enabling sustainable community development. within rural communities.
Advisory Board Members
Hope Anderson
Partner in Data, Privacy and cybersecurity
Hope Anderson
Partner in Data, Privacy and cybersecurity
Hope Anderson
Partner in Data, Privacy and cybersecurity
Livelihood Advisory Board
The Livelihood Advisory Board provides strategic direction for economic empowerment through skill development, entrepreneurship, and market linkages. By promoting digital tools, smart agriculture, and local enterprise models, the board works to bridge the rural-urban divide. Its goal is to create sustainable income pathways that reduce dependency and foster long-term financial independence within rural communities.
Advisory Board Members
Hope Anderson
Partner in Data, Privacy and cybersecurity
Hope Anderson
Partner in Data, Privacy and cybersecurity
Hope Anderson
Partner in Data, Privacy and cybersecurity
Women Empowerment Advisory Board
This board champions gender equity by guiding initiatives that build the capacities of rural women through education, health awareness, skill training, and entrepreneurship. Focused on empowering women as change agents, the board ensures that programs are inclusive, culturally sensitive, and impactful— strengthening families, improving child welfare, and driving community-wide transformation through female leadership.
Advisory Board Members
Hope Anderson
Partner in Data, Privacy and cybersecurity
Hope Anderson
Partner in Data, Privacy and cybersecurity
Hope Anderson
Partner in Data, Privacy and cybersecurity
Technology Advisory Board
The Technology Advisory Board ensures the seamless integration of digital innovation across RDIF programs. From e-learning to smart farming and digital entrepreneurship, the board offers expertise on leveraging emerging tech to solve rural challenges. It supports RDIF’s goal of creating future-ready villages equipped with tools that foster connectivity, efficiency, and scalable impact.
Advisory Board Members
Hope Anderson
Partner in Data, Privacy and cybersecurity
Hope Anderson
Partner in Data, Privacy and cybersecurity
Hope Anderson
Partner in Data, Privacy and cybersecurity