The People
Behind the Purpose

A dedicated collective of changemakers, blending expertise and passion to drive lasting, sustainable impact

Leadership

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Ashis Chakraborty

Co-founder & Program Lead

With over 20 years of experience in rural development, Ashis Chakraborty leads Cognisphere’s climate action initiatives across multiple states, ensuring that projects empower communities and promote ecological balance. His expertise in sustainable livelihoods has been a driving force behind the success of Cognisphere’s rural programs.

A standout achievement in Ashis’s career has been the development of a scientifically rigorous Tasar silk rearing model for smallholder farmers, enhancing productivity and improving the socio-economic conditions of farming communities. His leadership continues to shape programs that are innovative, impactful, and sustainable.

As Program Lead, Ashis provides strategic direction and resource management, ensuring that Cognisphere’s climate actions are effective, community-driven, and aligned with long-term sustainability goals.

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Satyabrata Acharyya

Co-Founder & Director

With over 30 years of experience in rural development, Satyabrata Acharyya has dedicated his career to afforestation, landscape restoration, and sustainable livelihoods. He has played a pivotal role in revitalizing micro-enterprises in the Tasar sericulture sector and shaping national sericulture policies through his work with the Ministry of Textiles.

Satyabrata’s expertise lies in mobilizing carbon financing for afforestation projects, transforming degraded landscapes into productive ecosystems, and creating sustainable income opportunities for smallholder farmers. His efforts have directly connected global climate finance to local needs, fostering long-term economic empowerment in rural areas.

As Director, Satyabrata leads Cognisphere’s climate action initiatives, ensuring that global climate solutions are translated into meaningful, local impact and ecological restoration.

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Smita Mohanty

Co-Founder & Director

Bringing 30 years of expertise in organizational development, human resources, and finance, Smita Mohanty oversees OD & HR systems, at Cognisphere. Her leadership ensures that the company’s strategic objectives align with its internal growth and employee well-being.

Smita is committed to building a strong corporate culture, with a focus on gender inclusiveness and talent development. She leads initiatives to enhance career progression and strengthen the organizational structure, making Cognisphere a supportive and equitable workplace.

As a seasoned trainer and facilitator, Smita also plays a key role in leadership development. Her work helps Cognisphere foster a dynamic and inclusive environment that empowers its people to drive lasting impact.

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Subhajit Ghosh

State Lead, Jharkhand

With 13 years of experience in leading climate action initiatives, Subhajit Ghosh heads Cognisphere’s operations in Jharkhand and West Bengal, driving large-scale nature-based solutions (NBS) projects. His work focuses on promoting sustainable environmental practices while fostering community resilience and empowerment.

Subhajit has been instrumental in promoting women-led livelihoods and governance, particularly in establishing women-led Farmer Producer Organizations. His leadership has been crucial in creating equal opportunities for women in rural communities, ensuring long-term economic sustainability and social change.

As State Lead, Subhajit continues to mentor teams, manage resources, and implement projects that enhance climate resilience and create a lasting impact on the ground.

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Sumita Kasana

Co-Founder and Director

With over 20 years of experience as a grassroots practitioner, trainer, and researcher, Sumita Kasana leads Cognisphere’s Knowledge Management and Capacity Development efforts. She is responsible for developing learning management systems and ensuring that field-based knowledge is transformed into actionable insights.

Sumita’s expertise lies in promoting evidence-based approaches and creating frameworks for continuous learning and collaboration. Her leadership has played a vital role in capturing and sharing organizational knowledge, both internally and across the sector.

As Director, Sumita is committed to fostering knowledge-sharing cultures and driving initiatives that amplify the social impact of Cognisphere’s work, with a particular focus on gender, climate action, and women-led livelihoods.

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Sunil Kumar

Co-Founder & Managing Director

With over 16 years of experience in the development sector, Sunil Kumar has been instrumental in establishing Cognisphere’s presence in the climate space, focusing on nature-based solutions and their integration into the growing carbon markets.

Sunil has played a key role in building the company’s foundational systems and ensuring regulatory compliance. His focus on creating resilient operational processes has enabled Cognisphere to adapt to industry demands while maintaining high standards of performance and accountability.

As Managing Director, Sunil continues to drive Cognisphere’s mission forward, ensuring that the company’s initiatives are aligned with both environmental sustainability and the well-being of the communities it serves.