Profile of LEADS Board Members
The Board of LEADS comprises experienced professionals from education, social service, governance and community development who provide strategic guidance and leadership to strengthen the organization’s vision and mission.
Banwari Sahu
President/Chairperson
PG in Maths, Teacher in DAV. Teaching Science, Maths upto 10+2 in DAV, Ranchi. Expert of quality education.
Occupation: Teacher in DAV School, Ranchi
Thematic Expert: Mathematics, Science, Quality Education, etc.
Association with LEADS: 15 Years
Awadh Kishore Singh
Managing Trustee and Director
Shri Awadh Kishore Singh is a respected leader in social development, known for his lifelong commitment to community development. He is the Founder, Managing Trustee, and Director of LEADS, an organization he has led for the past 21 years, guiding its growth into a trusted institution working across education, child rights, livelihoods, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and several other development initiatives.
He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Development (PGDRD) from XISS, where he was honoured with the Best Award for Social Work in 1995. In 2023, he represented India at the G20 Summit on behalf of LEADS, reflecting and sharing India's development journey and growth during the G20 Summit.
With 30 years of experience in rural development, he brings deep expertise across a wide range of areas, including the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009, participatory strategic planning, organizational development, budget analysis, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Right to Information Act, government schemes and entitlements, child development, project planning, the Logical Framework Approach (LFA), Theory of Change, Results Matrix, livelihood planning, and many other development domains.
He has held several key positions of national importance, including serving as a member of the National Steering Group of the RTE Forum. He has also served as the State Convener of the Jharkhand Right to Education Forum, working closely to promote quality primary education across Jharkhand. He currently serves as the Convener of the Jharkhand SDG Alliance.
In 2017, he received the prestigious International Education Excellence Award in recognition of his outstanding work in strengthening government school systems and advancing education reform in Jharkhand. Under his leadership, LEADS has earned both national and international recognition for its significant contributions to education, livelihoods, environmental sustainability, and social accountability.
Driven by a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to transforming ideas into action, he has successfully led LEADS in developing innovative and community-driven development models that have been replicated across multiple project areas, creating sustainable and lasting impact for the people of Jharkhand.
Association with LEADS: 21 Years
Mahendra Kumar
Treasurer
PGDRD. State level resource person on Child Rights, RTE Act 2009, School Development Plan, SMC etc. Working with LEADS since inception.
Occupation: Social Service
Thematic Expert: Livelihood, Child Rights, Micro Plan, Govt. Schemes, etc.
Association with LEADS: 21 Years
Tara Kumari
Member
PG in Political Science. Employee of Jharkhand Academic Council and well conversed with state education system, providing input to LEADS on education.
Occupation: Assosiated with Jharkhand Acadmic Council, GoJ.
Thematic Expert: Child issue, Quality Education in Govt. Schools etc.
Association with LEADS: 15 Years
Nauri Nag
Member
PG in Mundari. Social worker engaged with tribal community and their empowerment.
Occupation: Social Service
Thematic Expert: Social Service
Association with LEADS: 21 Years
