Santosh Phad
Founder & Managing Trustee
Santosh Phad - Born and raised in the small village of Mandwa, Parli Vaijenath, Dist. Beed, Maharashtra, our founder's early education took place in this very village. Subsequently, he pursued his Bachelor of Engineering in a semi-urban city and completed his post-graduation in the bustling metropolis of Mumbai.
His educational journey exposed him to the challenges faced by rural children in accessing quality education in rural areas. Deprived of resources such as libraries and modern learning tools during his formative years, he first gained access to a computer when he enrolled in computer engineering at Aditya College of Engineering, Beed. This gap in educational resources persisted through his Post-Graduation Diploma in Business Management (PGDM) at Rizvi Academy of Management, Mumbai.
Motivated by his firsthand experience of the Rural-Urban education divide, he envisioned and founded ThinkSharp Foundation in September 2011.
In his professional career, spanning over a decade in the finance industry, he has amassed valuable experience in retail, SME, and corporate lending. His tenure includes roles at esteemed organizations such as HDFC Bank, Reliance Capital, Magma Fincorp Ltd, Edelweiss Retail Finance, and TATA Capital. Recognized for his contributions, he has received prestigious awards in acknowledgment of his dedication and impact.
“He firmly believe in giving back to society”
Trustee
Shraddha was born and raised in the semi-urban town of Parli Vaijenath in Maharashtra, offering her a unique perspective on the disparities between rural and urban education. Professionally, she holds an M.B.B.S. degree and a Masters in Biomedical Technology from the United Kingdom (UK). Her diverse educational background and experiences contribute to her deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in bridging the educational gap between rural and urban areas.
Senior Program Manager
He did his Master in Environment Science and PGD in Waster, Sanitation & Hygiene from TISS. He has extensive grassroot and administrative experience in the education sector. Since 2018, he is working on various projects in education, skill development and environment.