Our Team
Board of Governors:
The Board of Governors of People in Need Foundation (PNF) serves as the guiding force behind our organization's vision and mission. Comprising distinguished individuals from diverse backgrounds, our board brings together a wealth of experience in social development, public policy, finance, and community engagement.
Key responsibilities of our Board of Governors include:
• Providing strategic direction and oversight to PNF's operations
• Ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency in all our endeavors
• Advocating for our cause and expanding our network of supporters
• Evaluating the effectiveness of our programs and suggesting improvements
• Upholding the highest standards of governance and ethical conduct
Our board members volunteer their time and expertise, driven by a shared commitment to creating lasting positive change in the lives of India's most vulnerable communities. Their collective wisdom and dedication play a crucial role in shaping PNF's impact and ensuring the fulfillment of our long-term goals.
Through regular meetings and active engagement with our executive team, the Board of Governors ensures that People in Need Foundation remains true to its core values while adapting to the evolving needs of the communities we serve.
Prabhu Charan is the visionary founder and President of People in Need Foundation, an organization he established in 2005 to address critical social challenges across India. With over 26 years of dedicated experience, Mr. Charan has become a prominent figure in community development, public health, natural resource management, and gender equality initiatives.
Mr. Charan's journey in social development began long before founding People in Need Foundation. From 1994 to 2004, he served as the Executive Director for Mother Teresa Educational Society, where he focused on providing quality education to children in rural and slum areas while also spearheading initiatives to empower marginalized Dalit women. This decade-long experience laid the groundwork for his future endeavours and deepened his understanding of grassroots social issues.
Academically, Mr. Charan is well-equipped to tackle complex social challenges. He holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from Sri Krishnadevaraya University, a Master's Degree in Women's Studies from Alagappa University, and a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from Annamalai University. As a certified Master Trainer, he brings specialized expertise in community development, water and sanitation, gender equality, and HIV/AIDS prevention. This combination of academic knowledge and practical skills enables Mr. Charan to approach multifaceted social issues with both depth and breadth of understanding.
Mr. Charan's passion for social change is deeply personal. Growing up in a small town and a low-income family, he witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by communities with limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. This personal experience serves as the driving force behind his unwavering commitment to creating lasting change for people in need.
Contact: charanpeyyala@gmail.ocm
Prabhu Charan
Founder and President
People in Need Foundation
Boddu Sarojini is a highly experienced counseling professional with over 14 years of dedicated service in providing psychological and emotional support to children and adults affected by mental health challenges. She brings specialized expertise in addressing issues related to HIV/AIDS and human trafficking, helping vulnerable populations regain stability and hope.
Sarojini joined the People in Need Foundation in 2005 and has since played a vital role in the organization's mission to empower marginalized communities. Prior to her work with the foundation, she contributed to Family Health International's programs, where she offered psychosocial support to families impacted by HIV/AIDS, ensuring that those infected and
affected received compassionate care.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Nagarjuna University, and through her professional counseling, she has positively transformed the lives of numerous individuals, especially children and women living with HIV/AIDS. Saroja’s unwavering commitment to
mental health advocacy continues to be a cornerstone of the foundation's holistic approach
to community welfare.
Boddu Sarojini
Vice-President
People in Need Foundation
Shaik Abdul Sattar is a Senior Development Specialist with over 25 years of experience in spearheading high-impact initiatives across various sectors. His career includes significant contributions to organizations such as CARE International and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India, where he focused on disaster mitigation and recovery efforts.
Currently serving as a Senior Consultant for the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Program with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, Sattar’s expertise spans a wide range of critical areas including disaster management (Tsunami, Cyclone, and Flood Relief and Rehabilitation), watershed management, climate resilience, and WASH initiatives. His leadership has been instrumental in improving the lives of countless individuals in vulnerable communities.
Sattar holds a Master’s Degree and a Master of Philosophy in Environmental Science from Andhra University. Since joining the People in Need Foundation in 2005, he has played a pivotal role in advancing the foundation’s mission, leveraging his vast experience to drive sustainable development and community resilience.
Shaik Abdul Sattar
Executive Secretary
People in Need Foundation
Mugala Prasad is a distinguished development professional with 16 years of experience in managing outreach programs and overseeing diverse projects aimed at empowering communities. His expertise in child rights and protection, community organization and mobilization, project management, and capacity building has been instrumental in delivering transformative results that continue to benefit the communities he serves.
Prasad is currently leading efforts to establish Child Rights Forums in various parts of Andhra Pradesh, working to safeguard children’s rights in alignment with The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). His dedication to child welfare and advocacy plays a vital role in protecting vulnerable children and ensuring their rights are upheld.
With a Master’s Degree in Social Work and a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Prasad has been associated with the People in Need Foundation for over a decade, where he continues to contribute to sustainable development and social empowerment.
Mugala Prasad
Joint Secretary
People in Need Foundation
Janshi Lakshmi is a distinguished healthcare professional with over two decades of expertise in HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and support. Her extensive experience and dedication have made her an invaluable asset to People in Need Foundation since 2005.
Throughout her career, Janshi has demonstrated a strong commitment to serving vulnerable populations. For eight years, she provided critical outreach and education to female sex workers, and for three years, she addressed the healthcare needs of migrant communities. Her efforts, supported by renowned organizations such as the UK Department for International Development (DFID), National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), and Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS), have ensured that these high-risk groups receive essential healthcare and counseling services.
Currently, Janshi serves as a certified healthcare professional at the antiretroviral treatment (ART) Centre at Katuri Medical College. In this role, she provides comprehensive care to individuals affected by HIV, offering drug adherence counseling, guidance on positive living, and psychosocial support to both patients and their families. Her approach emphasizes holistic care, ensuring that People Living with HIV (PLHIV) receive not only medical treatment but also the emotional and psychological support crucial for their wellbeing.
At People in Need Foundation, Janshi has been instrumental in enhancing the organization's capacity to deliver effective psychosocial services. She has trained and supported program staff, sharing her expertise to improve the quality of care provided. Her leadership was particularly impactful during the COVID-19 pandemic, where her timely interventions and counseling efforts addressed critical mental health needs, potentially saving numerous lives.
Janshi holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from Acharya Nagarjuna University, which underpins her practical experience with strong theoretical knowledge. Her ongoing dedication to healthcare and counseling continues to advance the foundation's mission of supporting vulnerable populations through compassionate, evidence-based care.
Janshi Lakshmi
Treasurer
People in Need Foundation
Bhagawan Das brings a wealth of technical expertise and hands-on experience to his role as an Executive Member of People in Need Foundation. With a background in Civil Engineering and an impressive 29-year track record in grassroots development, Mr. Das has established himself as a leading expert in sustainable agriculture and natural resource management across Andhra Pradesh.
Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Das has specialized in critical areas of rural development, with a particular focus on the design and implementation of water harvesting structures and check dams. His expertise in Natural Resource Management has led him to pioneer innovative approaches to environmental conservation and the sustainable use of resources. At the forefront of promoting sustainable agricultural practices, Mr. Das has been instrumental in advancing Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), Integrated Crop Management, and Climate Resilient Sustainable Agricultural Practices. His dedicated work in these areas has not only significantly improved agricultural productivity but also ensured long-term environmental sustainability in the regions he serves.
Beyond his role at People in Need Foundation, Mr. Das demonstrates his commitment to holistic community development as the Founder and Executive Secretary of Natural Health Care Society. This dual position allows him to bring a unique, multifaceted perspective to the foundation's initiatives. By bridging the gap between environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture, and community health, Mr. Das contributes invaluable insights that enhance the foundation's impact on rural communities.
Bhagawan Das
Executive Member
People in Need Foundation
Pakkela Venkateswara Rao is an accomplished public health professional with two decades of invaluable experience. He holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Acharya Nagarjuna University. Mr. Rao has made significant contributions to the design, implementation, and management of state-level HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and support programs across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
His expertise has been sharpened through leadership positions at prominent national public health organizations, including Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT). In these roles, Mr. Rao has developed innovative healthcare delivery methods, demonstrating a keen ability to tackle complex health challenges, particularly in HIV/AIDS prevention and management.
A key aspect of Mr. Rao's career is his specialization in executive-level state HIV programs, where he has effectively influenced public health policy and program implementation. His capacity to collaborate with international partners has fostered relationships that have informed policy and advanced evidence-based solutions in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Mr. Rao is dedicated to translating research into actionable strategies that are both theoretically sound and practically effective. His commitment has led to the development of programs that have positively impacted countless individuals affected by HIV/AIDS.
Venkateswara Rao
Executive Member
People in Need Foundation
Executing Team:
The Executing Team forms the backbone of People in Need Foundation (PNF), turning our vision into reality on the ground. This dedicated group of professionals works tirelessly to design, implement, and monitor our various initiatives in our operational areas.
Our team consists of:
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Project Managers who oversee the planning and execution of our programs
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Field Officers who work directly with communities, understanding their needs and delivering services
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Subject Matter Experts in areas such as public health, education, and community development
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Monitoring and Evaluation Specialists who ensure the effectiveness and impact of our interventions
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Support Staff who provide critical administrative, finance management and logistical assistance
Key functions of our Program Implementing/Executing Team include:
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Conducting needs assessments in target communities
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Designing culturally sensitive and effective intervention strategies
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Implementing projects with a focus on sustainability and community ownership
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Building and maintaining relationships with local partners and stakeholders
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Collecting and analyzing data to measure program impact and identify areas for improvement
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Adapting our approaches based on lessons learned and emerging best practices
This dynamic team brings together passion, expertise, and on-the-ground experience to drive PNF's mission forward. Their deep understanding of local contexts and commitment to empowering communities ensures that our programs create meaningful and lasting change.
Through their efforts, the Program Implementing/Executing Team embodies PNF's core values of compassion, innovation, and empowerment in every project we undertake.