Tikeswar Patel is a seasoned professional with over 11 years of experience in rural development and the social sector, specializing in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), institution building, and livelihood enhancement initiatives. He holds an MBA in Rural Management from KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, equipping him with a solid foundation in sustainable development, community engagement, and project management. Previously, he served as the Senior M&E Officer for Trickle Up’s Ultra-Poor Market Access (UPMA) Program in Odisha, where he led M&E framework development, data analysis, and program evaluation to support data-driven decisions for ultra-poor communities.

Throughout his career, Tikeswar has been dedicated to empowering marginalized communities, notably through promoting Tribal Farmer Producer Organizations in Maharashtra. His work includes capacity building, stakeholder coordination, and fostering partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and local communities. Driven by a commitment to social equity, he brings extensive expertise in project management, evaluation methodologies, and capacity building, making him a valuable leader in the field of rural development.