Manabendra Nath Sanyal

Manabendra Nath Sanyal is a distinguished development sector leader with over 30 years of experience in advancing inclusive growth through entrepreneurship, education, and sustainability. As the Chief Executive Officer of YouthAid Foundation, Pune, he is currently spearheading efforts to build a dynamic ecosystem that nurtures grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youth, with a vision to impact one million lives by 2030.
Mr. Sanyal’s work is defined by a rare combination of grassroots engagement and strategic leadership. He has consistently designed and scaled initiatives that create sustainable livelihoods, strengthen institutional capacity, and foster innovation among underserved communities. Under his leadership, YouthAid Foundation has strengthened its systems, partnerships, and outreach to support entrepreneurs across multiple stages—from ideation to enterprise growth and acceleration.
Prior to this, he served as General Manager – CSR and Head of Trust Operations at Merino Industries Ltd., where he led transformative initiatives across education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, and environmental sustainability. He played a key role in shaping the organization’s sustainability roadmap, including the flagship “Project Nirmal,” and contributed to the development of BRSR-aligned sustainability reports. His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic ensured timely relief and livelihood support to vulnerable families, including enabling women-led income generation initiatives.
Mr. Sanyal has held several senior leadership roles across reputed organizations such as Thermax Foundation, Safe Kids Foundation, Times Foundation, and Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST). His contributions include pioneering work in urban education reform through public-private partnerships, expanding youth entrepreneurship initiatives in rural and urban India, and leading disaster response efforts during the Mumbai floods. Notably, he launched one of the earliest rural business idea platforms to identify and nurture entrepreneurial talent at the grassroots level.
A Fulbright Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow (2017–18) at Vanderbilt University, USA, Mr. Sanyal specialized in educational leadership, governance, and public policy. His global exposure has enriched his approach to institution building and cross-sector collaboration. He has represented India at international forums, including the United Nations and global leadership platforms, sharing insights on entrepreneurship, education, and development.
He is a Certified Independent Director from the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) and an ESG professional, with deep expertise in corporate governance, sustainability frameworks, and board leadership. He has also contributed to national policy as a member of the Working Group on CSR Rules under the Companies Bill, 2012.
Throughout his career, Mr. Sanyal has remained committed to the belief that entrepreneurship is a powerful catalyst for social transformation. His work continues to bridge the gap between policy, practice, and grassroots realities, enabling individuals and communities to build resilient and sustainable futures.