Dr. Pratyush Panda_ Redefining Philanthropy for Systemic, People-First Change.pdf

Dr. Pratyush Panda, CEO of OneStage and Managing Director of the Collaborative Philanthropy Foundation, is one such leader. With a deep background in sustainability, public policy, and corporate responsibility

1. When people don’t have access to basic services like education, healthcare, clean
water, or job opportunities, it holds entire communities back—children miss out
on learning, families struggle to stay healthy, and hopes for a better future begin
to fade. These aren’t just services—they’re the foundation for dignity, growth, and
progress. Yet in many parts of the world, support is either missing or not strong
enough to bring real, lasting change. This is where impactful leadership becomes
essential. Visionary leaders know how to connect people, ideas, and resources to
solve problems in meaningful and sustainable ways.
Dr. Pratyush Kumar Panda, CEO of OneStage and Managing Director of the
Collaborative Philanthropy Foundation, is one such leader. With a deep
background in sustainability, public policy, and corporate responsibility, he has
transformed OneStage into a platform that turns scattered efforts into powerful,
long-term solutions. Under his guidance, OneStage has touched over 20 million
lives across 17 states, worked with more than 300 donors, and completed
5,000+ impactful projects.

2. One of the most defining moments under his leadership was the transformation
from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) India to OneStage—a shift that marked
a more inclusive, innovative, and collaborative approach to development. Driven
by purpose and partnership, Dr. Pratyush is helping reshape how communities
grow—by putting people first and ensuring every step is grounded in data,
resilience, and local ownership.
Two Decades of Impact
With over two decades of experience, Dr. Pratyush Panda’s work is deeply rooted
in social transformation, sustainability, and making development more inclusive
and accessible. His academic background in sociology, rural management, and a
Ph.D. in public policy and administration shaped his passion for driving systemic
change.
Throughout his career, Dr. Pratyush Panda has worked across nonprofits like
CARE and leading corporations such as ACC Limited and LTI Mindtree, where
he led ESG, CSR, and sustainability initiatives. His move to OneStage was a
natural step, bringing together years of experience to reshape how philanthropy
is practiced—transforming it from fragmented giving into a strategic,
collaborative effort for long-term impact. Under his leadership, OneStage
connects donors, communities, governments, and experts to create solutions that
are fair, climate-smart, rooted in local realities, and guided by data. In a world
where good intentions often fall short of action, OneStage stands as a model of
integrated and community-led development.
The Vision Behind OneStage
The APAC region’s diversity and complexity demand development models that
respond to local needs, not just imported global solutions. OneStage meets this
challenge by beginning where it matters most—with the community. By actively
listening and co-creating with local stakeholders, it designs solutions that are

3. relevant and scalable. From solar-powered irrigation to mobile health vans,
OneStage builds adaptable models that can be customized and replicated with the
help of academic institutions, governments, and civil society organizations.
This philosophy reflects the founding vision of OneStage: to bridge the gap
between good intentions and lasting impact. Dr. Pratyush Panda recognized a
critical disconnect—grassroots organizations often lacked resources to scale,
while funders struggled to find credible, mission-aligned programs. OneStage
addresses this by offering a collaborative, transparent platform that brings both
sides together. Through inclusive, climate-aware, and data-driven
initiatives—like AI-powered carbon tracking, solar agriculture, behavior change
in public health, and water conservation—OneStage is redefining Indian
philanthropy. It’s building a future where systemic, community-led development
is not just possible, but sustainable.
Expanding Horizons
OneStage’s shift from CAF India marked a major evolution in its identity and
strategy. Founded in 1998 to support strategic giving, the organization rebranded
as OneStage in response to a more complex development landscape—becoming a
platform focused on uniting people and resources to drive lasting change
through improved access to essential services.
Through this shift, the organization was able to:
●​Broaden Programmatic Focus: Expanded to cover education, early
childhood development, health, climate action, and livelihoods for
holistic community impact.
●​Deepen Collaboration: Built stronger partnerships with companies,
governments, foundations, and grassroots groups for more coordinated
development.
●​Embed Innovation & Evidence: Introduced a ‘Lab approach’ to test,
refine, and scale practical, data-driven solutions.

4. This rebranding has allowed OneStage to amplify its reach and address some of
India’s most urgent social challenges more effectively.
Putting Community Voices at the Center
Dr. Pratyush Panda’s leadership philosophy is rooted in purpose, trust, and
co-creation. He sees leadership not as control, but as the ability to create
empowering environments—an act of service that uplifts others.
At OneStage, this belief has fostered a flat, agile, and mission-driven culture. Dr.
Pratyush Panda focuses on investing in people and aligning individual purpose
with shared goals. He champions bold thinking, values experience and skill, and
keeps community voices central to every decision.
This people-first approach has been key to OneStage’s growth, powering
high-impact programs and meaningful partnerships with donors, governments,
and grassroots organizations. Grounded in inclusion, transparency, and shared
leadership, Dr. Pratyush’s empathetic and visionary style continues to inspire
others and drive sustainable change.

5. Growth Fueled by Purposeful Partnerships
OneStage is entering a pivotal phase of strategic growth—one that prioritizes
collaboration as the cornerstone for deeper impact and broader reach. Rather
than operating in silos, the organization is building partnerships that connect
grassroots realities with institutional capabilities.
These alliances span across key focus areas, each contributing uniquely to
OneStage’s vision of systemic and sustainable change:
●​Government Partnerships: Scaling pilots in education, health, climate,
and waste management with state and district governments; Odisha and
Haryana serve as replicable models.
●​Corporate Co-Creation: Partnering with companies like AON and
Pernod Ricard India to embed sustainability into operations through
volunteering, campaigns, and SDG-aligned programs.

6. ●​Grassroots Networks: Collaborating with NGOs, academia, and training
partners to strengthen local leadership and on-ground execution.
●​Collaboration Over Acquisition: Focusing on co-ownership and
long-term, value-aligned partnerships over centralized control.
Footprint Across 54 Districts in 17 States
OneStage continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to collaborative action
and transformative change, with its measurable impact reflecting the scale and
depth of its efforts across India.
The following key figures highlight the organization’s recent performance:

Organizational Reach & Scale

7. ●​Lives Impacted: Over 20 years, OneStage has improved the lives of 20+
million people across India through programs in education, health,
environment, and livelihoods.
●​Donor Engagement: Partnered with 300+ donors—including corporates,
foundations, and individuals—to drive strategic philanthropy.
●​NGO Partnerships: Collaborated with 500+ NGOs to deliver
high-impact programs across key thematic areas.
Programmatic Footprint
●​Geographical Coverage: Active in 54+ districts across 17 states,
addressing region-specific needs.
●​Project Implementation: Executed 5,000+ projects with a focus on
education, health, sanitation, environment, and gender-inclusive
livelihoods.
Tech in Action
At OneStage, technology is a strategic enabler—deeply woven into vision and
execution to drive scalable systems change.
At the Vision Level: Technology as a Catalyst for Systems Change
●​Decision Intelligence: Co-creating AI tools and real-time dashboards to
track impact, community feedback, and environmental
changes—enabling timely, data-driven decisions.
●​Co-Creation at Scale: Digital platforms empower donors, NGOs, and
governments to collaboratively design, fund, and monitor projects
across regions.
●​Transparency and Trust: Tech-enabled workflows—from fund
disbursement to field reporting—build accountability in CSR and
donor-funded initiatives.
In Daily Execution: Enhancing Speed, Scale, and Impact

8. ●​Mobile-Based Monitoring & Evaluation: Real-time tracking of water
levels, tree survival, health counseling, and school enrollment via mobile
apps.
●​GIS and Remote Sensing: Geospatial tools support environmental
monitoring of waterbodies and plantations.
●​Digital Health Tools: Mobile platforms in projects like Sajag facilitate
mental health screening, scheduling, and referrals.
●​Community Engagement: WhatsApp, IVRS surveys, and digital feedback
systems maintain ongoing dialogue with communities, CRPs, and village
committees.
Internally, OneStage uses digital HR systems, cloud-based project management,
and automated compliance tools to streamline operations across states—cutting
duplication, boosting efficiency, and freeing teams to focus on impact and
innovation.
Five Forces Transforming Philanthropy
Dr. Pratyush Panda outlines five major disruptions reshaping development and
philanthropy.
With growing expectations for meaningful, lasting impact, these shifts are
steering the sector toward smarter, more inclusive, and sustainable
approaches:
●​From Charity to Systems Change: The sector is shifting to long-term,
outcome-focused impact, with funders prioritizing measurable results
and organizations that invest in data, capacity, and community
engagement. ●​Technology-Driven Innovation: AI and data tools are vital for predicting
issues and improving outcomes; effectiveness depends on combining
tech with local insights.
●​Climate as a Development Priority: Climate change affects all
development areas; top organizations now embed resilience through
sustainable solutions like solar farming and water restoration.

9. ●​Blended Finance Models: Outcome-linked grants and impact bonds
drive accountability and attract diverse funders, including private
investors.
●​Community-Led Development: Real progress is led locally, with
grassroots innovation and inclusive leadership at the core.
Vision Rooted in Accountability and Community Needs
Over the next 12 to 18 months, OneStage is advancing a strategy that combines
deep community impact with system-level growth—reflecting Dr. Pratyush’s
belief that legacy lies in building systems that outlast individuals or funding
cycles. His vision centers on a development model grounded in community
needs, accountability, and collaboration.
Dr. Pratyush Panda promotes strategic philanthropy that is scalable, data-driven,
and human-centered—shifting from symbolic CSR to real problem-solving
through strong partnerships with donors, governments, and grassroots groups.
For him, leadership means empowering the next generation of changemakers
who balance empathy, effectiveness, and purpose with performance. By
nurturing a culture of listening, shared goals, and thoughtful risk-taking, he aims
to leave behind not just impactful programs but a legacy of capable,
compassionate leaders. Guided by this philosophy, OneStage’s strategic roadmap focuses on three core
priorities:

10. 1.​Scale Programs via Government Integration: Embed programs like
PANI, Sajag, and ECD into public systems via strong government ties
and grassroots capacity-building. 2.​Boost Tech & Data Use: Invest in AI, mobile tools, and dashboards to
improve monitoring, transparency, and efficiency.
3.​Forge Impact-Driven Partnerships: Co-create innovative, accountable
solutions with corporates, multilateral bodies, and tech
partners—moving beyond traditional funding models.
Alongside these, OneStage is also enhancing internal leadership, team culture,
communication, and governance to ensure sustainable growth.

11. Living the Promise
The passing of Dr. Pratyush’s father in December 2019 marked a significant
turning point in his life. In his memory, he established the Basudev Panda
Foundation, a Section 8 company dedicated to channelling his philanthropic
initiatives. Since 2021, this foundation has become the primary vehicle for his
charitable activities.
In alignment with his lifelong values, Dr. Pratyush Panda joined the
#LivingMyPromise movement, pledging to donate 50% of his wealth to
philanthropic causes. This commitment reinforces his personal dedication and
connects him with a community of like-minded individuals striving for
meaningful societal change. Through this network, he aims to optimize
grant-making, engage in collaborative funding, and continuously learn from
fellow philanthropists.

12. To fulfill this promise, the Basudev Foundation now supports 11 schools,
bridging the digital divide for more than 3,000 students, runs an FPO
empowering over 2,000 women, and funds a community-accessible college
library. For Dr. Pratyush Panda, wealth serves as a tool to drive systemic
change—investing in initiatives that promote equity, sustainability, and dignity to
build a more inclusive and resilient society.
Guiding Principles for the Next Generation
To future leaders pursuing a path defined by purpose, impact, and
integrity—know that the journey ahead is meaningful, though often challenging.
The problems you’ll tackle are complex, and progress may feel slow, but it’s in
this uncertainty that lasting change is made.
Dr. Pratyush Panda shares five key lessons for emerging changemakers:
●​Start with purpose, and stay connected to people: Ideas matter, but
people make them real—listen with humility and partner equally with
communities.
●​Don’t chase scale—build depth that scales: Build adaptable,
context-driven models that grow meaningfully.
●​Use data to guide you, but lead with empathy: Let metrics guide you, but
lead with compassion and intuition.
●​Choose collaboration over competition: Shared leadership and
teamwork drive lasting change.
●​Stay resilient and kind: Setbacks are part of the journey—stay grounded
in purpose to move forward with clarity.
True leadership lies in taking responsibility for a better future and inspiring
others to believe in it. Keep going—the world needs you.
Dr. Pratyush Panda’s 5 Business Mantras

13. ●​Lead with Purpose, Rooted in People: Start with purpose and stay
connected to community needs.
●​Think Systems, Not Just Projects: Design scalable, adaptable models for
lasting impact.
●​Use Tech Wisely: Let data and digital tools drive transparency and
action—guided by empathy.
●​Partner for Greater Good: Collaborate across sectors to co-create
sustainable solutions.
●​Lead with Values: Stay resilient, listen deeply, and empower others
through purpose-driven leadership.