The ICCo team comprises of professionals from diverse backgrounds in Social Work, Rural Development, Environmental Sciences, Communications, Management and Finance. The team comes from a diverse cultural background from across the country and adheres to the practices of an ethical workplace.
ICCo is an organization committed to fairness and providing equal opportunities.
Mr. Alay Barah is the Executive Director of ICCo India, where he leads strategic planning and oversees the effective implementation of the organization’s initiatives. With over three decades of experience across government and the non-profit sector, he brings deep expertise in strategic planning, social enterprise development, livelihoods, microfinance, healthcare, agri-value chains, participatory monitoring and evaluation, and human resource development.
Prior to joining ICCo India, he served as CEO of Reach India. He has held key leadership roles with prominent organizations, including Freedom from Hunger (USA), American India Foundation, and Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi, where he drove impactful programs in livelihoods and rural development.
Mr. Barah has also conceptualized the Center of Excellence for Agriculture & Agri-allied Enterprises in Guwahati, aimed at empowering farmer communities and advancing sustainable agricultural growth.
He holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. He was a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, Johns Hopkins University (2001) under the International Philanthropy Fellows Program, and a recipient of the Ford Motor Company International Fellowship (2010) in recognition of his leadership in community development.
Mr. Ajay is a seasoned business leader with over 35 years of experience in India-entry strategy consulting, cross-border partnerships, business transformation, and complex technology transfers. He has advised more than 1,000 multinational and Indian companies, leveraging his deep understanding of global business practices and the Indian regulatory landscape to drive sustainable growth.
He brings extensive cross-sector expertise, with a strong focus on technology, healthcare, consumer goods, energy, and manufacturing. Currently, Ajay serves as a strategic advisor and mentor to high-potential Indian startups, including Aakar Innovations, Kritikal Solutions, Accuster Technologies, and Swasti Agro Products, supporting their scale-up and global expansion efforts.
Ajay is actively involved with leading innovation and policy platforms as a jury member and advisor, including Startup India, Millennium Alliance Social Innovation Awards, Plugin (IIT Mumbai + Intel), IC2 (University of Texas, Austin), FICCI, and iHub. He is also a frequent speaker at global forums organized by the Government of India.
During his 29-year tenure at Tecnova India, Ajay played a pivotal role in transforming the firm into a leading India-entry strategy consulting company. He contributed to over 2,500 global client engagements and built relationships with more than 1,000 international companies and 2,000+ senior executives. As CEO, he successfully led a turnaround, restoring profitability and strengthening organizational leadership and talent development.
Earlier in his career, Ajay served as Industrial Advisor to the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan, where he helped draft the country’s first Industrial Policy and facilitated funding of over US$250 million from international institutions. He also held leadership roles at Metal Box, managing global turnkey projects.
Ajay holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.
Ms. Nirjumoni Dutta Bharali is the Program Director at ICCo. She comes with more than 26 years of work experience and extensive knowledge of working with the National Mahila Samakhya Program, Assam chapter, Government of India. She has expertise in the areas of holistic empowerment of rural marginalized women, life skill education for adolescents, child rights and protection, institution building of women and rights, livelihood promotion, thrift, credit and proposal development, policy influencing, working with the small farmers, especially women farmers and helping them to develop their social enterprise; Nutrition security for women and child.
She received the innovation challenge award in 2018 jointly organized by the United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for her initiative at ICCo to create and design a women-led movement on Nutrition. She was chosen as the Resource group member of PRI-CBO convergence ASRLM. She was also chosen as the Resource member by the Assam government under Social Welfare Department for conducting training for the police department of Assam on Child marriage, trafficking, etc.
She started her journey in the development sector from Majuli Island while doing homestay at Mishing village. She holds a post-Graduate degree in Sociology, Post-Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, and Social Welfare & Labour Welfare, and Diploma in Business Administration.
Mr. Murray is an Investment Director at Caspian, a leading social impact investment firm, with over 42 years of extensive experience in agriculture, rural credit, and microenterprise finance. He manages the LeAF Fund, which invests in early and growth-stage companies in the food and agriculture sector, with a strong focus on delivering social and environmental impact.
He brings strong analytical and mentoring expertise, with a particular interest in supporting small and emerging enterprises and ventures with unstructured business models. In addition, he serves as a member of the Credit Committee of Caspian Debt, an NBFC that provides customized financing solutions to impact-driven businesses.
Mr. Murray holds several key leadership roles, including Independent Director at NABKISAN Finance Ltd, Investment Director at Balwaan Krishi and Kisan Vikas (KiVi), and Director at Caspian Foundation and Chetna Agriculture Producer Company.
Previously, he led operations at an impact-focused NBFC, managing a portfolio of over INR 6 billion. He has also contributed significantly through publications, presentations, and lectures, and is a frequent speaker and commentator on social and economic trends.
He is deeply passionate about strengthening India’s food and agriculture startup ecosystem and actively invests as an angel investor in multiple social enterprises. He holds credentials in rural management, development studies, banking and finance, and company law and practice, and is known for his openness to innovative and experimental ideas.
Ms. Rashmi Chandra is a Strategic Initiatives Lead at Head Held High Foundation, with a strong focus on driving organizational and leadership excellence, democratizing AI, and advancing ESG and diversity initiatives. With a background in strategy consulting and experience as a CEO and Board Member, she brings a unique ability to navigate complex environments and drive meaningful, sustainable change.
She works closely with organizations and leaders to connect insights across diverse landscapes, enabling transformation through innovative thinking and inclusive approaches. Her contributions span impactful platforms such as the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women program and board-level engagements, where she champions forward-looking leadership and collaborative growth.
Her areas of expertise include strategy, entrepreneurship, women empowerment, rural ecosystem development, district transformation, alliances and partnerships, and leadership development. She is also a mentor to next-generation leaders, committed to fostering inclusive ecosystems where new ideas and talent can thrive.
Mr. Suryakumar P. V. S. is the Former Deputy Managing Director of NABARD, with over three decades of distinguished experience in development banking. He has been associated with NABARD since 1986, contributing extensively to the institution’s growth and impact across rural and agricultural development in India.
Over the course of his career, he has handled a wide range of critical assignments, including project appraisal and management, capacity building, training administration, and the design and implementation of livelihood and natural resource management initiatives. He has also played a key role in institutional development, corporate policy formulation, advocacy, and research.
Over the course of his career, he has handled a wide range of critical assignments, including project appraisal and management, capacity building, training administration, and the design and implementation of livelihood and natural resource management initiatives. He has also played a key role in institutional development, corporate policy formulation, advocacy, and research.
Mr. Raja Gohain is a dynamic entrepreneur managing multiple business verticals, including distribution, retail, e-commerce, education, and skill development across Assam and the North East region. He leads M/s. M G Solutions, a Guwahati-based distribution business specializing in watches and consumer products, supported by a strong regional sales network.
He also operates premium retail outlets under The Timesquare – Watches & More in Guwahati and Tezpur, along with multiple exclusive CASIO stores. In the education sector, he manages Vintage Academy of IT & Management Studies, established in 2005, and leads design and animation training initiatives through partnerships with EduCADD and MAAC.
Expanding into e-commerce, he runs “Crystalarc Lifestyle,” an authorized seller across major platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, and Ajio. M G Solutions is also a training partner of NSDC, delivering skill development programs, particularly in the healthcare sector.
Additionally, he is the founder of Ryans Farms LLP, an agri-business venture in Sonapur, Guwahati, focused on a modern, sustainable piggery model with integrated “farm-to-table” operations, including biogas, bio-manure, and in-house power generation.
Ms. Anannya Sharma is the Founder & Director of Yarn Glory, a social entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in textile designing and marketing. She has a strong and demonstrated history of working across the textiles industry, with deep engagement in promoting handcrafted and sustainable products.
She has been actively working with weavers and artisans across Assam and the North Eastern states, supporting them in design development, market linkages, and enterprise growth. Through Yarn Glory, she continues to empower grassroots communities by creating opportunities for livelihood enhancement and preserving traditional crafts.
She is also a former member of the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), contributing to women-led entrepreneurship and business networks.
Mr. Dheeraj has been working with ICCo in the capacity of an Accounts Officerfor more than 7 years. With profound expertise in financial management and accounting, he plays an important role in ensuring the organization's fiscal stability and efficiency.His strong work ethic and problem-solving abilities make him an indispensable asset to the organization.
Dheeraj holds a Master’s degree in Commerce (M.Com) from Kumaon University, Nainital, Uttarakhand.
Mr. Chetry has been connected with ICCo for over 7 years in the capacity of Office Coordinator. With his help, administrative efficiency at ICCo is greatly optimized. With a keen eye for detail and great organizational skills, he ensures seamless day-to-day operations.
Mr. Sarma has been working with ICCo as a handloom and textile expert with a passion for preserving and promoting traditional craftsmanship. With over 8 years of experience in the industry, he has garnered extensive knowledge in various weaving techniques, dyeing processes, and textile design.
Chitraban holds a Master’s degree in Commerce (M.Com) from Kumaon University, Nainital, Uttarakhand.
Ms. Chutia has been associated with ICCo since November 2022. She specializes in Aquaculture and conductstraining and fieldwork for the same. With extensive knowledge in fisheries management and a Master's degree in Fisheries Science from the College of Fisheries, Assam Agricultural University, Raha, she has been a driving force in promoting responsible fishing practices and supporting the livelihoods of fishing communities.
Mr. Gogoi joined ICCo as an Agriculture specialist in 2023. He is passionate about driving sustainable development and innovation in the agricultural sector. With extensive expertise in his field, he plays a pivotal role at ICCo, where hecoordinates with other experts and guides agricultural initiatives and strategies that positively impact farmers' livelihoods.
Rituraj Gogoi holds BSc in Agriculture from Sarat Chandra Sinha College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University
Swadhin Kumar Swain (ICCo) - Mr. Swain has been connected with ICCo since February 2023in the capacity of an Executive: Project Implementation and Marketing. With an MBA in Human Resources and Marketing, he excels in managing brand, marketing, and advertising activities while crafting and implementing successful marketing strategies. With a keen eye for market research and budget management, he consistently drives impactful results and fosters strong stakeholder relationships.
We hold ourselves and our team to 5 specific values in order to achieve our goals i.e.