Sandeep Roy Choudhury
Co Founder & Director
Sandeep leads Value Network Ventures (VNV), a social enterprise working in carbon finance and adaptation with frontline communities for the last 17 years. He oversees VNV programs on coastal restoration, sustainable agriculture, waste management, social forestry, and rural energy access. With over 20 years of industry experience, he advises the private and public sectors on numerous aspects of decarbonization, value chain-based interventions, and climate adaptation at scale. Sandeep is also the co-founder at ‘Carbon Initiative Forum’, a non-profit working on climate policy awareness for the youth, and co-founder of a Blue Carbon revolving fund called "Mangroves. Now".
Under VNV’s banner, he has pioneered a joint venture based in the Central Asian landscape called "The Silk Road Project", and more recently launched a climate change impact fund to invest in start-ups related to climate solutions. He serves on the board of organizations such as IETA, BBF, POD, EPC, and Spring Health Water Pvt. Ltd is on the executive board of the CEGET of the UN global compact. He also serves on the expert advisory group for VCМІ and as a working group member with ICVCM.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandeep-roy-choudhury-0077501b/
Manjari Chandra
Team Head - Portfolio Management
Manjari, as the Head of the Portfolio of Carbon Mitigation Projects at Value Network Ventures, brings a wealth of expertise with a Master's in Environmental Management from Griffith University and 15 years of experience in carbon mitigation projects. Currently overseeing a substantial portfolio encompassing clean cooking, land use change and forestry, and waste management, Manjari's role involves comprehensive project management, team leadership, stakeholder engagement, troubleshooting, and providing support to technical teams.
Prior to joining VNV, Manjari served as the Project Director for a rural sustainable energy program, showcasing her commitment to sustainable initiatives. Additionally, she held the position of Lead Auditor for CDM, Verra, and Gold Standard projects, further highlighting her proficiency in project evaluation and compliance. In her capacity at VNV, Manjari plays a pivotal role in driving carbon offset projects across various sectors, demonstrating her dedication to environmental sustainability and impactful project management.
Pourush Prakash
Team Head - Commercials
Pouroush brings a robust background and international expertise with over 9 years of diverse financial and project management experience in leadership roles. Starting as an analyst, he has progressed with strong financial acumen, achieving key milestones in Financial Strategy Planning, Financial Analysis and reporting, Data Analytics and Business Insights, and Cost-Efficient Business Growth. Pouroush pursued business studies at Symbiosis (BBA) and earned an MBA in Finance from Pune University. Following this he finished his Master's in International Relations from IE Madrid
In his current role as Head of Commercials at Value Network Ventures, Pouroush's responsibilities extend beyond sales and business development. He plays a crucial role in structuring investments for carbon offset projects, implementing organization-wide ERP systems, managing client relationships, assisting in cash management and systems reviews, and supporting the project finance team with data capture and budgeting on a project-to-project basis. Pouroush also contributes to ensuring the financial stability and structure of VNV by implementing control structures, making him an integral part of VNV, contributing significantly to the organization's financial growth and stability.
Filip Tetaert
Team Head - Agriculture,
Forestry and Land-Use(AFOLU)
Filip Tetaert, our head of Agriculture, Forestry, and Land-Use (AFOLU), brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Value Network Ventures. Originally from Belgium, Filip holds a Master's degree in Conflict and Development and History from Ghent University, reflecting his dedication to continuous learning and sustainable practices.With over 5 years of hands-on experience, Filip has made significant contributions in various regions, including India, Guinea Bissau, and Belgium. His work ranges from leading carbon mitigation projects to collaborating on community-based conservation efforts.
Filip's skills extend beyond project implementation; he excels in networking with government agencies, industry associations, and stakeholders, facilitating effective partnerships for sustainable solutions. Throughout his career, Filip has remained steadfast in his commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development. His pragmatic approach and expertise make him a trusted leader in the AFOLU sector. With Filip Tetaert leading our technical team, VNV is well-positioned to drive meaningful, holistic climate solutions that foster social change.
Kasturi Navalkar
Team Head - Partnerships
Kasturi leads Partnerships & Strategic Collaborations at Value Network Ventures, supporting communities tackling the climate crisis. She drives project origination and collaborations with 120+ NGOs, social enterprises, Global South governments, and net-zero investor partners. With a focus on nature-based solutions, she leads initiatives in coastal resilience, sustainable agriculture, social forestry, and low-carbon tech. With 5 years of experience and an academic background in Environmental Sciences, Zoology, and Molecular Chemistry, she emphasizes climate consciousness and collective action.
She coordinates project implementation and stakeholder engagements across internal teams including Legal, Technical, Portfolio, and Sales. Active in international forums, she has participated in the UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP) in Scotland (2021), Egypt (2022), and Dubai (2023) where she debuted her first Speaker opportunity at the session “Financing the Nature Removal Pathway". She fosters impactful partnerships across 15+ countries through realistic strategies, contributing significantly to the company's sustainability goals and local communities.
Omar El Nemr
Team Lead - MENA Projects
Omar El Nemr joined the Value Network Ventures project management and structuring team to primarily support VNV’s projects in the Middle East/Africa region as well as further expansion plans in the region. He works closely with local and regional financial institutions and is keen to explore novel solutions for financing climate projects.
He started his career in renewable energy finance before pivoting to carbon finance and has been certified by the Frankfurt School of Finance in renewable energy and climate finance. Omar holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the Polytechnic of Turin, Italy as well as several carbon accounting certificates from the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute.
Shreya Dutta
Team Head - Program Relations
Shreya Dutta leads the Program Relations team at Value Network Ventures, managing project implementation across various regions and thematic areas. With nearly two decades of experience in human resource management, education, and entrepreneurship, Shreya is dedicated to building connections between livelihoods and communities. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Literature from Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Rights. At VNV, Shreya’s key responsibilities include overseeing project execution, managing operations, and maintaining investor relations. A self-driven leader with an entrepreneurial spirit, she excels in collaborative efforts and continuously seeks growth opportunities. Her strategic foresight and diverse expertise make her an invaluable asset to VNV’s leadership team.
Deboshmita Dey
Team Lead - Energy, Water
and Waste Management
Deboshmita Dey is at the forefront of environmental and climate change initiatives, specializing in Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Gold Standard for Global Goals (GS4GG), and VERRA projects. With over five years of dedicated experience, she has conducted validation and verification for 70+ projects encompassing renewable energy (hydro, solar, wind projects), biomass power production, co-generation, transportation, energy efficiency, energy demand, wastewater treatment, waste heat recovery, and landfill (waste management).
Her expertise extends to ISO14064 audits. Deboshmita holds a master's degree in Environmental Studies and Resource Management from TERI School of Advanced Studies, showcasing her commitment to advancing knowledge in her field. As the Lead (Technical) for Energy, Water, and Waste Management at Value Network Ventures, Deboshmita currently leads a team in the development of projects. Her responsibilities include due diligence, methodology selection, preparation of project documents, calculation sheets, and overall project management under CDM, Gold Standard for Global Goals, and VERRA.
Dr. Atri Shaw
Team Head - REDD+ Projects
Dr. Atri Shaw currently serves as Head of REDD+ projects at Value Network Ventures, overseeing the implementation of REDD+ and forestry projects, forest management, biodiversity conservation, and climate change adaptation. She specializes in remote sensing and geospatial analysis using Arc GIS, Erdas Imagine, and QGIS software. Her role involves conducting reconnaissance surveys, processing and interpreting satellite data, and training staff in remote sensing techniques. Dr. Shaw holds a Ph.D. in Environment Management from the Forest Research Institute Research Centre-Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, and a Post-Graduation in Environment Management from the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun.
She completed her Graduation in Physiology (Hons.) from Presidency College, Calcutta University. Her professional journey includes roles at Ernst and Young LLP, Geovale Services Pvt. Ltd., IORA Ecological Solutions Pvt. Ltd., the Foundation of Ecological Security (FES), the Indian Institute of Forest Management, and the Forest Survey of India (FSI). Dr. Shaw has extensive experience in project implementation support, including hydrological studies, mineral mapping, forest management, and climate change adaptation. She has published several journal articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings, contributing significantly to the field of natural resource management and remote sensing.
Ishita Vedamuthu
Team Lead - Communications
Ishita is a systems thinker and intersectional environmentalist with a foundation in architecture, currently serving as the Lead of Communications at Value Network Ventures. Her role aligns with her passion for promoting equity and driving measurable, positive outcomes. Before joining VNV, she completed a master’s degree in Urban Management and Development from IHS Erasmus University Rotterdam, where she focused on Sustainability, Climate Change, Circular Economies, and Urban Environments.
Ishita's journey with VNV began in 2021 as a Senior Associate on the Partnerships team, where she gained hands-on experience with stakeholders and developed a deep understanding of carbon markets and project implementation. By 2023, she had successfully established VNV’s Communications team, leading the rebranding and messaging strategy to ensure that VNV’s identity and mission were clearly communicated to its audience.
Anup Prabhu
Creative Head
Anup is a creative lead with over 17 years of experience in branding and advertising. He currently holds the position of Creative Head at Value Network Ventures, where he leads the development of innovative branding strategies and oversees creative direction across various projects. Prior to this, he was the Head of Design at Origami Creative Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, and Bloombox Branding, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the creative vision for multiple high-profile clients. A graduate of Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore, where he specialized in Design and Applied Arts, Anup brings a comprehensive understanding of design principles and industry trends to his work.
His expertise spans design thinking, graphic design, branding and identity, creative strategy, art direction, typography, packaging, and idea generation. With more than a decade of experience, Anup excels in translating complex brand ideas into compelling visual narratives that resonate with target audiences. He is skilled in balancing creative innovation with practical business objectives, making him a valuable asset in both creative and strategic roles. Among other things he is also passionate about football and dedicates time to coaching a team.
Shilita Roy
Team Lead - Human Resources
Shilita, serving as the Lead – Human Resources at Value Network Ventures, brings over 11 years of expertise in HR and operations. As a result-focused leader, she excels in delivering talent acquisition, retention, and motivation solutions, recognizing the critical role of people as one of the organization's most valuable assets. Shilita is committed to fostering a robust culture that encourages continuous business growth by empowering and motivating employees to realize their full potential. Her impactful contributions extend to business discussions, aligning HR inputs with organizational strategy and goals.
Shilita has played a key role in areas such as hiring pipeline, talent retention, succession planning, engagement, development, and performance. Holding a bachelor's degree in computer applications from Bangalore University, India, Shilita combines her academic background with a wealth of practical experience to drive positive outcomes in human resources.
Chinmayee Patro
Team Lead - Legal
Chinmayee Patro with over 6 years of work experience has led Value Network Ventures' legal team for the past three years, overseeing critical legal functions such as drafting, negotiations, and overall contract management. In her capacity, she serves as a key contact for clients seeking legal support in contracts and project matters. With a Master's in Law from the National Law University, Odisha, and registration with the All India Bar Council, Chinmayee brings a robust legal background to her role.
Prior to joining VNV, Chinmayee honed her skills in a multinational company, contributing significantly to research and advisory projects. Her expertise extends to both land-use and non-land-use projects for major global companies in carbon finance, climate change, adaptation, and mitigation. Notably, she also brings experience in civil litigation across various courts and tribunals.
Sandeep S
Manager - Project Finance
With 8 years of experience in the finance and accounting industry, including a dedicated 5-year tenure at Value Network Ventures, Sandeep has consistently demonstrated expertise in managing complex accounts and financial systems as VNV's Head of Project Finance overseeing the financial portfolio and contributing significantly to the firm's operational dynamics. With a robust foundation in Accounting, financial analysis, and strategic planning, Sandeep holds a master's degree in Commerce with a specialization in Finance and Accounting from Bangalore University. Further attesting to proficiency in financial management tools, Sandeep is Tally certified and actively enhances skills with Oracle NetSuite software to keep
financial operations and reporting at the forefront of industry advancements. His work areas entail developing and maintaining project financial plans and providing strategic recommendations for optimal financial performance. Sandeep guarantees the accuracy and regulatory compliance of financial records, managing transactions, reconciliations, and handling accounting and taxation matters. Beyond this, Sandeep takes charge of effective cash flow management, ensuring sufficient liquidity to meet operational needs and financial obligations. Additionally, Sandeep is responsible for preparing precise financial reports for stakeholders, including management, shareholders, and regulatory authorities.
Ravi Kumar
Manager of Business
Support and Administration
Ravi Kumar is a seasoned administrative professional with over 20 years of experience at Value Network Ventures. Throughout his tenure as the Manager of Business Support and Administration, he has been instrumental in streamlining administrative operations, optimizing resource allocation, and improving organizational efficiency. Ravi is known for his ability to juggle multiple workflows while focusing on delivering results that are aligned with VNV’s goals. His expertise lies in managing work schedules, setting priorities, and driving administrative initiatives that enhance team productivity.
Ravi is a key contributor to the seamless operation of the workplace, ensuring that all processes run smoothly and efficiently. Beyond his professional capabilities, Ravi values the supportive and collaborative culture at VNV. He thrives in an environment where teamwork is prioritized and enjoys being part of a dedicated team that continuously uplifts each other. His passion for creating an organized, employee-centric workspace reflects his commitment to VNV’s success and its people.
