Dr. Jenis Chauhan is a development professional with over a decade of experience in designing and implementing transformative programs in financial inclusion, entrepreneurship development, and capacity building. He holds a Ph.D. in Business Management from Sardar Patel University, where his doctoral research focused on financial inclusion initiatives, with a particular emphasis on understanding both the demand and supply-side dynamics that influence access to financial services. He also holds an MBA in Rural Management from KIIT University. As the Livelihood Program Director at Saath Charitable Trust, Jenis has played a pivotal role in strategizing, designing, and managing various programs focused on community empowerment, livelihood enhancement, and enterprise promotion. His work involves end-to-end program management—from stakeholder engagement and budgeting to implementation, impact assessment, and policy advocacy. He possesses a deep understanding of how inclusive financial systems can be leveraged to uplift underprivileged populations and enable their integration into the formal economy. His work has focused on developing sustainable microcredit solutions and strengthening institutional linkages to ensure last-mile connectivity. He has worked extensively on promoting access to credit, savings, and insurance services for underserved populations, and has led initiatives that build financial literacy, digital adoption, and institutional connections for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and community-based organizations. His experience also includes implementing grassroots models that align financial services with livelihood opportunities, ensuring that financial inclusion is not just about access—but also about impact. Prior to his role at Saath, he led extensive capacity-building initiatives across multiple states with Friends of Women’s World Banking (FWWB). His expertise lies in operational execution with qualitative outcomes, and he brings a strong track record of working collaboratively with government bodies, public sector undertakings (PSUs), and nonprofit organizations to deliver sustainable rural development projects. In addition to his professional experience, he has published multiple papers in national and international journals, presented at academic seminars, and contributed chapters to edited volumes. He has also developed training modules in entrepreneurship and skill development and has been recognized with two national research awards for his contributions to the field.