Board of Directors

Pawan Kumar Shah

Chairman

Pawan Kumar Shah is the Chairman of Sarwadi Finance and a Fellow Chartered Accountant (1978), with a distinguished career spanning several decades across the engineering and metallurgical sectors. His strong financial acumen, rooted in his CA background, has enabled him to lead complex business ventures with clarity, discipline, and strategic foresight. His expertise in financial structuring, risk management, and regulatory compliance has been instrumental in shaping sound governance frameworks, both in the corporate world and within Sarwadi Finance.

At Sarwadi, Mr. Shah leverages this deep financial insight to promote responsible microfinance practices aimed at empowering underserved communities. His leadership fosters sustainable livelihoods, particularly for women and micro-entrepreneurs, helping them achieve economic self-reliance. Beyond business, he is deeply committed to education and social development, serving on the Board of J.B. Shah Girls (PG) College in Jhunjhunu. For Mr. Shah, leadership is not only about enterprise, but also about creating long-term, community-centered impact.

Diksha Shah

MD & CEO

Diksha Shah serves as the Managing Director and CEO of Sarwadi Finance, where she orchestrates the organization’s strategic direction and operational execution with clarity, conviction, and compassion. A dynamic force in the microfinance sector, she is at the helm of day-to-day operations—overseeing governance, credit systems, digital integration, and field outreach—ensuring that Sarwadi remains agile, efficient, and impact-driven.

With two postgraduate degrees in Business Administration and a bachelor's in Mass Communication and Videography, Ms. Shah combines analytical depth with emotional intelligence. Her leadership is both visionary and grounded—balancing innovation with accountability, and scale with empathy. Under her stewardship, Sarwadi Finance has sharpened its focus on financial inclusion, expanding its footprint among underserved communities, particularly rural women and first-generation entrepreneurs.

She brings a cross-sectoral lens to leadership as the Founder of Dimension Z (Mental Health Counseling), Executive Director at Nipha Exports, and Director at Nipha Finance. She also serves as Vice Chairperson of AMFI-WB, where she champions ethical, transparent, and tech-enabled practices in the microfinance ecosystem.

Shah’s core philosophy—that leadership is a service, not a position—shapes her distinctive approach. With her at the helm, Sarwadi Finance continues to evolve as a purpose-led NBFC-MFI, enabling dignity, autonomy, and upward mobility for those at the margins of the financial system.

Prateek Saraf

Co-founder & Director

Prateek Saraf is the Co-founder and Director of Sarwadi Finance, established in 2017. A Chartered Accountant, CFA, and MBA, he brings strong financial expertise and analytical depth to the organization. With a background in credit rating and statutory audit, he plays a key role in shaping the company’s financial strategy, risk management, and compliance framework. His vision and financial discipline continue to guide Sarwadi’s commitment to sustainable and responsible microfinance.

Rakesh Shah

Director

Rakesh Shah is a Director at Sarwadi Finance, bringing decades of experience in engineering, exports, and international business. As Managing Director of the NIPHA Group, his leadership adds strategic depth to Sarwadi’s vision and operations.

His involvement with industry bodies like the Bharat Chamber of Commerce and the Indo-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce offers valuable insights and networks. Committed to education and social development, he also serves as Managing Trustee of J.B. Shah Girls (PG) College and sits on academic boards of St. Xavier’s institutions. His presence strengthens Sarwadi’s mission of empowering communities through responsible financial services.

Siddharth Shah

Director

Siddharth Shah joined the Board of Sarwadi Finance in 2023, bringing with him a global outlook and deep operational expertise rooted in decades of leadership at the Nipha Group. Renowned for his strategic foresight and commitment to excellence, he has played a key role in scaling manufacturing operations for global markets across the USA, Southeast Asia, and India.

At Sarwadi Finance, his presence adds a pragmatic yet visionary dimension to the board—enhancing the organization’s focus on innovation, efficiency, and long-term impact. A strong proponent of responsible growth, Mr. Shah champions initiatives in education, healthcare, and social welfare, seamlessly aligning with Sarwadi’s mission to uplift communities through meaningful financial inclusion.

Shashank Shah

Director

Shashank Shah joined the Board of Sarwadi Finance in 2023, bringing a tech-driven and strategic perspective to the organization. With a B.Tech in Computer Science and a management degree from IIM, he has over 15 years of experience in manufacturing, marketing, and digital transformation.

At Sarwadi, he leverages his expertise in systems integration and global strategy to support financial innovation, operational efficiency, and data-driven decision-making—strengthening the company’s mission of delivering impactful and scalable microfinance solutions.

Manas Ranjan Biswal

Independent Director

Manas Ranjan Biswal joined Sarwadi Finance as an Independent Director in July 2023, bringing over 37 years of experience in commercial banking. A former Executive Director at Union Bank of India and senior leader at Punjab National Bank, he has led key portfolios including credit, recovery, IT, operations, and international banking. He also served as CEO of PNB’s Dubai operations and played a pivotal role in the amalgamation of two public sector banks.

Mr. Biswal is a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers, an IIM Lucknow MDP alumnus, and has served on the boards of ACRE, SWIFT India, Union Bank UK, and SASF. At Sarwadi Finance, he brings seasoned governance, risk management expertise, and strategic insight—supporting the institution’s mission of financial inclusion and responsible microfinance.