Kumar Manish is a communication and digital media strategist working at the intersection of public policy, urban transformation, and inclusive economic development. He is currently associated with IPE Global in Gujarat, where he leads strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement for She Works—an initiative focused on advancing women’s workforce participation through private sector collaboration, skilling ecosystems, and policy-linked interventions.
With over 18 years of experience, Kumar has built a diverse career spanning journalism, development communication, and ecosystem-building. He began as a senior correspondent with The Times of India, where he extensively covered the civic beat, focusing on urban mobility issues such as Bus Rapid Transit Systems (BRTS), cycle sharing, and non-motorised transport. He later transitioned into the development sector, working as a Communication Officer with the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP) and subsequently as Head of Communication at the Centre for Green Mobility (CGM), where he led strategic communication initiatives around sustainable urban transport.
Over the years, Kumar has worked as a communication consultant with several national and international organisations, including UNICEF India, YuWaah, Centre for Communication of Child Rights (CCCR-PDEU), Peace Revolution, Mahila Housing Trust, Humane Society International, and Chhattisgarh Agricon Samiti, among others. His work has consistently focused on designing communication strategies that enable behaviour change, strengthen civic engagement, and support inclusive development outcomes.
Beyond his core professional work, Kumar is deeply invested in advancing conversations on sustainable urban development. He founded Urban Voices, a platform dedicated to addressing mobility and urban challenges while amplifying ideas and citizen perspectives for more livable, inclusive, and sustainable cities in India.
Kumar has also contributed to building and nurturing innovation and civic ecosystems. He co-designed the Children Innovation Festival in Gujarat to nurture young minds as future entrepreneurs and co-led AmdavadNXT, an initiative aimed at making cities more public transport-friendly. He has been actively involved in strengthening startup and youth ecosystems through collaborations with platforms such as EChai Ventures and other regional networks.
A strong advocate for responsible digital engagement, Kumar co-founded Responsibly Digital (ReDi) to promote the use of social media for social good. He is a former curator of Global Shapers Community Ahmedabad, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, and continues to contribute to conversations on youth leadership, civic participation, and inclusive urban development.
Kumar is a recipient of multiple recognitions and fellowships. He has been named a LinkedIn Top Voice from India and selected among the LinkedIn Creator Fellows. He is also a TEDx speaker. His fellowships include the U.S. State Department Legislative Fellowship and the Swedish Institute Fellowship. He received the Connect Karo 2016 Award from the World Resources Institute (WRI), USA, and was awarded the Centre for Science and Environment Media Fellowship (2010) and the Unnati Fellowship for Development Journalism (2009). He was also selected among 25 youth from South Asia for a climate change training programme supported by the British Council.
With a foundation in communication design and a systems-thinking approach, Kumar’s work brings together storytelling, policy engagement, and community-led action. He continues to focus on bridging the gap between policy, practice, and people—driving conversations and interventions around the future of work, youth engagement, and sustainable urban development.