Rishi Banshiwal

Rishi Banshiwal is the Founder of Reaching Sky Foundation and Health Volunteers, two platforms dedicated to empowering young people, advancing public health, and building a culture of volunteerism in India. With over 11 years of experience working across national and international development systems, Rishi has led large-scale, research-informed communication and community engagement initiatives that have reached more than 1 million people across India.

A strategic communicator and youth development leader, Rishi has worked with global institutions such as UNDP, UN Volunteers (UNV), the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, PATH, Vital Strategies, Bloomberg Philanthropies, TB Alert India, and several civil society and corporate partners. His work spans public health, mental health, tobacco control, TB awareness, road safety, gender issues, and youth engagement—always rooted in evidence, behaviour change communication, and impactful storytelling.

Career Impact & Achievements

• Led 5+ large-scale youth engagement programs and three national health campaigns, mobilizing over 3,500 young people using innovative “Learn, Act, Engage” models to address issues like mental health, environment, air pollution, volunteering, and Tuberculosis.

• Produced youth engagement programs at UNDP, including building and leading V-Force India, a nationwide network of 20,000+ volunteers, and coordinating 14 UN International Day campaigns.

• Represented India at several national and international platforms including UNCCD COP14, youth exchanges in South Korea and Indonesia, and national policy roundtables.

• Received prestigious recognitions such as Peace Messenger Award (South Korea, 2017) and Youth Champion Award (iVolunteer Awards, 2016).

• Hosted a national awareness segment on Radio Big FM for World Mental Health Day, amplifying the theme “Mental Health in the Digital Age.”

  
  

Leadership at Reaching Sky Foundation

Rishi co-founded the Reaching Sky Foundation with a vision to bring education, leadership, and public health awareness closer to communities—especially young people who want to contribute but lack structured opportunities.

Today, Rishi continues to lead Reaching Sky Foundation and Health Volunteers with a commitment to youth leadership, public health, evidence-based communication, and high-impact volunteering. His work reflects a deep belief that small acts of service, when multiplied by thousands, can transform the nation.