In a world grappling with economic disparities, gender inequity, and the urgent need for sustainable development, Dr. Mallika Kumar stands as a beacon of change. A senior faculty member, researcher, and policy influencer, she has dedicated over three decades to reshaping the global economic landscape through collaborative, inclusive, and people-centered solutions.

As Head of the Research Council at the World Cooperation Economic Forum (WCOOPEF), she works closely with its highest governing body to drive conversations on cooperative economic models, gender equity, and peacebuilding. With a firm belief that cooperation is the key to economic prosperity, she has empowered countless young minds, instilling in them the principles of collective growth, sustainable entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion.

Her research on rural financial cooperatives, women-led enterprises, and grassroots economic resilience has been widely published and recognized internationally. She has authored the book “Cooperatives in BIMSTEC Countries” (2022), released by the Minister of Cooperation, Uttarakhand, serving as a key resource for scholars and policymakers alike.

Beyond academia, Dr. Kumar’s impact extends to communities and grassroots movements. As an Advisor to the Society for Eradication of Living Fragmentation (SELF HELP), an implementing agency for UNDP projects in Uttarakhand, she has worked tirelessly to uplift marginalized communities through cooperative-driven economic models.

Her influence has reached global platforms, including the soft launch of the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 at the United Nations Headquarters, New York. She has been a sought-after speaker in China, France, the USA, the Netherlands, South Korea, the UK, and beyond, inspiring future leaders to embrace cooperation as a driving force for sustainable economic development.

With an unwavering commitment to education, youth empowerment, and economic cooperation, Dr. Kumar continues to shape the future of inclusive growth and global prosperity. Her vision ensures that young leaders are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to drive cooperative entrepreneurship and transform economies worldwide.