FOUNDER & MANAGING TRUSTEE,
TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL
ANAMIKA MAJUMDER
Anamika, the Founder of OBLF is a Software Professional, based out of Boston, MA. She has worked for companies like Sun Microsystems, Thomson Reuters/DTCC, The MathWorks, Optum/UnitedHealthGroup in the USA for 2 decades. With an undergrad degree in Architecture from MNIT Jaipur and a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, Anamika also has a demonstrated history of working in non-profit management. When she moved back to India in 2010, Anamika spent her time traveling to government schools in Bangalore and interacting with the children. Her experiences at these state-run schools cemented her beliefs about improving the quality of education and enhance learning experiences for children in rural India. Anamika’s mission to instill a love of learning in underprivileged children became the founding philosophy for OBLF and in July 2010, the organization was set up to meet those ends. Anamika has run full marathons for OBLF in Berlin, Mumbai, Chicago and Cape Town. She aspires to also run marathons in the remaining 3 continents for this cause that is very close to her heart.
View bio
ARVIND MALHAN
SR ADVISOR, PVT EQUITY
FORMER PARTNER, NEW SILK ROUTES
ARVIND MALHAN
Arvind is a Senior Advisor to Private Equity firms and was formerly a Partner at New Silk Route. Prior to joining NSR in 2010, Arvind served as the Executive Director at JP Morgan Private Capital Asia, the Asian private equity arm of JP Morgan, where he was part of the founding team. He previously served as Director of TVG Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on telecom, media and information technology investments across Asia, where he started the firm’s India office. Arvind began his career at McKinsey and Company, where he developed strategic initiatives for leading global companies in the information technology and financial services industries, and has also worked at Morgan Stanley Venture Partners and Pequot Capital Management. Arvind has an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
View bio
AASHU CALAPA
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR
FORMERLY CEO, LIVE LAUGH LOVE FOUNDATION
AASHU CALAPA
Aashu was heading ‘The Live Love Laugh’ Foundation where he spent 18 months working on building mental health awareness. Prior to his social ventures, Aashu worked extensively in Human Resources (HR) sector. He began his career in Wipro where he spent 11 years, followed by another 11 years in Firstsource Solutions Limited. During his time in HR, Aashu was also associated with Red Bus. He has a Masters in Personnel Management & Industrial Relations from Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Aashu has done his masters from Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Personnel Management & Industrial Relations.
View bio
Dr. Biswanath Majumder
Consultant Chief Scientist
DR. BISWANATH MAJUMDER
Dr. Biswanath Majumder, a seasoned leader in healthcare research, has over three decades of experience in translational medicine. He received his education and training at several premier institutes in India and abroad, including Presidency College, Kolkata; Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, and Hyogo Institute of Clinical Research, Kobe, Japan. He did his postdoctoral research in oncology at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA. During his 6-year tenure as a Research Associate in the University of Pittsburgh's School of Public Health, Dr Majumder studied HIV-1 host-pathogen interactions and gained critical insights into viral immunopathogenesis, including DNA vaccine approaches. A cancer immunologist by training, Dr. Majumder held senior positions at several deep-tech biopharma companies in India, where his team and he developed precision medicine tools and contributed to the innovative treatment solutions for oncology over the past 17 years. Dr. Majumder received his PhD in Cancer Immunology from Jadavpur University in 2000. He is the lead author and co-author of several highly cited publications and regularly presents his work at international meetings, writes, and serves as a reviewer for prestigious peer-reviewed journals. Presently, Dr. Majumder serves as a consultant and part of the leadership team in a personalized oncology company, and is authoring a book on the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna.
View bio
Advisory Board (India)
Ruby Kamdin
Chartered Accountant
RUBY KAMRAN
View bio
Leadership Team (India)
Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed
CEO, OBLF
Dr. IMTIAZ AHMED
Dr Imtiaz is a highly experienced leader in the social sector and comes with more than two decades of rich experience leading large-scale systems strategy, design and implementation in very reputed organisations. Besides having trained as a physician, Dr Imtiaz is also a postgraduate in Public Health from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS, Mumbai). He has worked across large organisations like LV Prasad Eye Institute, Sankara Eye Foundation, and more recently as the Mission Head of HelpAge India leading programme design and execution across India for the last 7 years. In the course of his work, Dr Imtiaz has worked extensively with the Indian health sector as well as leading government institutes and think-tanks to drive advocacy and policy related to public health. Dr. Imtiaz brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for social impact, and we are confident that under his leadership, OBLF will continue to grow and make an even greater difference in the lives of those we serve.
View bio
Sudha Upadhyayula
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
SUDHA UPADHYAYULA
Sudha Upadhyayula is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in the corporate and social sectors. With an MBA in HR, a PG Diploma in Business Management, and a PG in International Humanitarian Law, Sudha believes in lifelong learning and has acquired a solid educational foundation to complement her extensive experience.
Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Women's Studies from the prestigious Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Sudha demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing knowledge in the field and addressing critical social issues. With an accumulated 21 years of experience in both corporate and social sectors, successfully managing a wide range of multi-locational programs and multi-cultural teams, her expertise lies in program and people management, process training, operations, monitoring and evaluation, and quality assurance.
View bio
Mahesh Shetty
Director, Operations
MAHESH SHETTY
Mahesh brings over 20 years of rich experience spanning the corporate and social sectors, with more than a decade dedicated to driving impact in the development space. An engineer by training, he has been associated with OBLF since 2014, playing a key role in strengthening operations and field execution. After a brief entrepreneurial stint managing his own farmhouse, Mahesh has returned to OBLF as Director – Operations. His deep commitment to social service and passion for community development continue to anchor his journey with OBLF.
View bio
Poonam Varlani
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
POONAM VARLANI
Poonam Varlani, an accomplished leader in the social sector, brings extensive experience from her previous roles at Dream a Dream and the Azim Premji Foundation. She joined OBLF two years ago as an Advisor and has since transitioned to the role of Chief Financial Officer, where she continues to drive the organization's financial strategy.
View bio
Dr. Roopa Devadasan
CO-DIRECTOR, PUBLIC HEALTH
DR. ROOPA DEVADASAN
Dr. Roopa Devadasan has been working as a Public Health expert and school teacher, alternately and sometimes in parallel for the past 35 years. Trained in allopathy, there has been ongoing learning in other healing systems along the way, working with tribal and urban populations. The challenge ahead is to discover, in the Anekal Taluk , ground realities of the disadvantaged and to look for more equitable holistic health care solutions. Much work could be in collaboration with the government and other stakeholders, always with the community at the center.
View bio
Deboshri Bhattacharya
Director, Partnerships & Impact
DEBOSHRI BHATTACHARYA
Deboshri Bhattacharya is a seasoned leader in partnerships and impact & Marketing within the social development sector. She has held leadership roles in reputed organizations such as The Akshaya Patra Foundation, Magic Bus and CBM where she has consistently delivered strategic, scalable, and community-led programs focused on equity, inclusion, and sustainability.
With a strong grounding in the Indian non-profit ecosystem, Deboshri brings a nuanced understanding of the CSR landscape, philanthropic networks, and government collaboration models. Her approach is rooted in designing and executing ESG-aligned programs that are both impactful and replicable—strengthening systems, engaging communities, and addressing structural inequalities.
Her expertise spans the complete grant lifecycle, including opportunity identification, proposal development, strategic budgeting, donor engagement, and program implementation. She has a proven track record of cultivating and managing partnerships with leading corporations, global foundations, and multilateral donors—ensuring alignment between donor priorities and development outcomes.
Deboshri’s leadership is guided by the belief that strategic partnerships, shared value creation, and community-led development models—with active government participation—are critical enablers of sustainable change.A certified CSR professional, she holds a Postgraduate degree in Social Work from Delhi School of Social Work, University of Delhi, and a Postgraduate Degree in Marketing from the Indian School of Business (ISB) and INSEAD.
With her sectoral depth, results-oriented mindset, and unwavering commitment to social equity, Deboshri is well-positioned to advance OBLF’s mission and scale its impact across vulnerable communities in India.
View bio
Dr. Gopukrishnan Pillai
CO-DIRECTOR, PUBLIC HEALTH
DR. GOPUKRISHNAN PILLAI
Dr. Gopukrishnan Pillai is a physician with a clinical background in Palliative and Old Age Care. As a public health specialist he focuses on health system strengthening that accommodates and empowers vulnerable individuals and marginalised communities. A Distinction and dual Masters holder from University of Leiden and KIT Amsterdam, Dr.Pillai has additional qualifications from National Law School of India and Rome Business School.
View bio
Dr. Rohit Kumar Kankar
Lead M&E
Dr. ROHIT KUMAR KANKAR
Dr. Rohit Kumar Kankar is a development sector professional with deep expertise in program implementation, monitoring & evaluation, public health systems, and ageing-focused programs. With over a decade of leadership experience across research institutions and non-profit organizations, he has successfully delivered evidence-based, scalable, and people-cantered interventions aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable populations.
Dr. Rohit has held senior roles at organizations like HelpAge India and has worked closely with central and state governments to operationalize flagship initiatives such as ElderLine – 14567, senior day care centres, and long-term elder care services. He has also played a pivotal role in shaping geriatric training modules and capacity building efforts through national institutions like the National Institute of Social Defence and the National Institute of Open Schooling.
His strength lies in building robust M&E systems that drive data-informed decision-making, enhance program accountability, and generate real-time insights into social impact. He has led both international and indigenous research and implementation projects, aligning development outcomes with national policy frameworks and donor expectations. His contributions span policy research, impact assessments, capacity strengthening, and strategic advisory on elder welfare.
With six academic publications and extensive participation in national and international conferences, Dr. Rohit is recognized as a thought leader on issues related to ageing, program implementation, and inclusive development. His academic background includes a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Panjab University, Chandigarh, with a specialized focus on the social dimensions of ageing in India.
At One Billion Lives Foundation, Dr. Rohit is driving a culture of learning, evidence, and adaptive programming ensuring that the foundation’s work is not only impactful but also replicable and responsive to the evolving needs of India’s most underserved communities.
View bio
Management Team (India)
Sonali Gupta
SENIOR MANAGER,
EDUCATION & TRAINING
SONALI GUPTA
Sonali has been working on creating meaningful and engaging learning experiences for learners and teachers for over a decade. In the past, she has worked on creating facilitator led sessions and digital toolkits in areas like English, Life Skills and Career Skills for children, adolescents and young people. She has worked closely with facilitators in training and supporting them to create 21st century classrooms. She has completed her Master's in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. At OBLF, she manages the development of learning products for students and teachers. When she is not working, Sonali enjoys sketching and oil painting.
View bio
Maruti M
Operations Manager
MARUTI M
Maruti is passionate about social work, especially supporting marginalized communities, underprivileged students, and government school teachers. He enjoys conducting training and capacity-building programs for diverse stakeholders in the Education Department. His interests include reading, designing learning materials, team management, and building a strong rapport with stakeholders. Over the years, he has served in various roles such as Project Associate, Community Lead, Academic Lead, Innovation Team Leader, Leadership Development Program Lead, and Program Officer. Currently, he is working as the Operations Manager at OBLF.
View bio
Dr. Ankita Kar
PROGRAM MANAGER, PUBLIC HEALTH
DR. ANKITA KAR
Ankita has a formal background in Bachelors in Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery along with a professional background in Masters in Public Health. She started working as a Physician and then shifted to the domain on the larger public wherein she entered the Public Health realm. As a Public Health Professional she started her own project focusing on the Jan Aushadhi Program. After that Ankita worked as a Consultant in an evaluation project of the Maternity Waiting Homes in tribal areas and also in urban slums focusing on menstrual hygiene. At OBLF, Ankita works as a Public Health Consultant. Her personal interests include identifying the social determinants of health, strengthening of health systems and also gender equality.
View bio
Monisha Maria
PROGRAM MANAGER, EDUCATION & TRAINING
MONISHA MARIA
Monisha transitioned from a career in structural engineering and design to focus on education. After two years as a designer, she realized her passion lay in teaching.
With a background in STEM training and teaching, she spent two years helping students to pursue their dreams. A desire to create some impact led her to join the Teach for India Fellowship, where she deepened her commitment to help underprivileged children to reach their potential.
As Program Manager at OBLF, she continues to focus on supporting educators and students, believing that talent is most valuable when used with purpose.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her three young children. Gardening and traveling also soothe her soul.
View bio
Dr. Anvita Shetty
MEDICAL OFFICER, PUBLIC HEALTH
DR. ANVITA SHETTY
Dr. Anvitha has a Bachelor’s degree in Surgery and Medicine (MBBS) and is currently pursuing a Post Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (PGDFM).
With four years of professional experience, Anvitha has previously served as a COVID Medical Officer, handling inpatient care, emergency cases, outpatient services (OPD), vaccination drives at the community level and managing non-communicable diseases at the NCD clinic at the Udupi District Hospital.
Currently, Anvitha is a Medical Officer at the OBLF Mobile Clinic, and specializes in providing essential healthcare services via a mobile clinic at the Indlawadi PHC area.
View bio
Prakash Bettegowda
MANAGER, FIELD OPERATIONS, EDUCATION & TRAINING
PRAKASH BETTEGOWDA
Prakash has over 10 year's experience in empowering educators and holistic development of children, across the Karnataka state. In his current role as Program Manager, he works towards forging new partnerships, ensures effective implementation of programs. trains the supervisors to overcome the field challenges and takes new initiatives for effective operations of the program. As a 'change leader', He is passionate about designing impactful and contextual interventions while ensuring all practices align with the organizational mission and the foundation's code of ethics."
View bio
DR. MANASA M.C.
Medical Officer, Geriatric and Palliative Care
DR. MANASA
Dr. Manasa MC graduated in medicine from Jinan University in Guangzhou, China. She acquired valuable experience in Clinical Medicine and Neuro-rehabilitation at Apollo Hospitals before joining the OBLFin 2024. As the daughter of a farmer from Anekal and the first doctor in her family, Dr. Manasa possesses a unique and personal insight into the barriers faced by marginalized communities in accessing essential healthcare services in Anekal. Her background fuels her commitment to addressing these healthcare challenges and improving services for those in need.
View bio
Sakshi Kumar
Program Manager, Fundraising & Partnerships
SAKSHI KUMAR
Hailing from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Sakshi is a dedicated professional committed to making a positive impact in her community. She has experience as a Partnership Manager, where she led CSR fundraising initiatives for a year, building strong relationships and driving meaningful projects. Prior to this role, Sakshi spent 4.5 years at Adobe as a Software Developer, where she honed her technical skills and contributed to innovative projects.
In addition to her professional achievements, Sakshi is a passionate dog lover, often volunteering at local shelters. She finds joy in dancing and baking during her leisure time, reflecting her creative side. Sakshi is also interested in community development and often participates in local initiatives aimed at improving quality of life in her area. Her diverse interests and professional background highlight her commitment to personal growth and community service.
View bio
CHANDRIKA RAMAKANTH
PROGRAM Manager, EDUCATION & TRAINING
CHANDRIKA RAMAKANTH
Chandrika is an educationist and brings in pedagogical expertise leading a Subject Teacher Allocation and Training Program at OBLF. She comes with over nine years of experience working in the education sector. She started off as a teacher and pursued roles that contributed towards teacher professional development, overall school development and stakeholder management. Chandrika is a foodie, minimalist and nature lover.
View bio
Madhura
Trainer & Coordinator
MADHURA
Madhura embarked on her journey with a degree in biology, driven by a fascination with life’s complexities. She worked as an educator and coordinator, guiding students through the challenges of remote learning with creativity and support.
Now, as a Trainer & Coordinator at the One Billion Literates Foundation (OBLF), she collaborates with the team to empower individuals through a livelihood programme, equipping them with valuable skills for their futures. Outside of work, Madhura enjoys getting lost in the world of books.
View bio
PRIYANGA B
Tech-Product Experience Designer
PRIYANGA B
Priyanga is a Tech-Product Experience Designer with a strong background in education, training, and product implementation. She specializes in creating user-centered solutions that enhance learning and technology adoption.
View bio
Mohit Sood
Co-Lead, Community
Mental Health, Program Design and Research
Mohit Sood
Mohit is a public health professional with keen interest in health systems, health policy, mental health, adolescent health, non-communicable diseases and research. He has rich work experience of working with grassroot level NGOs and has previously worked with Sangath, Urban Health and Climate Resilience Centre of Excellence (UHCRCE) and Deepak Foundation. He has been a recipient of Infosys fellowship in public health in the past and was selected for India’s Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR) fellowship program in the Cohort of 2023.
At One Billion Literates Foundation (OBLF), Mohit is a part of the public health team and provides technical support to the ongoing Community mental health and Non-communicable disease program. He will also be focusing on expanding public health initiatives at OBLF.
Outside work, Mohit enjoys reading non-fiction books and spending time with nature.
View bio
Dr. Haritha Lakshman
Medical Officer, Geriatric and Palliative Care
Dr. Haritha Lakshman
After earning her MBBS in Bangalore, Dr. Haritha found her calling amidst rural communities, serving in a PHC where medicine met humanity. She stood at the heart of the storm during both waves of COVID, offering strength when hope was fragile. Guided by empathy and a mind that never stops questioning, she sees healing as both an art and a responsibility. With creativity in her soul and learning in her veins, she walks this path with quiet fire.
View bio
Board of Trustees (OBLF USA)
ANAMIKA MAJUMDER
PRESIDENT
ANAMIKA MAJUMDER
Anamika, the Founder of OBLF is a Software Professional, based out of Boston, MA. She has worked for companies like Sun Microsystems, Thomson Reuters/DTCC, The MathWorks, Optum/UnitedHealthGroup in the USA for 2 decades. With an undergrad degree in Architecture from MNIT Jaipur and a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, Anamika also has a demonstrated history of working in non-profit management. When she moved back to India in 2010, Anamika spent her time traveling to government schools in Bangalore and interacting with the children. Her experiences at these state-run schools cemented her beliefs about improving the quality of education and enhance learning experiences for children in rural India. Anamika’s mission to instill a love of learning in underprivileged children became the founding philosophy for OBLF and in July 2010, the organization was set up to meet those ends. Anamika has run full marathons for OBLF in Berlin, Mumbai, Chicago and Cape Town. She aspires to also run marathons in the remaining 3 continents for this cause that is very close to her heart.
View bio
SCOTT FORTMANN
TREASURER
SCOTT FORTMANN
Scott Fortmann is retired after a career as a lawyer in private practice and then a career in human resources with Intel Corporation. Based upon his experiences working with non-profits in the US, Africa, and Asia, Scott believes strongly that the education of children, particularly girls, is critical to reducing poverty and promoting the economic development of communities. Scott joined OBLF in 2021 and serves as President of OBLF USA. In his spare time, he travels and rides his bike.
View bio
SARATH KURAVI
TRUSTEE
SARATH KURAVI
Sarath Kuravi is an Entrepreneur and Community Organizer spending time building IT services organization specializing in Data Engineering & Analytics and volunteering for charitable organizations. For the past 20+ years he has been highly involved in community related initiatives providing leadership, vision and strategy for furthering the cause of Non-profits. He held board positions and executive leadership positions with IndoUS Chamber of Commerce Northeast Florida, Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, Hindu Society of Northeast Florida, Children’s International Summer Villages whilst also volunteering for few other organizations. He received “40 under 40” award from Business Journal honoring 40 of Jacksonville's up-and- coming leaders under the age of 40 contributing to the local community. He holds a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from University of Toledo, OH and an undergraduate degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering NIT Jaipur.
View bio
ABHI BHATTACHARY
TRUSTEE
ABHI BHATTACHARY
Abhi is the founder of a digital marketing agency that has partnered globally with several startups to Fortune 500 companies. With a background in engineering and marketing, he combines his analytical skills with his creative skills to help his clients build and launch innovative brands and marketing campaigns. He's always been driven by a desire to make a real positive impact in the non-profit sector. Using the power of marketing for good, his goal is to help amplify OBLF's story and generate empowering change in creating lasting and scalable social good for all.
