Board of Directors
Nagesh Karuturi
Founder Director
A management professional with 24 years of experience in international leadership positions in India, Africa, South Asia, Europe, and the United Kingdom, graduated from India's Symbiosis Institute of Business Management with an MBA in marketing. He has led teams of up to 6500 personnel and has executed top-notch processes for sales, operations, human resources, quality assurance, and auditing. He has led and carried out programs for vulnerable communities in India and Africa, focusing on education, economic empowerment, life skills, the environment, sanitation, healthcare, and nutrition. In 2011, the Lions Club International Foundation awarded him the Melvin Jones Fellowship for his humanitarian work, and in 2014, the Lions Club International President's Certificate of Appreciation was given for his outstanding accomplishments in carrying out the organization's mission.
Sharat Hegde
Founder Director
Sharat, a B. Tech. in Computer Science from IIT Delhi, has over 31 years of experience in the software business. He currently owns a software consulting business in India and co-owns Perfect Makeup Mirrors and Reflect Perfection, a US-based online retailer. Sharat oversees corporate Heartfulness activities in India and collaborates with NGOs as a Board Director for the Heartfulness Institute, India. He played a crucial role in the CAP-YEI initiative in Kenya, which integrates Heartfulness's foundational practices for children's holistic development.
Dinesh Agrawal
Founder Director
Dinesh has over 22-years of experience and expertise in electrical engineering, and has been a member of the Hira Group since its inception. He has worked on various components of the group's steel rolling mills, sponge iron plant, and ferro alloys unit. He currently holds the positions of Managing Director of RR Ispat and Executive Director of Godawari Power & Ispat Ltd. He served as Chairman of CII RAIPUR from 2014 to 2015 and is the founding chairman of CII YI (Young Indians), Raipur. Together with the Chhattisgarh administration, he has played a key role in developing effective industrial strategies. He believes that external perfection reflects inner riches and contentment.
S.G. Anil Kumar
Founder Director
Anil, a seasoned banker with over 27 years of experience, holds degrees from the Asian Institute of Management in Manila and the Symbiosis Institute of Management in Pune. He has been instrumental in the development and implementation of the KGFS local financial institution concept and served as the Founder Trustee of the IFMR Trust. Anil is also the creator of Samunnati, a successful initiative that has helped over a million farmers in 12 states. He has received awards for his social entrepreneurship, including the Best Social Entrepreneur Award from Hand in Hand at the 2018 Global Social Entrepreneurship Programme and Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 by TiE Chennai.
Ramakrishna Mallela
Founder Director
Ramakrishna with an Executive MBA, is a dedicated development professional with 20 years of experience. He integrates technology and science into the sector, demonstrating his design thinking skills. He works closely with the Government of Andhra Pradesh and collaborates in developing life skills curriculums for children and youth. He has worked with major organizations like Dell, Cognizant, HP, and SAP. Ramakrishna is a qualified instructor, trainer, coach, and mentor. He enjoys traveling, theatre, and working on charitable projects.
Core Team members
Kavitha D L
Deputy Director
Kavitha leads the overall management and activities of the organization. She holds a postgraduate degree in Advanced Human Development and has over 20 years of field and managerial experience with various NGOs. She specialises in program management including strategic planning, program design, project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. She believes in holistic development, gender equality and women empowerment. This motivated her to work in different fields including education, self-reliance, economic development, legal literacy on violence against women & girls, health, Panchayat Raj, and adolescent programs. She likes to travel and is fond of reading, painting and gardening.
Gokul Halan
Program & Operations Manager
Gokul Halan is a native of the Nilgiri hills and holds a degree in Master of Social Work - Human Resources. He is a development professional with a decade of working experience in the environment and social sector. He specialises in Hill Waters and Sanitation, Climate Change and Natural Disasters. He has strong technical knowledge on Hydrogeology and GIS. He is a Steering Committee member of the Fair Trade Towns movement in the Nilgiris. He leads the Climate Education, Climate Action and Environment initiatives at Ripples.
Pratap Singh Tamang
Project Manager
Pratap hails from Sikkim, land of peace and tranquility. He is the face of our organistaion in Sikkim and helps coordinate activities across all sectors in the state. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Commerce and has over 15 years’ experience in the private sector and educational institutions. He is passionate about his work and is driven to do the best. He’s a people person, loves meeting new people and learning about their lives and backgrounds. Being part of the ROCF team, enables him to realise his dream of giving back to his community. He enjoys travelling, spending time with friends, cooking, listening to music, playing outdoor games with his son and is a big foodie.
Priyadarshini C
Consultant
Priyadarshini is a trained medical doctor with a postgraduate degree in public health. She has nine years of academic and research experience and is skilled in research, report writing, innovative teaching and training of medical students and healthcare workers. She is interested in understanding the social dynamics of health and disease and ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all.
Nupur Tantia
Admin Associate
Nupur holds nearly 12 years of work experience and specialises in setting up processes, supervising teams, and communications. She is passionate about meeting people, traveling and networking. She currently helps the team with planning and organising meetings and calls, keeping the books and reports updated. She also helps in coordinating work with the team at Kenya.
Team - Voice That Cares
Revathi
Program Manager
Revathi is a graduate in Commerce from Stella Maris College, University of Madras, with over 25 years of experience in the Banking and Financial Services Industry (BFSI). She is a licensed Independent Financial Advisor and has worked in MNC banks and Asset Management Companies for 15 years, holding various roles including Customer Care and Operations. Revathi is passionate about educating women and young adults on financial planning, believing in the importance of financial independence. Her strengths lie in communication and coordination, and she is known for her optimistic and positive approach. Outside of work, Revathi is an avid reader, trained in Carnatic Music, and deeply interested in meditation and spirituality.
Bhavani Harikrishnan
Project Lead
Bhavani is a dedicated Mental and Emotional Wellness Consultant with a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, and Post Graduate Diplomas in Guidance and Counselling, Child and Adolescent Psychology, and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology. She is also an Accredited Addiction Management therapist (NIMHANS), and holds Career Coach and Parenting Coach certifications from Counsellors Council of India. With over 9 years of experience in counseling, Bhavani is passionate about empowering young minds with the necessary tools to navigate life’s challenges. She stays updated with the latest research and techniques in psychology, specializing in CBT, DBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and more. Bhavani's creative pursuits include gardening, needlework, painting, and blogging, bringing a unique perspective to therapeutic well-being.
Jyothi G
Program Coordinator
Jyothi holds a Master's degree in Social Work and brings forth 22 years of dedication to empowering women and children. Her skill set includes project management, training, facilitation, and networking. Jyothi actively champions environmental sustainability, integrating her environmental consciousness with her passion for holistic mental health.
Sandhya D
Psychology Counsellor
Sandhya is an experienced Psychology Counsellor with a B.E and M.A in Counselling Psychology. She orchestrates the training and development of the volunteer team, ensuring they are equipped with techniques in Psychological First Aid. Sandhya has over 8 years of experience in the IT sector and has been passionately assisting clients in coping with mental health challenges for the past 6 years. She is dedicated to empowering clients to take control of their mental health and enjoys reading books and listening to music in her free time.
Venkateshwaran Iyer
Psychology Counselor
Venkatesh is a passionate MSc Psychology graduate specializing in behavioral psychology. With over two years of counseling experience, including supporting COVID patients and volunteering for helplines, he navigates challenging situations with empathy and professionalism. Venkatesh's diverse background includes a BBA in Marketing Management, an MSC in Psychology, and certifications in yoga, career guidance, and positive psychology coaching. His interests extend to creative pursuits such as paper design, painting, and cooking, reflecting his commitment to holistic well-being.
Sheetal Solanki
Psychology Counselor
Sheetal is an experienced counselor with 6 years of experience providing guidance and support to individuals of all ages. She is an excellent oral communicator and compassionate listener, establishing a safe and non-judgmental space for clients. Sheetal enjoys painting, cooking, and exploring different forms of art, demonstrating proficiency in guiding individuals and facilitating group therapy sessions positively and effectively.
Bhoomija V
Training Coordinator
Bhoomija is a dedicated advocate for holistic healing and professional development with a Bachelor's degree in Commerce. She combines her diverse expertise in Quantum Healing, Cranio Sacral Therapy, and Past Life Regression therapy to offer comprehensive support to individuals seeking personal growth and healing. Bhoomija is actively involved in training volunteers and interns at Voice That Cares.
Sanjana Sethuraman
Content Creator
Sanjana is an Experiential Psychologist and a Licensed Heal Your Life ® Teacher & Workshop Facilitator with over 7 years of experience in Integrative Psychotherapy. She holds degrees in Psychology and Applied Psychology, and is trained in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Sanjana's notable achievement is the development of her own therapeutic approach, known as OIA (Organic Integration Approach), which she uses to work closely with clients, promoting a more holistic form of mental health care.
Prem Kumar
Platform Manager
Prem is an all-rounder who manages all platform-related aspects in a timely manner for the smooth functioning of the VTC helpline. He has studied Bachelor of Business Management and has work experience as a Tech Support Specialist. His achievements include solving 99.2% of Level 2 tech support tickets without needing to escalate to Level 3 tech support engineers and providing technical support to 140+ customers for the Jaldee app. Prem enjoys listening to Old Songs and is curious to learn about different cultures and cuisines. He is dedicated to ensuring the seamless operation of the helpline platform, contributing to the effective delivery of services to those in need.