OUR TEAM
ARMMAN’s diverse and experienced team consists of experts across various domains, including medicine, public health, social work, technology, management, research, monitoring and evaluation, administration, finance, human resources, resource mobilisation, and communication. Together, we are committed to creating a world where every mother is empowered, and every child enjoys a healthy and thriving future.
DR. APARNA HEGDE
Founder & Managing Trustee, ARMMAN
During her medical residency, Dr. Hegde witnessed closely how pervasive systemic problems led to preventable maternal and child mortality and morbidity. Unable to tolerate the status quo, she founded ARMMAN while completing her medical training in the US.
Dr. Hegde is an internationally renowned Urogynecologist. She serves as an Associate Professor (Hon) and Head of the Department of Urogynecology at Cama Hospital, Mumbai, which is one of India’s first University-based Centers of Excellence in the field with a fellowship program. Dr. Hegde is also the Founder and Director of the Center for Urogynecology and Pelvic Health, Delhi. Additionally, she is a Consultant Urogynecologist at Global Hospital, Surya Hospital, and Women’s Hospital, Mumbai.
In addition to MD (ObGyn), DNB, FCPS (Gold Medal) and DGO, Dr. Hegde holds a master’s degree from Stanford University, and she was awarded the IUGA International Fellowship in Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery which she completed in the prestigious Department of Urogynecology at Cleveland Clinic Florida, before returning to India. She is a member of the Editorial Board of International Urogynecology Journal. She is also a member of the International Urogynecology Committee on Prolapse and the 7th International Consultation on Continence, international committees of experts constituted to develop evidence-based guidelines in the field. She is also a Board Member of the FIUGA (the Foundation for International Urogynecological Assistance).
Dr. Hegde is an avid researcher with multiple research awards with a best paper award at the American Urogynecological Society Annual Meeting in 2013 and more than 75 publications and abstracts in peer-reviewed journals She is an internationally recognized pioneer in the field of 3D and 2D sonographic assessment of the pelvic floor and is invited as an expert to conduct workshops and round tables on her research work at the IUGA (International Urogynecology Association) and AUGS (American Urogynecology Society) annual meetings since the last five years and last year’s FIGO conference. Her protocols in 2D and 3D imaging of slings are being used in multiple US and Canadian Universities. She was recently awarded the highly prestigious NIH (National Institute of Health, US) grant for her field study on bladder health in adolescent girls. She was also be awarded the Fellowship of the Sri Lankan Menopause Society in 2019, the 2nd international dignitary to be awarded the same, for contributions made to develop Urogynecology in Sri Lanka. She is a TED Fellow 2020 and Senior Ashoka Fellow 2020. She was awarded USAID ‘Social Entrepreneur’ award (2018), ‘Woman ChangeMaker’ award (Womanity Foundation, Geneva, 2017), Woman Icon Award in Asia by Nanyung University, Singapore (2016), ‘the Mother Teresa Social Leadership Fellowship in 2016, Digital Woman Entrepreneur Award in 2015, Top Social Innovator Award in 2014 and 2017, the ‘People’s Choice Award’ at Saving Lives at Birth event in Washington DC in 2011, among other awards. She has been featured as one of the five global women leaders in the Voice of America documentary, ‘A Single Step: Journeys of Women Leaders’ (2015).
Gaurav Shah
Chief Executive Officer
With over 22 years of professional experience, including 16+ years in the social sector, Gaurav has worked across corporate and development ecosystems, engaging diverse stakeholders ranging from Tier 2 retailers in India to global corporate boards, philanthropies, and government leaders.
In the social sector, he has led initiatives across nutrition, financial inclusion, education, and early childhood development. His work has included large-scale capacity building for government school head teachers and collaborating with organisations such as Azim Premji Foundation and Lok Capital. For nearly a decade, Gaurav was part of the founding team of the Indian School of Development Management (ISDM), India’s premier management school for the social sector, where he helped shape institution-building efforts and leadership development for the sector.
Earlier in his career, he worked with organisations such as P&G and American Express, gaining cross-sector exposure that continues to inform his systems-thinking approach.
Gaurav holds an MBA from IIM Calcutta, a BE in Computer Science, and an MSc in Economics from BITS Pilani.
Shreya Deb
Senior Consultant
Shreya Deb is an Electrical Engineer from IIT Bombay and holds an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad. She has extensive experience across strategy, business finance, equity and debt investments as well as grant management.
Shreya brings a unique experience of operations, investments and strategy across a wide range of sectors, from insurance to healthcare. She began her career in strategy consulting with The Boston Consulting Group before joining the global impact investing firm, Omidyar Network (ON). At ON, she led investments in early stage startups as well as non-profits across India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Philippines, Ghana and USA. During her decade-long stint at ON, she built the firm's practice area in India in the field of land, housing and property rights. More recently, she donned the startup hat at Karkinos Healthcare, an early stage organization with the aim of making affordable cancer care accessible to the masses.
At ARMMAN, she oversees the various programmes including Kilkari, IHRPTM, MaMitra and Equity initiative.
Dr. Anuja Jayaraman
Chief Impact Officer
Dr. Anuja Jayaraman has over 15 years of experience in international development programs, policy-oriented qualitative and quantitative research, and has led the research, monitoring and evaluation, and information management functions. She has worked in the areas of income and non-income dimensions of well-being including poverty and health (maternal, child and adolescent health) in South Asia and Africa. At ARMMAN, she will take on the responsibility for both Research and Monitoring & Evaluation functions across programmes.
Dr. Anuja holds a Doctoral degree from Penn State University, USA, and a Master’s degree in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics. She has worked with organisations like SNEHA (Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action), ICF Macro and UNICEF.
KUMAR MADHU SUDAN
Sr. Director – Programmes (Kilkari & Mobile Academy)
Kumar Madhu Sudan manages Kilkari and Mobile Academy projects with ARMMAN. He has 25 years of experience in the development sector during which he has worked with CARE Inc. Intrahealth International, CARE India and BBC Media Action. During the last 6 years he has played pivotal roles in implementing mHealth projects in India across several states.
DR. SHUBALAKSHMI IYER
Director – Equity, Integrated High Risk Pregnancy Tracking & Management
Dr. Shubalakshmi comes with a vast experience in the field of social development and public health, especially in RMNCH+A (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health) projects, communicable and non-communicable diseases, child undernutrition, local governance, livelihoods, vocational training and women and youth empowerment. She is skilled at strategic planning, team building, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, stakeholder and vendor management, grant management and program development. She was recognised with the ‘Most Talented Quality Leaders (Global)’ award in the NGO sector, hosted by the World Quality Congress and Awards, 9th edition, 2023.
In the past, she has worked with organisations like Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Human Rights Research Center (HRRC), WHO-GOI NPSP (National Public Health Support Programme), Niramaya Health Foundation, Impact India Foundation, Bhavishya Alliance, Light of Life Trust, CCDT, TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences), Indian Academy of Pediatrics, AROEHAN, Piramal Swasthya and WISH (Wadhwani Initiative for Sustainable Healthcare) Foundation. She is a graduate in Indian Medicine from R.A. Podar Medical College and holds post graduate degrees in Hospital Administration, Population Sciences and Public Health from Indiana Health Care Association, Annamalai University and Texila American University respectively.
Dr. Shilpa Jain
Director – Programmes (MaMitra, mMitra++, Swasth Kadam & Arogya Sakhi)
Dr. Shilpa Jain brings extensive experience spanning public health, nutrition, mental health, and inclusive development, having worked across diverse geographies and communities, from remote tribal regions of India to urban centres. She has led flagship initiatives including millet-based nutrition programmes to improve maternal and child health, mental health interventions for teachers and students, STEM learning through simulation-based education, and renewable energy solutions integrated into livelihood programmes. Her work in tribal regions has focused on strengthening the capacity of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and public health systems to deliver quality nutrition interventions at scale.
She is deeply committed to inclusion, having worked with marginalised communities including LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and children living with HIV/AIDS. She believes that sustainable development must be inclusive, evidence-based, and rooted in community engagement.
In the past, she has worked with organisations including UNICEF, Pidilite Industries, AIF, United Way India, KHUSHII, Smile India Foundation, and HLFPPT.
Dr. Shilpa holds a Master's in Health Administration from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, a Master's in Population Studies from IIPS Mumbai, and a degree in Physiotherapy from Jamia Hamdard University.
DR. neha madhiwalla
Director – Research
Dr. Neha Madhiwalla has a Ph.D in Social Sciences and has been involved in public health research for over 20 years. Her areas of expertise include maternal and child health, health systems, medical education and training and bioethics. She has worked at the Centre for Enquiry in Health and Allied Themes (CEHAT) and Centre for Studies in Ethics and Rights, both affiliated to the Anusandhan Trust, between 1987 and 2013. She worked as a Research Scientist at the Ramalingaswami Centre for Equity and Social Determinants of Health, Bangalore in 2016 and 2017. She is a member of the research ethics committee at BARC Hospital, Mumbai, as well as the managing trustee of Chehak Trust, an organisation which has been involved in developing community based models for education, life-skills and disability rehabilitation.
She was awarded the MacArthur Fund for Leadership Development fellowship (2002-2005) for developing a life-skill curriculum for out-of-school adolescent girls, several elements of which were then incorporated in the Maharashtra state life-skills curriculum for girls in middle and high schools in 2005.
DR. HANIMI MODUGU
Director – Research
Dr. Varada Madge
Director – Research
Dr. Varada Madge is skilled at epidemiological investigations, quantitative and qualitative research study designs, monitoring and evaluation, assessment surveys, data analysis and publications. With more than 16 years of work experience, she has worked on communicable and non-communicable diseases, healthcare innovations, WASH, maternal and child health, reproductive and sexual health, Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR), health systems strengthening, mHealth, and universal health coverage. At ARMMAN, Dr. Varada leads the research for Kilkari and Mobile Academy. She works closely with the programme teams to conduct rigorous research studies that assess programme impact and build evidence to inform strategic decisions.
Dr. Varada has a Master’s in Health Sciences from the University of Pune, followed by Master of Philosophy and a Doctorate in Social Medicine and Community Health from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She also has an MBA in Marketing and Strategy and Leadership in AI from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. In the past, she has worked with Indian Council of Medical Research, Public Health Foundation of India, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, MAMTA-Health Institute for Mother and Child, Evidence Action, Optum Global Solutions Pvt. Ltd. and The Energy and Resources Institute.
AMRITA MAHALE
Director – Product & Innovation
MALIKA MALHOTRA
Director – Content
SANAT KUMAR
Director – Technology
With over three decades of global technology leadership and more than two decades of consulting experience in the United States, Sanat Kumar brings deep expertise in building and scaling engineering, product, and operations teams across India, the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
He holds a Bachelor Degree from VSSUT Burla, Master’s degree from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, specializing in Applications for Parallel Computing, along with advanced Master’s certifications in AI Engineering and Data Science in collaboration with IBM. Sanat’s career spans startups, Fortune 500 companies, government programs, and high-growth enterprises, where he has led digital transformation initiatives, strengthened technology systems, and built international delivery and consulting hubs.
At ARMMAN, he applies this experience to enhance digital platforms, leverage data and AI responsibly, and create scalable technology solutions that help improve health outcomes for women, children and support frontline health workers across India.
SHIRLEY VARGHESE
Director – Finance & Accounts
GEORGE JOHN
Director – HR & Administration
KRUTI DALAL
Director – Resource Mobilization and Communication
Kruti Dalal is responsible for setting and implementing the strategy for fundraising and communication at ARMMAN. She has over 12 years of experience in the development sector and as a journalist for Bloomberg TV and Economic Times Now. She has completed her Master’s in International Journalism from Cardiff University, UK.
OUR TRUSTEES
ARMMAN is governed by our Board of Trustees who are leaders in their individual fields, they make sure we’re doing all we can to reach, help and enable a healthy pregnancy, childhood and adolescence for every woman, child and adolescent in the country.
Founder & Managing Trustee
Dr. Aparna Hegde is India’s leading urogynaecologist and pelvic floor reconstructive surgeon.
She holds MD, DNB, FCPS, DGO degrees; Master’s degree in biological sciences from Stanford University and International Urogynaecological Association International Fellowship in Urogynaecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery from Cleveland Clinic, Florida.
Mr. Srinivaas V. Sirigeri (SVS) is an established self-made entrepreneur, spiritual seeker and a passionate promoter of health. He provided the initial financial support to ARMMAN in 2009 and has been on the Board of Trustees since then. SVS has a keen interest in working for various social and philanthropic causes. His family has also founded the Devasiri Seva Trust to support higher education of financially-weak meritorious students from Indian villages.
Dr. Janhavi Raut is the R&D Director, Beauty & Personal Care S&T at Unilever R&D India. She has been with Unilever R&D in different capacities since 1998. Dr. Raut has a Ph.D. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, USA and completed her B. Tech. in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. She has 21 publications to her credit and has filed over 26 patents, of which 20 have been granted. She has served on the Editorial Advisory Board of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research – ACS and has been a visiting professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.
Piyush Tewari is the Founder and CEO of SaveLIFE Foundation, a globally recognized non-profit working to eliminate road crash fatalities through systemic reform and innovation. Under his leadership, SaveLIFE pioneered India’s Zero Fatality Corridor model, achieving over 50% reduction in deaths on high-risk highways, and led the creation of India’s landmark Good Samaritan Law, protecting bystanders who help crash victims.
A Skoll Awardee for Social Innovation and Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Piyush serves on India’s National Road Safety Council and has worked closely with the Supreme Court of India, the World Bank, and WHO to shape national and global road safety policy. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Lancet, TIME, and the British Medical Journal.