Laxsmanan Natarajan - Trustee

Laxsmanan Natarajan boasts an impressive career spanning over 50 years, with 22 years in the banking sector across various roles and 29 years in wind energy, including over 13 years leading operations for a prominent Indian wind IPP. His expertise in managing the financial, administrative, technical, and operational facets of wind power projects has been crucial for their success across India's southern states.

He founded Airstream Energy Private Limited in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, in December 2006, focusing on renewable energy consultancy, particularly in wind power. Natarajan has also contributed his expertise as an advisor to Baring PE, one of India's largest PE funds, for three years and served as the Indian Director and CEO for a UK-based renewable energy charity for 11 years.

His international exposure includes extensive travels in India, the UK, Europe, and China, participating in global wind farm fairs and meetings with international investors. Notable Indian conglomerates such as the Godrej, Tata, Rane groups, and MIOT & Apollo Hospitals have been among his clients.

Natarajan has been actively involved with the Online Giving Foundation and various charitable activities, particularly in renewable energy. Holding a Bachelor of Science and a CAIIB certification, his achievements include pivotal roles in scaling a wind energy company to public listing and securing significant equity funds for a renewable energy firm in Chennai.

Sushmita Singha - Trustee

Sushmita Singha is a distinguished social entrepreneur with a 35-year dedication to the development sector, primarily focusing on charitable work. She has significantly impacted water and sanitation initiatives through her leadership role at Sulabh International. Sushmita’s passion for social advancement is also evident in her establishment of the MA.My Anchor Foundation and the JAL Water Museum, both aimed at promoting sustainable development.

Her commitment extends to her trustee position with the Online Giving Foundation India, facilitating international funding for social causes. As a co-founder of the Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival, she has contributed to cultural philanthropy. Sushmita is also a life member of INTACH, advocating for heritage conservation.

Her international charitable efforts include projects with the Kabul Municipality, under the aegis of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, and her involvement with the UN Task Force, where she helped shape the Millennium Development Goals.

Sushmita’s work in the nonprofit sector has been recognized with awards from Afghanistan for her environmental advocacy and from Sri Lanka for her contributions to public health and hygiene. Additionally, she is a published author and an academic, holding a postgraduate degree in English and further qualifications in urban planning and management.

Vijaya Balaji - Trustee

Vijaya’s foray into the Social Impact Ecosystem began when she set up the operations of toolbox INDIA. Foundation in 2011. As the CEO and Managing Director at toolbox INDIA, she has worked across several programs and initiatives that leverage skilled talent for deployment in the non-profit space, having delivered over 650+ projects at toolbox INDIA. She has served as an advisory member for India@75, is an ecosystem knowledge lead for the Better World Initiative Program at Genpact, and serves on the board of Apnalaya, which works to alleviate urban poverty.

As the founding partner at Social Lens Consulting, an impact-aligned consulting company, she has transformed the landscape of Capacity Strengthening and Organisation Development by conceptualising capacity-strengthening programs supporting 1000+ NPOS to date. Her work includes designing and developing methodologies and frameworks for Organisational Development and Impact measurement.

Vijaya collaborates with philanthropic capital providers and ecosystem builders to explore support measures and programs directed toward non-profit organisations for improved resilience and preparedness.

Santosh Abraham

Santosh Abraham is a seasoned professional with over two decades of expertise in the development sector, focusing on youth, at-risk populations, inclusion, livelihoods, and employability. Known for his strategic foresight and collaborative approach, Santosh has consistently driven impactful change by building partnerships across diverse stakeholders. His extensive experience in government relations, policy advocacy, and multi-stakeholder engagement uniquely positions him to address systemic challenges effectively. A results-driven leader, Santosh excels in leveraging innovative solutions and partnerships to scale programs, ensuring both immediate and long-term sustainability.

Throughout his career, Santosh has built a reputation for fostering cross-sector collaborations and addressing socio-economic issues with precision and empathy. He has held prominent leadership roles in national and international NGOs, as well as in the social responsibility arm of the IT-BPM industry trade body, NASSCOM Foundation. His career spans strategy development, business development, project management, and government engagement, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of the development landscape and equipping him to lead transformative initiatives effectively.

With a Bachelor’s in Commerce from Loyola College, Chennai, and a Master’s in Social Work (Medical and Psychiatric Social Work) from Madras Christian College (MCC), Santosh combines strong academic credentials with practical experience. His leadership, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment to social impact make him a pivotal figure in the development sector and an asset to any initiative or board he serves on.

Payal Mittal

More to come!