Advisory Board
The Advisory Board of Sankala Foundation comprises distinguished leaders, industry experts, and visionaries who guide our mission and initiatives. With expertise across diverse sectors, they provide strategic insights, mentorship, and oversight, ensuring our programs align with global best practices. Their wisdom and experience strengthen our commitment to driving impactful, sustainable, and inclusive development, empowering communities worldwide.
Prof. K. VijayRaghavan
Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, former Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, is the Chair of the Advisory Board at Sankala Foundation. With a illustrious career spanning decades, Prof. VijayRaghavan has made a name for himself in the scientific community and has been instrumental in reshaping the research and innovation landscape both in India and around the world.
Prof. VijayRaghavan earned his Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, in 1975. His passion for scientific exploration led him to pursue doctoral work in Molecular Biology and in 1983 he received his Ph.D. from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). As a testament to his dedication and pursuit of excellence, he furthered his expertise as a Research Fellow at the renowned California Institute of Technology from 1984 to 1988.
Prof. Ashutosh Sharma
Prof. Ashutosh Sharma is a visionary academician with exceptional interdisciplinary contributions in the fields of nano-sciences, nanotechnology, nanocomposites, soft matter, micro/nano-mechanics, colloid and interfacial engineering etc. Currently serving as the Institute Chair Professor and INAE Visvesvarya Chair Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, he brings a wealth of expertise and experience.
Prof. Ashutosh Sharma’s academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur in 1982. He further pursued his passion for knowledge and obtained a master’s degree in the same subject from The Pennsylvania State University in 1984 and earned a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from State University of New York at Buffalo in 1987.
Dr. C. N. Pandey
Dr. C. N. Pandey is a distinguished public servant from the Indian Forest Service with an exceptional service record. He is well known for his significant contributions towards preserving India’s invaluable forest wealth. Currently, he is serving as the Professor of Practice at IIT- Gandhinagar where he is exploring the relationship between engineering and environmental conservation.
After receiving his M.Sc. from Lucknow University in 1976, Dr. C. N. Pandey began his academic career and then devoted himself fully to environmental sciences. He continued his higher studies, earning a Postgraduate Diploma from Indira Gandhi National Open University and a Ph.D. from North Gujarat University, to enhance his knowledge and expertise in the area.
Dr. Leena Srivastava
Dr. Leena Srivastava, formerly the Vice Chancellor of TERI School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi, is a distinguished academician who has been promoting interdisciplinary higher education and a pioneering figure in the field of sustainable development. Dr. Srivastava holds a master’s in economics from the University of Hyderabad and a Ph.D. in Energy Economics from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
Having begun her career at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Dr. Srivastava spent over three decades there, exiting as the Executive Director. Her work at TERI covered a wide range of issues, including energy and environment policy/planning, energy economics, and climate change.
Mr. Ashok Malik
As the Chair of Asia Group’s New Delhi based subsidiary and as a Partner in the company, Mr. Ashok Malik directs the company’s strategic initiatives and services in the Indian market. With over 30 years of diverse experience in government, media, and thought leadership, Mr. Malik is known for his knowledge of India’s policy landscape and complex interplay between business and politics.
Mr. Malik provides invaluable advice to clients seeking to enter and expand in the Indian market. He specializes in tailored strategies for market entry, enterprise-level risk management, and crisis mitigation. His profound knowledge and expertise include India’s foreign and trade policies and the government’s approach to international business, resilient supply chains, and national capacities.