BINA RANI - FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Bina Rani, founder and CEO of iPartner India, firmly believes that it is not her but the remarkable people and causes she believes in so passionately, that are the focus of the movement for change. Her vision for setting up the Asian Foundation for Philanthropy, Connect for Change and now iPartner India has always been to profile, work with and raise funds for small, grass root level organisations. These organisations and the individuals who run them are doing inspiring work but very often do not have a voice on the global stage. Bina's career spans more than 25 years. She initially worked within the corporate sector but for the last 15 years has dedicated herself to the voluntary sector where she has worked in India, Kenya and the UK. Her impressive achievements include her work with Dalits, children in the sex trade, bonded labourers in Karnataka, and working with disabled youth in Kenya in the late 1990s. She has worked, consulted with and volunteered for a plethora of organisations over the years. These organisations include Child Relief and You, Basic Needs, Resource Alliance, Murray Culshaw Consulting, Charities Aid Foundation and Sense International. She is also on the Advisory Board of the Kusuma Trust and the Pakhar Foundation. Bina is a leading authority on Asian philanthropy and diaspora fundraising and has spoken at various international conferences and forums on these issues. She has vast experience of advising individuals, families, and corporations on charitable giving. She is someone who intuitively understands the needs of the donor and with her indepth knowledge and hands-on approach she is able to profile some of the most worthwhile causes in India. Throughout her career, Bina has proven her commitment to both the people in the field and to those who wish to have a more genuine link to those they donate to. iPartner India is Bina's latest vision to offer the Asian diaspora in the UK a chance to get involved and contribute to creating a more just and equal society in India .
RICHARD HAWKES - CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Richard is the International Programme Director of Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO). Previously he was the founding Director of Sense International, and prior to that he worked for a variety of national and international organisations, including the United Nations. He is Chairman of the Board of BOND, the umbrella body for UK based international NGOs and frequently represents UK NGOs at ministerial level and within the European Union. He is also a member of the Beneficiary Board of the Sylvia Adams Charitable Trust and has acted as an adviser to a number of UK charities wishing to develop their international work.
DR. SOMA PUJARI - DIRECTOR
Dr. Soma Pujari is a doctor by profession, but is now dedicating her time to philanthropy. Soma's strong sense of social responsibility has inspired her to make a real difference in changing the fortunes of society's underprivileged. Soma set up her own charitable foundation, the Kusuma Trust, which funds a broad range of projects. Its focus and main area of work is India where it deals with issues surrounding education and children at risk. Soma not only founded this very successful trust, she also continues to be involved with its activities and provides strategic direction as well as guidance and support to her team. Soma is also lending her considerable expertise to other organizations and iPartner India considers itself very fortunate to have her on board.
KRISHNA RAO - DIRECTOR
An investment banker with a leading firm in London and a major supporter of projects in child education, health and the environment. He says "I get involved because I think it is the right thing to do. The influence actually comes from my mother who is involved with a lot of charity work in India. I talk to her and listen to what she is doing and she keeps me abreast of what is going on."
IRINA CORNIDES - DIRECTOR
Irina is the Chief Executive of a private philanthropic trust, where she oversees all charitable initiatives. Irina has a degree in Economics and a Masters in Management from the LSE [London School of Economics]. In her previous career Irina worked in Management Consulting and held a senior marketing position at a major online entertainment company. Though mainly from a business background, she has also worked with charities in India, South Africa and Central America. At iPartner India, Irina directs her attention towards marketing and communications.
SUMITRA MISHRA - COUNTRY DIRECTOR, INDIA
Sumitra joins the iPartner team at New Delhi and brings with her a wealth of experience from the Indian civil society sector. Over the last 15 years she has worked across a range of skills related to programmes development, advocacy, strategic planning and monitoring and evaluation. In her previous stint with Sense International (India) as the Deputy Director – Programmes, Sumitra was instrumental in establishing the programmes and advocacy strategy of the organisation. She joined the organisation at a time when iAt was beginning to set itself up in India and went on to establish it as an organisation with an enviable programme strategy characterised by a community embedded, people focussed and cost effective approach. She has worked with some of the most vulnerable populations especially children and adults with disabilities and their family members. She has a degree in disability and has done her masters in education. Sumitra’s knowledge from extensive travel to the remotest corners of the country, directly reaching out to stakeholders, people management skills and experience in start-up enterprises gives her role within the iPartner team a perfect fit.
SARAH KUEHNE - ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, iPARTNER INDIA
Sarah Kuehne joined iPartner following four successful years coordinating and managing fundraising events for The Funding Network, which has been described as the UK's first public, open giving circle. It provides a marketplace for charities and donors passionate about social change. Sarah was pivotal in transforming the organization which has raised over £2m for 350 projects to date. She was the visionary leader and hands on coordinator for a youth spin-off of the organisation. Its aim was to bring awareness to the next generation of givers and capitalize on the enthusiasm and philanthropy within this sector. The initiative was recognised at the prestigious national Third Sector Excellence Awards Ceremony scooping 'Best Fundraising Event' in 2008. Sarah boasts a Masters degree in Fine Art Media and she uses her creative talent and new media skills to bring together the donors and the inspirational work being done by charities, creating a more personal relationship between giver and receiver. Born in England and educated in Germany, New York and London, as well as frequent, extended stays in both in China and India, Sarah comes with an international background and an inspiring world vision.
NANCY SHETTY - HEAD, FINANCE AND HR
Nancy has been acting as a pro-bono consultant/accountant for Connect For Change - iPartner's predecessor - since its inception in 2005. She has more than ten years' experience as Manager/PA/Administrator on Projects, Operations and Marketing with PricewaterhouseCoopers, UK. She has coordinated large award competitions and UK education related consortium projects. Combining her skills of finance, project and database management, Nancy brings both efficiency and effectiveness to realising the vision of iPartner India. She has a true passion for the causes that iPartner supports.