Trustees and Executive Leadership

Is a businessman-entrepreneur and currently Managing Director of Telos Investments & Technologies Private Limited. He was the Chairman of CII Karnataka State Council for 2010-11 and serves on a number of corporate boards and charitable trusts.

Has over 20 years of experience in Education and Youth Development programmes. He has served in leadership roles in organisations like AIESEC, Ambuja Cements, Microsoft, and International Youth Foundation, where he designed, implemented and monitored multi-stakeholder partnerships. Aakash has been engaged in developing networks for knowledge creation and policy advocacy in education, corporate responsibility, and technology for development. He is the CEO of Quest Alliance that promotes the use of ICT in schools and vocational training to develop self-learning pathways for children and youth. He is an Asia 21 Fellow and serves on the board of Science Meets Dharma, a Tibetan not-for-profit trust promoting science education for Tibetan monks. He has a graduate degree in Economics from St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad.

Has served in the Forest Department, Government of Karnataka for 35 years in various positions. His stint as the Special Secretary, Department of Ecology, Environment, & Forests ensured implementation of several landmark programmes related to environmental conservation in Karnataka. He serves on various committees and in governmental and non-governmental organisations and has been closely associated with CMCA since the year 2000. His reputation precedes him and his sincerity and commitment to civic and environmental issues is apparent to all who have had the privilege to interact and work with him. CMCA benefits in no small measure from his expertise and experience.

Is an entrepreneurial leader and founder of R K Industries and Gift Links. Ms. Raghunath is an active mentor for start-ups and women entrepreneurs through her association with several women organisations, such as AWAKE (Association of Women Entrepreneurs), CWE (Catalyst for Women Entrepreneurs), and WEConnect International. She is also passionate about sustainable diversity and inclusion and is a key advisor for diversity and inclusion programmes to large corporations across the globe.

Is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer. He has held various positions including Chairman & Managing Director of the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC); Principal Secretary, Finance; Principal Secretary, Home; Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Karnataka; Development Commissioner; and finally, Chief Secretary of Karnataka, from which post he retired from Government service. Mr. Rao was conferred the Kannada Rajyotsava Award under the public service category by the Government of Karnataka on November 1, 2010.

Under her leadership, CMCA Mumbai was founded and has grown and stabilised, forging sustained and long-term relationships with its member schools. Her association with the Public Affairs Centre led her to pioneer CMCA Mumbai. Inspiring her volunteers with her dedication and tenacity, Vinodini Lulla has motivated her volunteers to ‘own’ the programme and drive CMCA with passion in their schools, embracing their ideas and bringing out their best.

Is part of the founding team of CMCA, and has dedicated her life to the CMCA vision and mission, since its conception as a programme and joint initiative of Public Affairs Centre and Swabhimana in the year 2000. Under her leadership, CMCA has forged unique partnerships with local governments and corporate entities, and sustained long-term relationships with member schools and volunteers. She has also been instrumental in building a team of passionate and committed full-time staff. Her exemplary ability to lead, inspire and motivate volunteers has made CMCA a shining example of voluntarism.

Is the Chairman of Swabhimana, our erstwhile parent organisation. An engineer by qualification, he retired as Additional General Manager, Bharat Electronics Ltd. Dedicating his life to voluntary service, Mr. Govardhan has been a prominent active citizen of Bangalore city and is associated as a member or board member with many NGOs and government agencies. He is a pillar of support for CMCA and his guidance has played a significant role in CMCA’s evolution.

Has been with CMCA since its inception as a joint programme of Public Affairs Centre and Swabhimana. It was his conceptualisation of the Civic Club model, in association with Ms. Vrunda Bhaskar, that set the stage for the launch of CMCA in the year 2000. He has mentored and guided CMCA’s evolution into the organisation it is today. Before becoming Director of CMCA in 2011, Dr. Sadashiva was an advisor to CMCA and also held various positions with other organisations like South Africa-based CIVICUS and Bangalore-based civil society organisations like Public Affairs Centre, BOSCO, and Samwada. He was also visiting faculty at the Institute of Housing & Urban Development Studies, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Dr. Sadashiva holds a Doctorate in the politics stream, a PG diploma in Regional Development Planning & Management from the Technical University of Dortmund, Germany, a PG diploma in Urban Management from IHS, Rotterdam, and a Master’s degree in Psychology from Bangalore University.

Under her leadership, CMCA Mumbai was founded and has grown and stabilised, forging sustained and long-term relationships with its member schools. Her association with the Public Affairs Centre led her to pioneer CMCA Mumbai. Inspiring her volunteers with her dedication and tenacity, Vinodini Lulla has motivated her volunteers to ‘own’ the programme and drive CMCA with passion in their schools, embracing their ideas and bringing out their best.

Is part of the founding team of CMCA, and has dedicated her life to the CMCA vision and mission, since its conception as a programme and joint initiative of Public Affairs Centre and Swabhimana in the year 2000. Under her leadership, CMCA has forged unique partnerships with local governments and corporate entities, and sustained long-term relationships with member schools and volunteers. She has also been instrumental in building a team of passionate and committed full-time staff. Her exemplary ability to lead, inspire and motivate volunteers has made CMCA a shining example of voluntarism.

Co-Founder and CEO

As co-founder and CEO of CMCA, Priya plays a pivotal role in overseeing various aspects of the organization, from content development and training to communications and program management. Her leadership and vision have been instrumental in shaping CMCA’s initiatives and impact in the community.

Outside of her professional duties, Priya is an avid fan of old English classics by authors like Austen, Wodehouse, Christie, and Doyle, as well as modern audiobooks inspired by these classics. She likes taking short driving-distance holidays, listening to music, and driving.