Board of Directors - WHEELS Global Foundation

directors

Wheels Global Foundation’s Board members are global alumni leaders who have achieved commendable professional success in their careers and have a deep passion for impact and believe in WGF’s mission and vision.

Improving the Lives in Rural India by Technology-enabled Solutions

They bring in a variety of needed skills, experiences, resources, and network access to help WGF execute its annual plans successfully. They are invited in to join the Board by existing WGF Trustees and/or officeholders. Board is led by its Chairman, and it also appoints President & Vice-President(s) to drive its day-to-day execution.

Rajat Gupta

Mr. Rajat Gupta is also Chairman of WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF), and serves on its board as a key strategist in defining direction and focus of the non-profit organization. Mr. Gupta brings his considerable skills to WGF, along with his leadership associations and advisory roles to many other non-profits such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Mr. Rajat Gupta is a leading Indian-American businessman and Philanthropist who has co-founded successful world-class institutions including the Indian School of Business(ISB), American India Foundation(AIF), New Silk Route, and Scandent Solutions. He was ranked 15th in the nation in the entrance exam for the Indian Institutes of Technology, IIT JEE. He received a Bachelor of Technology degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-Delhi) in 1971 and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1973.

Mr. Gupta joined McKinsey & Company in 1973 as one of the earliest Indian-Americans at the eminent consulting company. In 1994, he was elected the firm’s first managing director (chief executive) born outside of the US and then was re-elected twice in 1997 and 2000. Mr. Gupta is widely regarded as one of the first Indians to successfully break through the glass ceiling, as the first Indian-born CEO of a multinational corporation (not just a consultancy). During Mr. Gupta’s tenure as head of McKinsey, the firm opened offices in 23 new countries and doubled its consultant base to 891 partners, increasing revenue by 280 percent to $3.4 billion.

Ratan Agarwal

Ratan Agarwal serves on the Wheels’ Board as President, bringing nearly three decades of rich experience in building and scaling multiple new start-ups and executive roles (in strategy, operations, marketing, and business development) at several Fortune 500 companies. Currently, Ratan is a co-founder and managing partner of CARBON Group Global, a global sustainability solutions-holding company, creating rapid replications (‘CARBON Copies”) of proven solutions with market-based models in Education & Learning, Women’s Empowerment, Resources (Food, Energy, Water), Health, and Economic Development.

In addition to the CARBON role, Ratan is dedicating his time in supporting innovation ecosystem in northeast corridor through his investment activities (via Keiretsu Forum and Mid-Atlantic Bo-Angels) and mentoring (at local incubator TechLaunch NJ). Ratan is a Board Advisor to several start-ups in Cloud/SaaS, software, and digital marketing.

While at Cisco, Ratan led the incubation and launch of Cisco’s IoT solutions and Cloud Infrastructure services, in addition to running a multi-billion global services business. Prior to Cisco, Ratan led the marketing & business development of two business units at Telcordia and led several consulting engagements at A.T. Kearney. Ratan received his MBA at Wharton School and Masters in Structural Engineering at IIT Bombay and lives in New Jersey.

Suresh V. Shenoy

Mr. Suresh V. Shenoy is the Vice-Chairman of WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF) and serves on its board to provide valuable advice and direction for the activities of the non-profit organization. Mr. Suresh Shenoy has been an active supporter of the Capital IIT and Pan IIT Alumni associations and has continued to give his time and talent to WGF as its trusted advisor.

Mr. Suresh Shenoy is Executive Vice President at Alyxtech, Inc., Inc., a Virginia-based systems consulting and Technology Company. He recently completed two terms as Chairman of the National Capital Region of the American Red Cross and currently serves on the boards of The Kevric Company, IMC Global Services, The Capital IIT Alumni Association, and the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Shenoy also serves on the TechAmerica Board of Directors, the Board of Directors for Fairfax 2015 – the biennial World Games of Police and Fire Fighters with 12,000 athletes competing from 80 countries.

His distinguished career includes being the Program Committee Chairman of the PanIIT Global Conference held in Washington, DC in 2005. Mr. Shenoy served as co-President of the PanIIT Alumni Association in North America for the 2006-2008 Term. He also represented Dranesville District on the Fairfax County IT Advisory Board for six years. Mr. Shenoy is a Fellow of the Information Management Congress (Europe) and AIIM International (USA). He has been recognized by IBM Corporation as ‘Information Champion’ for his contributions to Enterprise Content Management technologies for three consecutive years 2009-2012 and received the Distinguished Service Award from his alma mater, the Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai. In 2010, Mr. Shenoy and his brother Sudhakar were honored by the Northern Virginia Community Foundation for their leadership and contributions to Fairfax County. He is on the adjunct faculty of the School of Information Technology & Engineering at George Mason University, where he teaches a course in Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation.

Mr. Shenoy has traveled widely throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, has a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (1972), and an MBA from the University of Connecticut (1975).

Hiten Ghosh

Dr. Hitendra Ghosh is the ‘President Emeritus’ of WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF) and serves on its board as the chief executive of the operations of the non-profit organization. Dr. Ghosh has a distinguished career and has been actively involved in giving generously, his time and talent to activities of PanIIT and Capital IIT Alumni associations, as well as other organizations that promote the welfare of citizens, ‘at the bottom of the pyramid’.

Dr. Ghosh is Vice-President and Chief Quality Officer of Hughes Network Systems, LLC, Maryland. He is a member US-India Business Council of the US Chamber of Commerce and the board of the IIT Foundation and US-India Strategic Institute. He is a member of the board of Advisors of IVY venture capital, India, and of the Board of Executive directors, Quest Forum, USA, an Industry body of Telecommunication companies such as AT&T, Verizon, Ericsson, Nokia, Fujitsu, Reliance, Tata Teleservices, Vodafone, and others.

His past achievements include receiving an outstanding Invention Achievement award from IBM, a Management Excellence award from Unisys Corp., and a Corporate Quality Management Award from Hughes Electronics. He has been awarded the “Pride of India” award by NRI Institute of India and Pravasi Achievement Gold medal of UK as also Distinguished Service Gold Medal from IIT-kgp and Lifetime Service Achievement Award of PanIIT Alumni, the USA of which Dr. Ghosh has been Co-president (2005-2006) He has also served on the Board of Directors of Tata-Unisys Corp, India.

Dr. Ghosh received B. Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering from IIT-Kharagpur in 1958 and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 1962 from the University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois.

Dr. Ghosh will serve as Chair of the Board of Directors, presiding over meetings of the Board and other Board activities, including program planning, policy-setting, global strategy, financial oversight, and fundraising. Dr. Ghosh will also serve as President of WHEELS. In this role, he will have primary responsibility for implementing WHEELS programs, administration, and fundraising. Specific responsibilities include execution of organizational activities and goals, maintenance of communications with the Board of Directors regarding major policy setting and fiduciary board responsibilities, strategic planning, budget development, monitoring, and hiring and management of employees and volunteers to execute programs and activities.

Himanshu Verma

Himanshu Verma serves on the Wheels’ Board as Vice-President& Secretary and is an entrepreneur who applies Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to create innovative applications. Over the last 20 years, he has managed the conceptualization, planning, delivery, maintenance, and retirement of Analytic, Data Visualization, GIS, Business Intelligence, Data Warehouse, Master Data Management, Data Integration, Data Mining, and Text Mining, eDiscovery & predictive AI solutions. He specializes in designs of massively parallel (MPP), high volume, low latency big data solutions.

He has successfully played diverse roles as a Chief Technology Officer, Enterprise Information Architect, Data Integration Architect, Data Architect, Solution Architect, and Project Manager. He undertakes tasks related to Solution Architecture, Strategy & Vision, Requirements Gathering, Data Modeling, Project Management, Big Data Architecture, and Technology/talent acquisition.

He has worked on multi-million-dollar projects with Knightsbridge, Capgemini Ernst &Young, IBM & Y-Point Analytics across Health Insurance (BCBS), Federal (Securities and Exchange Commission – SEC, General Services Administration – GSA sam.gov, Dept of Education), Telecom (Comcast, Nextel, Sprint), Security (ADT), Startup’s (SeniorLink, Upsell, Crisis Resolve – AI Mental Health, EPID Safe Contact Tracing), Retail Banking (Bank of Colombia), Logistics (FedEx), Mortgage (Freddie Mac), Investment Banking (JPMC) Retail (Cargill), Low Income Housing (DC Housing).

He has his undergraduate B.Tech from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay & his Master in Information Management from the University of Akron.

Dr.Smita Siddhanti

Dr. SmitaSiddhanti is the founder and President of EnDyna Inc. specializing in management and environmental consulting for various federal agencies in Washington DC. She was the past president of the DC Chapter of TiE – “The Indus Entrepreneurs”, and currently serves on the Global Board of Trustees for TiE. She has served on the Virginia Governor’s Air Quality Board and on the Board of the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Siddhanti is a recipient of several awards including the 2014 Future 50 award of Smart CEO, and the White House Green Government award in 2016.

Smita is committed to enhancing entrepreneurship as the basic engine for economic development and has been actively involved in this pursuit with a global organizations such as the Ashoka Foundation for changemakers, American India Foundation, Indiapora, and TiE chapters around the world. She is on the board of MaganSangrahalaya Samiti (MSS), an Indian NGO in Wardha, Maharashtra, working for rural enterprise development in villages.

At TiE Global, Smita is leading the TiE Women Initiative to assist and mentor women entrepreneurs across the globe. In addition, she has built a strong relationship with TiE and the Indian Embassy to start various technology incubation and entrepreneurial initiatives. Smita is also leading the TiE Global Special Interest Group of social entrepreneurship and social impact investing. With her extensive experience and engagement, Dr. Siddhanti is contributing to WHEELS Global Foundation’s two major missions – Livelihood and Sustainability – facilitating the development of sustainable enterprises to enhance the rural economy. A well-known speaker in numerous national and international conferences and forums, she recently was a panelist at the US-India Leaders’ Summit at the National Press Club in DC, and at the Philanthropy Summit at the George Town University. In addition to several publications, Dr. Siddhanti is an author of the book Multiple Perspectives on Risk and Regulation: The Case of Deliberate Release of Genetically Engineered Organisms into the Environment, published in 1991. She holds a B.S. and M.S.in Biology from Delhi University, an M.S. in Technology Policy from Rensselaer Polytechnic (RPI), and a Ph.D. in Technology and Public Policy from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Raj Shah

Dr. Raj Shah is the Chairman of the Health Council.

He is a practicing cardiologist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur based in Philadelphia. He is educated at the University of Pennsylvania and Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Temple and Drexel University faculties. He is a pioneer in the field of telemedicine and the creator of the SmartCareDoc telemedicine system which was deployed at “The Clinic at Wal-Mart” in 2012-14: The first telemedicine clinic in a retail store in America. He established a TeleRetinopathy screening program at the Temple University Health System in 2016 and a teaching Teleclinic at the School of Nursing at Rutgers University.

He is also a Research Fellow at the Blanche and Irwin Lerner Center at Rutgers University for the study of Pharmaceutical Management and Healthcare and lectures about Telemedicine. He is a member of the Advisory Board of Kean University College of Business and Public Management and Global Business School, and a Trustee of S.M. Shah Law College, and Sarvajanik School in Mehsana, India.

Dr. Shah is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiology, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, and cardiac CT angiography. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the American College of Physicians. He received his medical degree with distinction from the M.S. University in Baroda, India, and graduate training in internal medicine and cardiology at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Shah received a Master of Business Administration with Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma honors in 1997.

Dr Bindukumar Kansupada

Dr Bindukumar Kansupada is the Vice Chairman of the Health Council.

He is a retired Cardiologist, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur, Educator, and active healthcare political activist.

Dr Kansupada was appointed as Assistant Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at Drexel University and as Clinical Instructor in the Dept of Internal Medicine – PCOM, till he retired.

Dr Bindukumar Kansupada is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Echocardiography, and Nuclear Cardiology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, American College of Chest Physicians, and Fellow American Society of Nuclear Cardiology. He received his MBBS degree from prestigious Topiwala Medical College, Mumbai University, and received his post-graduate training in invasive, noninvasive Cardiology and Electrophysiology from Medical College Of Pennsylvania (Drexel University Medical School).

Dr Kansupada received his Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of South Florida in 1998. He is an ardent supporter of Integrative preventive health care and non-pharmaceutical interventions for improving clinical outcomes of Non-communicable diseases such as Hypertension, Diabetes, Heart Diseases, and Cancer. He is a promoter and educator of Vedic medical Science including Disease based Yogic exercises, Plant-based diet, Nutraceuticals, and Mindfulness Meditation. He had the honor of leading the Integrative Cardiac Rehab Dept program and Cardiac Cath Lab at a Local hospital in Bucks County, Pa for many years.

Kannan Srinivasan

Kannan serves as WGF’s CFO & Treasurer and is senior finance &analytics professional with strong business acumen with over 25 years of progressive experience in finance, analytics, performance management, operations, and process innovation. He is a thought leader in building a data-driven and customer-centric culture to foster growth and optimize performance through innovative solutions. Kannan is currently Vice-President at ThinkFood Group. Prior to that, Kannan held a variety of senior leadership roles at Asurion, AXA, and Old Dominion University.

Kannan has been active in community service and civic initiatives in Loudon County for more than two decades.

Kannan received his bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Madras’ Vivekananda College and his master’s in Accounting from Old Dominion University.

Nitesh Kumar

Mr Nitesh Kumar is the founder of Sukhlahi Capital LLC, an investment advisory firm that manages a hedge fund and a venture fund. Before founding Sukhlahi Capital LLC in 2019, Nitesh spent more than 13 years on wall street working for large banks like J.P. Morgan and BNP Paribas in New York and London trading Commodities.

Nitesh has been an active supporter of many social impact initiatives in education and health for a number of years in several States in India, including Bihar & Jharkhand.

Nitesh holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Bombay and a Master of Financial Mathematics from NC State University.

Sundar Kamat

Dr. Sundar Kamath is Senior VP & Chief Technology Officer at San Jose-based electronics manufacturing technology leader Sanmina Corporation, with a presence in 20 countries, including a world-class plant and design center in Chennai, India. Prior to Sanmina, Sundar held technology development and product management roles at IBM Microelectronics (E Fishkill, NY) and MicroModule Systems (Cupertino, CA). He is a TIE Charter Member, a former Board member of the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative, and an advisor/mentor to startups. He is a co-inventor on 11 US patents, co-author of over 25 technical publications, has presented invited talks at industry conferences (IEEE, ASME, IMAPS, SMTA, etc), and contributed to a University text on Microsystems Packaging.

Sundar is co-founder of the annual Ideal Village Conferences at Stanford University, which was launched in 2016 to serve as a collaboration forum for nonprofits, tech companies, and those working on technology-based solutions for rural transformation. He is actively involved in social impact initiatives, such as Heart to Heart Foundation, Annapoorna Breakfast & Nutrition program, PeopleShores, and others related to the Ideal Village project.
Sundar holds BE (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from Madras University, Masters in Science from Cranfield Institute of Technology (U.K.), and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Madhur Khanna

Madhur Khanna is a practicing Architect/ Partner in her Architectural practice of 30 years.

She has served on the board of Pratham for the last five years – “Pratham is one of the largest and most successful non-governmental education organizations in India. Established in 1995 to provide education to children in Mumbai slums, Pratham (which means “first” in Sanskrit) is now one of the largest and most successful non-governmental education organizations in India. Working in collaboration with governments, communities, parents, teachers, and volunteers, Pratham focuses on innovative interventions to address gaps in the education system. The clarity of mission is “every child in school and learning well” Pratham USA is a volunteer-driven organization with 14 chapters across the United States.

Madhur Khanna is a member of a Women’s Entrepreneur group in Bangalore that focuses on providing micro financing to women in need – both in rural as well as marginalized communities. Currently elected on the board of WHEELS Global, she aims to work in Water Conservation, impact driven digital vocational programs as well as affordable housing.

Madhur Khanna holds an undergraduate degree in B. Arch from Delhi School of Planning and Architecture and a Masters in Architecture – Major in Urban Design from University of Texas at Austin. In her 40 plus span as an Architect, she has worked and is proficient in many areas of Building design, working with Financial Institutions underwriting Multi Family Developments, Construction as well as Development.

Her experience encompasses a wide range of Projects in affordable housing – having multiple years of contracts with various Public Housing Agencies including Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

directors

Rajat Gupta

Ratan Agarwal

Suresh V. Shenoy

Hiten Ghosh

Himanshu Verma

Dr.Smita Siddhanti

Dr. Raj Shah

Dr Bindukumar Kansupada

Kannan Srinivasan

Nitesh Kumar

Sundar Kamat

Madhur Khanna

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