Sustainability
WGF’s Sustainability Council’s mission is to enhance rural economy through co-creating and advancing rural enterprises, using technology innovations and scientific processes, sharing best practices and developing techniques to foster trade and employment for rural populations.
Vision & Mission
- To enhance rural economy through co-creating and advancing rural enterprises, using technology innovations and scientific processes, sharing best practices and developing techniques to foster trade and employment for rural populations
- To facilitate India’s goal of becoming $ 5 trillion economy by 2025 by increasing the contribution of the rural economy
- This model of rural empowerment should be sustainable using local resources and environmentally friendly processes
Council Framework
- S&T Innovations for Rural Applications
- Training and Skill Development
- Co-Creating successful Rural Enterprises
- Scaling to other parts of the country, and thereafter globally
Leaders
Dr. Raghavan Ramanan
Dr. Raghavan Ramanan (Dr. Ram) is the Board Member, Chair of the Sustainability Council and the Global Co-convenor of WGF Chapters.
Dr. Raghavan Ramanan, a Fulbright Leadership Scholar, is a Cofounder and Chief Scientific Officer of ImpactEdge, Inc. Dr. Ram is a globally recognized expert in Sustainability, ESG and CSR through experience garnered over four decades in corporate (ExxonMobil), consulting (AECOM, ICF and Trinity), and academic environments (Illinois Institute of Technology, Desert Research Institute, and Indian Institute of Technology). He also serves as a Board Member and the Chair of the Education Council of the Education Council of Air & Waste Management Association, International (Founded 1907).
- Dr. Ram has authored multiple books, presented, and published scientific, technical, and management papers as well as thought leadership briefings worldwide. He delivered the Fall 2019 Commencement Speech at the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Ram is a Professional Engineer in Texas and India, a Chartered Engineer and Scientist in UK and a Board-Certified Environmental Engineer of the National Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists.
Dr. Ram has served as a member of the World Economic Forum and Echoing Green Climate Change Brain Trust, and a member of the GRI Academic Committee. He has led and participated in many industry organizations and professional associations to promote environmental and sustainability disciplines worldwide. He has provided executive briefings to industry and ministry leaders from former Soviet Union nations, Brazil and Nigeria, Reserve Bank of India, The Conference Board USA, Northern Trust, and so on.
Gaurav Kumar
Mr. Gaurav Kumar is a senior business executive at bp. bp is one of the largest and oldest energy companies globally with a purpose of reimagining energy for people and planet. Gaurav has lived and worked in 3 continents and has 17 years of experience across financial services, energy, and commodities businesses worldwide. In addition to WHEELS, Gaurav also volunteers for University of Chicago Space Network, bp STEM program, and CFA Society of Chicago. Gaurav lives with his wife and daughter in Chicago.
Shubhi Sachan
Shubhi Sachan, founder of the Material Library of India, is a materials expert. She holds a bachelor’s degree in textiles and a master’s degree in Material Futures from Central Saint Martin’s in London, U.K. Shubhi has initiated several thought-provoking projects, including PUNĀH, Cancelled Plans, Life of a Bullet, Traditional Futures, and Landless, which tackle various challenges posed by climate change and environmental sustainability. Before this, she worked as a surface designer for renowned brands like Givenchy, Balmain, Alexander McQueen, and Ralph Lauren.
- Shubhi embarked on her sustainability journey after spending six years in the fashion/textile industry, where she recognized the disparity between material manufacturing and the presentation of finished products. This disconnect troubled her, prompting her to focus on repurposing post-industrial and agricultural waste. Her current work aims to propose alternative uses for materials and challenge conventional waste disposal methods, advocating against landfills or incineration.
- Shubhi’s contributions have garnered recognition from the Italian Fashion Council in 2023 under the Climate Action Category and from the Ministry of Textiles for her impact on textile waste in India. She has also presented at the G20 summit during India’s presidency. Additionally, Shubhi was a TEDx Speaker in 2018, a Lexus Design Award Finalist in 2018, and a recipient of the CII Green Co. Best Practices Award in 2016. She has been invited to showcase her work at prestigious platforms such as Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai (2017), Ambiente Talents at Messe Frankfurt (2017), London Design Week (2014-2016), Dutch Design Week (2015 & 2020), and the Roche Bobois Student Design Competition in Paris (2013).
Dr. Madhuvanti Kale
Dr. Madhuvanti Kale has over 15 years of industry and academic experience in food science in the US and Europe. A scientist by training, her focus area has been sustainable food systems. Now leading environment sustainability programs at United Way of Hyderabad, she is a champion of technology-driven innovation in the development sector. She drives programs related to solid waste management, afforestation & biodiversity, renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. She also supports program design for maternal and child health, specifically focusing on childhood malnutrition.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in food engineering from the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, and a Doctorate in Food Science from Purdue University.
Dr. Prasad Modak
Dr. Prasad Modak is a sustainability strategist, scholar–practitioner, and advisor whose work has shaped environmental governance and sustainable investment across Asia, Africa, and beyond. He holds engineering degrees from IIT Bombay and a Doctor of Engineering from the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok.
He has served as Professor at IIT Bombay and is currently Visiting Professor in Practice at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment. Dr. Modak leads the Environmental Management Centre Pvt. Ltd. and Ekonnect Knowledge Foundation, advancing sustainability education, CSR, and enterprise mentoring.
Over four decades, he has advised institutions such as the World Bank, IFC, ADB, UNEP, UNDP, and governments worldwide, translating sustainability into operational strategies and financing structures. An accomplished author, he has received international lifetime achievement honours for his contributions to responsible development.
Prof. Anju Singh, Ph.D.
Prof. Anju Singh is Chair Professor and Head of the Centre for Sustainability Management at IIM Mumbai. With a Ph.D. in Environmental Science & Engineering from IIT Bombay and more than 35 years of experience, she is a recognized leader in advancing sustainability research, consultancy, and education.
Her expertise covers circular economy, ESG, sustainability strategy, and Life Cycle Assessment. She has led major international projects funded by the European Commission and other global agencies, and has authored over 230 research papers.
Dr. Singh contributes actively to policy and standards development as Chair of Environmental Management & Circular Economy at the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and as Convenor of ISO working groups on Extended Producer Responsibility and Circular Economy measurement. She has been honored with multiple awards for her contributions, and has served as a CII-ITC Sustainability Assessor and visiting professor at AIT Bangkok.
Aparna Amaran, Esq.
Aparna A. is a lawyer, educator, and sustainability advocate with extensive experience across law, intellectual property, and environmental education. She holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Madras, is a qualified Patent Agent, and earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Development from the University of Staffordshire, UK. Her professional background includes work with leading law firms in Chennai, Bangalore, and Mumbai, with specialization in contract law, company law, conveyancing, intellectual property, and environmental law.
Her areas of interest in sustainability encompass sustainable agriculture, medical practices, Vriksha Ayurveda, and eco‑friendly cooking methods. Aparna has actively engaged in public service and education, volunteering as an environmental science guide and leading initiatives in cooperative housing societies. She has attended over 100 conferences and workshops worldwide, enriching her expertise in sustainable development, management, intellectual property, and holistic health practices.
Multilingual and internationally experienced, Aparna combines professional rigor with a deep commitment to environmental stewardship, community engagement, and holistic well‑being.
Yogesh Sharma
Yogesh Sharma is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, business coach, blogger, and Quantum thinker. He is co-founder & chairman of Mamsys Consulting Services, a Charter Member of TiE, a Member of PanIIT Europe, and now the WHEELS EU/UK chapter co-chair.
As the Chairperson of Mamsys, he helps defining & executing the strategic direction for Mamsys, a high-growth technology services company empowering diverse clients with AI-enabled digital transformation solutions and IT consulting. He helped Fortune 500 companies achieve remarkable outcomes through advanced technology solutions and building Enterprise Applications.
He believes in physical and mental fitness through yoga, meditation and golf.
