Meet the Trustees
Diana Cyrus Bharucha
Managing Trustee
Diana Cyrus Bharucha is the Founder and Managing Trustee of Kinder Trust. A former entrepreneur with a lifelong commitment to social impact, she has been instrumental in building initiatives that focus on inclusion, rehabilitation, and empowerment of persons with disabilities in the Nilgiris.
V.S. Ramana
Trustee
V. S. Ramana is the former Head of Corporate Communications, CSR & Skills at Larsen & Toubro and the Founder of the Heartbeat Foundation. He brings extensive experience in corporate strategy, CSR, and skill development, contributing significantly to large-scale social impact initiatives.
Samantha Iyanna
Trustee
Samantha Iyanna is an entrepreneur and the Founder of Clean Coonoor. She is a passionate advocate for sustainability and community-driven development, leading initiatives that promote environmental awareness and meaningful local impact in the Nilgiris.
Advisory Board
Kinder Trust is guided by a multidisciplinary Advisory Board with expertise across law, healthcare, corporate leadership, rehabilitation, safety, and social development. Their collective experience strengthens our strategic direction and impact.
Ms. Latha Narsimhan
Legal Advisor
Former Zonal Manager, LIC South India
Ms. Latha Narsimhan holds an M.Com and LLB, with over two decades of experience in the life insurance
sector. She last served as Regional Manager, Corporate Communications at LIC before opting for voluntary retirement.
Now based in Coonoor, she provides legal and strategic guidance to Kinder Trust.
Ms. Radhika Shastry
Project Advisor
Former Managing Director, RCI - South East Asia Region
Ms. Radhika Shastry is a seasoned corporate leader with extensive experience in the timeshare industry,
having served as Managing Director for RCI across the South East Asia region. She is currently an Independent Director
on the Board of Christel House India, an organisation focused on educating children from economically disadvantaged
backgrounds and breaking the cycle of poverty.
Now based in Coonoor, she actively contributes to social development initiatives in the Nilgiris. She
is a recipient of the Bharat Sewak Award in recognition of her contributions to social service.
Mrs. Jayashree Ramana
Advisor - Compliance & Projects
Former Board Member, L&T Medical Centre; Prayas Trust
Ms. Jayashree R began her work in the social sector with the Spastic Society of North India, Delhi,
contributing to vocational training, skill development, and fundraising initiatives. She later served as Secretary and Trustee
at L&T's Prayas Medical Trust, Chennai, where she continues to be associated.
Now based in the Nilgiris, she supports Kinder Trust in compliance and project development, bringing extensive
experience in institutional governance and programme implementation.
Dr. Sunder Subramaniam
Advisor - Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
Author, Rehabilitation Medicine (4th Edition); Founder & Managing Trustee, Freedom Trust
Dr. Sunder Subramaniam is a distinguished specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and a
recognised expert in the field. He has served as a master trainer in rehabilitation and contributed significantly
to capacity building.
His expertise includes the management of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions through therapeutic exercises
and structured rehabilitation protocols. He is a recipient of multiple awards for professional excellence and social service
at both state and national levels.
Dr. Rajesh Chandra
Advisor - Fire Safety, General Safety & Hospital Administration
Author, Rehabilitation Medicine (4th Edition); Founder & Managing Trustee, Freedom Trust
Dr. Rajesh Chandra is a medical professional and retired Inspector General with extensive service in
the BSF, CRPF, and as Director (Medical) at the National Security Guard (NSG). He holds an MBBS from Government
Medical College, Amritsar, and has trained in Hospital Administration at the National Institute of Health and
Family Welfare, New Delhi.
He brings valuable expertise in safety systems and hospital administration.
Ms. Hema Balakrishnan
Advisor - Communications, Digital Marketing Strategy & HR
Masters in Marketing Management & Communications
Ms. Hema Balakrishnan is a communications and digital strategy professional with extensive experience
in brand building, livelihoods, and organisational development. Her work spans digital marketing, compliance,
and training, including POSH and gender sensitisation.
She supports Kinder Trust in strengthening its communication, visibility, and institutional processes.
Dr. Psyche Nigam
Advisor – Skill Development & Hospitality Training
Hospitality Consultant; Recipient of Honorary Doctorate (UK)
Dr. Psyche Nigam is a distinguished leader in the hospitality industry with over five decades of global experience.
A pioneer in hospitality education and consultancy, she has led over 250 hotel projects in India and internationally, working with
leading brands including Hyatt, Le Meridien, Radisson, and Sofitel.
An Honorary Doctorate recipient and Fellow of the Hospitality Industry Management Association (FHCIMA), she has played a
key role in shaping training systems and hospitality institutions across the country.
At Kinder Trust, she supports hospitality-based skill development initiatives, enabling pathways to employment and
independence for persons with disabilities.
Dr. Aparna Sahu, PhD
Advisor – Psychology & Research
Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Oxford; Research Associate, KEM Hospital, Mumbai
Dr. Aparna Sahu is a cognitive psychologist with extensive experience in research, teaching, and clinical data
analysis. She completed her PhD and MA in Experimental Psychology (Cognitive) from the University of Toledo, USA, and has
trained as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Oxford, UK.
She currently serves as a Research Associate at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, contributing to neurological
research and clinical studies, and as a consultant with Editage, supporting global research publications. She has also taught
as Assistant Professor of Psychology at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru.
Her work spans cognitive research, psychodiagnostics, and academic mentoring, with several award-winning student
research projects under her guidance. At Kinder Trust, she contributes expertise in psychology, research, and programme development.
