Dr. M. Ramachandran, Chairman

Dr. M. Ramachandran, a distinguished IAS officer (1972 batch), served the State and Central Government in India for 38 years, culminating in his retirement in 2010. With a wealth of experience, he held key roles, including Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand and Secretary in the Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India. A proactive leader, he spearheaded India’s urban reforms and the National Urban Renewal Mission. Post-retirement, Dr. Ramachandran remains active in the urban sector and governance, contributing as Chairperson of the Indian Heritage Cities Network Foundation and holding key positions in various national endeavors.

Dr. M. Ramachandran, an accomplished Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1972 batch, dedicated 38 years of his career to serving the State and Central Government in India. His illustrious journey included pivotal roles such as District Magistrate and Collector in Rae Bareli, Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand, and Secretary in the Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India. Dr. Ramachandran played a pivotal role in steering India’s urban reforms and implementing the ground breaking National Urban Renewal Mission in cities and towns across the country. His leadership extended to chairing the Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Chennai Metro Rail corporations, and he was also led the metro rail pilot projects in in Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kochi. Post-retirement, Dr. Ramachandran continues to be a stalwart in the urban sector and governance. His influence extends to various national endeavours, holding positions such as Chairperson of the Indian Heritage Cities Network Foundation, Chairman of the National Urban Transport Awards Committee, Chancellor of a University, and Senior Advisor to the Green Buildings Council. Dr. Ramachandran holds a Master’s degree in Economics, an MPhil in Economic Planning, and a Ph.D. in Project Planning. His published works, including "Uttaranchal: Ideas That Worked," "Urban Renewal," "Building from the Bottom: Infrastructure and Poverty Alleviation," and "Reforming Urban Transport in India: Issues and Best Practices," showcase his depth of knowledge and commitment to sustainable development. Dr. Ramachandran is also the author of "Delhi Metro Stations and Surroundings," "Metro Rail Projects in India," "India’s Urban Confusion," and "Mavericks of Mussoorie."

Mr. Cherian Thomas, Director

Cherian Thomas, the Regional Leader for the South Asia & Pacific Region at World Vision International, brings nearly 36 years of diverse experience to his role. Leading operations in 10 countries, he directs humanitarian and development efforts focused on the well-being of vulnerable children. Formerly the National Director and CEO of World Vision India, Mr. Thomas has a profound background in infrastructure, banking, project finance, and policy advocacy as well. He is dedicated to creating positive impacts in the communities he serves.

Cherian Thomas, currently serving as the Regional Leader for the South Asia & Pacific Region at World Vision International, boasts an impressive career spanning nearly 36 years. In his role, he oversees operations in 10 countries, directing the humanitarian and development initiatives of World Vision International, with a primary focus on the well-being of vulnerable children. Before taking on his regional leadership role, Mr. Thomas served as the National Director and CEO of World Vision India, contributing significantly to the organisation's mission. His extensive experience includes a pivotal role as CEO of IDFC Foundation, where he played a crucial role in overseeing the foundation's operations and joint ventures with the Governments of Karnataka, Delhi, and Uttarakhand in India. Throughout his career, Mr. Thomas has demonstrated expertise in diverse fields, including infrastructure, banking, project finance, policy advocacy, capacity building, program support, and advisory services for corporate and government clients. He has a robust background, having worked with prestigious organisations such as Tata Industries Limited, ICICI Limited, SCICI Limited, and Citibank, focusing on corporate finance, project finance, and banking. Mr. Thomas holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering (Honours) and a Master’s in Management Studies in Finance from the University of Mumbai, India. His educational background, combined with his extensive experience, reflects his commitment to excellence in driving positive change and making a meaningful impact on communities.

Dr. Om Prakash Agarwal, Director

Dr. Om Prakash Agarwal, a former IAS Officer and Chief Executive Officer at the World Resource Institute, is a distinguished thinker and practitioner with extensive expertise in cities, urban transport, climate change, and related development and environmental issues. As the Executive Director at the Indian School of Business and Chair of the U.S. Transport Research Board's Committee on Transportation in Developing Countries, Dr. Agarwal has made significant contributions to sustainable urban development.

Dr. Om Prakash Agarwal, a seasoned former IAS Officer and accomplished Chief Executive Officer at the World Resource Institute, is widely recognised as a leading thinker and practitioner in the fields of cities, urban transport, climate change, and development. His illustrious career spans several decades, marked by impactful roles and substantial contributions. During his tenure in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) from 1979 to 2007, Dr. Agarwal held various positions, demonstrating his commitment to public service. Notably, as the head of the Urban Transport division of the Government of India, he authored India's National Urban Transport Policy, a seminal document outlining priorities for sustainable urban transport at all levels of government. Dr. Agarwal holds a Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, a Master’s degree in Transportation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA, and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT, Chennai. His academic prowess, combined with practical experience, positions him as a leading authority in his field. In his role at WRI India, Dr. Agarwal leads ongoing efforts to strengthen the organisation's work in key areas such as cities, energy, climate, landscape restoration, water, and government and business engagement. His leadership underscores a commitment to driving positive change and sustainable development in critical sectors.

Mr. Eby Thomas, Managing Director

Eby Thomas, the Co-founder of Upajeevan Sangathan Foundation, is a visionary social entrepreneur dedicated to transforming lives. With a strong background in microfinance, publishing, and infrastructure projects, he played a pivotal role as Director of ESAF Microfinance and Investments Limited. His commitment to poverty eradication is evident through his association with Kudumbashree Magazine and his work with the state poverty eradication mission in Kerala. As the Managing Director of Dharana Infrastructure Projects, he focuses on installing drinking water purification systems for communities. He is recognised for his outstanding public relations skills, organisational acumen, and proactive approach.

Eby Thomas, a dynamic individual and co-founder of Upajeevan Sangathan Foundation, emerges as a visionary social entrepreneur committed to catalyzing social transformation. His multifaceted career reflects a profound dedication to uplifting the lives of the urban poor. Mr. Thomas’s notable roles include serving as the Director of ESAF Microfinance and Investments Limited, the holding company of ESAF Small Finance Bank. His involvement in the State poverty eradication missssion in Kerala, working alongside esteemed figures like Shri. James Varghese IAS and Shri. T.K. Jose IAS, underscores his commitment to poverty alleviation. As the Publisher of Kudumbashree Magazine, he actively contributed to the documentation of projects and played a crucial role in the magazine's publication for the initial three years. His association with Kudumbashree reflects his passion for supporting livelihoods of the urban poor. In his capacity as Managing Director of Dharana Infrastructure Projects Private Limited in New Delhi, Mr. Thomas focuses on installing drinking water purification systems for communities, addressing critical infrastructure needs. Additionally, his role as a Member of the Governing Council at Social Economic Unit Foundation (SEUF) highlights his commitment to NGO work in the fields of water, environment sanitation, and livelihood, aligning with global initiatives by organisations like World Bank, UNICEF, ADB, and others. Mr. Thomas’s global perspective is further evident in his role as Managing Director of Rashtra Deepika Middle East Fz LLC in Dubai, overseeing the Middle East edition of Rashtra Deepika LTD. His diverse experiences also include reporting for Sahara News in Thiruvananthapuram and Zee News in Kerala and New Delhi. Mr. Thomas holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the Institute of Journalism, Press Club, Thiruvananthapuram, and an MA in English Literature from the University of Mysore. His reputation as a go-getter, excellent organiser, and individual with outstanding public relations underscores his commitment to creating positive change and social impact.