Professional Experience:
Strategic communications and public relations leader with over 17 years of experience shaping institutional visibility, sector narratives, and stakeholder trust across the social impact, education, financial inclusion, and public policy ecosystems. My career has been defined by building communication functions from the ground up — strategy, teams, agency ecosystems, and budgets — and leading them as the senior-most communications voice in the organisation, with a consistent CEO-level reporting line.
Currently, as Director – Communications & PR at Reach to Teach, I lead the design and implementation of an integrated communications strategy that aligns programme narratives with advocacy and external engagement priorities. Working closely with leadership and government partners, I have strengthened executive positioning, built the organisation's knowledge and media assets, and driven a focused outreach approach that has enhanced visibility, expanded partnerships, and positioned the organisation as a credible voice in systemic education reform.
Previously, as AVP – Communications at MFIN (Microfinance Industry Network), the RBI-recognised industry association for microfinance, I led sector-wide communications and advocacy that shaped the public narrative around financial inclusion in India. Operating in a sector under active regulatory oversight, I managed communications through periods of regulatory change and crisis, engaged policymakers, national media, and industry stakeholders, and strengthened the industry's collective voice. I conceptualised sector-first initiatives, flagship publications, campaigns, and multi-stakeholder convenings that raised the industry's credibility with regulators, media, and investors — while managing agency partners and communication budgets, including a significant reduction in agency costs achieved alongside expanded output and national broadcast coverage.
My early career with global agencies and media organisations — Edelman, Dentsu, WPP GroupM, and BIG FM — provided rigorous grounding in integrated campaigns, brand storytelling, media strategy, and strategic planning across diverse sectors. That agency discipline continues to inform my approach: I combine strategic insight with hands-on execution capability and a sharp understanding of what moves different audiences, from policymakers and donors to journalists and communities.
Across roles, I have advised CEOs and senior leadership on reputation management, external positioning, and stakeholder engagement; built and mentored teams; and established processes and systems that make communication functions effective and durable. I work collaboratively across government agencies, donors, civil society partners, and media, translating organisational impact into narratives that build credibility and advance long-term goals.
I am motivated by the role communications plays in fostering trust, enabling collaboration, and amplifying impact at a systems level. I am open to two kinds of engagement: senior leadership roles (Director / Head / VP – Communications) with mission-driven organisations, industry bodies, think tanks, and development-focused institutions; and strategic consulting or retainer engagements where organisations need experienced communications leadership — from function-building and advocacy strategy to crisis preparedness and executive positioning. I am based in Gurugram (Delhi NCR) and open to hybrid and remote assignments across India and globally.