SMF’s operations are led by a core team of senior professionals, supported by functional teams across programme management, monitoring and evaluation, academics, and capacity building. This work is further strengthened by field teams across project locations.
Shri. V. Venkataramana
Executive Director
Shri. V. Venkataramana is a dedicated social development professional with over 29 years of experience in leading large-scale projects across sectors…
Shri. Ashok Gopal
Director - Academics
Shri. Ashok transitioned to the development sector in 2000, after 15 years as a journalist with a prominent tabloid. With over 24 years of experience as …
Ms. Meenal Dashputre
Director – Capacity Building
With 20 years of experience in education, spanning from primary to postgraduate levels, Ms. Meenal is an accomplished educator, trainer, and…
Shri. Vidhyadhar Shukla
Consultant
Shri. Vidhyadhar Shukla is a highly respected educationist and retired Deputy Director from the Maharashtra State Council of Educational…
Shri. Raja Sekhar
Assistant Director - Programme Management
Shri. Raja Sekhar brings with him over 24 years of experience in development and education, with a strong focus on programme management…
Ms. Gauri Kulkarni
Sr. Manager - Finance & Accounts
Ms. Gauri is a seasoned finance professional with over 30 years of experience in accounting and financial management across major corporate…
Shri. Swapnil R. Karwa
Manager
Shri. Dipak Gawande
Assistant Manager
Shri. Dnyaneshwar T. Chaudhari
Assistant Manager
Ms. Suhita Shendye
Sr. Manager
Shri. Suraj Gohel
Sr. Officer
Shri. Amar Maske
Assistant Manager
Shri. Vishal Shinde
Sr. Specialist
Ms. Shilpa Charpale
Sr. Officer
Shri. Abhijit Nagargoje
Officer
Shri. Babaji Mhaske
Assistant Manager – Content
Shri. Mayur Karjatkar
Assistant Manager
Ms. Tejashri Patil
Manager
Ms. Prachi Jadhav
Assistant Manager – Programme Management
Shri. Sachin Walunjkar
Master Trainer
Shri. Balasaheb Thombre
Master Trainer
Shri. Nagesh Bodkhe
Master Trainer
Shri. Amol Sayambhar
Master Trainer
Shri. Hirachand Rohankar
Master Trainer
Ms. Kshitija Bothkar
Master Trainer
Ms. Madhuri Thete
Master Trainer
Shri. V. Venkataramana
Executive Director
Shri. V. Venkataramana is a dedicated social development professional with over 29 years of experience in leading large-scale projects across sectors such as education, school health, shelter and school construction, and livelihoods. He has effectively managed multi-cultural and multi-sectoral teams in various national and international development organisations, including UNDP, Save the Children, Room to Read, Aga Khan Foundation, Naandi Foundation, and the Language and Learning Foundation.
As a Senior Consultant, Shri. Venkataramana played a key role in supporting the Government of India (MHRD) in the planning, budgeting, and implementation of significant government-owned projects such as the District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). This experience has given him a deep understanding of government policies and systems.
In his role as Senior Asia Regional Programme Manager at Room to Read, he provided guidance to teams across seven Asian countries, helping to design and implement country-specific education Programmes in collaboration with government partners.
With extensive expertise in fostering and managing government partnerships, Shri. Venkataramana specialises in designing and implementing results-based projects, particularly in areas such as pay-for-results and development impact bond initiatives. He is recognised for his expertise in applying system-strengthening approaches to achieve sustainable development outcomes.
Shri. Ashok Gopal
Director - Academics
Shri. Ashok transitioned to the development sector in 2000, after 15 years as a journalist with a prominent tabloid. With over 24 years of experience as a consultant in the development sector, he brings deep expertise in programme design, content development, and educational materials creation.
Specialising in the areas of Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning (SEEL), Ashok is well-versed in designing and developing both print and audiovisual educational materials, as well as training resources, instructional packages, and teacher support documentation. His extensive domain knowledge in education, combined with his ability to create impactful and innovative learning tools, has made him a valuable asset to the field.
Shri. Ashok has been a key contributor to the Shantilal Muttha Foundation’s Mulyavardhan initiative since 2012, where he has led the design and development of educational programme and content. In his current role as Director of Academics at the Foundation, he continues to drive the development of transformative educational initiatives aimed at fostering holistic learning and character development of children.
Ms. Meenal Dashputre
Director – Capacity Building
With 20 years of experience in education, spanning from primary to postgraduate levels, Ms. Meenal is an accomplished educator, trainer, and innovator dedicated to fostering excellence in teaching and learning. She holds a Master’s degree in English, a Bachelor’s degree in Education, and an MPhil. from the University of Pune.
A specialist in designing, developing, and delivering high-quality training programme, Ms. Meenal has worked extensively in the fields of teacher training, school leadership development, and capacity building for education officials. Her expertise also extends to School Quality Assessment (SQA), assessor training, and content translation and editing. She is a NABET-certified and a CBSE-empaneled school assessor.
Ms. Meenal is a forward-thinking educationist with a focus on continuous improvement. She has designed and implemented the Assessor Training Programme to prepare qualified assessors for school quality evaluations, and has created an innovative, multi-dimensional assessment tool that evaluates the emotional, social, physical, and intellectual development of students in Grade 4.
As a key member of the Shantilal Muttha Foundation’s Centre of Excellence (COE), she plays an integral role in the professional development of both internal and external stakeholders and contributes significantly to the foundation’s accreditation and quality assurance initiatives.
Her current role as the Head of Capacity Building at the Shantilal Muttha Foundation involves leading initiatives to strengthen educational practices and empower educators across India.
Shri. Vidhyadhar Shukla
Consultant
Shri. Vidhyadhar Shukla is a highly respected educationist and retired Deputy Director from the Maharashtra State Council of Educational Research and Training (MSCERT), Pune. With a strong academic background, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science, as well as a BEd, MEd, and a PhD in Education.
As the head of Training, Shri. Shukla played a pivotal role in the success of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), the Government of India’s flagship programme for universal education, as well as the Maharashtra Prathamik Shikshan Parishad. His leadership and expertise significantly advanced the goals of both initiatives.
In addition to his work at MSCERT, Shri. Shukla served as the Principal of the State Institute for Audio-Visual Education and worked as a consultant with prestigious organizations such as UNICEF, contributing to their Child-Friendly School projects.
An accomplished author, Shri. Shukla has written two influential books for the DEd programme and has been instrumental in curriculum development. His contributions also include the creation of numerous state-level training modules and manuals.
Since 2010, he has been a key consultant for the Shantilal Muttha Foundation, where his invaluable insights have greatly supported the Foundation’s educational initiatives.
Shri. Raja Sekhar
Assistant Director - Programme Management
Shri. Raja Sekhar brings with him over 24 years of experience in development and education, with a strong focus on programme management, community engagement, and stakeholder relations. He has successfully led large-scale educational and social development programmes across multiple states, particularly in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. His expertise lies in operational execution, team leadership, financial oversight, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Before joining Shantilal Muttha Foundation, Raja served as the State Manager at Room to Read India Trust, where he spearheaded literacy and girls’ education initiatives across nine locations. He has also held key leadership roles at Naandi Foundation, where he managed programmes supporting girl child education, academic enrichment, and community-driven development. His early career included impactful work with child labor initiatives and non-formal education programmes, enabling children’s transition into mainstream schooling.
Raja’s academic background includes a Master’s in Sociology and a bachelor’s degree in commerce. He is highly skilled in strategic planning, team capacity building, and MIS development. Over the years, he has participated in numerous national and international training programmes on education, programme design, and monitoring frameworks.
Known for his commitment to grassroots empowerment, Raja is enthusiastic about driving positive social change through inclusive and sustainable development models. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling and music.
Ms. Gauri Kulkarni
Sr. Manager - Finance & Accounts
Ms. Gauri is a seasoned finance professional with over 30 years of experience in accounting and financial management across major corporate organisations. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Commerce, along with professional credentials in ICWAI (Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India) and DCM (Diploma in Cost Management).
For the past nine years, she has been an integral part of the Shantilal Muttha Foundation, currently serving as the Senior Manager of Accounts & Finance. In this crucial role, she is responsible for managing the Foundation’s entire financial portfolio, including accounting, budgeting, audits, and statutory compliance. Additionally, she oversees donor reporting, including the preparation of utilisation certificates, employee salary disbursements, and bank-related compliance matters.
With her deep expertise in finance and strategic management, Ms. Gauri ensures the smooth and efficient operation of the Foundation’s financial functions, providing essential support to other departments and contributing significantly to the Foundation’s overall organisational effectiveness.