Our Team
The Micro Insurance Academy is a project of Sarvajan Unnati Bodhini (SUB) Charitable Trust. The lead trustee of SUB is Shri Dharmendra Kumar, joined in this endeavor by the two other trustees of SUB, Shri Sanjeev Kumar Bhanot, and Shri Rahul Dodla Reddy.
With a lifelong experience in the insurance industry in India, Shri Dharmendra Kumar is leading SUB with expertise, focus and vast knowledge of the benefits that insurance can bring to the poor.
A convinced and committed disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and a keen observer and commentator of the development of insurance activities in the Indian Subcontinent, Shri Dharmendra Kumar has now shifted his attention from the study of the history of the insurance industry to involvement in the nascent microinsurance activity at the bottom of the pyramid in rural areas and amongst the urban poor. The Trustees of SUB are aided in their mission by the founding Chairman of the Micro Insurance Academy, Prof. Dr. David M. Dror.
David Dror has been involved in the development of social security and social health insurance schemes for many years and in many countries. He is currently Professor of Health Insurance in low income countries at Erasmus University Rotterdam Medical Center (Institute of Health Policy and Management) and leads field research related to health economics and health insurance in India and elsewhere.
Meet the rest of the MIA Team:
Dr. Iddo Dror - Director of Operations
Iddo brings with him over a decade of experience in various sectors working in four continents. He joined the MIA after an assignment as a management education specialist with the University of Geneva (Switzerland), where he led the creation of an innovative international MBA programme. Dr. Dror has experience consulting large international organizations as well as grassroots NGOs on microinsurance, international trade, and management issues, and is a frequent speaker in India and abroad on microinsurance and development issues. In his current assignment at the MIA, Iddo is responsible for the strategic development and expansion of the MIA as well as overseeing its operational units (finance, HR, resource mobilization and general administration). He holds a PhD in Economic and Social Sciences from the University of Geneva, where he also earned a Masters of Business Administration.
Dana Duthie – Development Officer
Dana has been working in the development sector for the past few years in the United States, Bangladesh, and the Philippines Her work has included fundraising, communications, survey management, and research. She holds a BA in International Studies from the University of Washington and an MSc in Development Studies from The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). As Development Officer at MIA, Dana's work includes resource mobilization, quality assurance, and the development of training materials.
Sabu Joseph - Finance & Administration Officer
Sabu, a post Graduate in Commerce, and has gathered 12 years of experience in the field of finance, administration and procurement, when working with NGOs and corporates at the national and international level. Sabu handles MIA’s accounting and contributes to the smooth running of MIA’s HR systems. Sabu
Richa Joshi – Researcher
Richa joined the MIA after assignments as a Programme Assistant in the Woman and Child Development Unit of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, New Delhi, and as a Gender Trainer at the Centre for Social Research, New Delhi. At the MIA, Richa is working on a GTZ commissioned research project on Collective Action entitled: "Using community dynamics in pro-poor insurance: affiliating communities en bloc". Richa is a Post Graduate in Sociology from Delhi School of Economics, and a qualified MSW from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.
Sriram Kannekanti- Training Specialist
Sriram Kannekanti has over 10 years of professional experience in the development sector. He has been actively involved in various development issues in both Government and Non Government sectors. He is a post graduate in public administration and holds an M Phil degree from Osmania University, Hyderabad. He has extensive exposure to issues like civil society and governance. Previous assignments include; National Rural Employment Guarantee Program (NREGP), Right To Information (RTI) Act, Community Management, Communication Strategy, IEC Material Preparation, Documentation, Institutional Building, Training, Sanitation, Hygiene Education, Local Self Governance, Multi Stake Holder Dialogues, Partnership Building, Networking with Civil Society Organizations and Building Linkages with Government Line Departments.
Prasreen Kunnampalli - Training Specialist
Prasreen has upward of 10 years experience in the development sector with a specialization in training. He is a qualified social worker with a MSW and a diploma in Theme Centered Interaction. His responsibilities include, amongst others, developing exercises, games, and other tools for training, setting training needs, and facilitating training sessions with local grassroots partners.
Theresa Lacey – Development Officer
Theresa joins the MIA as a Development Officer, bringing her experience in fundraising, marketing and resource mobilization with NGOs in India. Her work with Naz Foundation and Unniti Foundation, in Delhi, was focused on building partnerships both here and abroad, while assisting the organizations to develop successful strategies for sustainability.She recently finished coursework for her Masters of Science in Management from SIT Graduate Institute, Vermont USA. Theresa has a Bachelors degree in Sociology from Loyola University Chicago and is a proficient speaker of Hindi and Urdu.
Preeti Maheshwari - Researcher
Preeti holds a PhD in Extension Education from the Department of Adult and Continuing Education and Extension from Jamia Millia Islmia. She recently completed her fellowship research on "Developing a scale to map women empowerment". She has been serving as a guest faculty at the Department of Adult & Continuing Education and Extension at Jamia Millia Islamia. In addition, Preeti has worked as a freelance researcher in documentaries on tribals of Chattisgarh funded by Ministry of Tribal Affairs. At MIA, Preeti is working on a GTZ commissioned research project on Collective Action entitled: "Using community dynamics in pro-poor insurance: affiliating communities en bloc".
Atanu Majumdar - Researcher
Atanu is a post-graduate in Statistics from Indian Statistical Institute (Kolkata) with over 20 years’ experience in commercial and development sector (particularly in the area of health). His experience in the health sector ranges from HIV/AIDS to RCH, from improving health care delivery system to microplanning. In MIA he works as a Researcher with the primary responsibility of providing technical support to various research initiatives and developing management information system for micro health insurance projects. Previously he has worked for GOPA-EPOS (in the Basic Health Project, Govt. of West Bengal), UNICEF (as a Consultant) and renowned NGOs like Child In Need Institute and Bhoruka Public Welfare Trust.
Manasi Mewari - Graphic Designer
Manasi is a Graduate of Delhi University and holds Book Illustration and Multimedia diplomas from Shankar's Academy of Art and Book Publishing, Sharda Ukil School of Arts, and Arena, Aptech Ltd. She has over 5 years of experience in the development sector, notably through her work as an Artist with the American Red Cross, where she designed and prepared visually and culturally appropriate materials for children and adult survivors of crisis or disaster. In her current role, Manasi is responsible for MIA’s graphics related work, such as the production of illustrations to explain the value proposition of insurance to people challenged by literacy and innumeracy skills.
Manik Mishra-Field Investigator
Manik holds a post-graduate degree in Sociology and has over 8 years experience in the development sector, particularly in the area of health. His experience in the health sector ranges from immunisation, nutrition, IMR and U-5MR, MMR. Previously he worked ion an IMR project in Orissa supported by the District Administration, Rayagada. He joined MIA as a Field Investigator with the primary responsibility of providing data and case studies to support various research initiatives and develop management information system for micro health insurance projects.
Ravindra Kumar Mishra-Training Specialist, Hindi
Ravindra brings to the MIA 13 years of experience in various capacities at grassroots and national levels. He has experience in the areas of child survival and development, primary health care, family welfare, rural development and elementary education. He worked at Technical Support Group of SSA (GOI), Unicef, National Institute of Administratvie Research, National University of Educational Planning and Administiraion, and Haryana Institute of Public Administration. Ravindra holds an advanced degree in Rural Management.
Prakash K Nayak- Field Investigator
Prakash joins MIA as a field investigator, bringing four and half years of experience in the development sector working for organizations LANSS and SAHARA as a Project Coordinator in a variety of development programmes. He also managed a team from NIRD conducting a social audit in Kalahandi district of Orissa. In addition, he worked with LEPRA Society as a block coordinator assisting people having TB/HIV coinfection. Prakash has completed an MSW from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.
Ralf Radermacher - Director of Research & Training
Ralf joined the MIA from the Department for Cooperative Studies of University of Cologne (Germany), where he coordinated a European Union funded project on micro health insurance in India. Ralf has conducted extensive research on microinsurance and also consults in the same domain. In his role of Director of Research and Training, Ralf coordinates the research and training activities of the Micro Insurance Academy aiming to assist in the development of community based micro insurance schemes, which are integrated into the financial system. Ralf is economist by education holding a degree from University of Cologne.
Raju - Office Assistant and Guard
Mr Raju works as office assistant and guard at the Micro Insurance Academy.
Ashok Kumar Rana - Administrative Officer
Ashok is part of the Operations Team at MIA. Ashok has been with the MIA from inception, and is a key pillar of the smooth running of the organization on a daily basis. His tasks include logistics and procurement for the MIA.
D. Dharma Rao- Project Manager
Dharma has about 10 years of work experience in the health sector in various capacities with national and international agencies. He worked throughout India while working with Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT) and LEPRA India (LEPRA Society). Project management, monitoring & evaluation, documentation, knowledge management, capacity building, NGO management and establishing partnerships are his areas of special interest. Dharma has a bachelor degree in Social Work, Master in Social Communication and M.Phil degree in Tribal Studies from NISWASS & CEDEC, Utkal University of Orissa. As a Project Manager at MIA, Dharma’s work includes coordinating and managing project staff, monitoring project activities, technical support to project staff, knowledge management and business development.
Shahnawaz Shahid- Human Resources Officer
Shahnawaz Shahid is a postgraduate in Economics and an MSW with specialization in Human Resource Management and Community Development. He brings to the MIA over 5 years experience in the development sector. His previous work includes an International Labour Organization administered project as well as the Don Bosco organization as a program officer and center manager in New Delhi. His areas of expertise include community development, coordination of programmes, and the administration, training, and implementation of HR practices. As the Human Resources Officer at MIA, Shahnawaz ‘s work includes the management of all HR activities.
Santosh Sharma – Consultant, Partnerships
Ms. Santosh Sharma has over 13 years of work experience of which 5 years in the grassroots in Rajasthan and Jharkhand, 2 years in freelance consulting and subsequently in Sa-Dhan, a premier microfinance network. She has extensive experience in grassroots mobilization and capacity building around microfinance and livelihoods with rural poor women. Santosh did her Post Graduation in International Relations from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, and worked as a Researcher for two years with the Department of Political Science. Presently she is based in New Delhi and is a consultant with the MIA, looking after partnerships and field expansion.
Savita Sharma - Development Officer
Savita has significant experience of 10 years in the NGO sector, having worked on both development and policy & advocacy issues surrounding NRM, food security, WTO and women development with national level NGOs such as CECOEDECON, CORT & VANI. She has been an important part of global campaigns such as Global Week of Action, People's Caravan for Food Sovereignty, Make Trade Fair Campaign and Food Trade Nutrition Campaign etc. At the MIA, Savita looks after fundraising and grant writing activities. She holds a Master's in Social Work from Rajasthan Vidypeeth University in Udaipur and a Master's in English Literature from Agra University.
Sachin Shinde - Researcher
Sachin joins MIA as a Researcher bringing his experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods. His research work with various national and international organizations was focused on HIV/AIDS and stigma, mental health service delivery, quality of care in public hospitals, evaluation of programs and policies, integration of health and mental health, ethical issues and values in mental health sector, and building a people’s movement for mental health. He recently finished course work for his Masters of Public Administration in Health Policy and Management from Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service, New York University, U.S.A. Sachin has a Masters degree in Organizational Psychology from Pune University.
Jacquiline Roberts Singh - Researcher
Jacquiline brings to the MIA her previous experience in the general insurance & reinsurance business where she has worked since 2001 as an actuarial analyst. She applied this knowledge and experience in her research work at the MIA, which centers on reinsurance for micro insurance units. Jacquiline holds an M.Phil degree in Economics from the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.
Ranjan Kumar Singh-Information Systems/IT Officer
Ranjan holds a bachelor's degree in commerce and has undergone an Advanced Diploma in Web Designing and E-Commerce Technology & RHCE Training. He has more than five years experience in the Information Technology / Systems management field in various national and international NGOs. At MIA, he is providing his knowledge and expertise in IT infrastructure, web solutions and IT management.
Sanjeev Kumar Srivastava- Researcher
Sanjeev Kumar Srivastava holds a Masters degree in Social Work from Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in industrial Relations & Personnel management from Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, Mumbai. Prior to joining to MIA, he was working as a Project Officer in a child rights project in the carpet belt of Uttar Pradesh with UNICEF. He has more than 16 years experience working in the development sector on a variety of issues. At the MIA, Sanjeev is working on a GTZ commissioned research project on Collective Action entitled: Using community dynamics in pro-poor insurance: affiliating communities en bloc".
Vishal Vardhan - Film Specialist
Vishal joins the MIA with working experience in different aspects of mass communication (movie making, script writing etc.) gained as a free lancer, as well as through stints with Siksha (a Delhi-based NGO) and the Aaj Tak hindi news channel. At the MIA, Vishal is directing movies- used as mass media tools to create awareness about community based health insurance schemes. He is a Post Graduate in Economics from Ranchi University and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Development Communication from Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi.
Niharika Verma – Executive Secretary
Niharika brings her professional expertise in office administration and secretarial assistance to MIA. Niharika is a Graduate from Delhi University and holds a Diploma in Secretarial practices and PG Diploma in Human Resource Management. She has over 5 years of experience in the development sector working with national /International level NGOs. In her current role, Niharika is responsible for MIA’s office administration, HR systems and providing day to day secretarial assistance to the MIA Board.
Vineet - Researcher
Vineet joins the MIA after assignments with Healing Fields Foundation, Hyderabad, and Institute for Financial Management and Research, Chennai. At the MIA, Vineet’s research centers around tools and performance indicators that can help improve the efficiency of micro insurance units. He holds International Post Graduate Diploma in General Insurance from Institute for Insurance and Risk Management, Hyderabad. He has also been nominated for Indira Gandhi National Paryawaran Award.
Volunteers & Interns:
Barbara Hanel
Barbara holds a Master in Economics from the University of Bonn. During her studies she focused on topics in insurance and social security. Currently she is working on her dissertation in Economics at the University of Nuremberg, which deals with several insurance topics and uses applied econometric and statistical methods. She gained research experience while working for several academic institutions. In the development sector she has worked for the German Foundation for Development. At the MIA, Barbara is working on a statistical analysis, investigating the stability of microinsurance units.
Kai Johnson
Kai joins the team from Hyderabad where he spent his last Undergrad semester at Central University studying Hindi, Urdu, and Philosophy. He just received his BA in Geography from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. At MIA he is providing his knowledge and expertise in IT infrastructure, web solutions and IT management.
Pierre Massat
Pierre has a Master's in Quantitative Economics and Strategic Decision Making from Lyon 2 and Upenn, and a Master's in Health Economics of Developing Countries from Clermont 1 - CERDI. Pierre has done writing and research on "Using supervised learning to assess the diagnostic and pronostic performances of the FLAG A2 as a marker for SEPSIS in an Intensive Care context"in the largest public hospital in Lyon, France. He also did a cost-efficiency analysis of a PTMTC program in Thailand and developed a program for a re-education center in Rwanda.
Kari Zabel
Kari holds a BA from University of Wisconsin-Madison in Social Work and Women's Studies. She has worked in both the administrative and research capacity at several social justice organizations in the US, including the ACLU and the Police Assessment Resource Center and as a Research Assistant at the University of Denver School of Law . She will pursue graduate work in Urban Planning in Fall 2009.
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