
THE WORK
We believe great work comes from collaboration. First you get to know how we think, then you meet the team who make it real, with seamless design, tight content, and strong digital performance.
PEOPLE BEHIND

Vinitha Venkatraman
Founder, Social Entrepreneur, Communications Strategist
Vinitha, comes with 20 years of experience in media, communication and social impact.
After spending 4 years in the Times of India Group, she began building awareness campaigns on HIV with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s National AIDS control organization. She embarked upon her entrepreneurial journey and founded VIVA Development Strategies in 2014.
Her passion for using communication as a lever to accelerate social impact led to formation of Viva Social Communications in 2023.
Vinitha comes with a Mass Media degree, an MBA in marketing and a Social Impact Strategy degree with UPenn.

Director, Strategic Advisor
Krishna Menon
Krishna comes with 25 years of experience in media, communications and start-ups. He spent 18 years working for media giants like Times of India, Sakal Media Group, Dainik Bhaskar and Network18, he then embarked on his entrepreneurial journey in 2018. He exited QYOU Media in 2024 after scaling revenues across geographies.
His interest in scaling start-ups and an inherent understanding of the media and communications space brought him to Viva Social Communications in a management role — guiding business strategy and scaling operations globally. Krishna holds an MBA from Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, Pune.

Account Manager
Sruti Srinivasan
Sruti brings 6+ years of experience in strategic communications for the development sector. She has over six years of experience in strategic communications in the development sector. Most recently, she was Communications Manager at J-PAL South Asia, where she worked to make scientific evidence more accessible and strengthen evidence-informed policymaking. She also led communications for CLEAR South Asia, managing regional conferences, promoting public learning courses, and designing communications workshops for NGOs.
Driven by a passion for making ideas accessible and amplifying important voices, she now serves as Account Manager at Viva, leading projects across Narrative Building and Capacity Building. Sruti holds an MSc in Media, Communication and Development from London School of Economics and Political Science.

Project Manager
Sarah Vaikul
Sarah brings 4+ years of experience in communications, storytelling, and partnerships within the social impact sector. She brings over four years of experience in communications, storytelling, and partnerships in the social impact sector. Her work spans creating newsletters and podcasts, amplifying the voices of women cooperators at SEWA Cooperative Federation, and leading strategic communications and partnerships at Social Lens Consulting and toolbox INDIA Foundation.
At VIVA Social Communications, she develops communication strategies for clients including PRADAN, Americares India Foundation, PATH, and SELCO Foundation, translating field insights into compelling narratives. Sarah holds a Master’s in Media and Cultural Studies and a Bachelor’s in Social Sciences from Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

Lead: Social and Behaviour Change
Ankita Kumari
Ankita Kumari brings 7+ years of experience at the intersection of social and behaviour change, public health, and development communication - working where evidence meets action, and where strategy shapes lives. She has worked across issues including adolescent health, nutrition, WASH, mental health, non-communicable diseases, and environmental hazards, partnering with organizations such as UNICEF, UNFPA, World Health Organization, World Bank, and Jhpiego.
At VIVA, she leads the Social and Behaviour Change vertical, designing evidence-based programs grounded in context and trust. Ankita holds an MSc in Development Communication and Extension and an MBA specializing in Human Resource Management.

Senior Architect, Strategic Communication
Ankit Gautam
Ankit Gautam brings 14 years of experience in growth marketing, brand building, and communication strategy across India and global markets. As Vice President of Marketing at Gradeup (later BYJU'S Exam Prep), he led performance, brand, content, and creative functions, contributing to Gradeup’s acquisition by BYJU'S. His career spans digital media and global ad-tech, with experience across the US, UK, Europe, APAC, and MENA.
Ankit also co-founded Gramworks, promoting sustainable livelihoods and rural development. His work has been featured in Forbes and ET Brand Equity and recognized with the Golden MI Award and ACEF Best Social Media honour.

Project Associate
Deeksha Khandelwal
Deeksha is a social impact professional with more than three years of experience in program management, stakeholder engagement, and research-driven execution across the CSR and development sectors. Her work spans heritage conservation with INTACH and Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, as well as nationwide STEM education initiatives at India STEM Foundation.
At VIVA, she combines research, accountability systems, and community insights to design programs that drive measurable and lasting behaviour change. Deeksha holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in History from University of Delhi, a Diploma in Social Work and Development from Indian Institute of Governance and Leadership, and a degree in Data Analytics from Harvard Business School.

Account Manager
Mandir Dighe
Mandir brings 7+ years of experience in creative production, research, and communications. She began her career at Memesys Studios, where she led a global Kickstarter campaign for a political social impact game that raised more than USD 300,000. She later worked across production at Memesys and Pushing Buttons Studio, and as a fundraising consultant with Avehi Abacus Project.
At VIVA, she serves as an Account Manager, specialising in narrative development and amplifying voices in the social impact space. Mandir holds a BA in Philosophy and Psychology from University of Mumbai and an MSc in Science and Religion from University of Edinburgh.

Manager, Partnerships
Mrunal Patil
Mrunal brings over seven years of experience in the development sector and a strong belief that important work deserves to be heard. Having worked with Gram Vikas, Mann Deshi Foundation, and Foundation for Mother and Child Health, she understands how to shape narratives and build compelling cases for change. Her background in fundraising and proposal writing gives her insight into both field realities and donor perspectives.
At Viva, she helps organizations communicate their impact more effectively and reach wider audiences. Mrunal holds a Master’s in Development from Azim Premji University.

Manager, Visual Communications
Ruchira Petkar
Ruchira brings over five years of experience as a filmmaker and editor across films, series, and the social impact sector. She has worked with leading production houses including Netflix and RSVP Movies, honing her skills in narrative and visual storytelling. Her social impact work includes collaborations with The Wire, Rocket Learning, and Eklavya Foundation.
At VIVA Communications, she translates on-ground work into accessible, credible narratives. Ruchira holds a Master’s in Media and Cultural Studies from Tata Institute of Social Sciences and specialized in Editing at Film and Television Institute of India.

Project Associate
Srotoswini Karmarkar
Srotoswini brings experience in sustainability, ESG research, and development communications, with a focus on public health, nutrition, gender, and climate. She has worked with Partnerships for Impact, ISS ESG, and Jaipur Rugs, contributing to sustainability reporting, policy briefs, knowledge platforms, and multi-stakeholder dialogues.
At Viva, she combines research, strategy, and storytelling to translate complex ideas into clear, actionable narratives for social impact. Srotoswini holds a Master’s in Sustainable Development Practice from TERI School of Advanced Studies and a Master’s in Development Practice from Trinity College Dublin.

Project Manager
Tanya Goyal
Tanya Goyal brings over five years of experience in strategic communications, research development, brand building, and integrated marketing across social impact, policy, and academic ecosystems. She has led communication initiatives with Jan Sahas Foundation, People’s Courage International, Greenpeace India, University of Chicago Trust, and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Her work spans international campaigns, partnerships, and analytics-driven content strategies that advance social impact. Tanya holds a Master’s in Sociology from Jawaharlal Nehru University and a Bachelor’s in Sociology from University of Delhi.

Project Associate
Tarsh Verma
Tarsh brings a multidisciplinary background in research and media production, with a focus on ethical storytelling at the intersection of culture and politics. His experience spans documentary filmmaking, podcasting, journalism, and media education. He has contributed to editorial and production at The Lallantop, produced commercial and podcast content at Astroport India, and taught media literacy with Nazaria Arts Collective.
Earlier, he supported education advocacy with Avaaz and Edjustice. Tarsh holds a Master’s in Media and Cultural Studies from Tata Institute of Social Sciences and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from the University of Delhi.
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