Who we are – finishsociety

Mr. Arun Ramanathan

(Chairman FINISH Society & Former Union Finance Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Government of India.)

Shri Arun Ramanathan (DOB 25/4/1949) is a retired IAS Officer of Tamil Nadu Cadre (1973). In his stint of 36 years in the IAS, Shri Ramanathan had held assignments in diverse areas with about half the above in promotion or management of small, medium and heavy industry. In GOI, he was the Member Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Central Silk Board at the level of Joint Secretary to GOI. His later assignments at the Centre were: Secretary Department of Chemicals, Petrochemicals and Pharmaceuticals, Secretary Financial Services and at superannuation in 2009, the Union Finance Secretary.

Shri Ramanathan (DIN 00308848) has served on the Boards of over 50 Companies including State Bank of India, IDBI, LIC, ICICI, IIFCL, IDFC, ONGC, Shipping Corporation of India, National Textiles Corporation, ONGC Videsh, Titan Industries, Indian Clearing Corporation, Jenson and Nicholson, JCT Electronics, Religare Enterprises, L&T Fincorp, L&T Infra Debt Fund, Equitas Holdings and Equitas Microfinance Ltd. He has served as Chairman of the Audit Committees of ONGC, ONGC Videsh, and SCI and was on the Project Appraisal Committees of ONGC and ONGC Videsh. He was the Founder Non Executive Chairman of Equitas Small Finance Bank from September 2016 till April 2024. He is currently an Independent Director on the Board of Thirumalai Chemicals Ltd, a listed entity and will retire from that Board in June 2025.He is currently also the Chairman of the Governing Body of FINISH a grassroot level NGO working on rural sanitation, solid and liquid waste management and capacity building in several Indian States Shri Ramanathan has also been on the Advisory Committee of the Hindustan Latex Family Promotion Programme (2010-2013). a Member of the India Advisory Council of Daimler Benz Commercial Vehicles (India) (2010 -2016) the Investment Committee of the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Management Company, (2016-2022) and the Outside Experts Committee of ONGC (2017-2023). Shri Ramanathan holds Masters Degrees in Nuclear Physics from Andhra University, Business Administration from Madras University and Development Economics from Cambridge University, all with distinction. He is also an Associate Member of the Institute of the Cost and Works Accountants of India.

Mr. Arun Ramanathan, Chairman

Former Union Finance Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Government of India

Mr. Ramanathan has M.Sc. in Nuclear Physics from Andhra University and MBA in Financial Management at Madras University and also has M.Phil. in Development Economics at Cambridge University and he is also an Associate Member of Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India. He holds Bachelor Degree from Loyola College, Madras in Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry.

Mr. Sahasranaman

Former Chairman FINISH society and former Chief Secretary of J&K Government)

Mr. A. Sahasranaman is a retired IAS from 1973 batch. He has served in various positions of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir including Secretary to the Government and of Divisional Commissioners, Jammu Division. He has been intimately associated with the leather industry of India and South East Asia. While in the IAS, he served as the first Executive Director of the Council for Leather Exports, an industry-run export promotion organization, sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India

His contributions towards changing the export profile of the Indian leather industry, substantially enhancing the share of value added leather products in it, are well recognized. Mr. Sahasranaman has served at various other prestigious positions such as its Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, J&K, Honorary Director of Indian Leather Industry Foundation, Chennai, Vice Chairman of Chennai Environmental Management Company of Tanners (CEMCOT) and Deputy Team Leader and Advisor to the EU-India Trade and Investment Development Programme. Widely traveled and well versed in all aspects of the leather industry in India and elsewhere in the world, Mr. Sahasranaman is a post-graduate in Economics. He has authored numerous articles published in prestigious journals in India and abroad. He has published one book on Environment Management in Tanning Industry in India and co authored a book on Occupational Safety and Health Standards in Tanneries in South East Asia. His guidance and leadership to the FINISH team is invaluable.

Mr. Sahasranaman, IAS (Rtd), Member

Former Chairman FINISH society and former Chief Secretary of J&K Government)

Mr. A. Sahasranaman is a retired IAS from 1973 batch. He has served in various positions of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir including Secretary to the Government and of Divisional Commissioners, Jammu Division. He has been intimately associated with the leather industry of India and South East Asia.

Mr. C K Gopalakrishna

(Treasure FINISH Society &Former CGM, NABARD.)

Mr. Gopalakrishna is a graduate in Fisheries Science (UAS, Bangalore) and holds Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Agri) from IIM-Ahmadabad. He is a certified Associate of Indian Institute of Banking and Finance. He has also undergone Faculty Development Programme in University of Wolverhampton (UK) and Food & Agri-Business Management Programme on International Agriculture (Cornell University) (USA)

He worked as an officer in IOB, Chennai and as Senior Manager (Marketing) in Gujarat Fisheries Co-operative Association, Ahmadabad during 1977 to 1980. He later joined Reserve Bank of India in 1981 and switched over to NABARD when it was formed in 1982. He has worked in the areas of watershed development, rural and agricultural innovations, micro credit and rural infrastructure financing in various capacities. He also worked as Faculty Member in Bankers Institute of Rural Development, Lucknow (1994-1999). As Chief General Manager in-charge of Assam Regional office of NABARD (2005-2008) his guidance gave a boost to Self Help Groups, micro credit, rural entrepreneurship, non-farm sector and infrastructure financing. He retired from NABARD in 2013 and since then is freelancing as a Development Consultant. His expertise in the financial and rural sector has been immensely helpful for our strategic decisions.

Mr. C K Gopalakrishna, Treasurer

Former CGM, NABARD

Mr. Gopalakrishna is a graduate in Fisheries Science (UAS, Bangalore) and holds Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Agri) from IIM-Ahmadabad. He is a certified Associate of Indian Institute of Banking and Finance. He has also undergone Faculty Development Programme in University of Wolverhampton (UK) and Food & Agri-Business Management Programme on International Agriculture (Cornell University) (USA)

Mr. Sadanand Bhave

Chairman FINISH society and former Chief Secretary of J&K Government

Mr. S. V. Bhave is Chairman of the Governing Body of FINISH Society and is associated with FINISH since the beginning. Mr. Bhave is a retired I.A.S Officer and has served for a long period in J&K. Other than that he also served as a Faculty member in The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie [LBSNAA].He also served as the Executive Director in charge of Vigilance & Security at Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL) New Delhi and Joint Secy.

in Department of Heavy industry Govt. of India. Mr. Bhave has also served as a member on the Boards of many organizations. He carries with him very rich experience in dealing with development issues as well as regulatory administration. He is widely known for his contributions and has been instrumental in the expansion and FINISH Society's initiatives.

Mr. Sadanand Bhave, IAS (Rtd)

Chairman FINISH society and former Chief Secretary of J&K Government

Mr. S. V. Bhave is Chairman of the Governing Body of FINISH Society and is associated with FINISH since the beginning. Mr. Bhave is a retired I.A.S Officer and has served for a long period in J&K. Other than that he also served as a Faculty member in The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie [LBSNAA].

Dr. Kulwant Singh

Former Advisor, UN Habitat, CEO of 3R WASTE Foundation, India

Dr. Singh is presently CEO of 3R WASTE Foundation (India) an organisation working in partnership with WASTE Netherlands and Collaborative Working Group on Solid Waste Management based in Switzerland. Dr. Singh earlier served as Chief Technical Adviser for the Water, Sanitation and Infrastructure Branch of UN-Habitat from January 2004 to December 2008. In his role of Chief Technical Adviser, he contributed significantly to

policy dialogue with partner countries in Asia and the Pacific and in the design and implementation of a large number of water and sanitation initiatives. Since December 2008, Dr. Kulwant Singh has continued to support the work of UN-Habitat as a consultant until December 2015, with particular reference to the urban basic services comprising, water, sanitation, and Solid waste management. In this role, he has supported the Urban Basic Services Branch in the formulation and implementation of projects and dialogue with partner national and city governments. He has also significantly contributed to the normative work of the agency by contributing to papers and publications. He also represented UN-Habitat in various regional and international fora on urban basic services. TEACHING, TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING ENGAGEMENTS/INTERESTS Dr. Singh has been a regular visiting faculty at UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Delft, the Netherlands and Institute for Housing and Urban Development (IHS), Rotterdam, the Netherlands from 2004- 2012.

Dr. Kulwant Singh

Former Advisor, UN Habitat, CEO of 3R WASTE Foundation, India

Dr. Singh is presently CEO of 3R WASTE Foundation (India) an organisation working in partnership with WASTE Netherlands and Collaborative Working Group on Solid Waste Management based in Switzerland. Dr. Singh earlier served as Chief Technical Adviser for the Water, Sanitation and Infrastructure Branch of UN-Habitat from January 2004 to December 2008.

Mr. RM Malla

Former Chairman & Managing Director of IDBI Bank Ltd. & Former Chairman & Managing Director of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

Mr. RM Malla

Former Chairman & Managing Director of IDBI Bank Ltd. & Former Chairman & Managing Director of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

Mr. Arun Kumar Verma

Practicing Chartered Accountant and Partner in Venkataraman & Verma, Chartered Accountants

Shri ARUN KUMAR VERMA (69) holds a Bachelors Degree with Honours in Commerce, a Diploma in Systems Audit, an LLB Degree and is a Practicing Chartered Accountant and Partner in Venkataraman & Verma, Chartered Accountants. He holds qualifications in Corporate Governance, Concurrent Audit of Banks and Forensic Accounting and Fraud Prevention. He has extensive experience in all areas of Financial Accounting and has been associated with several Government

Departments and Public Sector Companies and Banks such as Steel & Mines Department, Govt. of Odisha Commercial Taxes Department, Govt. of Odisha, National Vector Borne Disease Control Program, funded by World Bank. National Rural Health Mission, State Resource Centre of the National Literacy Mission, GRIDCO Ltd., Orissa Mining Corporation Ltd, Konark Met Coke Ltd, Orissa State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd, Orissa State Warehousing Corporation Ltd, State Bank of India, Union Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Bank of India, Allahabad Bank, UCO Bank, United Bank of India, Canara Bank, United India Insurance Co Ltd, National Insurance Co Ltd etc. He has been a Consultant to ADB. Shri Verma has been an Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Shipping Corporation of India, Chairman of the Ethics Committee of the Clearing Corporation of the Bombay Stock Exchange and is currently an Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Equitas Small Finance Bank. Shri Verma has varied cultural interests and is fluent in English, Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Oriya and is conversant with Malayalam and Bengali.

Mr. Arun Kumar Verma

Practicing Chartered Accountant and Partner in Venkataraman & Verma, Chartered Accountants

Shri ARUN KUMAR VERMA (69) holds a Bachelors Degree with Honours in Commerce, a Diploma in Systems Audit, an LLB Degree and is a Practicing Chartered Accountant and Partner in Venkataraman & Verma, Chartered Accountants. He holds qualifications in Corporate Governance, Concurrent Audit of Banks and Forensic Accounting and Fraud Prevention.

Mr. Abhijit Banerji

Member Secretary, FINISH Society & Director FINISH Mondial India

Mr. Abhijit Banerji is associated with Financial Inclusion Improves Sanitation & Health (FINISH) right from the beginning in multiple roles. He serves as Member Secretary at the Governing Body of FINISH Society and Director for FINISH Programme. He has been instrumental in designing and conceptualizing FINISH in India and expand it to more than 10 states. He has played a very critical role in developing public private partnerships including strategic partnership framework for FINISH in Indian context.

He is a visionary leader who has built a team of passionate professional of more than 200 employees working at grass root level to serve the vision and mission of the organisation. He is also on the Board of FINISH in Kenya. He has more than 25 years of professional experience with 16 years in sales administration and business development experience with the corporate sector in Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Telecom and Financial Services and another 7 years with the social sector in micro-enterprise development, women empowerment and agri-marketing. Prior to joining FINISH, he was the Zone Head for the micro-insurance business of TATA AIG Life Insurance in East and North India. He has been instrumental in the detailing of FINISH from the beginning till date. His passion for bringing change at the grass root level is an inspiration for the team.

Mr. Abhijit Banerji, Secretary

Former Tata AIG (Micro insurance)

Mr. Abhijit Banerji is associated with FINISH right from the beginning in multiple roles. He serves as Member, Secretary at the Governing Body and Director for FINISH Program. He has more than 25 years of professional experience with 16 years in sales administration and business development experience

Mr. Mukul Jaiswal

Managing Director in Cashpor Micro Credit

Mr. RM Malla

Former Chairman & Managing Director of IDBI Bank Ltd. & Former Chairman & Managing Director of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

Mr. Saurabh Agnihotri

COO, FINISH Society

Mr. Saurabh Agnihotri is a member of the Governing Body of FINISH Society, he joined FINISH right at its inception and has played a very critical role in strategic planning and conceptualising projects for the Society. He has been instrumental in initiating Government supported partnership programmes in sanitation and waste management across several states in India

He has played a very critical role in developing public private partnerships including strategic partnership framework for FINISH Society. He has led many successful projects and expanded the reach of the Society in sanitation and waste management space. He has very rich experience of working with Governments, Agencies and Corporates and has developed an expertise in the field of sanitation and waste management. He holds more than 16 years of experience in working in corporate and development sector. He has done Post Graduate Diploma in Insurance and Risk Management.

Mr. Saurabh Agnihotri, Member

Former Tata AIG (Micro insurance)

Mr. Saurabh Agnihotri is a member of the Governing Body of FINISH Society and holds more than 12 years of experience in working in corporate and development sector. He has done Post Graduate Diploma in Insurance and Risk Management. He has worked with TATA-AIG as state head of Rajasthan and won many accomplishments.

Ms. Santwana Sneha

MEL Expert

Complexity of the development sector needs a human-centered nudging to drive positive change”. With over 2 decades of experience, Sneha has had an unconventional and enriching journey so far. Having diversified experience in corporate and social work, she brings to the table an unique perspective. Her expertise includes research, management & coordination, creative writing and design-thinking solutions.

Her social work focuses on an inclusive approach to gender equality and climate change mitigation through sustainable solutions. She is an expert of monitoring, evaluation and learning. She likes to travel and read in her spare times.

Ms. Santwana Sneha, Member

Agriculture & micro finance

Complexity of the development sector needs a human-centered nudging to drive positive change”. With over 2 decades of experience, Sneha has had an unconventional and enriching journey so far. Having diversified experience in corporate and social work, she brings to the table an unique perspective. Her expertise includes research, management & coordination, creative writing and design-thinking solutions

Abhishek Chaudhuri

Mr. Abhishek Chauduri has more than 16 years of experience in development sector, with a fine blend of corporate and rural banking experience. He is the Managing Director of FSMC company and heads the FINISH Mondial (FM) India programme for the Society. He is presently based in two locations Ranchi and Bubaneshwar, he has completed his PG Diploma in Rural Management from the Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi. An expert in Financial Inclusion and Feacal Sludge Management (FSM), he oversees ongoing FM activities in the country. His main job is to provide supervision, guidance, planning, monitoring and reporting of FM activities. He supports in new partnership development for new projects from donors and CSRs.

Abhishek Chaudhuri

Presently based in Agra, he has completed his PG Diploma in Rural Management from the Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi. Having joined the Finish Society in 2017, Abhishek brings to the table a fine blend of corporate and rural banking experience that spans over 12 years. An expert in micro-finance, he oversees ongoing projects in the eastern parts of the country.

Gaurav Kumar

Based out of the Finish Society head office in Lucknow, Gaurav possesses an MBA in Finance and Marketing from Nagpur University, Nagpur. With over 10 years of experience in the industry in various capacities, Gaurav joined the Finish team as Accounts & Finance Head in 2014. He leads and manage a team of six professionals, including selection/hiring, objective setting, performance management, coaching/development and training. He is mainly responsible for the monthly closing as well as maintenance of all accounting ledgers including monthly review of all account reconciliations and journal entries. He also prepares all financial reports, including Profit and Loss Statement, Balance Sheet and Statement of Cash Flows, as well as year-end financial reports. He also works with internal and external auditors during reviews and audits to ensure full cooperation from accounting staff and compliance with all qualified requests

Gaurav Kumar

Based out of the Finish Society head office in Lucknow, Gaurav possesses an MBA in Finance and Marketing from Nagpur University, Nagpur. With over 10 years of experience in the industry in various capacities, Gaurav joined the Finish team as Accounts & Finance Head in 2014. He leads and manage a team of six professionals, including selection/hiring, objective setting, performance management, coaching/development and training.

Joohi Khushbu

If you ask the right questions, you are bound to come up with innovative answers, says Jaipur-based Communications Manager, Joohi Khushbu. With a Post Graduate degree in Management (PGPBM) with specialization in Agri-Business Management from Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM), Pune, she is an avid researcher. Having spent a decade in the developmental sector, Joohi joined Finish Society as Communication Manager in 2017. Her primary tasks involve monitoring and evaluating on-ground projects. She is also busy capturing and creating on-ground stories in the form of case studies, newsletters, monthly, quarterly and annual reports for the Society’s various projects. She then shares them internally and externally. Apart from this, she writes fundraising proposals and is responsible for streamlining the communication flow of the organization.

Joohi Khushbu

If you ask the right questions, you are bound to come up with innovative answers, says Jaipur-based Communications Manager, Joohi Khushbu. With a Post Graduate degree in Management (PGPBM) with specialization in Agri-Business Management from Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM), Pune, she is an avid researcher.

Chander Mahadev

His ability to keep an ear to the ground, and find meaning in day-to-day activities has made him excel in the field of journalism. With a Master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication, Chander has over three decades of experience with mainstream media and then made his mark as a media academician. He is actively involved in generating stories from the ground & motivating & mentoring team members, he joined the Finish Society team in 2017. His primary job is to get media exposure to the Society and to streamline the processes and communication flow of various ongoing projects. A Blogger, journalist, script-writer, and Lead Trainer he has been actively involved with media research and education for nearly four decades. He has worked for three decades in leading news dailies like The Times of India and The Indian Express. From 2006-2016, he worked as Professor in Mass Communication, at the Amity School of Communication, Lucknow.

Chander Mahadev

His ability to keep an ear to the ground, and find meaning in day-to-day activities has made him excel in the field of journalism. With a Master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication, Chander has over three decades of experience with mainstream media and then made his mark as a media academician.

Shiv Kumar Sharma

If you train a man, you may help him get a job, but if you train a women she will empower society, is the philosophy that Training Head follows. With a Masters in Sociology, Shiv is the latest entrant (joined in in 2018) to the FINISH Society team. He is the Training Head with proven skills in TOT programs. He is adept at developing innovative community-centred and environment-friendly interventions. He conducts need-based training programs especially on community and social development issues. He brings to the table his vast and rich experience as field trainer. His 32-year professional stint includes 22 years in the government sector, office management, liaison, Social Development, Project Management/Implementation, Documentation and Database Development. He possesses exceptional skills in community mobilization, participatory approaches, promotion programs to achieve short-term and long-term objectives within the assigned resources and timeframes.

Shiv Kumar Sharma

If you train a man, you may help him get a job, but if you train a women she will empower society, is the philosophy that Training Head follows. With a Masters in Sociology, Shiv is the latest entrant (joined in in 2018) to the FINISH Society team. He is the Training Head with proven skills in TOT programs. He is adept at developing innovative community-centred and environment-friendly interventions.

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Governing Body of FINISH Society

Mr. Arun Ramanathan

Mr. Sahasranaman

Mr. C K Gopalakrishna

Mr. Sadanand Bhave​

Mr. RM Malla

Mr. Arun Kumar Verma

Mr. Abhijit Banerji,

Mr. Mukul Jaiswal

Mr. Saurabh Agnihotri

Ms. Santwana Sneha

Mr. Arun Ramanathan

Mr. Sahasranaman

Mr. C K Gopalakrishna

Mr. Sadanand Bhave

Mr. RM Malla

Mr. Arun Kumar Verma

Mr. Abhijit Banerji,

Mr. Mukul Jaiswal

Mr. Saurabh Agnihotri

Ms. Santwana Sneha

Advisory Board Members

Mr. Valentin Post

Mr. Theo Brouwers

Ms. Sarbani Bhattacharya

Mr. Valentin Post

Mr. Theo Brouwers

Ms. Sarbani Bhattacharya

management Team

Mr. Abhijit Banerji

Mr. Saurabh Agnihotri

Mr. Shiv Kumar Sharma

Mr. Chander Mahadev

Mr. Gaurav Kumar

Mr. Abhijit Banerji,

Mr. Saurabh Agnihotri

Mr. Shiv Kumar Sharma

Mr. Chander Mahadev

Mr. Gaurav Kumar

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Mr. Sadanand Bhave