Mr. Balu Iyer has over 30 years of experience in managing international development operations, overseeing multiple country offices, and building new offices from the ground up. He worked in India in cooperative development before moving abroad to work on Asian regional concerns for overseas agencies in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. Previously, he worked with the Aga Khan Rural Support Program, ActionAid India, International Development Exchange and the Asia Foundation. He holds a Master's degree in Public Policy from the Goldman School of Public Policy at U.C. Berkeley, U.S.A., a Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management from the Institute of Rural Management at Anand, India, and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the National Institute of Technology at Durgapur, India.
Mr. Balasubramanian (Balu) Iyer
Regional Director
Mr. Balu Iyer has over 30 years of experience in managing international development operations, overseeing multiple country offices, and building new offices from the ground up. He worked in India in cooperative development before moving abroad to work on Asian regional concerns for overseas agencies in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. Previously, he worked with the Aga Khan Rural Support Program, ActionAid India, International Development Exchange and the Asia Foundation. He holds a Master's degree in Public Policy from the Goldman School of Public Policy at U.C. Berkeley, U.S.A., a Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management from the Institute of Rural Management at Anand, India, and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the National Institute of Technology at Durgapur, India.
Mr. Kulbhushan Kukreja manages financial operations and administrative functions for ICA-AP and its personnel. His responsibilities extend to overseeing accounts and taxation matters for both ICA-AP and the ICA Malaysia Business Office (MBO). Moreover, he plays a pivotal role as the Secretary of the ICA-AP Committee on Credit and Banking. He holds a Master’s degree in Commerce with specialization in Accounting and Business Statistics, a Post Graduate Diploma in Corporate Law and Management with a specialization in Contract Act and Corporate Negotiations.
Mr. Kulbhushan Kukreja
Director – Finance and Administration
Mr. Kulbhushan Kukreja manages financial operations and administrative functions for ICA-AP and its personnel. His responsibilities extend to overseeing accounts and taxation matters for both ICA-AP and the ICA Malaysia Business Office (MBO). Moreover, he plays a pivotal role as the Secretary of the ICA-AP Committee on Credit and Banking. He holds a Master’s degree in Commerce with specialization in Accounting and Business Statistics, a Post Graduate Diploma in Corporate Law and Management with a specialization in Contract Act and Corporate Negotiations.
Mr. Shree Padmanabhan oversees the IT operations and supports the communication tasks. He ensures the smooth functioning of the ICA-AP website and assists the office in carrying out Regional Assemblies, Board elections, conferences, webinars and Audio-Video shoots. He has led the development of electronic voting system. He also serves as the Secretary of the ICA-AP Committee on Youth Cooperation. Prior to ICA-AP, he worked as Communication Officer with the Institute for Integrated Rural Development, Shimla. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the Osmania University in Hyderabad and an additional certificate in PHP Computer Programing.
Mr. Shree Padmanabhan
IT and Communications Support Officer
Mr. Shree Padmanabhan oversees the IT operations and supports the communication tasks. He ensures the smooth functioning of the ICA-AP website and assists the office in carrying out Regional Assemblies, Board elections, conferences, webinars and Audio-Video shoots. He has led the development of electronic voting system. He also serves as the Secretary of the ICA-AP Committee on Youth Cooperation. Prior to ICA-AP, he worked as Communication Officer with the Institute for Integrated Rural Development, Shimla. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the Osmania University in Hyderabad and an additional certificate in PHP Computer Programing.
Ms. Simren Singh leads the Gender and Education verticals at ICA-AP. She worked as a Program Officer and carried out research activities under the EU-funded program – Cooperatives in Development: People-Centred Businesses in Action. She serves as the Secretary of the ICA-AP Committee on Women. Previously, she worked as a Program Monitoring and Evaluation Associate at Seva Mandir in Udaipur, as Research Associate with Outline India in Gurgaon and as a Business Analyst with Goodera in Bangalore. She was also a Fellow under the State Bank of India, Youth for India Fellowship in 2014. She holds a Master’s degree in Politics with a specialization in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi.
Ms. Simren Singh
Lead - Gender and Education
Ms. Simren Singh leads the Gender and Education verticals at ICA-AP. She worked as a Program Officer and carried out research activities under the EU-funded program – Cooperatives in Development: People-Centred Businesses in Action. She serves as the Secretary of the ICA-AP Committee on Women. Previously, she worked as a Program Monitoring and Evaluation Associate at Seva Mandir in Udaipur, as Research Associate with Outline India in Gurgaon and as a Business Analyst with Goodera in Bangalore. She was also a Fellow under the State Bank of India, Youth for India Fellowship in 2014. She holds a Master’s degree in Politics with a specialization in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi.
Mr. Ganesh Gopal leads the Entrepreneurship Development vertical at ICA-AP and oversees programs pertaining to cooperative entrepreneurship, youth and legal research. Previously, he worked in the National Centre for Financial Education, Mumbai (NCFE – Joint Venture of Reserve Bank of India, SEBI, IRDA and PFRDA) and the Kerala Startup Mission (under Department of Electronics & IT, Government of Kerala, India). He has also co-founded and worked closely with two non-profit institutions working in the domains of policy research and technology-skills learning respectively. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Madras Christian College, Chennai and a Master’s degree in Economics. He also has a Diploma in Human Resource Management (DHRM).
Mr. Ganesh Gopal
Lead – ENVIRONMENT & AGRICULTURE
Mr. Ganesh Gopal leads the Entrepreneurship Development vertical at ICA-AP and oversees programs pertaining to cooperative entrepreneurship, youth and legal research. Previously, he worked in the National Centre for Financial Education, Mumbai (NCFE – Joint Venture of Reserve Bank of India, SEBI, IRDA and PFRDA) and the Kerala Startup Mission (under Department of Electronics & IT, Government of Kerala, India). He has also co-founded and worked closely with two non-profit institutions working in the domains of policy research and technology-skills learning respectively. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Madras Christian College, Chennai and a Master’s degree in Economics. He also has a Diploma in Human Resource Management (DHRM).
Ms. Shivali Sarna leads the Communication and Membership Development verticals at ICA-AP. Her key role is to ensure the effectiveness of communication tasks and active engagement with members. She contributes to facilitation of Regional Assemblies, Board meetings, and liase with members to enhance their participation in ICA-AP activities. Previously, she worked as head of Communication and Business Development at Access Livelihoods Consulting India Ltd., a social enterprise incubating cooperatives and as an Editor and Social Media Manager with a publishing agency. She holds a Master’s degree in Media Governance from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi and a Bachelor’s degree in Home Science Honors with a specialisation in Development Communication and Extension from the University of Delhi.
Ms. Shivali Sarna
Lead - Communication and Membership Development
Ms. Shivali Sarna leads the Communication and Membership Development verticals at ICA-AP. Her key role is to ensure the effectiveness of communication tasks and active engagement with members. She contributes to facilitation of Regional Assemblies, Board meetings, and liase with members to enhance their participation in ICA-AP activities. Previously, she worked as head of Communication and Business Development at Access Livelihoods Consulting India Ltd., a social enterprise incubating cooperatives and as an Editor and Social Media Manager with a publishing agency. She holds a Master’s degree in Media Governance from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi and a Bachelor’s degree in Home Science Honors with a specialisation in Development Communication and Extension from the University of Delhi.
Ms. Monalisa Kashyap joined ICA-AP as Program Coordination and Advocacy Officer for the ICA-EU Financial Framework Partnership Agreement Phase-2. She comes with the experience of working with a social enterprise in India, Access Livelihoods, as the Programs Head. She was instrumental in managing projects and partnerships across international, national, governmental, and non-governmental levels. Before that, Monalisa worked with Friends of Women World Banking, focusing on strengthening Farmer Producer Collectives through Capacity Building initiatives. Her passion is in two areas - Equality (both Gender and Income) and Women's Empowerment. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Development Management from the Development Management Institute, Patna, India and a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accountancy Honors from Patna Women’s College.
Ms. Monalisa Kashyap
Program Coordination and Advocacy Officer
Ms. Monalisa Kashyap joined ICA-AP as Program Coordination and Advocacy Officer for the ICA-EU Financial Framework Partnership Agreement Phase-2. She comes with the experience of working with a social enterprise in India, Access Livelihoods, as the Programs Head. She was instrumental in managing projects and partnerships across international, national, governmental, and non-governmental levels. Before that, Monalisa worked with Friends of Women World Banking, focusing on strengthening Farmer Producer Collectives through Capacity Building initiatives. Her passion is in two areas - Equality (both Gender and Income) and Women's Empowerment. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Development Management from the Development Management Institute, Patna, India and a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accountancy Honors from Patna Women’s College.
Mr. Naveen Kumar Singh joined ICA-AP as a Program Officer (Research) for the ICA-EU Financial Framework Partnership Agreement Phase -2. He also serves as the Secretary of the ICA-AP Research and Credit & Banking Committees. He has extensive experience in cooperative development, having worked at the National Cooperative Union of India as a Research Officer. He developed training modules, facilitated training programs, and managed stakeholder engagement. Additionally, he worked with the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS) under the World Bank-funded Bihar Transformative Development Project. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDM) in Agribusiness and Management from Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management, Pune, and a B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow.
Mr. Naveen Kumar Singh
Program Officer (Research)
Mr. Naveen Kumar Singh joined ICA-AP as a Program Officer (Research) for the ICA-EU Financial Framework Partnership Agreement Phase -2. He also serves as the Secretary of the ICA-AP Research and Credit & Banking Committees. He has extensive experience in cooperative development, having worked at the National Cooperative Union of India as a Research Officer. He developed training modules, facilitated training programs, and managed stakeholder engagement. Additionally, he worked with the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS) under the World Bank-funded Bihar Transformative Development Project. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDM) in Agribusiness and Management from Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management, Pune, and a B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow.
Mr. Ayushman Madhwal joined ICA-AP as the Communications and Events Officer. He brings extensive experience across the corporate, media, and development sectors, having worked with TAFE (Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd.) as Executive – Corporate Communications, Rajasthan Patrika and its development arm, the Patrika Foundation, as Policy Outreach Associate, and HelpAge India as Manager – Digital Communications. His work spans strategic communication, digital engagement, stakeholder outreach, and advocacy to strengthen institutional visibility and public awareness. Ayushman holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, a Post-Graduate Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, and a master’s degree in media governance from Jamia Millia Islamia.
Mr. Ayushman Madhwal
Communications and Events Officer
Mr. Ayushman Madhwal joined ICA-AP as the Communications and Events Officer. He brings extensive experience across the corporate, media, and development sectors, having worked with TAFE (Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd.) as Executive – Corporate Communications, Rajasthan Patrika and its development arm, the Patrika Foundation, as Policy Outreach Associate, and HelpAge India as Manager – Digital Communications. His work spans strategic communication, digital engagement, stakeholder outreach, and advocacy to strengthen institutional visibility and public awareness. Ayushman holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, a Post-Graduate Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, and a master’s degree in media governance from Jamia Millia Islamia.
Ms. Nitya Shukla leads the Gender and Cooperative Development vertical at ICA-AP, where she spearheads initiatives on women’s empowerment through the ICA-AP Committee on Women. She previously worked with the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Good Governance and Policy Analysis, serving as a Research Associate/Chief Minister’s Fellow and additionally as Programme Coordinator for the Chief Minister’s Youth Internship Programme in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. In these roles, she developed policy briefs, facilitated community-level initiatives, and managed end-to-end programme implementation while coordinating closely with government departments, senior bureaucrats, and civil society stakeholders. Nitya holds an LLM in Business & Corporate Law (Rama University, Kanpur), a Bachelor of Law (ILS Law College, Pune), and a Bachelor of Commerce (CSJMU, Kanpur). She is also a Qualified Company Secretary (Institute of Company Secretaries of India).
Ms. Nitya Shukla
Lead - Gender and Cooperative Development
Ms. Nitya Shukla leads the Gender and Cooperative Development vertical at ICA-AP, where she spearheads initiatives on women’s empowerment through the ICA-AP Committee on Women. She previously worked with the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Good Governance and Policy Analysis, serving as a Research Associate/Chief Minister’s Fellow and additionally as Programme Coordinator for the Chief Minister’s Youth Internship Programme in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. In these roles, she developed policy briefs, facilitated community-level initiatives, and managed end-to-end programme implementation while coordinating closely with government departments, senior bureaucrats, and civil society stakeholders. Nitya holds an LLM in Business & Corporate Law (Rama University, Kanpur), a Bachelor of Law (ILS Law College, Pune), and a Bachelor of Commerce (CSJMU, Kanpur). She is also a Qualified Company Secretary (Institute of Company Secretaries of India).
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