Sumitra Pasupathy

Sumitra Pasupathy is a seasoned social entrepreneur and innovator with nearly 30 years of global experience across the private sector and civil society. She is the Founder and Partner of KAI (Karuna Advisory Impact), a philanthropic advisory focused on citizen-sector participation and systems change in the global south.1

Key aspects of Sumitra's background and work include:

1. Extensive Experience: Sumitra has founded, activated, and mobilized numerous innovations worldwide within organizations, as a leader in civil society, and across networks.1

2. Social Innovation Expertise: She has deep expertise in social innovation, particularly in areas such as learning, environmental sustainability, climate action, and ageing.1

3. Ashoka Involvement: Sumitra previously held roles at Ashoka, a global organization supporting social entrepreneurs. She was the Global Stewardship Lead for Ashoka Innovators for the Public2 and the Global Partnerships Director.7

4. Playeum Co-founder: She is a co-founder and board director of Playeum, an organization dedicated to children's development through play.3

5. YouthxYouth Advisor: Sumitra serves on the Wisdom Council of YouthxYouth, a global youth-led community focused on transforming education.4

6. Skoll Foundation Connection: She has been involved with the Skoll Foundation, which supports social entrepreneurs solving global challenges.6

7. Changemaker Initiatives: Sumitra was the Program Lead for The Changemaker Journey, a capacity-building program led by Ashoka and funded by Google.org.7

8. Podcast Participation: She has been featured in podcasts, including one by Avanti Fellows, where she shared her experiences as a young girl overcoming challenges.5

Sumitra's work consistently revolves around fostering social innovation, supporting youth initiatives, and driving systemic change in various sectors. Her diverse experiences and leadership roles in multiple organizations demonstrate her commitment to creating positive social impact on a global scale.