Meet Our Team

Managing Committee

Arvind Dhupkar

Arvind, a Naval Architect from IIT Madras, is Co-Founder and Director in Cybermarine an Indian company with operations in Singapore, Turkey, UAE and UK, and catering to global clientele in the field of Ship and Offshore Floaters Design, and specialised software.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Arvind is deeply committed to GEF’s mission of “Education for All”

Dr. Lalita Deshpande

Lalita started her career as a mathematics researcher with a Ph. D from IIT Bombay followed by another Ph D from Universite de Grenoble, France. After 10 years of pure research, she worked at VJTI Mumbai as a Professor for 8 years and at Tech Mahindra as training head for 10 years. She found her Ikigai in providing holistic education to underprivileged students, and has been doing so for the last 15+ years.

Pratik Hashilkar

Pratik is a passionate Mechanical Engineer with 14 years of experience in Design and Project Management of passenger car plastic components.

An alumnus of GEF, Pratik has been actively involved in giving back and contributing to the Foundation's cause of "Education for All".

Shubham Lingayat

A GEF alumni, Shubham works as a Software Engineer at RaftLabs, Nagpur. He is an active volunteer who enthusiastically contributes to various GEF activities.

Shubham loves playing on the computer and socializing when not at work.

TV Balasubramanian

Bala is a practicing Fellow Chartered Accountant - Partner "Shetty & Bala". He taught in an aided college affiliated to Mumbai University for 22 years and retired voluntarily as Associate Professor & Head of Accountancy Department. Bala then plunged into finance of NGOs starting as Regional Finance Manager - India region with Sightsavers, and then as Head - Finance with Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation, and Mission for Vision. He is associated with Guruji Education Foundation since 2014.

Avinash Surve

Avinash, a co-founder of GEF, retired as Secretary of Water Resources, Maharashtra. He is currently Chairman, Governing Council of Engineering Staff College of India, Hyderabad. As a Civil Engineer and Water Resources Manager with vast experience, Avinash has spearheaded multiple mega projects, and is a recipient of the Bharat Jyoti and Versatile Engineer awards from the Governor of Maharashtra.

His passion is to support underprivileged students and optimize use of water resources across the country.

Dr. Pradeep Waychal

Dr, Pradeep Waychal

Dr. Waychal has worked as a Visiting Professor at Western Michigan University (US), an Adjunct Professor at Western University, London (Canada), and as Director at NMIMS, Shirpur. Besides, he has 23 years of industry experience, including as Head of Innovation at Patni Computers. Dr. Waychal has a Ph. D. from IIT Bombay and M Tech from IIT Delhi. He has spoken at international conferences; and has published 58 papers. His recognitions include IUCEE’s (Indo-Universal Consortium of Engineering Education) Outstanding Engineering Educator award, and the Best Teaching Strategy Paper award at ASEE Annual Conference. He is an accredited MBTI trainer and has also done MA in Psychology.

Priyanka Nikte

A Commerce Graduate, Priyanka has been associated with GEF since 2018. As a member of the Executive Committee, Priyanka manages the Finance & Accounts function at GEF.

Priyanka also works as a Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) to deliver various government and non-government services to end-consumers, under Government of India's Common Service Centres (CSC) Scheme.

Sunil E Patil

Sunil, who retired as Director, Capgemini India, is an IT Professional with 35+ years of domestic and overseas experience. He is a philanthropist at heart, who is passionate about and enjoys contributing to social causes.

Sunil has been associated with GEF almost since inception, and as part of the Executive Committee, currently spearheads the Admissions process.

Gopal Kalpathi

Having retired after 44 years of vast experience in the Pharma and Chemical industries, Gopal now keeps himself busy constructively and tries to help those who may have needs related to education and healthcare

Prashant Phatak

Ritesh Patil

Ritesh works as an Analyst at HCL Technologies, after having completed HCL Technologies’ TECHBEE program, which enables students to start their tech careers right after Class XII. He is simultaneously pursuing graduate studies at Amity University. A member of the GEF student family, Ritesh looks forward to contribute to its activities in every possible way.

Palani Thyagarajan

“Thyagu”, as he is popularly called, is associated with several social organizations. He has been a trustee and volunteer with Vinimay Trust since 1990, supporting underprivileged children and youth in Mumbai’s Child Welfare Institutions. Since 2012, he has been a volunteer with Tata Memorial Hospital, supporting adult hematolymphoid patients and assisting in the paediatric department.

A core member of the GEF Managing Committee since 2006, Thyagu plays a pivotal role in providing holistic support to underprivileged students pursuing higher education.

Thyagu transitioned to full-time social service post his retirement in 2010, after a stellar career in the IT industry. His enduring commitment reflects a lifelong passion for community service and social upliftment.

Executive Committee

Anjali Lele

Anjali has been associated with GEF since 2014 as a Mentor. Since 2021, she has been working as a Career Counsellor to students - an activity that she now spearheads as part of the Executive Committee.

Anjali has a B.Arch and an M.A. in Career Psychology.

Meghana Karlekar

Meghana, a post-graduate in Accounting and Finance, is a Fund Accounting professional with strong analytical skills and a passion for continuous learning. A GEF alumni, Meghana continues to be actively associated with the Foundation, and looks for opportunities to volunteer and give back in whatever way she can.

Shridhar Vaishampayan

Shridhar took an early retirement after a 31 year career in the IT Industry - including 26 illustrious years in TCS, to focus on social causes. Shridhar is a Founder Member of Utkarsha Pratishthan Trust formed by him and his 1980 SSC Batchmates of Utkarsha Mandir School, Malad. He is also part of the Core Team of Water Group in association with Malati Vaidya Smriti Trust, Thane, driving social initiatives for various villages and ZP Schools around Mumbai. Having joined GEF as a Mentor to students, Shridhar is now a member of the Executive Committee, leading the crucial initiative of “Alumni Connect”. Shridhar is an avid trekker and also loves to travel.

Vidyut Navelkar

As part of the Executive Committee, Vidyut leads GEF’s branding, communication and outreach efforts. Having retired from Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS Ltd) after a long career spanning 30 years, Vidyut has vast experience in the areas of Learning & Development, Incubation, Intrapreneurship, and Program Management.

Vidyut is passionate about helping people realize their potential.

Gopal Kalpathi

Saurabh Raut

A Computer Engineer by training, Saurabh is associated with GEF as a Program Coordinator.

An ardent student of "Madhyasth Darshan" philosophy propounded by A.Nagraj, Saurabh lives on a farm, where he is engaged in organic farming, food processing, and gau palan (cow rearing and care), along with his family.

Sunil E Patil

Sunil has been associated with GEF almost since inception, and as part of the Executive Committee, currently spearheads the Admissions process.

Dr. Lalita Deshpande

Sharad A Deogekar

Sharad retired as Vice President, IRCLASS (Indian Register of Shipping IRCLASS). He is now associated with various social causes including Tata Hospital and Muskan Foundation, where he is a Music Therapist and Coordinator. He is the Sanchalak of Shri Ambika Yoga Kutir (Mulund), and also conducts online yoga classes for Deepsthambha, Jalgaon. He is actively involved with GEF as a Mentor for students, and as part of the Executive Committee, leads the Spoken English initiative.

Sharad is a BE (Civil) from Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli and an MTech (Offshore Engineering) from IIT-Bombay.

Tarak Sheth

Tarak has 32 years of experience in the IT industry, and has executed multiple complex engagements for customers across the globe. He has been involved with GEF since 2023, and has been contributing to different initiatives. As part of the Executive Committee, Tarak’s focus is on IT-enablement of GEF operations.

Tarak also contributes to other social causes whenever he gets an opportunity.

Location Heads

Bhimrao Chavan

Shri Chavan retired as Head Master at M.S. Vidhyalay, Ter, Dist. Dharashiv, and heads our Dharashiv Centre. He also actively contributes as a Mentor to our students.

Shri Chavan is an avid traveller, and likes to visit different places and meet people from all walks of life.

DHARASHIV

TBD

NANDED

Dr. Dilip Bhave

Dilip works as Professor and Head of Department, Biochemistry at the R.K.Damani Medical College at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. He is an M.B.B.S and M.D. (Biochemistry), and has been actively associated with GEF as a Mentor, and also heads its activities at the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) centre.

SAMBHAJINAGAR

Dilip Chaudhari

Dilip heads GEF activities at its Jalgaon Centre. With a B.E. in Elecronics, and M.E. in Computer Science & Engineering, Dilip is currently an Associate Professor and Head of the Compouter Engineering Department at Government College of Engineering, Jalgaon.

JALGAON

Jyoti Sulakhe

Jyoti is an M. Sc. In Mathematics from Mumbai University. She retired as Principal, after having worked as a teacher for 30 years at the Junior College level. She has also written content for CBSE Maths books for Podar International school. Jyoti has been associated with GEF as a Mentor, and jointly heads its activities at Pune.

PUNE

Vishnu Nikam

Vishnu has been heading the Satara Centre right since its inception in 2015. He retired from Indian Oil Corporation, Mumbai as Deputy General Manager in 2015, and has been actively associated with GEF since then.

SATARA

Mohan Varadpande

NAGPUR

Sarang Sulakhe

Sagar Sulakhe

Sarang has been associated with GEF as a Mentor, and is the Joint Head of its Pune Centre. He has extensive industry experience of 40 years, in the design and development of durables, and marketing of industrial products. Sararng is a B.E. (Mech) and also has a post-graduate Diploma in Business Management.

PUNE