Our leadership
Our leadership team combines years of experience and a deep dedication to disability inclusion. Together, they steer CBM India’s mission through strategic guidance and innovative thinking.
Our Board of Trustees
Dr. Sara Varughese
Managing TrusteeDr. Sara Varughese
Managing Trustee
Dr. Sara Varughese is an ophthalmologist and public health specialist and the Managing Trustee of CBM India Trust. She earlier worked with the World Health Organization, Southeast Asia Regional Office, as a Program Manager in disability and rehabilitation. She previously served as President of the national Vision 2020 forum and played a key role in planning for Vision 2020 in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
Mr. George Abraham
Mr. George Abraham
Mr. George Abraham is the Chief Executive Officer of Score Foundation, an NGO working with persons with visual impairment. He is the Founding Chairperson of the World Blind Cricket Council. He is a disability rights activist and an effective communicator.
Mr. Varghese Chandy
Mr. Varghese Chandy
Mr. Varghese Chandy is the Chief General Manager – Marketing, Advertising, and Sales of Malayala Manorama—a daily newspaper with over 2.2 million copies and over 9.7 million readers. Mr. Chandy was the founder of Junction K, an integrated media solutions platform, and was instrumental in organizing the first All India Cricket for the Blind in Delhi.
Dr. Vinod Shah
Dr. Vinod Shah
Dr. Vinod Shah is the Chief Executive Officer of the International Christian Medical and Dental Association. He was earlier the Head of Distance Education, CMC Vellore, where he developed an innovative program to train family physicians.
Dr. Francis Joseph Stanley
Dr. Francis Joseph Stanley
Dr. Francis Joseph Stanley is the General Secretary and Executive Director of Skills for Progress (SKIP) Bengaluru. He serves on the governing boards of several organizations and institutions such as Karnataka Regional Organization for Social Service (KROSS), Action for Food Production (AFPRO), NELINDCO Foundation, and Functional Vocational Training and Research Society. He was honored with the prestigious Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr. B. R. Alamelu
Dr. B. R. Alamelu
Dr. Alamelu is currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the Centre for English Studies, School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. She is a committed advocate for disability rights, and her research interests span diaspora studies, disability studies, and feminism. She is a member of several prestigious academic organizations and serves as a Member and Board Member for multiple nonprofits focused on disability rights and inclusion.
Our Senior Leadership Team
Sony Thomas
Executive DirectorSony Thomas
Executive Director
Sony Thomas brings over 30 years of work experience, of which he spent several years in leadership positions in the corporate world before shifting to the development sector. He is a recognized leader in the FMCG and consumer durable market; he was the Vice President – Business Head for Nokia Mobile phones for India for close to 14 years as part of HCL Infosystems, prior to which he managed brands like Timex Watches, Sundrop edible oil of ITC Ltd, and Singer India Ltd.  He moved to World Vision India in 2014 as the Group Director for Resource Mobilization and Public Engagement until mid-2023. Sony has an MBA from Symbiosis University in Pune, a Management Development Certification from IIM Ahmedabad, and a B. Com from Madras University.
Bincy Chakkissery Antony
Chief - Finance and OperationsBincy Chakkissery Antony
Chief - Finance and Operations
Bincy is a seasoned finance professional with over 20 years of experience in several domains, including Strategic Financial Management, Governance, Audit, Assurance, Leadership, and Administration. As a Legal & Statutory Compliance specialist, she has extensive experience in the areas of Income Tax, Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, Companies Act, and Societies/Trust Act. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated expertise in capacity building, due diligence, change management, system strengthening and analysis. With her comprehensive knowledge and experience, she has developed and effectively implemented internal controls, manuals, policies, and procedures. Bincy has an MBA in Strategic Financial Management. She has diverse experience working with international and national NGOs such as ChildFund International, ChildFund Sri Lanka, and Concern India Foundation, among others.
Vinoo Mathew
Chief - Development and SustainabilityVinoo Mathew
Chief - Development and Sustainability
Vinoo Mathew Varghese brings over 30 years of experience as a transformational business leader across diverse industries. He has represented prominent brands such as ITC, HCL, Nokia, and Dabur. Adept in sales and marketing, profit and loss management, and corporate strategy, he has a proven track record of success in launching and scaling startups, managing large businesses, and leading teams to achieve outstanding results. A passionate advocate for social responsibility, Vinoo has actively championed numerous community welfare initiatives, making a difference in areas like child protection, community development, medical services, and women empowerment.
Melanie Pereira
Director - People and CultureMelanie Pereira
Director - People and Culture
Melanie Pereira holds an MBA specializing in Human Resources and is certified as a Lead Auditor for ISO 9001:2000 by IRCA and NRBPT. Since 2013, she has been overseeing Human Resources Management and Administration for CBM India. Prior to this role, Melanie served as the Management and Systems Administrator for CBM India.
Ravi Ranganathan
Director – ProgramsRavi Ranganathan
Director – Programs
Ravi Ranganathan is a development professional with over 18 years of experience managing programs and operations across INGOs, state governments, and the UNDP. His expertise includes disability-inclusive health with a focus on community eye health, rural livelihood, youth employment and livelihood, volunteering for development, sexual and reproductive health rights, the welfare of elderly people, and disaster risk reduction and humanitarian assistance. Ravi holds a Master of Social Work from Madras Christian College Chennai.
Fairlene Soji
Director - Impact and Knowledge ManagementFairlene Soji
Director - Impact and Knowledge Management
Fairlene owns a Master’s in Sociology and a post-graduation diploma in Community-Based Rehabilitation from Bangalore University. She is a receiver of the Australian Fellowship for Strengthening and Promoting Disability-inclusive Development through Quality Evidence and Public Health Leadership. She is affiliated with the work of the Rehabilitation Council of India, the Nossal Institute for Global Health, and the University of Melbourne. She is also a task force member for promoting inclusive education with the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India, Samagra Shiksha of Karnataka, Assam, Tripura, and the Inter-University Centre for Teacher Education, Regional Institute of Education – Mysuru and Shillong.