The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced a significant leadership change for its crucial India operations. The global philanthropic organisation has appointed Archna Vyas as its new Country Director for India, effective from her transition into the role. In a historic move, Vyas will be the first woman to lead the foundation's India office, a point highlighted by the foundation's leadership.
A Strategic Leader for a Pivotal Partnership
Archna Vyas steps into this key role with a mandate to steer the foundation's extensive work in India. According to a press statement released on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, she will lead the foundation's initiatives in close collaboration with a wide array of stakeholders. This includes central and state governments, philanthropists, civil society groups, academic institutions, and the private sector. The core objective is to advance the foundation's priorities in a manner that is aligned with the Government of India's vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.
Vyas brings a wealth of experience to the position. Before this promotion, she served as the Global Director for the foundation's Global Policy and Advocacy division, where she led work focused on Growth, Opportunity, and Empowerment. Her career at the Gates Foundation began in 2014, and she has since worked across the organisation's health and poverty alleviation portfolios, driving impact nationwide.
From Corporate Marketing to Global Development
Archna Vyas's professional journey blends corporate expertise with deep development sector experience. Prior to joining the Gates Foundation, she worked with consumer goods giant Reckitt, where she led communications and digital marketing across South and Southeast Asia and also supported MENA markets. She has held senior positions in leading marketing and advertising organisations.
Her academic background is equally impressive, featuring a master's degree in physics from the University of Delhi and a postgraduate diploma in business administration from the Institute of Management Technology. This unique combination of scientific understanding and business acumen has shaped her approach to strategic policy, high-impact partnerships, and external communications on key issues like digital public infrastructure, agriculture, sanitation, and women's empowerment.
Building on Two Decades of Impact in India
In her reaction to the appointment, Vyas emphasised the significance of the India partnership. She stated that India is the foundation's "most significant country partnership" and praised its domestically driven model of innovation. She noted that solutions pioneered in India are already influencing global development outcomes. "I look forward to working closely with governments, communities, philanthropists, and our partners to support the Government of India's vision of becoming a developed economy by 2047," Vyas said.
Ankur Vora, Chief Strategy Officer of the Gates Foundation, commended Vyas's deep understanding of India's development landscape and her record of building impactful partnerships. Vyas succeeds Hari Menon, who has led the India Country Office since 2019 and will move into a global leadership role starting January 2026.
The Gates Foundation began its work in India in 2003 and now operates across multiple sectors critical to the nation's progress. These include:
- Healthcare and Public Health
- Sanitation and Water
- Gender Equality
- Agricultural Development
- Digital Public Infrastructure
- Education and Financial Empowerment
Headquartered in Seattle, USA, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman and operates under the direction of co-chairs Bill Gates and the governing board. Its mission is to work with partners in developing countries to create solutions that enable people to achieve their full potential.
