OUR SPECTACULAR TEAM
FOUNDERS
MALINI KOCHUPILLAI
Malini is a photographer and socially-engaged arts practitioner who works with communities to bridge social schisms with creative collaborations. Malini drives the creative and collaborative spirit of the Collective, while forever thinking of exciting ways to engage with and empower the local community.
KUNAL SINGH
Certified Beekeeper, community builder and a native Pahadi, Kunal is always brainstorming new ideas and finding ways to execute them.
ADVISORS
ANUP PAI
Anup has a 2 decade career centralising financial information. Over the last few years, he has invested in and mentored over a dozen start-up companies with a focus on using financial technologies to invigorate small, artisanal producer-led businesses. He leverages diverse experience in Banking and technology, as well as his own entrepreneurship to develop sustainable, profit making business ventures out of "ahead of their time" ideas. Currently, Anup is developing a Network of Decentralized Autonomous Organisations called eSamudaay (www.esamudaay.com).
VAIDYA NAVEEN SHARMA
Vaidya Naveen Sharma has been practicing Ayurveda for 14 years in Dharamsala and has laid the foundation of Atharva Ayurdhama Ayurveda hospital to help patients with cancer, autoimmune disorders, Liver disorders, PCOD, and lifestyle disorders.
Dr. HARISH SHARMA
A researcher and an expert in Apiculture, he has been a mentor for us from the early days. He is a well established authority in traditional beekeeping and native bee species for the last 30 years.
Banali M Luthra
Advisory Board Member at IWBD, Adviser for Marketing and Strategy at Network, Chair CMO for Dubai Chapter at Winmark International and former CMO of RAKBANK, Banali brings an unrivalled wealth of expertise and a dash of quirky creativity to Tenacious Bee’s ambitious goals. Banali is a data-driven marketer with a knack for turning brands into powerhouses. Her passion for digital transformation is unmatched by infusing data-driven strategies into the digital realm, Banali has crafted robust Martech architectures that create hyper-personalised experiences, driving unparalleled engagement and conversions. She's been honoured with numerous accolades, including being named the Middle East's Most Inspirational Women in Leadership, Martech Visionary of the Year, and GCC's Best Marketer. Her unstoppable drive and innovative thinking have truly made her a force to be reckoned with. Banali served as the Head of Strategic Alliances at American Express India and then moved to be the driving force behind transforming the National Bank of Ras Al Khaima into the brand of RAKBANK over the course of 16 years. Furthermore, Banali has represented the industry for the past two decades and been on the juries of the Effies, FOMA, MMA and M&M Global Awards.
Rukn Luthra
Rukn has been the Managing Director for Remy Cointreau, responsible for the Indian Subcontinent & Gulf from 2009 to 2015, and was instrumental in setting up a distillery in a Joint Venture to produce India’s most premium Brandy ‘Janus’ with Sula Vineyards. Prior to this, he was the Asst. Vice President at Pernod Ricard India, where he established the successful ‘Nine Hills’ winery, and over the years managed their Wine business, Import Division (BIO) & Export of IMFL brands to the Gulf & African markets. Rukn has previously worked with Nestle, E&J Gallo Winery and the Oberoi Group of Hotels, and has been instrumental in launching several wine & spirit brands in India including LXIII Cognac, Jacob’s Creek Australian Wine, Mount Gay Rum, Metaxa Brandy, St. Remy Brandy, Piper Heidsieck Champagne etc. He is currently the Vice President of India’s ‘Wine Society’ and a judge for ‘Sommelier India’. His niche experiences in these industries are invaluable to Tenacious Bee’s many plans for growth and diversification in the coming years.
Iskander Lalljee
Industrialist, environmental conservationist, and wildlife enthusiast, Iskander Lalljee is the Managing Director of Sud Chemie India Pvt Ltd and Director of Lifecare Innovations Pvt Ltd. He is also on the board of several NGO's across the country like Tiger Watch, Prakritik Society and Azad India Foundation. In addition, Isky is also one of the founders of Bagh Villas, an eco resort based in Kanha tiger reserve, that aims to bring responsible tourism to conscious travellers, while being respectful, mindful, and unobtrusive towards these endangered species. A thorough gentleman who firmly believes in giving back to the planet and humanity, Isky has been a staunch advocate for Tenacious Bee’s social and environmental centric business vision, and is an invaluable advisor as we grow our sustainable products, beekeeping services, and tourism verticals. Isky has been a staunch advocate for Tenacious Bee’s socially and environmentally focused business vision, providing invaluable guidance as we expand our sustainable products, beekeeping services, and tourism ventures.
VILLAGE TEAM
BOBBY BHAIYA
Bobby is a young man with special needs, a man of few words. While his parents worry about his future, the Tenacious Bee team is thrilled to have him on board. Gentle and ever helpful, Bobby is Sanju Bhaiya’s right hand man on the farm and at the workshop.
INDIRA DIDI
Previously a home-based tailor, and a farmer, Indira didi takes pride in becoming an expert at making candles, creams, soaps, and lip balms from beeswax at Tenacious Bee.
MEENA DIDI
Most cheerful, Meena didi always greets you with a warm smile. Ever ready to try her hands on something new, you'll always find her stepping up to experiment, be it on the farm or in the workshop.
NIRMALA DIDI
Highly organized, ITI graduate, Nirmala didi has solutions to all the problems in our workshop.
RADHA DIDI
Always laughing, always pulling legs, Radha didi keeps everyone on their toes. Be it on the farm, in the workshop, or an important meeting with the local District Administration, one can find Radha didi, pulling jokes on everyone, without any discrimination.
SHEENA DIDI
A meticulous planner and a born leader, Sheena didi has been elemental in running all the workshops and interventions in the village smoothly and is now all set to become a master trainer and travel all across Himachal, training interested community members, the craft of Bee Apothecary..
SUNITA DIDI
Previously a homemaker, a farmer, and now one of our beeswax experts, Sunita didi wants more happiness and independence for all the women in her village.
MARKETING, SALES & COLLABORATIONS
SANDEEP KUMAR
Sandeep aka “Akshay Tashan” is our resident Hip Hop dancer and Rap artist and is the crucial bridge between our rural operations and urban consumers. An overall rock star, Sandeep is responsible for putting together our beautiful packages and getting them to you.
