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.
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.