Archive · 16 Dec 2025
Archna Vyas Named Gates Foundation India Director
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has appointed Archna Vyas as its new India Country Director.
She is the first woman to hold this position, which is very important for the foundation.
Archna will be in charge of the foundation's work in India, working with the government, other organizations, and communities to improve health, education, and economic opportunities.
She has worked at the Gates Foundation since 2014 and has experience in policy, partnerships, and communications.
Before joining the foundation, she worked in marketing and advertising.
Archna has a master’s degree in physics and a diploma in business administration.
She will succeed Hari Menon, who will move to a global leadership role in 2026.
The Gates Foundation has been working in India since 2003 and has helped improve the lives of many people.
Archna Vyas appointed as the new India Country Director for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, making her the first woman to hold this position.
She will succeed Hari Menon, who will transition to a global leadership role starting 2026.
Vyas will oversee the foundation's operations in India and collaborate with governments, philanthropists, and other partners to advance its priorities.
Her focus will be on healthcare, sanitation, gender equality, agricultural development, digital public infrastructure, education, and financial empowerment.
Vyas has worked at the Gates Foundation since 2014, leading policy efforts and partnerships in various development areas.
- Who
- Archna Vyas
- What
- Appointed as India Country Director for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- When
- Immediate
- Where
- India
- Why
- To lead operations and advance the foundation’s priorities in India, aligned with the Government of India’s vision of Viksit Bharat
- Organization
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- New Appointment
- Archna Vyas
- Position
- India Country Director
- Predecessor
- Hari Menon
- Start Date
- Immediate
- Education
- Master’s in Physics, University of Delhi; Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, Institute of Management Technology
- Previous Roles
- Global Director, Global Policy and Advocacy, Gates Foundation; Communications and Digital Marketing, Reckitt
- Foundation's India Focus
- Healthcare, sanitation, gender equality, agricultural development, digital public infrastructure, education, financial empowerment
