Aparna Surve
Mumbai
Summary
Public health nutrition leader with 15+ years of experience driving large-scale, multi-state portfolios across philanthropy, government systems, and civil society. Proven expertise in shaping investment strategies, strengthening public systems (ICDS, NHM), and scaling evidence-based solutions for maternal, child, and adolescent nutrition. Strong track record in managing ₹50+ crore portfolios, building high-impact partnerships, and translating field insights into policy-relevant, scalable programs.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Program Manager - Nutrition
Tata Trusts
Mumbai , India
01.2025 - Current
- Led a ₹50+ crore nutrition portfolio grant, overseeing strategic investments with 10+ partner organisations across multiple states, significantly enhancing maternal, child, and adolescent nutrition.
- Led programme conceptualisation and grant-making strategy, developing high-impact concepts on anaemia reduction, early childhood nutrition, and adolescent nutrition, translating into scalable grant pipelines.
- Spearheaded the development and implementation of a multi-state adolescent thematic strategy, aligning investments with national priorities and addressing state-level needs in rural, tribal, and urban areas.
- Influenced state-level programme design and scale pathways, partnering with government stakeholders to advance anaemia reduction and BMI optimisation strategies.
- Evaluated and diligenced multiple grant proposals and financial assessments, building a robust pipeline across high-priority geographies (Maharashtra, Bihar, urban slums), and enabling informed investment decisions.
- Strengthened public systems through strategic NGO partnerships, enhancing frontline capacity, and achieving over 90% service uptake across intervention areas.
- Oversaw the entire grant lifecycle using digital platforms, ensuring rigorous due diligence, efficient fund deployment, compliance, and performance tracking.
- Drove transformative initiatives in partnership with government and stakeholders, facilitating state-level engagements and pitching scalable solutions (e.g. THR strengthening, stunting reduction strategies.
- Oversaw 5+ active and new grants, ensuring effective implementation through regular reviews, field visits, and partner engagement.
- Directed grant performance tracking using FLUXX and DEP, ensuring timely reporting (QPRs), compliance, and data-driven decision making across the portfolio.
- Strengthened audit and compliance systems, working closely with finance teams and partners to resolve audit observations, and ensure adherence to governance standards.
- Enabled effective financial governance, including instalment releases, utilisation tracking, and compliance monitoring, ensuring accountability and optimal use of grant funds.
Program Manager - Nutrition
Project Concern International - India
Lucknow, India
05.2022 - 01.2025
- Led large-scale THR system strengthening in Uttar Pradesh, developing cost-effective formulations aligned with national standards and approved by national technical bodies.
- Scaled a decentralised nutrition manufacturing ecosystem, operationalising 200+ SHG-led enterprises, enabling women-led livelihoods, and last-mile nutrition delivery.
- Improved public distribution efficiency for THR, reducing turnaround time, and strengthening quality compliance across ICDS supply chains through district and block-level leadership.
- Designed and institutionalised a decentralised production model for Jharkhand, enabling locally anchored, resilient nutrition supply systems.
- Digitised end-to-end nutrition supply chain operations through ERP implementation, improving real-time tracking, transparency, and operational efficiency.
- Strengthened frontline and system capacity by leading large-scale training for government officials, SHGs, and community workers, improving programme delivery quality.
- Directed programme operations and financial management, ensuring efficient resource utilisation, adherence to timelines, and high-quality implementation.
- Built multi-stakeholder partnerships with government and ecosystem actors, enabling alignment, scale-up, and sustainability of nutrition interventions.
Manager - Learning and Development and New Product
General Nutrition Company- Guardian Healthcare
Mumbai, India
05.2019 - 05.2022
- Spearheaded the launch of imported GNC health and wellness products tailored for the Indian market, ensuring adherence to FSSAI compliance.
- Assisted in competitor analysis to identify market trends.
Supported the definition of product USPs to enhance brand positioning. - Facilitated labelling processes and contributed to pre-launch sensory evaluation studies.
- Created compelling visual marketing content for social media to elevate brand presence.
- Developed a comprehensive SEO strategy incorporating targeted keywords, and strategic ads to elevate website traffic and enhance customer retention.
- Streamlined CRM operations to enhance query turnaround time and elevate customer satisfaction.
- Enhanced product understanding for over 80 new employees to improve retention rates.
- Developed and launched an interactive e-learning mobile app to enhance stakeholder education on nutrition products.
- Elevated brand visibility by training promoters on product portfolio, nutrition science, and effective sales techniques.
- Represented the company at industry events, showcasing expertise in sports nutrition, and building professional relationships.
Consultant
The Gene Box - Virtus Nutrition Pvt. Ltd.
Mumbai, India
10.2018 - 05.2019
- Cultivated a diverse clientele for nutrition-specific genetic profile tests through targeted outreach and relationship management.
- Spearhead the development of a software-based nutrition recommendation engine that empowers clients through tailored guidance based on genetic profiling results.
- Curated a database of over 10,000 raw and packaged food items based on nutritional value, to enhance dietary choices.
- Handled complex problems and issues by understanding root causes and implementing solutions.
Senior Analyst
Clinton Health Access Initaitive
Bhopal, India
05.2016 - 06.2018
- Facilitated the development and implementation of cost-effective, high-quality supplementary nutrition products for the ICDS government. of Madhya Pradesh, benefiting 6 million children under 6.
- Facilitated technical assistance for policy development regarding the fortification of wheat flour, rice, and salt using the PDS.
- Optimised the iron and folic acid tablet supply chain for last-mile delivery across health department operations.
- Implemented flagship programmes such as Poshan Abhiyan, Sabla, and Dastak Abhiyan to enhance community health and nutrition initiatives.
- Conducted baseline and midline surveys to assess health, nutrition, and sanitation indicators.
- Developed a comprehensive business plan to secure funding for women's self-help group bakery ventures, using locally sourced, healthy raw materials.
Research Associate
CTARA, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Mumbai, India
09.2010 - 04.2016
- Implemented a nutrition programme for severely acutely malnourished children in the urban slums of Mumbai by using locally produced ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF).
- Conducted clinical research on the efficacy of RUTF in severely malnourished children under five admitted to the NRC at Sion Hospital.
- Established a pilot manufacturing facility to ensure the delivery of locally produced, quality-checked RUTF for clinical trials.
- Collaborated with paediatricians at Sion Hospital to develop a comprehensive study methodology and analyse data effectively.
- Developed indigenous nutritious food formulations targeting moderately malnourished children.
Research Assistant
Research Centre -Nirmala Niketan College
Mumbai, India
08.2009 - 04.2010
- Conducted comprehensive consumer studies for prominent brands, including Kellogg's, and Marico Ltd, to enhance market insights and strategic decision-making.
- Conducted data collection and analysis to present comprehensive reports to relevant companies.
Education
Master of Technology - Technology and Development
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Mumbai, MH01-2015
Master of Science - Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics
University of Mumbai
Mumbai, MH01-2009
Bachelor of Honme Science - Food Science and Nutrition
S.N.D.T. University
Mumbai, MH01-2007
PG Program - Data Science and Business Analytics
Great Learnings
OnlineSkills
- Leadership skills
- Grant-making
- Grant lifecycle management
- Program management
- Performance monitoring
- Budget oversight
- Risk Management
- Policy development
- Decision-Making proficiency
- Public speaking
- Resource allocation management
- Budget control and forecasting
- Time-management
- Negotiation
- Strategic partnerships
- Digital transformation
Languages
English
Advanced
C1
Hindi
Intermediate
B1
Marathi
Upper Intermediate
B2
Certification
- Project Management Foundations: Budget—Project Management Institute 2024
- Programming for Infant and Young Child Feeding - UNICEF 2019
- Sport Science and Nutrition - K11 Academy and Nirmala Niketan College 2009
Timeline
Senior Program Manager - Nutrition
Tata Trusts
01.2025 - Current
Program Manager - Nutrition
Project Concern International - India
05.2022 - 01.2025
Manager - Learning and Development and New Product
General Nutrition Company- Guardian Healthcare
05.2019 - 05.2022
Consultant
The Gene Box - Virtus Nutrition Pvt. Ltd.
10.2018 - 05.2019
Senior Analyst
Clinton Health Access Initaitive
05.2016 - 06.2018
Research Associate
CTARA, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
09.2010 - 04.2016
Research Assistant
Research Centre -Nirmala Niketan College
08.2009 - 04.2010
Master of Technology - Technology and Development
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Master of Science - Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics
University of Mumbai
Bachelor of Honme Science - Food Science and Nutrition
S.N.D.T. University
PG Program - Data Science and Business Analytics
Great Learnings