Home About Us Team
News Contact Us
Team

Our Leadership &
Governance

Guided by experienced leaders, policymakers, and professionals committed to strengthening Australia–India relations through collaboration and impact.

Deepak Vinayak OAM JP

Deepak Vinayak OAM JP

Founder & Chairperson

Deepak Vinayak OAM JP is the Founder and Chairperson of the AusInd Bridge Foundation. He has played a significant role in shaping Australia–India engagement, including contributions aligned with Victoria's long-term India Strategy. His leadership reflects a commitment to inclusive growth, community empowerment, and strengthening people-to-people ties between Victoria and India.

Our Full Team

Executive Leadership

Deepak Vinayak OAM JP

Founder & Chairperson

A visionary leader dedicated to fostering high-level engagement and strengthening people-to-people ties between Australia and India through strategic partnerships and inclusive dialogue.

Prof. Kamala Kanta Dash

Secretary

An accomplished academic and administrator with expertise in governance and organizational leadership, ensuring the foundation operates with transparency and integrity.

Prof. Sucheta Priyabadini

Vice Chairperson

A distinguished scholar and thought leader bringing expertise in strategic collaboration and community engagement to advance the foundation's mission and impact.

Sumit Wadhera

Sumit Wadhera

Head of Non-Profit & Community Engagement

A senior leader with over 19 years’ experience across hospitality, aviation, luxury and sales sectors. He also serves as a Lieutenant and Brigade Community Safety Coordinator with the CFA, leading crews and proactive safety initiatives. He is driven by service, discipline and practical leadership.

Ishan Bansal

Ishan Bansal

Treasurer

Brings a strong business and commercial background, with extensive experience across accounting, property development and the building sector. Commercial insight, strategic thinking and practical leadership contribute an outcomes-focused perspective that supports the organisation's broader non-profit objectives.

Neha Gupta

Neha Gupta

Head of Youth Engagement

A people-centric HR leader with over six years of experience across startups and high-growth organisations, including Google, GSK, and PhonePe. Specialises in driving engagement, retention, and building inclusive workplace cultures. Based in Delhi, also a certified meditation coach with the Art of Living Foundation, integrating inner calm with practical leadership skills to empower youth and teams.

Advisory Board

Sujeet Kumar MP

Policy Advisor

Contributes legislative oversight and policy guidance across science, environment, and external affairs, strengthening bilateral engagement between India and Australia.

• Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament of India) — Current Chairman
• Committee on Petitions (Rajya Sabha) — Current

Dr. T. Sumathy (Thamizhachi Thangapandian)

Legislative Leader

An accomplished public representative with experience in legislative leadership and community advocacy.

• Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha (Chennai South, India) — Current
• Deputy Chairperson, Tamil Nadu Legislative Council — Former

Sulata Deo, MP

Policy & Governance Expert

Brings experience in public policy and community development, contributing insights on legislative affairs and governance.

• Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament of India) — Former

Iwan Walters MP

Victorian Parliament Member

A serving Member of the Victorian Parliament, bringing legislative experience and a strong commitment to public service.

• Member of Parliament, Victoria (Greenvale) — Current
• Parliamentary Secretary for Disability (Victoria) — Current
• Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs (Victoria) — Current
• Acting Speaker, Victorian Legislative Assembly — Former

Luba Grigorovitch MP

Parliamentary Leader

Brings extensive experience in public policy and parliamentary leadership, supporting bilateral engagement initiatives between Australia and India.

• Member of Parliament, Victoria (Kororoit) — Current
• Parliamentary Secretary for Outdoor Recreation (Victoria) — Current

Dr. Tien Kieu

Public Service Advisor

Brings a strong background in public service with a focus on economic and infrastructure policy, supporting bilateral engagement initiatives between Australia and India.

• Former Victorian Legislative Council Member (South Eastern Metropolitan Region, 2018–2022)
• Former Chair, Economy and Infrastructure Committee
• Former Deputy Chair, Legal and Social Issues Committee

Prof. Srinivas Subbarao

Founding Member & Academic Leader

A distinguished Indian academic and a founding member of the Foundation. Widely recognised for pioneering work in fostering campus startup and innovation culture across India. Contributions include national recognition and a Government of India higher education leadership fellowship at the University of Cambridge. Currently a visiting professor at Curtin University.

Rajat Vinayak

Rajat Vinayak

Non-Executive Board Member & Advisor

Supports the organisation through strategic input and governance oversight. Brings a broad perspective informed by experience across business, investment, and stakeholder engagement, contributing to the organisation's long-term vision and impact.

Executive Leadership

Deepak Vinayak OAM JP

Founder & Chairperson

A visionary leader dedicated to fostering high-level engagement and strengthening people-to-people ties between Australia and India through strategic partnerships and inclusive dialogue.

Prof. Kamala Kanta Dash

Secretary

An accomplished academic and administrator with expertise in governance and organizational leadership, ensuring the foundation operates with transparency and integrity.

Prof. Sucheta Priyabadini

Vice Chairperson

A distinguished scholar and thought leader bringing expertise in strategic collaboration and community engagement to advance the foundation's mission and impact.

Sumit Wadhera

Sumit Wadhera

Head of Non-Profit & Community Engagement

A senior leader with over 19 years’ experience across hospitality, aviation, luxury and sales sectors. He also serves as a Lieutenant and Brigade Community Safety Coordinator with the CFA, leading crews and proactive safety initiatives. He is driven by service, discipline and practical leadership.

Ishan Bansal

Ishan Bansal

Treasurer

Brings a strong business and commercial background, with extensive experience across accounting, property development and the building sector. Commercial insight, strategic thinking and practical leadership contribute an outcomes-focused perspective that supports the organisation's broader non-profit objectives.

Neha Gupta

Neha Gupta

Head of Youth Engagement

A people-centric HR leader with over six years of experience across startups and high-growth organisations, including Google, GSK, and PhonePe. Specialises in driving engagement, retention, and building inclusive workplace cultures. Based in Delhi, also a certified meditation coach with the Art of Living Foundation, integrating inner calm with practical leadership skills to empower youth and teams.

Advisory Board

Sujeet Kumar MP

Policy Advisor

Contributes legislative oversight and policy guidance across science, environment, and external affairs, strengthening bilateral engagement between India and Australia.

• Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament of India) — Current Chairman
• Committee on Petitions (Rajya Sabha) — Current

Dr. T. Sumathy (Thamizhachi Thangapandian)

Legislative Leader

An accomplished public representative with experience in legislative leadership and community advocacy.

• Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha (Chennai South, India) — Current
• Deputy Chairperson, Tamil Nadu Legislative Council — Former

Sulata Deo, MP

Policy & Governance Expert

Brings experience in public policy and community development, contributing insights on legislative affairs and governance.

• Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament of India) — Former

Iwan Walters MP

Victorian Parliament Member

A serving Member of the Victorian Parliament, bringing legislative experience and a strong commitment to public service.

• Member of Parliament, Victoria (Greenvale) — Current
• Parliamentary Secretary for Disability (Victoria) — Current
• Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs (Victoria) — Current
• Acting Speaker, Victorian Legislative Assembly — Former

Luba Grigorovitch MP

Parliamentary Leader

Brings extensive experience in public policy and parliamentary leadership, supporting bilateral engagement initiatives between Australia and India.

• Member of Parliament, Victoria (Kororoit) — Current
• Parliamentary Secretary for Outdoor Recreation (Victoria) — Current

Dr. Tien Kieu

Public Service Advisor

Brings a strong background in public service with a focus on economic and infrastructure policy, supporting bilateral engagement initiatives between Australia and India.

• Former Victorian Legislative Council Member (South Eastern Metropolitan Region, 2018–2022)
• Former Chair, Economy and Infrastructure Committee
• Former Deputy Chair, Legal and Social Issues Committee

Prof. Srinivas Subbarao

Founding Member & Academic Leader

A distinguished Indian academic and a founding member of the Foundation. Widely recognised for pioneering work in fostering campus startup and innovation culture across India. Contributions include national recognition and a Government of India higher education leadership fellowship at the University of Cambridge. Currently a visiting professor at Curtin University.

Rajat Vinayak

Rajat Vinayak

Non-Executive Board Member & Advisor

Supports the organisation through strategic input and governance oversight. Brings a broad perspective informed by experience across business, investment, and stakeholder engagement, contributing to the organisation's long-term vision and impact.

Commitment to Governance & Transparency

The AusInd Bridge Foundation operates with strong governance principles, transparency, and accountability. Our leadership and advisory bodies work collaboratively to ensure integrity, inclusivity, and long-term impact across all initiatives.

Send an Enquiry

For enquiries only. Please fill out the form below.

* Required fields. We respect your privacy and will only use your information to respond to your enquiry.