Our Structure
Governance and Team
GBL is guided by a Board of Trustees composed of representatives from member organizations and independent experts. The Board provides strategic direction and ensures transparency in all operations.
Mentors bring professional expertise, connect with key partners, and help strengthen programmes, communication, and fundraising.
Council of Advisors includes professionals from diverse fields who volunteer their time and knowledge to guide GBL’s initiatives.
GBL Team, based in Bengaluru and different states, coordinates national activities with support from regional and member organizations across India.
Our Members and Associates work at the grassroots level, sharing experience and resources to advance our shared goal — a leprosy-free India.
Trustees
Mr. Antony Samy
Mr. Antony Samy, a Tata Institute of Social Sciences graduate, has dedicated over four decades to improving the lives of leprosy-affected individuals. As founder of ALERT-INDIA, he leads a mission to defend their health rights and eliminate diseases. With a team of 500+ professionals, he focuses on prevention, treatment, and community integration. He is aiming to eradicate leprosy from India through collective action. Samy's leadership continues to inspire impactful change and foster a more inclusive society.
Mr. Prasant Kumar Naik
Mr. Prasant Kumar is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in humanitarian and development sectors, specialising in strategy, leadership, child protection, partnership management, HIV/AIDS, networking, and fundraising. With a diverse educational background, including a Masters in Social Work and Rural Management, he has served as a Country Director for several NGOs across Africa, Asia, and the UK. A proficient polyglot, Prasant is fluent in multiple languages, making him a valuable asset in multicultural environments.
Ms. Yogita Parkale
A development professional, with over a decade work focusing rehabilitation and inclusion of people affected by leprosy. With Masters degrees in Sociology and Social Work, and studies in Labour Law and Labour Welfare, she spearheaded initiatives spanning Livelihoods, Health, Education, Women Empowerment, and Grassroots Leadership. Dedicated to eliminating leprosy stigma and advocating for equal rights, she embodies resilience and optimism in driving impactful change across India's social development sphere.
Quotes from Mentors
Sameer Bakhri, Philanthropic Mentor
“GBL is a laudable initiative to leverage the collective potential of a group of NGOs operating in the leprosy space to create a much larger impact together than they could individually and I have great faith in GBL's ability to eradicate leprosy from our country.”
Murray Culshaw, Mentor
“Its a very big challenge to establish a fresh approach to help India towards reducing, and eventually eliminating, the scourge of leprosy in India. GBL is working hard to find a methodology to do just that. I am Happy to endorse GBL.”
Our Team
Atul Kumar
Chief Executive Officer
Sanjeev Kumar
Program Manager
Ashwin Salins
Accounts & Finance
Aswathi AM
Program officer
Aniket Salunkhe
Core Volunteer
Partners & Associates
Associates
GBL has a number of Associates across India to incorporate the wisdom and experience, and in some cases work with, entities who are engaged in services to the leprosy sector.
GBL ‘Associates’ include: people affected organizations like Atma Swabhiman (Jharkhand); relief and rehabilitation organizations (Goonj), CBOs (SKSS Maharashtra), Social Investors (anonymous), among others.
Currently have a link to over 30 organizations
Partners
Mahiti Trust: Mahiti equips Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with the skills, tools and knowledge to cultivate data-driven communication strategies and build lifelong relationships with donors. Mahiti helps GoodBye Leprosy strengthen practices, systems and techniques for building visibility, and enhancing reach and resources.
Aidbees – a social kindness platform: GBL has a short-term agreement to assist with ‘Philanthropy’ in relation to the World 10K marathon event in Bangalore.
Pygmalion Wealth: Pygmalion is an independent, boutique relationship management firm. They support GoodBye Leprosy by opening doors for donors who are interested in supporting leprosy work in India.
Alliance Members
ALERT-INDIA: ALERT India (established 1978) has worked for 45+ years in districts of Maharashtra and in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Jharkhand. ALERT’s specialization in community-led models of disease control, health care and support for people, families and communities affected by infectious diseases, especially: Leprosy, TB and HIV/AIDS. ALERT’s team consists of doctors, para-medical workers, social workers and management professionals who have extensive relations with the Government at the State and Centre levels. Presently, working in Maharashtra with 39 Leprosy Referral Centers in 15 districts.
Website: http://www.alertindia.org
LEPRA: LEPRA, a Hyderabad-based CSO founded in 1989, originally focused on supporting India’s leprosy eradication efforts. Over time, it expanded its mission to address various health issues including lymphatic filariasis, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, eye care, malaria, and disabilities. Targeting marginalized communities of children, women, slum dwellers, and migrants. LEPRA aims to enhance health and lifestyles. Presently, it operates in ten Indian states with 19 referral centers and a staff exceeding 400.
Website: https://leprasociety.in/
AIFO India: AIFO India assists people affected by leprosy, employs an evidence-based, community-focused approach to inclusive development. It is engaged in treatment, education, livelihoods, and rehabilitation of people affected by leprosy and with disabilities. AIFO has special interest working with communities in the North-East states and in Karnataka.
Website: www.aifoindia.org