Archna Vyas appointed India country director of Gates Foundation

Vyas earlier served as global director in the foundation’s Global Policy and Advocacy division, where she led efforts focused on growth, opportunity and empowerment.

The Gates Foundation has appointed Archna Vyas as its India country director, making her the first woman to head the organisation’s operations in one of its most important global partnerships.

In her new role, Vyas will lead the foundation’s engagement with Indian government bodies, philanthropists and private sector partners across key areas such as healthcare, sanitation, gender equality and agricultural development, in line with India’s development priorities.

The foundation has been active in India since 2003, supporting initiatives ranging from digital public infrastructure to financial inclusion, as the country has made significant strides in poverty reduction over the past two decades.

Vyas earlier served as global director in the foundation’s Global Policy and Advocacy division, where she led efforts focused on growth, opportunity and empowerment. She joined the organisation in 2014 and has worked across multiple health and poverty alleviation programmes.

Calling India the foundation’s “most significant country partnership,” Vyas said she looks forward to collaborating with governments, communities and partners to support India’s goal of becoming a developed economy by 2047.

She succeeds Hari Menon, who has led the India office since 2019 and will move to a global leadership role in January 2026, the foundation said.