Sumathy Krishnan

Sumathy brings rich cross-sectoral experience spanning the corporate sector, the social impact ecosystem and academia. Across her roles the common thread has been the thoughtful application of science, technology and behavioural insight — grounded in co-creation and a focus on creating shared value — to address societal challenges. In 2010 she made a deliberate transition from the corporate sector to the non-profit world, driven by the conviction that professional skills can be powerful levers for public good. Since then her work has centred on designing, implementing and facilitating programmes that hold both technical rigour and community relevance, with a specific focus on sustainability.

As Executive Director of the Bengaluru science-and-technology NGO TIDE (Technology Informatics Design Endeavour), Sumathy led the design, piloting and scaling of programmes spanning technology-enabled livelihoods, behaviour-led conservation, climate adaptation and climate education. Under her leadership the organisation grew more than sixfold within five years, building a diversified funding portfolio that included strategic CSR partnerships catalysed by India’s

2014 Companies Act. She led TIDE to the Best NGO award from Resource Alliance in 2014, and continues to serve on its Governing Body following her relocation to Singapore in 2022. In Singapore she runs Sustainpath, a practice built around sustainability education and capacity building, and strategic CSR advisory — practitioner-led curriculum for students, bespoke sustainability and climate engagements for business leaders, and advisory support for organisations seeking to align with strategic CSR. She is Singapore Co-chair of the global social entrepreneur movement Catalyst Now, an expert volunteer at the B2B sustainability platform The Matcha Initiative, working group leader for the Climate & Social Impact themed day at ALTERCOP, and external faculty at ESSEC Business School, Singapore.

Her award-winning programme VidyutRakshaka on residential electricity conservation won the Bangalore Urban Innovation Challenge award and was chosen by NITI Aayog among 75 Ideas for LiFE. She contributed to Behavioral Science for Development and co-authored a WRI working paper on behaviourally informed energy reports. Her recent book is A Career Without Expiry Date: Finding Work, Growth & Fulfilment in NGOs.

Outside work Sumathy is an enthusiastic player of Scrabble, Bridge, Mahjong and Uno — an interest she believes sharpens the ability to think on her feet, anticipate moves, and adapt in dynamic situations.