Poonam Muttreja (Indian Executive Director) Biography

Quick Info

Profession	Executive Director
Nationality	Indian
Birthplace	New Delhi, India

Do you like Poonam Muttreja?

You can vote only once.

Bio/Wiki

Bio	Poonam Muttreja is the Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India (PFI), a leading think tank working toward the implementation of gender-sensitive population policies, sexual and reproductive health, and development strategies. With over 40 years of experience in the socio-development sector, she has been a strong advocate for women's health, reproductive and sexual rights, and rural livelihoods. She has co-conceived the popular transmedia initiative Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon – I, A Woman, Can Achieve Anything, which in its third season introduced SnehAI, an Artificial Intelligence powered chatbot for behavior change communication. An alumna of Delhi University and Harvard University's John F Kennedy School of Government, she serves on the governing council of several non-governmental organizations and is a regular commentator in media.

Bio

Poonam Muttreja is the Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India (PFI), a leading think tank working toward the implementation of gender-sensitive population policies, sexual and reproductive health, and development strategies. With over 40 years of experience in the socio-development sector, she has been a strong advocate for women's health, reproductive and sexual rights, and rural livelihoods. She has co-conceived the popular transmedia initiative Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon – I, A Woman, Can Achieve Anything, which in its third season introduced SnehAI, an Artificial Intelligence powered chatbot for behavior change communication. An alumna of Delhi University and Harvard University's John F Kennedy School of Government, she serves on the governing council of several non-governmental organizations and is a regular commentator in media.

Physical Stats & More

Eye Color	Black
Hair Color	Black

Educational Qualification(s)

Degrees	Graduation in Psychology from the University of Delhi (1977) Postgraduation in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (1991) Executive Program (Ethics in Health Research) from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (1999) Executive Program (Cutting Edge Leadership: Refreshing Skills and Capacities) from Harvard University (2001) Executive Program (The Art and Practice of Leadership Education) from Harvard University (2002) Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Delhi Master's Degree in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Colleges/Universities	Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts University of Delhi, India Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University

Degrees

Graduation in Psychology from the University of Delhi (1977)
Postgraduation in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (1991)
Executive Program (Ethics in Health Research) from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (1999)
Executive Program (Cutting Edge Leadership: Refreshing Skills and Capacities) from Harvard University (2001)
Executive Program (The Art and Practice of Leadership Education) from Harvard University (2002)
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Delhi
Master's Degree in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

Colleges/Universities

Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
University of Delhi, India
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University

Personal Life

Marital Status	Married
Religion	Hinduism

Relationships & More

Husband	A. K. Shiva Kumar (development economist, policy advisor, evaluator)
Children	2
Siblings	1 Brother

Family

Siblings	1 Brother
Spouse	A. K. Shiva Kumar
Children	2

Career

Overview	Poonam Muttreja has held various influential positions throughout her career, dedicating herself to the promotion of women's health and socioeconomic development. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India (PFI), a leading think tank focused on gender-sensitive population policies, sexual and reproductive health, and development strategies.
Notable Positions	Executive Director at Ashoka Foundation (1997-1981), focusing on women’s health. Co-founder of Dastkar, an NGO working with craftspeople across India (1981-1983). Founded Society for Rural, Urban, and Tribal Initiatives (SRUTI) in 1983, serving until 1985. Worked as India Country Director at the MacArthur Foundation from 1995 to 2010, managing grants in India. Executive Director at Population Foundation of India (current) India Country Director at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation (1995-2010), managing grants in India. Member of the Governing Council and Board of ActionAid International and India. Member of a committee on Population Dynamics and Women’s Empowerment at The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Washington DC. Co-founder and led the Ashoka Foundation, focusing on leadership development Co-founded Dastkar, an NGO working with craftspeople across India Advisor to the Country Representative at UNDP Directed an environmental program in Cambridge, Massachusetts, orienting policy makers from developing countries on issues of development, environment and poverty
Television Initiative	Co-conceived the transmedia initiative Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon – I, A Woman, Can Achieve Anything, launched by PFI in 2014. The program reached its third season with the introduction of SnehAI, an Artificial Intelligence powered chatbot, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative for behavior change communication in India.

Social Media

Twitter	https://x.com/Letstransform
LinkedIn	https://www.linkedin.com/in/poonam-muttreja/

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. At age 18, Poonam was moved by the plight of leather artisans in Delhi, leading her to advocate for their rights.
2. She worked alongside notable figures in the NGO sector, advocating for rural needs and cooperatives.
3. Poonam played a key role in the establishment of craft bazaars that promote local craftsmanship.
4. Her dedication to women's health initiatives has helped improve access and awareness in underserved communities.
5. She has set up and led several NGOs, contributing to policy and advocacy and creatively building fields
6. Her work has focused on improving organizational capacity, strengthening communications for social good, promoting innovations and scaling up pilots
7. She has experience in making grants, teaching, advising, and mentoring across the development sector

Poonam Muttreja Executive Director Indian New Delhi, India