R Sundar

R Sundar is the co-founder of Mastek Ltd., one of India’s early global tech solution companies and Executive Director of Majesco Ltd, the U.S. subsidiary of Mastek. He is also a board member of Sankara Eye Foundation, a US-based non-profit organization that works toward eliminating curable blindness in India.

His love for basketball and interest in helping underprivileged children right from the grassroot level were instrumental is the founding of Hi 5 Youth Foundation. He strongly believes that underprivileged children lack the infrastructure, direction and opportunity to play and excel in sports in India. ‘Play’ is also a great medium to nurture young talent, inculcate values in them and encourage the strive for excellence. At Hi 5, Sundar is responsible for the overall direction, scaling, funding and financial sustainability of the organisation.

Usha Sundar

Having been an instructor and volunteer at various social sector organizations involved with children, youth and adult education in India and US, Usha Sundar took up the role of Director of Operations at Hi5 Youth Foundation. She was keen on co-founding Hi 5 Youth Foundation because she has always been involved in helping out other NGOs that nurture lives of underprivileged children and basketball is a sport that’s close to her and family’s heart.

Apart from managing the daily operations of all the centres at Hi5 and functioning of the programs, she is also personally involved in designing and rolling out the life-skills training to the children with a special focus on empowering girls at Hi 5.

Anshul Jain

Anshul leads operations at Hi 5 Youth Foundation, where he helps run one of India’s largest free grassroots basketball programs reaching over 4,000 children across 8 states. Over the years, he has focused on building strong teams, improving program quality, and expanding Hi 5’s reach to more communities.

With a background in sports management and engineering, Anshul has earlier worked with organizations like KOOH Sports, Box8, and the American School of Bombay. He enjoys spending time on the ground with children and believes in the power of sport to build confidence, and opportunities for every child.

Farheen Thange

Farheen has over 6 years of experience in finance and accounts, with the last 4 years dedicated to Hi5 Youth Foundation. In her role as Senior Finance Manager, she oversees the organisation’s financial planning, compliance, and day-to-day operations. She ensures that every resource is effectively utilised to maximise the impact of Hi 5’s programs for children and communities.

Passionate about driving efficiency and sustainability, Farheen plays a vital role in strengthening the organisation’s financial health and long-term growth. She finds her work deeply rewarding, knowing that her efforts behind the scenes directly support Hi 5’s mission of creating meaningful change for kids and coaches on the ground.

Beyond her professional expertise, Farheen is also a table tennis player, which adds a unique sports dimension to her journey and strengthens her personal connection to Hi 5’s mission of using sports as a medium for empowerment and education.

Kevin Francis

With over a decade of experience at Hi 5 Youth Foundation, Kevin has been instrumental in transforming the organisation’s basketball program from reaching a few hundred children to now impacting thousands across multiple centres. As Program Head, he oversees program strategy, implementation, and partnerships, ensuring alignment with Hi 5’s vision of changing young lives through play. His leadership focuses on driving measurable impact, fostering life skills in children, and building sustainable collaborations with stakeholders to expand the foundation’s reach and effectiveness.

Arti Agarwal

Arti Agarwal works as the Head of Pathways to Success at Hi 5. In this role, she mentors teachers and coaches to help students continue their academic journey while balancing their passion for basketball. She has over 20 years of experience in education, which includes leadership roles in International schools in China and India. She is an active WASC accreditation visiting committee member for schools in Asia. She loves traveling, trekking, cooking, and, above all, teaching math to middle school students.

Saneej Patil

Begun basketball career in 5th grade and progressed to the U‑13 State Championship (Thane) within two years, later participating in 4 State Championships and 2 School State Championships. A dislocated wrist in 2013 ended competitive play, leading to a coaching start at AVS Basketball Club, Dombivli. After two years as a Safety Engineer, joined Hi 5 Youth Foundation as Center Coach at Sant Gadge Maharaj Ashram Shala, Vajreshwari; within 1.5 years, 17 participants represented the district and the team won four tournaments. Currently serving as Regional Manager of Operations and overseeing the Hi5 Basketball Academy project, continuing to develop basketball opportunities for underprivileged children.

Madhusudan Reddy Panyala

Madhusudhan leads Operations and Program Delivery across Telangana at Hi 5, supporting the mission to empower underprivileged children through basketball. With 10 years of experience across NGO and startup sectors and experience in agriculture, education, skill development, and environmental projects, he brings a strong understanding of CSR project management and training, having worked closely with students, rural communities, government officials, and teams on the ground. At Hi 5, Madhusudhan focuses on making basketball a meaningful platform for learning, life skills, and social development across the region.

He is committed to building programs that are effective, inclusive, and focused on long-term impact.

Edward Paul

For over eight years, Hi 5 Youth Foundation has been more than just a workplace for Edward Paul; it has represented a purpose, a passion, and a journey of meaningful growth. He initially believed the role was primarily about teaching basketball. However, through his experience, he discovered that winning games is only a small part of the Foundation’s mission. The true impact lies in the transformative moments—when a shy child develops confidence, a struggling adolescent discovers hope, or a young player begins to dream beyond existing limitations.

Edward shares the Foundation’s profound belief that every child deserves the opportunity to rise, to grow, and to build a life beyond the basketball court. Each day reaffirms for him the privilege of contributing to that transformation.

Arpan Ghole

With an MBA in Marketing from D.Y. Patil College and over seven years of experience in the Ed-tech industry, Arpan brings a strong background in education-focused marketing. His belief that education is a lifelong gift has guided his career path and now, at Hi 5, he’s excited to support a mission that combines education with the transformative power of sport for underprivileged children.

Arpan is passionate about creating impact through meaningful work, and he values Hi 5’s commitment to holistic development. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling and trekking, always eager to explore new places and perspectives.

Roshan Ramaswamy

Roshan Ramaswamy is a seasoned sports management professional and accomplished athlete, currently serving as Center Manager, Operations at Hi 5 Youth Foundation. With a strong educational foundation from the Global Institute of Sports Business (GISB), Roshan has advanced through various roles, including part-time coaching at Hi5 Youth Foundation, and positions at Decathlon, E Coach Sports, and Sporjo. A state-level basketball player, qualified referee, and trained coach, Roshan brings a unique combination of technical expertise and leadership skills to his current role, making a significant impact on the foundation's operations and initiatives.

Asfa Siddiqui

Asfa Siddiqui is a postgraduate in Management from the Institute of Management Technology with over 13 years of experience in the social development sector. She has successfully led cross-functional teams on large-scale projects, working extensively with children in education, skill-to-livelihood programs, and health and sanitation initiatives.

At Hi 5 Youth Foundation, Asfa is deeply committed to advancing a mission that combines education with the transformative power of sport for underprivileged children. Her focus is on enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring quality standards, and fostering strong partnerships with communities and the BMC Department..

Harshada Shinde

Harshada has been working with Hi 5 Youth Foundation for the past 10 years in the capacity of an Accountant, handling Finance and Office Administration. Since childhood, she always wanted to extend her professional efforts in the NGO sector, and she chose Hi 5 because she believes the organization is brightening the lives of underprivileged children and securing their future by training them in basketball. She strongly believes that basketball can be played by anyone in many different ways; it builds friendships and connections both on and off the court. For her, teamwork is the only way to succeed and win. She values sportsmanship and believes that having a positive attitude makes playing the game enjoyable.

Through her 10 years of dedication at Hi 5, Harshada has combined her professional expertise with her personal passion for social impact, contributing to an organization that empowers children and helps them build a brighter future through sport

Shubhangi Shinde

Shubhangi was an accountant/data coordinator before joining Hi5 in 2018 as a data coordinator. Apart from work, she likes to read books in her free time.

Neha Gurav

Neha Gurav is an IT professional with over three years of experience across the IT services sector and the textile industry. Prior to joining Hi 5, she worked at a tech startup and a textile machinery sales company. She holds a B.Tech in Textile Technology from VJTI, Mumbai.

As a scholarship recipient and alumna of Avanti Fellows and Kotak Education Foundation, Neha strongly believes in the power of higher education and the role of mentorship in shaping young lives. Introduced to Hi 5 through her mentor, she is proud to be part of an organization that combines sports and education to create opportunities for underprivileged children.

Curious by nature and always eager to learn, Neha enjoys exploring new ideas, and in her free time, she loves watching anime.

Pramila Jadhav

Pramila is a dedicated professional who recently joined the Hi 5 Youth Foundation as an ESL Teacher in March 2024. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) and a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree, bringing nine years of teaching experience at the primary and middle school levels. Previously, she played a pivotal role as a teacher and Coordinator at Kotak Education Foundation, where she excelled in supporting classroom functions, lesson planning, and enhancing both individual and group learning environments.

Passionate about education, Pramila is committed to creating engaging learning experiences that empower students, whom she views as the builders of tomorrow's society. Outside of her career, she enjoys activities such as shopping, dancing, listening to music, and playing chess, which contribute to her balanced approach to life and work.

Amulya Komire

A passionate and driven young professional with a Master’s degree in Business Organization and a year of experience as an MIS Executive. Alongside her professional role, she has been actively involved in tutoring, where she discovered a genuine joy in working with children. She thrives in positive work environments and values being surrounded by good people and meaningful work. Known for her sincerity and willingness to learn, she is eager to grow both personally and professionally.

Jayasurya P.

A dedicated Social Work professional with a Master’s in Social Work from VIT Vellore, Jayasurya brings over two years of hands on experience in oncology, psychiatry, and community-based settings. As a former Programme Coordinator at Make-A-Wish Foundation, he led impactful initiatives with a focus on child welfare and operational excellence.

His core strengths lie in programme planning, cross-functional coordination, stakeholder engagement, and grassroots execution. Known for his empathy and people management skills, he is passionate about youth development and believes in creating equitable opportunities through sport.

At Hi 5 Youth Foundation, he is focused on enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring quality control, and strengthening community ties. With a deep commitment to child-centric work, he is excited to contribute meaningfully to Hi 5’s mission of changing lives through play.

Suraj Sharma

Suraj Sharma has completed a Master’s degree in Sports Management and brings three years of experience in the sports industry. With a deep passion for sports, particularly football, he finds a strong sense of belonging when engaged on the field and witnessing the game firsthand. Since joining Hi 5 Youth Foundation, he considers himself fortunate to contribute to an organization that has a meaningful impact on the lives of young children.

Ruksar Shaikh

Rukhsar Shaikh holds a BBA degree and brings seven years of experience in the teaching field. Throughout her career, she has earned various certificates from live sessions, including Teach A Class, Nerapod, Digital, and Storytelling. Rukhsar's passion for education extends to publishing children's books on digital platforms, where she aims to inspire young readers. Recently, she was honored with an award for Community Impact in recognition of her dedicated service to society over the past seven years.

Taslim Sheikh

Taslim Sheikh, from Mumbai, is a graduate in Bachelor of Management Studies from Prahladrai Dalmia Lions College. He was part of Hi 5 Youth Foundation’s programs Hope Thru Hoops and Pathways to Success, where he trained and developed as a basketball player for over a decade. Today, Taslim is an employee of the organization’s Operations team, continuing his association with Hi 5 Youth Foundation in a professional capacity.