Speaker 1 – Femada Shamam is the CEO of The Association for the Aged (TAFTA), a Durban-based nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the dignity and well-being of older persons. With 25 years in the ageing sector, she brings expertise in social work, management, policy development, and strategic planning. As Vice Chair of the Commonwealth Association for the Ageing and the Global Ageing Network, she advocates for inclusive, age-friendly communities. Passionate about leadership development and knowledge generation, she mentors emerging leaders and pursues research-based practice. Committed to social justice, she leads advocacy efforts to ensure older persons’ voices shape policies and programs globally.

 

Speaker 2- Dr. Renu Abraham Varughese, a clinical gerontologist and educator, is an Associate Professor at Mercy University, New York. She holds a Ph.D. and M Phil in Gerontology, MS in clinical specialist in Aging, and an M.B.A. in Organizational Leadership. Her pioneering research on aging in developing nations includes a landmark five-year study comparing long-term care in India and the USA. A two-time Fulbright awardee, she leads international elder care initiatives, including the “Train the Trainer” program in South Africa. As Chairperson of the Travancore Foundation, Assisted Living Facilities in India, and the founding director of its Education and Research center, she advances senior care education in India. A Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, she has received numerous prestigious awards for her contributions to gerontology and elder care.

 

Speaker 3 – Ramani Sundaram : I am a dedicated neuroscience professional with 14 years of experience in dementia care and elder care project management, with expertise in neuropsychiatric assessments, care planning, and team leadership. Proven track record in designing and managing dementia care and active aging projects, along with extensive experience in proposal writing, grant management, and fundraising for dementia-related initiatives. Currently serving as an Executive Director at Dementia India Alliance (DIA), leading strategic development, advocacy efforts, and program execution while ensuring high-quality dementia care services.

 

Speaker 4 – Premkumar Raja – Social entrepreneur with more than three decades of experience based in Bangalore, co-founder of Nightingales Home Health Services (1996) and Nightingales Medical Trust (1998), a leading elder care organization. A pioneer in home healthcare services in India and a founding member and the secretary of the Dementia India Alliance, a national NGO dedicated to dementia care. Conceived and implemented innovative, need-based projects for senior citizens, with a vision to make quality dementia care accessible and affordable and to create a society where elders live with dignity.

 

Speaker 5 – Hemanshu Jain is a serial entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Khyaal, India’s leading

digital-first platform for seniors. With a deep passion for building meaningful, impactful

ventures, Hemanshu started Khyaal during the pandemic as a small WhatsApp group to

support elders—and has since grown it into a trusted ecosystem serving over 3 million

seniors across India.

Prior to Khyaal, Hemanshu built and successfully exited a US-based company to Livongo

Health, which later merged with Teladoc in a landmark $18.5 billion deal. Today, through

Khyaal, Hemanshu is reimagining ageing in India by combining technology, community, and

culturally-rooted care models.

His work has positioned him as a leading voice in the global AgeTech movement,

championing inclusion, dignity, and digital empowerment for older adults.