Smile Foundation has announced three senior leadership appointments to strengthen its organisational strategy, human resources and partnership functions.

The organisation has appointed Sanjeev Dham as Executive Director, Shadab Khan as Head – Human Resources, and John Sankey Sutherson as Country Director – Resources & Strategic Partnerships. The appointments come as the foundation focuses on improving its internal systems while expanding its programmes across India.

Santanu Mishra, co-founder of Smile Foundation, said "As our programmes expand across India, strengthening our institutional capabilities becomes increasingly important. Mr. Dham, Ms. Khan and Mr. Sutherson collectively bring experience across programme leadership, people management, partnerships and organisational development. Their expertise will support our systems, people and partnerships, and our work with communities."

Sanjeev Dham has over 30 years of experience in public health management and strategic partnerships. Prior to Smile Foundation, Sanjeev worked for organizations such as Population Services International, Mamta Health Institute for Mother and Child and EngenderHealth. He has had the opportunity to work on programs and partnerships with government, international donor agencies and corporations.

Dham said “Smile Foundation has developed a delivery model connecting education, healthcare, livelihoods and women empowerment. I look forward to strengthening organisational systems, deepening programme effectiveness and supporting the foundation in delivering sustainable and measurable impact at scale.”

Shadab Khan joins as Head – Human Resources with over two decades of experience in human resource management across the corporate and development sectors. She has previously worked with VisionSpring, Population Foundation of India, and the United States-India Educational Foundation.

Her areas of expertise include talent management, organisational development, leadership onboarding, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, and employee well-being. Khan said her focus will be on enhancing organisational culture and employee development.

John Sankey Sutherson has over 20 years of experience in business development, resource mobilisation and strategic partnerships. He began his career at HelpAge India and later worked with Room to Read for 14 years, serving as Senior Development Director for Corporations and Foundations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Sutherson said his focus in the new position will be on developing partnerships with corporates, philanthropic organisations and development institutions to support social programmes.

According to Smile Foundation, the appointments aim to strengthen the organisation’s leadership structure across organisational strategy, people development and partnerships for its programmes in education, healthcare, livelihoods and women's empowerment across India.