Gates Foundation appoints Archna Vyas as India Country Director

New Delhi: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation appointed Archna Vyas as its India Country Director, the organisation said on Tuesday, making her the first woman to lead its operations in one of its most significant country partnerships.

Vyas will oversee the foundation's collaboration with Indian government agencies, philanthropists and private sector partners on healthcare, sanitation, gender equality, and agricultural development initiatives aligned with India's development goals, the foundation said in a statement.

The foundation has operated in India since 2003, working on issues ranging from digital public infrastructure to financial empowerment as the country has lifted millions out of poverty over the past two decades.

Vyas previously served as global director for the foundation's Global Policy and Advocacy division, leading work on growth, opportunity and empowerment.

She joined the organisation in 2014 and has worked across its health and poverty alleviation programmes.

"India is our most significant country partnership," Vyas said in the statement.

"I look forward to working closely with governments, communities, philanthropists, and our partners to support the Government of India's vision of becoming a developed economy by 2047."

Vyas succeeds Hari Menon, who led the India office since 2019 and will transition to a global leadership role in January 2026, the foundation said.