Board and staff
Board
Pam Walsh OBE, President
Pam founded Friends of India in 2001 after becoming active in assisting Indian women by raising funds for the late Sir Peter Ustinov’s Global Harmony Foundation in 1999. Pam is from Durham, UK and founded the ASC-International House language school in Geneva in 1974. She directed the school until her retirement in 2004, overseeing its growth to become one of the largest language schools in Switzerland. Deeply involved in professional, charitable and cultural activities, Pam was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth in 2000, in recognition of her services to British-Swiss relations. She was granted Swiss citizenship in 2002.
Nigel Majakari, Vice President
Nigel is principle at Geneva Capital S.A., an advisory and capital introduction firm specializing in sustainable investing. Previously he worked as an independent advisor and consultant specializing in fundraising, marketing, and sustainable investing working with family offices, private banks, UN agencies, charitable trusts, non-governmental organizations, and corporations. He has worked in the US, Europe, Southern Africa, Central and South and East Asia.
Prior to this Nigel was General Manager for Health Diplomats, an international advocacy and C-level advisory firm focused on global health issues based in Geneva. Nigel managed daily operations involving a select portfolio of international projects for multi-national pharmaceutical, healthcare, and Governmental clients. Nigel spent over ten years as a social entrepreneur developing solutions to acute social problems and leading not for profit organizations.
Ted Talbot, Treasurer
Ted is treasurer for Friends of India. Born and educated in the UK, he is a qualified chartered accountant and Member of the British Computer Society with a specialization in computerized accounting systems analysis and design. Ted founded his own consulting firm operating out of several European countries. Now semi-retired, he devotes much of his energy to the Anglophone theatre and church communities.
tedtal@vtx.ch
Michel Firmenich, Member
Born and educated in Geneva, Switzerland, Michel has been involved with Friends of India for several years and joined the Board in January 2009. He holds a degree in economics and has worked in information technology, most recently as the Group VP, Information Systems, within the Firmenich family business. Michel oversees Friends of India’s information technology needs.
Kris Easter, Member
Kris has a background in international development and has worked in India, Pakistan, and Russia in for development organizations in project management and communications. She provides communications and project management support to Friends of India and holds a degree in Russian.
Staff
Anne Standley, Communications Manager
Anne leads Friends of India’s communications and fundraising activities and oversees relations with members and donors. She holds a PhD in history and has conducted research on NGO management. Since moving to Geneva she has worked in publishing for a public relations firm and handled graduate recruitment for Webster University.
anne.standley@friends-of-india.org
Praveena Paul, Director, Friends of India Chennai Office
Praveena oversees relations with partners in India, provides program development and monitoring support, and manages communications and fundraising in India. Previously a lecturer at Madras Christian College, University of Madras, Praveena has been involved with Friends of India since its beginning.
praveena.paul@friends-of-india.org
