Trustees / Advisory Members

Late Mr.N.Vagul

Patron: TANKER Foundation; Former Chairman: ICICI Bank Ltd.

We condole the demise of our Patron on 18th May 2024, He was our biggest supporter but a beacon of hope and inspiration to the TANKER family. Mr Vaghul, a successful banker, believes in giving back to society. A staunch believer of corporate philanthropy, it was the ₹ 2 million contribution of ICICI Bank, when he was the chairman, that enabled TANKER Foundation launch its first dialysis unit at Kilpauk. Mr Vaghul counts the Padma Bhushan – received in 2010 - among the prestigious awards he has bagged over the years.

Dr. Georgi Abraham

Founder, Founder-Trustee: TANKER Foundation; MD, FRCP (UK) Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician: MGM Hospital, Chennai

Dr. Georgi Abraham is a dedicated, service-oriented, humble and renowned Nephrologist, who has done exceptional and distinguished service in the field of Nephrology. Seeing the effects of kidney disease on his patients and the difference awareness and early detection can make, Dr. Abraham launched TANKER Foundation. With help from other Members of the Board and drawing from his own in-depth knowledge, Dr. Abraham hopes to help underprivileged kidney patients and also take concrete steps to lower the incidence of the disease among the general public.

Mr. Suresh Balaje

Chairman: TANKER Foundation; Film Producer & Director: Pranaamam Pictures, Chennai

Suresh Balaje is an Indian film producer, primarily concentrating on Malayalam and Tamil films. He is the son of yesteryear producer and actor K. Balaji. Suresh Balaje’s father had two kidney transplants. So, he knows what it is to have a kidney patient at home. Apart from that he has a passion for serving kidney patients which is why he leads TANKER Foundation from the front.

Mrs. Latha A. Kumaraswami

Co-Founder and Managing Trustee - TANKER Foundation; President - IFKF - WKA; Member - World Kidney Day Joint Steering Committee

Latha was instrumental in setting up the Tamilnad Kidney Research (TANKER) Foundation in 1993, along with Dr Georgi Abraham who was treating her mother-in-law, Sarojini Kumaraswami. Latha’s background in PR helps in running the Foundation while her passion stems from seeing the trauma of kidney disease up close.

Mr. Reji Abraham

Trustee: TANKER Foundation; Director: ABAN Group of Companies

Reji Abraham is the Managing Director of Aban Group in India. He found place in the Forbes list of the world's wealthiest people in the years 2008 and 2009. He also runs India's largest offshore drilling company, Aban Offshore. His place in TANKER Foundation is not just based on the fact that a family member is a kidney patient but also that he feels the urge to help kidney patients in need.

Mrs. Latha Pandiarajan

Trustee: TANKER Foundation; Ma Foi Strategic Consultants

Latha Pandiarajan, the co-founder of recruitment firm Ma Foi, is giving back to society through her own foundation, MaFoi Trust, which runs an educational programme and a sports academy for children, provides training and employment opportunities to the unemployed, and also trains women to become entrepreneurs. It is a natural corollary for her to be involved with TANKER Foundation.

Mrs. Nina Reddy

Trustee: TANKER Foundation; Director: Savera Hotels

Nina Reddy dons several hats. She is a hotelier, a socialite, a connoisseur of decor, a businesswoman, a philanthropist and an inspiration to women

Mrs. Revathy K. Asha

Trustee: TANKER Foundation; Film Director, Actor & Social Activist

Revathy is an Indian film actress and director, known for her works predominantly in Tamil and Malayalam cinema. She has won several accolades, including National Film Award in three different categories, and has bagged six Filmfare awards in the south. Revathy is also known to be a socially-responsible person willing to serve the needy in her own capacity and has experience with a wide variety of philanthropic organisations. This makes her a very valuable member of the Board.

Mrs. Lakshmi Rao

Trustee, TANKER Foundation

Dr. Sumantran

Advisory Member, TANKER Foundation; Chairman: Celeris Technologies

Dr Sumantran is that unique combination of a business leader, technocrat, an academician and author, having lived and worked in the US, Europe and Asia over a 30-plus years career. He is Chairman of Celeris Technologies and an advisor to several Fortune-100 organizations in auto, technology, industrial equipment and aerospace sectors. He has also been designated as Independent Director of Indigo India. But why he is a trustee of TANKER Foundation is his empathy for the work the Foundation does as he is a kidney donor himself.