Shruti Iyer

Background

About Shruti Iyer

My journey into the development sector began in a shelter home classroom, teaching science to youth who had dreams bigger than their circumstances. That experience, while deeply personal, sparked a professional calling that’s stayed with me ever since. Over the past 10 years, I’ve moved from grassroots volunteering to managing multi-crore CSR portfolios, leading employee volunteering programs, and working alongside NGOs to design, implement, and evaluate purpose-led initiatives. Each role has deepened my belief in impact that is both human-centered and system-driven. At the core of my work is the ability to translate purpose into strategy. I specialize in CSR program design, stakeholder engagement, employee volunteering frameworks, and impact communication. My strength lies in bringing together diverse teams - HR, CSR heads, NGOs, and tech partners—to co-create solutions that are not just compliant, but compelling and community-focused. Whether facilitating CHRO-level dialogues or onboarding grassroots partners, I ensure every initiative is grounded in empathy, structure, and measurable outcomes. I am especially passionate about initiatives that provide support for the elderly, animal welfare, at-risk youth, and mental health. Alongside my family, I’ve cared for stray cats for over 20 years, ensuring they receive food, shelter, and medical attention, an act of service that keeps me grounded and connected to the quieter forms of compassion that build stronger communities. As I grow, I’m increasingly drawn to the global landscape of ESG, sustainability, and evidence-informed development. I’m passionate about integrating Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) into social impact programs to enhance transparency, accountability, and learning. My long-term vision is to become a sustainability leader in the global development ecosystem while continuing to stay rooted in education, teaching, and storytelling that bridges the gap between intention and impact. If you're working on meaningful initiatives in the impact space, especially those that blend empathy with strategy, I'd love to connect and explore how we can collaborate.