Our Core Values
Equity
We believe that every person – regardless of religion, background, skin colour, caste or gender – deserves an equal opportunity.
Compassion
We believe that every living being should be treated with compassion.
Action
We believe that the only way to make a change is by taking action.
Accountability
We believe that everyone should be accountable for their actions, regardless of their background.
Our History
It was set up as a community service and impact organisation by the Vulcan Group to promote environmental and social transformation in India. The Vulcan Group was originally promoted as Vulcan Engineers Ltd. by the late Mr Mithu Malaney in 1963. Today, the Group is a diversified ecosystem of small businesses operating in the fields of IT, Real Estate, Hospitality, Media, and Angel Investing.
What began as a platform to support and strengthen impactful social initiatives has evolved into an organisation that designs, enables, and implements programs addressing some of today's most pressing environmental and social challenges.
As we worked alongside communities, conservationists, educators, and partner organisations, we recognised that many challenges—whether environmental degradation, education gaps, health inequities, or unsustainable food systems—are deeply interconnected. Addressing one issue in isolation rarely creates lasting change.
This understanding shaped Jnana Foundation's approach. Today, we work across four interconnected pillars—Environment, Education, Holistic Health, and Regenerative Agriculture—while focusing on practical, community-led solutions that create measurable impact. Through partnerships, storytelling, education, and on-ground action, we aim to catalyse systemic change that benefits both people and the natural world.
Systems Thinking Approach
Looking Beyond Symptoms to Address Root Causes
At Jnana Foundation, we believe that complex social and environmental challenges cannot be solved through isolated interventions alone. Whether it is marine conservation, waste management, education, or community wellbeing, every challenge exists within a larger system of interconnected people, institutions, behaviours, and environments.
Our work is guided by a Systems Thinking approach, which helps us understand the root causes driving a problem rather than simply responding to its symptoms. By identifying key leverage points within a system, we can design interventions that create positive ripple effects across communities, ecosystems, and sectors. This approach is central to how we select projects, build partnerships, and measure impact.
From developing marine conservation initiatives inspired by the Turtle Walker film, to creating environmental education programs, supporting community stewardship, and designing waste management solutions, we seek to create interventions that are collaborative, scalable, and sustainable over the long term.
Rather than asking, "How do we solve this problem?" we ask, "What conditions created this problem, and how can we transform the system that sustains it?"
WHAT WE DO
At Jnana Foundation, we identify complex social and environmental challenges and work collaboratively to develop practical, long-term solutions. Rather than operating as a traditional grant-making organisation, we act as a catalyst—bringing together communities, experts, partners, and funders to design and implement programs that create meaningful impact.
Our work begins by understanding the root causes of a challenge and identifying opportunities for change. We then build strategic partnerships, develop programs, secure resources, support implementation, and monitor outcomes to ensure that projects deliver measurable and lasting results.
Through this end-to-end approach, we help transform ideas into action and action into impact—creating solutions that benefit both people and nature.
Meet the Team
Vikram Malaney
Co-founder & Director
Vikram dreamed of becoming a marine biologist but pursued a B.E. in Computer Engineering from Duke University. He spent several years working with startup software companies in Silicon Valley before returning to India to manage Vulcan Engineers. Later, he co-founded Capsilon Technologies and supervised its operations in India. Today he focuses on managing and mentoring the Vulcan Group's India investments.
Anjali Malaney
Co-founder & Director
Anjali is a graduate of Macon College. Currently, she focuses on advising and mentoring the Vulcan Group's investments in Hospitality and Wellness and enabling social projects through Jnana Foundation.
Tanvi Krishnani
Senior Associate
Tanvi is a conservation scientist with a deep interest in the intersection of community wellbeing and wildlife protection. Her work spans marine education, illegal wildlife trade research, and media-based conservation storytelling. As the Senior Associate at Jnana Foundation, she is passionate about inclusive, grassroots approaches to conservation.
When she’s not out in the field or in the classroom, you’ll likely find her on a tennis court, buried in a book, or painting her way through quiet afternoons.
Aarti Narvekar
Admin and Assistant Executive
Born and raised in Mapusa, Goa, Aarti holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts from IGNOU University. She currently serves as an Admin cum Assistant Executive and has prior experience in Sales, Administrative Support, and Tally Accounting.Passionate about continuous learning, she enjoys reading books and playing badminton in her leisure time.
Shamba Naik
Accountant
Born and raised in Goa and currently residing in Siolim, Shamba completed his graduation in Commerce from DMC Assagao. After graduating, he worked as a delivery head in the automobile industry, following which he was a data entry operator and junior accountant. Shamba’s passions include playing cricket and the tabla.
Shivam Panjikar
Project Manager & Sales Executive
Born and raised in Corjuem, Aldona, Shivam holds a Bachelor of Computer Engineering degree from Goa University. He currently serves as a Project Manager and Sales Executive, managing projects and client relationships while driving sales growth. With previous experience in digital marketing, video editing, and customer operations, he brings a diverse skill set to his role. In his free time, he enjoys playing cricket and fishing.
Aniket Nene
Accounts and Compliance Expert
Aniket is a certified Chartered Accountant with Corporate Finance, internal audits, and cashflow management expertise.