Ashok Alexander steps down as India head of Gates Foundation

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced the stepping down of its India head Ashok Alexander, who was instrumental behind the success of HIV/AIDS initiative 'Avahan'.

Girindre Beeharry, currently Director of Strategy for its global health program, has been named as his successor. Alexander will leave at the end of June, after completing 10 years as head of India operations of the Foundation, and Beeharry will take up his new responsibilities as the new Director of the India Office in July.

"The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced today that Ashok Alexander will step down from his position as Director of the India country office after almost a decade of service. Alexander set up the office in 2003 and quickly brought his management experience to bear in driving the huge success of the Foundation's HIV/AIDS initiative 'Avahan'," a Foundation release said.

"The foundation is pleased to announce that Girindre Beeharry, currently Director of Strategy for the foundations Global Health program, has been named as the new Director of the India Office and will take up his new responsibilities in July," the release issued from Seattle said.

"Ashok has been a driving force behind the success of the foundation's Avahan initiative," said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, adding that Avahan has demonstrated that it is possible to build an HIV prevention model at scale in India.

"Thanks to Ashok's vision, the impact of the Avahan initiative will be felt beyond HIV/AIDS prevention," said Melinda Gates, Co-chair of the Foundation, adding, "many of the lessons learnt through the program are now being applied in the Indian state of Bihar, where the foundation is working to improve health outcomes, particularly for women, newborns and children under five."

“Working for the foundation has been life-changing and I am proud of the impact we have made. I have been privileged to have had the opportunity to build and work with a great team focused on supporting the poorest and most marginalized communities and making a contribution to them living healthier and safer lives. I am personally looking forward to pursuing new ventures," Alexander said on leaving the Foundation.