Tahira Thekaekara leads Institutional Development at WRI India. With over two decades of experience in the development sector, she has helped establish and scale global organizations, including WRI India, PYXERA Global, and GiveIndia. As part of WRI India’s founding team, she played a key role in shaping the organization’s early growth and direction. Her expertise spans strategic planning, donor engagement, board development, talent management, strategic partnerships, and building systems that strengthen institutional resilience.

Previously, she served as Country Director for PYXERA Global in India, where she led cross-sector partnerships to address social challenges and strengthen community livelihoods.

Tahira holds a Master’s in Anthropology from the University of Pune and a Bachelor’s in Sociology and Anthropology from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. Growing up in the Nilgiris, where her parents ran a community organization working with indigenous people, deeply shaped her worldview. Her work is anchored in the principles of equity, empathy, and purpose, and driven by a conviction that strong, values-based institutions can help build a more just, compassionate, and sustainable world