Here are the key people who were with CIOSA previously and helped build it into its current pre-eminent position:

R. Karthik Venkatesh, Executive Director
(Sep 2003 - Aug 2005)

A professional social worker from the Madras School of Social Work with over 12 years of experience, Mr. Venkatesh was the first official appointee employed to build the CIOSA network.

Working single-handedly for 15 out of the 24 months of his tenure, Mr. Venkatesh designed, shaped articulated and implemented the vision and mission of CIOSA, its framework of operations (programmes areas), its collaborative systems, its communities of practice and its network of NGOs. He was primarily responsible for the growth of CIOSA into the collaborative platform that it is today.

He currently works as an independent consultant providing technology services for strengthening the citizen sector. He continues his association with CIOSA as an individual member.

G. Balamurugan, Programme Manager
(Sep 2004- April 2005)

Also a professional social worker from the Dept. of Social Work, Loyola College, Chennai, Mr. Balamurugan was the second employee of CIOSA.

He came in at a time when the CIOSA network was expanding rapidly and the demands and needs of the members were growing. In his brief stint of 8 months, Mr. Balamurugan was able to make a significant impact on refining various approaches and programmes of CIOSA. His wide range of contacts through his previous employer, the Tamil Nadu Voluntary Health Association (TNVHA), Chennai was primarily responsible for carrying the message of CIOSA and making it popular in many districts in Tamil Nadu. The increase in the representation of NGOs from other districts of Tamil Nadu in CIOSA was entirely due to his efforts.

He is currently Project Officer for International Relations at the Rajiv Gandhi National Youth Institute, Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. He continues his association with CIOSA as an individual member.

Air Vice-Marshal (Retd.) V. Krishnaswamy, Trustee
Mr. Krishnaswamy was the Director of Madhuram Narayanan Centre for Exceptional Children (MNC), Chennai, which has been instrumental in founding with sponsorship by the Sanmar group of companies.

The Centre is considered a pioneer in early intervention services for children with mental retardation and provides a scientific and systematic programme of training and therapy. It has served more than 3000 children with unwavering dedication since 1989.

Mr. Krishnaswamy passed away in April 2007.