News & Events

Meet Our Chief Finance Officer | Kalpana Srinivas

December 14, 2023

The University extends a warm welcome to Ms. Kalpana Srinivas who joined us in November 2023 as the Chief Finance Officer. Kalpana is a Chartered Accountant with over 16 years of experience, and has worked extensively in the Healthcare sector. She was formerly Group Finance Head of Jain Group of Hospitals, a mutlidisciplinary super-specialty hospital & pharmacy cluster. She is an advocate of empathetic leadership, and believes in creating a positive culture of higher productivity.

In this interview, she shares more about her life and work.

Can you tell us a little more about yourself and your journey so far?

I was born and brought up in Chennai while my family roots are in Andhra Pradesh. However, I have settled in Bangalore for many years now. I am a B.Com graduate, and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Early on in my life, I had decided that my career path would be either in the medical or the educational sector. Charitable and affordable medical care are issues that were always close to my heart and I was very happy and fulfilled to be a small contributor in a hospital group. I worked with the Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Group of hospitals for 16 years, where I was the Group Finance Director. I am delighted to join NLSIU for my second professional innings.

On the personal front, my father served at the Reserve Bank of India in various departments. My mother is an entrepreneur who successfully managed a supermarket. I look up to my parents who inculcated strong principles and values like humility, empathy, discipline, dedication and work ethic in me. My husband is a doctor (Radiologist), and has been running a diagnostic centre, for the last two decades.

Can you tell us more about your professional interests and background?

I was a practicing CA from 1997 to 2004, before I ventured into the industry. During my tenure at the Jain Group of Hospitals, I led all finance activities including ERP implementation with integrated finance module, short term and long term fundraising, and risk management. My role involved managing finances of clinical research projects, the postgraduate medical education department (accredited by the National Board of Examinations and Medical sciences), and undergraduate clinical teaching for the International Medical School of Malaysian Medical Council. I have also worked on charity projects funded by Smile Train Inc., USA and World Diabetes Foundation, Denmark which benefited thousands of needy patients. I have previously worked with the Rajarajeshwari Group of medical and dental institutions.

Since you are an advocate of empathetic leadership and positive work culture, could you elaborate on the role it plays in a workspace?

Leaders should be kind and unconditional in guiding, training, understanding and supporting their teams. It is important to empower the team by valuing their unique strengths and encouraging them to contribute to the organizational goals. Employees personal goals will align with the organizational goals if there is a conducive work environment. This will foster a positive environment where each and every individual can give their best contribution. Nothing can be achieved by a single individual. I am against the age old principle of harsh, rude, egoistic and over powering leaders.

Any interests outside of work that you pursue?

I am a fitness enthusiast and enjoy all formats of fitness training, which includes strength training, yoga and aqua aerobics. I am also an amateur gardener.