INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
Humanising Dementia Care: Youth, Innovation and Community Strength

Ms. DY Suharya works from Jakarta, Indonesia as Regional Director for Asia Pacific, fostering advocacy, collaboration, strengthening capacity and engaging with partners in the region. With over 20 years’ experience, she has worked with the World Bank, WHO, UNICEF and CNN. She holds a Master of Public Health Communication from Curtin University, Western Australia, a BA in Journalism from Ohio State University, USA, and a Diploma in English Literature from the University of Indonesia. She is also the founder of Alzheimer’s Indonesia. DY has been recognised as one of the 50 UN Decade of Healthy Ageing Leaders by WHO and the UN, and as Global Ageing Asia Influencer of the Year (2021).

Dr. Susan has a background in education and health care having originally qualified as a primary school teacher and then a nurse. Her postgraduate study investigated the assessment of students in disability support settings and her doctorate explored the education of nurses about chronic pain. She held a number of leadership roles including serving as an Associate Dean in the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences at Auckland University of Technology 2010-2022. Susan has maintained her clinical and research interests in the areas of chronic illness, disability, palliative care, how patient experience and culture impact on wellbeing, equity, and the regulation, education and practice of health professionals. Susan joined Arvida in 2022 as the Head of Clinical Governance.

Prof. Alan Win is a Certified Management Consultant, past president & fellow of IMCNZ & member of CILT & CIPS. In addition to consulting Alan sits on the Boards of several organisations, & also currently lectures in Logistics & SCM as a Hon. Professor at the University of Sydney's Business School Institute of Transport & Logistics Studies and Professor of Practice at the University of Canterbury. He has previously taught at Massey University, EIT, PSB Academy in Singapore, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, S P Jain School of Global Management, RMIT & various institutions in India. As a consultant, Alan has worked internationally on a variety of projects, across most industry sectors & within some 150+ international ‘blue chip’ organisations in a dozen countries.

Dr. Manjari Tripathi is Professor and Unit II Incharge, Department of Neurology, AIIMS New Delhi, and heads the Centre of Excellence for Epilepsy, supported by the Ministry of Health and the Department of Biotechnology. A DM Neurology graduate from NIMHANS, she has over 25 years of experience in clinical care, research, and teaching. She has authored over 350 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals, with pioneering contributions to autoimmune epilepsy and migraine research in India. An internationally recognized neurologist, she has received numerous prestigious awards, delivered invited lectures worldwide, and held leadership roles in national and international neurological societies. She advises the Government of India on neurological health, disability, and epilepsy policies, while leading community initiatives that provide free epilepsy and dementia care, promote awareness, and strengthen neurological services across India.

Mrs Meera Pattabiraman is Chairperson of the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India and has been associated with the NGO for twenty years. She has varied work experience – counselling, planning and setting up of care facilities for persons with dementia, conducting training programmes and advocating with state and central governments. Her biggest success is the Kerala State Initiative on Dementia, the first state private partnership for dementia care, diagnosis, training and awareness in India. She is one of the authors of the Dementia India Report 2010, a member of the World Dementia Council and board member, ADI.

Mrs. Nilanjana Maulik is the Secretary General of ARDSI Calcutta, a Fellow of the Commonwealth Association of Aging, and a Master Trainer from Alzheimer’s Disease International, London. She holds three Master’s degrees, including Sociology, Human Services Management, and Dementia Studies, with additional specializations in End of Life Care and Spark of Life Philosophy. With 30 years of experience, including training in the USA, she returned to India in 1999 to build ARDSI Calcutta into a leading dementia support organization. A National Awardee for “Best Dementia Care Worker,” her work focuses on improving dementia care and support across India.

Dr. Dinesh Kumar P is a Consultant in Geriatric Medicine at GKNM Hospital, Coimbatore, dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare for older adults. His areas of specialization include geriatric medicine, palliative care, and home-based care, with a strong focus on enhancing the quality of life for elderly individuals with chronic and complex health conditions. He advocates for holistic, patient-centred, and family-oriented care that addresses the medical, functional, psychological, and social needs of older adults. Dr. Dinesh Kumar is committed to promoting dignified ageing through compassionate clinical practice, multidisciplinary collaboration, and accessible healthcare services tailored to the unique needs of the elder

Prof. Suvarna Alladi is Professor of Neurology at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, coordinating multidisciplinary dementia care. Her expertise includes Cognitive Neurology and Brain Health, with research on dementia resilience and the roles of bilingualism, education, gender, social engagement and life-course experiences. She led the adaptation and validation of the ICMR Neurocognitive Toolbox across Indian languages and heads the Karnataka Brain Health Initiative. She serves on the World Dementia Council, chairs the ISTAART International Advisory Council, and is an Executive Member of the World Federation of Neurology Specialty Group. She co-founded ARDSI Hyderabad Deccan and the Cognitive Neurology Association in India.

Dr. Jeya Thayaparan is a Geriatrician and Internist in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, affiliated with Mackenzie Health and N&B Maxum Medical Centre. A medical graduate of the University of Jaffna, she is certified in both Geriatric and Internal Medicine in Ontario. She specializes in dementia and cognitive assessment, falls and mobility, osteoporosis, chronic disease management, and comprehensive geriatric assessment. Passionate about healthy ageing and dignified dementia care, Dr. Thayaparan combines clinical excellence with education, research, and community engagement to improve the health and well-being of older adults and support their families.

Dr. Sailaja Sastry is a healthcare professional and the Director of the Training & Research Institute (TRI), Bengaluru. She is actively involved in training, research, and capacity-building initiatives in the field of healthcare, with a focus on strengthening knowledge and skills among professionals working with older adults. Through her work at TRI, Dr. Sailaja contributes to developing and promoting evidence-based approaches to training, education, and research, supporting better quality of care and improved outcomes for older people and their families.

Prof. P. T. Sivakumar is Professor of Psychiatry and Head of the Geriatric Psychiatry Unit at NIMHANS, Bengaluru. He is an expert in geriatric mental health, dementia, late-life depression and cognitive disorders, with significant contributions to clinical care, research, education and geriatric mental health services in India. He has published extensively on dementia care, caregiver interventions and psychiatric concerns among older adults. He also serves as Honorary General Secretary of the Indian Association for Geriatric Mental Health (IAGMH), contributing to professional education, awareness and service development. His work focuses on strengthening mental healthcare and support for older adults and their families.

Dr. Ganesh Arunachalam is a Consultant Physician at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, United Kingdom. He is committed to delivering patient-centred care and is recognised for his compassionate and empathetic approach to patients and their families. His professional interests also include digital healthcare, clinical innovation and collaborative multidisciplinary practice. In 2025, Dr. Ganesh received the Doctors Direct G.E.M. Award in recognition of his dedication to patient care, leadership and teamwork. Through his clinical practice, he continues to contribute to high-quality healthcare while supporting innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement within the healthcare system.

Dr. K. Selvaraj is a renowned Psychiatrist and President of ARDSI – Coimbatore Chapter. He is the Founder and Director of Vazhikatti Mental Health Centre & Research Institute, Coimbatore. He completed his MBBS from Thanjavur Medical College and MD in Psychiatry from Topiwala National Medical College & BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai. He previously served as Professor and Head of Psychiatry at PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Coimbatore. His areas of interest include anxiety, depression, addiction, child and geriatric mental health. He is actively involved in dementia care, advocacy, awareness, and promoting community-based support for people living with dementia and their families.

Dr. Rahul Padmanabhan is a Consultant in Geriatrics and Gerontology and Founder & Medical Director of Dr. Rahul’s Elder Care, Coimbatore. He completed his MBBS from Government Medical College, Calicut, and holds a Master’s in Applied Gerontology and Wellness Management from Ball State University, USA. His areas of expertise include geriatric healthcare, dementia care, palliative care, chronic disease management, and home- and community-based care. He is committed to developing multidisciplinary elder-care models that promote independence, dignity, and quality of life. He currently leads Dr. Rahul’s Elder Care, providing comprehensive and coordinated healthcare services for seniors and their families.

Mr. R. Narendhar is the Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) National Office, New Delhi, a position he has held since 2009. He has extensive experience in dementia care, ageing, patient advocacy and public policy. He has been actively involved in strengthening dementia awareness, care services and the rights of older persons, while advocating for improved national responses to dementia. He is also a founding member of the India Alliance for Patients’ Groups and Healthy India Alliance, and serves as Vice President of the Society for All Round Development (SARD). His work reflects a strong commitment to person-centred dementia care and patient rights.