Meet the Team
Meet the diverse minds behind our impactful programs,
committed to creating exceptional global learning experiences.
Meet the Team
Meet the diverse minds behind our impactful programs, committed to creating exceptional global learning experiences.
Ravi Raj
Ravi earned his MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. He has worked as a Social Enterprise Consultant at Eastside Consulting in London (UK) & as a strategy consultant with Oliver Wyman in the US. Ravi’s inspiration to start Authentica springs from his belief that authentic human connections in travels should be the norm rather than the exception.
Dr. Andrea Custodi
Strategic Advisor
A seasoned and mission-driven leader in education abroad, Dr. Custodi brings 20+ years of leadership, focusing on curriculum and program development, academic excellence, and faculty training. She has held senior positions at respected program providers and demonstrated thought leadership through publications and committee work. As Authentica’s Strategic Advisor, Dr. Custodi guides the development and launch of a new standard program portfolio centered on UN SDGs, career development, and holistic learning approaches.
Uttara Jadhav
Uttara has 45 years of experience across publication, IT, management consulting, and international education. For over 17 years, she led study abroad programs with Alliance and IFSA, managing operations in Manipal, Pune, Delhi, and Varanasi. She has also contributed to higher education as a consultant for the University of Pune’s NAAC project. A Pune native, Uttara is deeply connected to the local business, IT, and performing arts communities.
Isha Raturi
Isha has received her master’s degree in mass communication from Symbiosis International University, and her bachelor’s in arts from Miranda House, University of Delhi. With more than a decade of professional experience, Isha has created content across print, radio, TV, and digital mediums. Isha believes that storytelling is a powerful tool to convey a message and create an emotional connection with the target audience.
Shardul Manurkar
Shardul brings over a decade of experience in public policy research, with an in-depth understanding of the Indian administrative and regulatory landscape. He has worked closely with high-level policymakers and industry veterans at state, national, and international levels. He has published op-eds and research articles in national and regional dailies, including ORF and EPW. Academically trained in computer science, cyber law, and urban policy, Shardul has led study groups in remote parts of Maharashtra and Northeast India.
Sanhita Gadre
Sanhita is a passionate instructional designer with over 6 years of experience. She boasts a strong track record in developing engaging and innovative educational materials that empower learners to achieve their goals. In her previous role, Sanhita successfully led curriculum design and management, creating impactful programs for developing entrepreneurial skills.
Vedanth Maheshwari
Vedanth studied mechanical engineering from Gogte Institute of Technology, Karnataka. He has been associated with Authentica since 2017, where besides work, he also gets to pursue his passion for travelling. Vedanth believes that life must be bigger, better and bolder and travel makes that happen for him.
Siddhanth Waghmare
Siddhanth holds a Master’s degree in finance and has worked across multiple industries (investment advisory, restaurant operations, healthcare operations and real estate, to name a few) in India and the Middle East. He believes in the statement “Seek Discomfort”, as life’s greatest experiences are outside our comfort zones.
Sanket Nikam
Sanket holds a bachelor’s degree in Animation from Dr D.Y. Patil Arts, Commerce & Science College, Pune. He enjoys studying different art forms and taking inspiration from them, but he believes in creating original designs; designs that reflect his unique, authentic style. He refines his craft by consistently practicing it.
Rahul Palan
Rahul earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University. He has worked as a Digital Marketing Executive and Research Analyst in well-established companies. Rahul’s belief in the concept of “NIYATHI,” which represents the fixed order of things, guides his professional and personal endeavors.
Aakash Korandla
Aakash, a Tourism and Hospitality graduate, has experience in marine, offshore ticketing, and luxury leisure travel. He has curated travel products from inception to launch while managing operations with a focus on stakeholders’ interests. He is passionate about making education inclusive and experiential, eager to create a lasting impact that breaks generational barriers through meaningful learning experiences.
Bhavana Saroj
Bhavana, a Tourism and Hospitality graduate from V.G. Vaze Kelkar College, has a strong foundation in travel arrangements, logistics, and guest handling. Her expertise allows her to deliver seamless and memorable travel experiences. She is eager to deepen her knowledge in this dynamic and evolving industry and is enthusiastic about applying her skills and learnings to make meaningful contributions.
Amrendra Kumar Rai
Amrendra received his degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from TIT College, Bhopal. With over 4 years of experience, he has developed expertise in UI and backend technologies. He is currently working as a web developer, focusing on building scalable and efficient web applications. His passion for learning and skill improvement keeps him up to date with the latest in web development.
Pranav Risbud
Pranav received his bachelor’s degree in commerce from Shivaji University, Kolhapur. He has been working in Pune for 10 years, specializing in the fields of Accounting, Income Tax, Audit and Finance.