Padma works in the Research Centre and anchors the University Research Funding Programme for researchers from outside the University. Besides External Research Grants, she leads Alumni Office.

In the first five years of the University, Padma worked on setting up processes for admissions, students’ support and placements for the University. Thereafter, she moved to set up the Alumni Office which anchors programmes for alumni and works towards building a strong alumni network that contributes to the University in various ways including outreach for admissions, support for internship and placements, while generously giving of their time to mentor and guide other alumni and current students. 

She has spent 15 years with corporates like BlowPlast, Hutchison Max Telecom and Tata Teleservices in roles spanning brand building, enhancing brand field-identity, new subscriber acquisition, revenue generation, sales and sales force training, and programme management. She decided to make the transition to Azim Premji Foundation because she wanted to do something more meaningful and socially relevant.

Padma has a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration with a specialisation in Marketing Management from S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai.