Sushma comes with over 19 years of experience, including significant investing experience across real estate, banking, financial services, and consumer businesses. Sushma spent approximately 13 years with India's pioneering impact-focused fund, Aavishkaar Capital, and was a key member of the investment team. She was part of the core team that drove the growth in assets under management from US $30 million in 2011 to over US $500 million in 2023. In her role as a Partner, she evaluated close to 400 opportunities in tech-enabled businesses across various sectors, including insurance, lending, e-commerce, consumer goods, logistics, education, and health. Her notable investments and exits include Utkarsh Small Finance Bank, Desert Artisans Handicraft (FABINDIA), Equitas Small Finance Bank and CreditAccess Grameen.

Sushma served on the board of directors of Arohan Microfinance, Utkarsh Coreinvest, Electronic Payment and Services (EPS), Altum Credo Home Finance and many others, having led these investments at Aavishkaar Capital. 
 

She was recognized as a “40 UNDER 40” alternate investment professional in India and as one of the “Top 100 Women in Finance-2020” in the “leading” category. Recently, she was honoured as the VC of the Year -2023 by WinPE (Women in Private Equity). Sushma has been an active participant and council member in various industry bodies, including GPCA (Global Private Capital Association), IVCA (India Venture Capital Association), and Impact Investors Council.
 

In her free time, she loves taking off on treks with her boys, spending time in the hills to reset and recharge, and taking on new challenges. She is also a yoga practitioner. She holds a degree in Electronics Engineering from Bangalore University and has completed her MBA from ISB, Hyderabad. Additionally, she has completed an executive leadership program at the Harvard Business School.