Dr. Rajeev Mangottil is the founder and CEO of Areem Plus Global Consultancies, with over 10 years of experience leading complex, high-impact projects across healthcare, social development, and humanitarian sectors. His expertise in project implementation and management, international negotiations, particularly in challenging and resource-constrained environments, makes him a strategic executive.

He has successfully overseen the planning and execution of numerous multinational initiatives, including the development of hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and sustainable healthcare systems in collaboration with governments, international NGOs, and philanthropic organizations. These projects reflect his ability to deliver tailored, context-sensitive solutions at scale.

Dr. Mangottil is also known for his strong diplomatic engagement, leveraging trusted relationships with government leaders, senior policymakers, and institutional partners to build consensus and facilitate cross-border cooperation. His background in journalism enhances his communication and media strategy skills—critical assets in sensitive negotiations and public engagement. Dr. Mangottil combines deep academic insight with practical leadership to advance inclusive and sustainable development across the Global South.

Dr. Mangottil was awarded the ICSSR Doctoral  Fellowship from the Government of India's Indian Council for Social Sciences Research. He holds a PhD in Policy & Governance from the Department of Political Science, Delhi University, and an MPhil in International Studies from Madras University, along with an MA in Social Exclusion & Inclusive Policy from Jamia Millia Islamia Central University, New Delhi, and  Dr. Mangottil combines deep academic insight with practical leadership to advance inclusive, sustainable development across the Global South. He is the author of the book “Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha: 25 Years,” about the legendary writer and movie director M.T. Vasudevan Nair’s critically acclaimed movie.

Rajeev Sadanandan, a member of the Indian Administrative Service,  was the Additional Chief Secretary in the Government of Kerala. He is an internationally acclaimed health policy and systems expert based in Kerala, India, and served as the Health Secretary of Kerala for 11 years, during which he played a transformative role in reforming the health systems in Kerala. Rajeev set up Kerala’s AIDS Control Programme, the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme, and the Programme for the Control of Non-Communicable Diseases. He commenced the digitalisation of Kerala’s health system through the E-Health programme. He designed and executed the ‘Aardram Mission,’ widely credited with improving government health systems. He led the control of the Nipah outbreak and was the Advisor to the Chief Minister of Kerala on the management of COVID-19. He was the lead consultant to develop the Regional Strategic Roadmap on Health Security and Health System Resilience for Emergencies for the World Health Organization, SEARO.

Rajeev was the founder and CEO of the Health System Transformation Platform, a think tank on health policy and systems based in New Delhi. He also worked as the CEO of India’s national social health insurance programme, in addition to holding many other positions in state and federal governments, and had a brief stint with UNAIDS. He was a Commissioner on the Lancet Global Health Commission on Financing Primary Health Care. Currently, Rajeev is a member of the Technical Advisory Panel of the Pandemic Fund set up by the World Bank and participates in the Policy Makers Forum under the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research of the World Health Organization, Geneva. He is also a member of the technical committees of many international and national research projects.

Dr. Francis Nah Kateh is a distinguished healthcare leader and former Deputy Minister of Health and Chief Medical Officer of Liberia. Originally from Maryland County, he holds an MD from Spartan University, a Master of Health Administration from Governors State University, and advanced training in Homeland Security and Public Health Disaster Preparedness from the University of Connecticut.

Dr. Kateh began his career as a surgical physician and served as Chief Medical Officer at Ganta United Methodist Hospital. He later became the first African Public Health Director in Anson County, North Carolina (2004–2010), gaining valuable experience in U.S. healthcare systems.

Returning to Liberia in 2010, he led operations at the Jackson F. Doe Memorial Hospital and played a key role in the national response to the Ebola crisis, pioneering strategies such as Community Care Centers and RITE. As Deputy Minister and Chief Medical Officer, he spearheaded major healthcare reforms, infrastructure development, and system-wide service expansion.

Honored with multiple awards, including an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service, Dr. Kateh continues to contribute globally to public health, disaster response, and healthcare governance.

Architect and Landscape Urbanist Gary Gilson serves as the Vice President and Head of Design & Planning at Areem Plus. With a strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability, his expertise spans large-scale masterplanning and cutting-edge architectural solutions that respond thoughtfully to local context and environmental challenges. His design approach is driven by a vision for a sustainable future, with each project rooted in the cultural and ecological DNA of its location.

Gary’s diverse portfolio includes experience in private developments, academic campuses, sports complexes, cultural institutions, and public realm projects across the globe. He is also the co-founder and CEO of Gary Gilson Architects, a dynamic architecture studio based in Dubai. An alumnus of Foster + Partners in London under the leadership of Norman Foster, Gary refined his commitment to research-driven, high-quality design. His experience includes work at Balmori Associates in New York, as well as with two of India’s most renowned architectural practices: Sangath Vastu Shilpa Consultants and Stapati Architects. These experiences, alongside mentorships under Pritzker laureate Dr. Balkrishna Doshi and Ar. Tony Joseph has significantly shaped his tropical modernist and context-sensitive design philosophy.

Academically, Gary earned his master’s degree in Architecture cum laude from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, one of the world’s top architecture institutions. He received multiple accolades, including best thesis awards and academic excellence distinctions throughout both his undergraduate and graduate studies. Gary’s professional and academic journey has honed a nuanced understanding of spatial design as a medium to enrich human experience. At Areem Plus, he leads all aspects of design and identity with a deep commitment to ‘genius loci’—the spirit of place— as well as the vision of the team, ensuring each project and the team offers a meaningful experience while remaining grounded in practical execution, timelines, and resources.

Radia Yousuf is a seasoned biomedical engineer with over a decade of expertise in hospital planning, design, and implementation. She specializes in developing healthcare infrastructure that integrates the latest medical technologies, ensuring that facilities are efficient, sustainable, and aligned with global standards. Her work enhances clinical workflows, supports better patient care, and future-proofs hospital systems for evolving healthcare needs.

As Project Lead at Areem Plus Global Consultancies, Radia manages end-to-end hospital development—from early-stage planning to final implementation. Her responsibilities include designing medical equipment layouts, optimizing clinical zones, and coordinating the seamless integration of complex medical & MEP systems. She also conducts in-depth technical and financial analyses to ensure cost-effectiveness without compromising quality or functionality.

Based in Dubai, Radia has built a wide professional network across healthcare, construction, and project development sectors. Her experience spans diverse geographies and healthcare systems, allowing her to tailor hospital solutions for both developing and developed markets. A graduate of SRM Institute of Technology in Chennai, India, Radia combines technical depth with strategic vision, making her a trusted leader in the modernization and expansion of global healthcare infrastructure.

Dr. Jaiffer Ali Arackal is a development strategist and policy expert with a Ph.D. in Sociology from Jamia Millia Islamia, specializing in housing segregation and urban development. His work focuses on translating community needs into effective policy and development solutions.

He currently serves as Administrative Manager at Areem Plus Global Consultancies (UAE), where he supports international projects in health, infrastructure, and economic growth across developing nations. His role involves advising governments on policy design, institutional development, and system strengthening.

Previously, Dr. Jaiffer was Operations Manager at Escola International School in Kerala, where he led educational and skill-development initiatives aimed at aligning academic learning with future job markets. He also taught Sociology at Lovely Professional University from 2017 to 2020.

His contributions span policies on artisan modernization, urban housing, inclusive education, and sustainable livelihoods—grounded in rigorous research and a deep understanding of social dynamics.

Unni K. Warrier is a senior journalist and media expert with over three decades of experience, including 34 years at Malayala Manorama, India’s largest regional daily. A gold medalist from the Kerala Press Academy, Warrier has received many awards such as the K.C. Sebastian Award, the Film Critics Award, and many others.

He has interviewed prominent Indian leaders, including Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Narendra Modi, and Rahul Gandhi. He has also engaged with notable business and community figures like M.A. Yusafali, Gulfar Muhammadali, and Ravi Pillai. He has interviewed revered religious leaders such as Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Mata Amritanandamayi, Swami Ranganathananda, and others.

Warrier’s work in film and celebrity journalism is known for its intimacy and research, profiling legends like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Mammootty, and Mohanlal. He has long championed Indian heritage by highlighting the contributions of cultural icons such as Zakir Hussain, Ustad Alla Rakha, and others.

He has also done many travel write-ups, covering Kailash Mansarovar, the Himalayas, Kashmir, Maldives, and Kenya, among others. He has covered numerous film festivals in Goa, Kolkata, and New Delhi. Today, Warrier continues to contribute regularly to Mathrubhumi and actively engages with digital media.

Darsan Nair is a seasoned financial expert with a combined 20 years of experience in the UAE and Indian financial sectors, specializing in handling substantial volumes, particularly in international projects and trade. His career began in Dubai within the accounting division of a telecommunications company, where he managed accounts and oversaw international trade operations. Recognizing his acumen, Darsan launched his own accounting firm, providing comprehensive financial services across diverse industries. In 2022, he expanded his portfolio by founding a second company focused on financial analysis and accounting services, cultivating robust trading relationships in Hong Kong and Africa. His extensive international studies complement his trading expertise, enabling him to navigate complex financial markets and legal frameworks adeptly.

Currently serving as a financial advisor and controller at Areem Plus, Darsan specializes in financial management, international trade, and telecommunications business finance. His broad international exposure and hands-on experience have equipped him with a profound understanding of global markets. Skilled in analyzing intricate financial data, Darsan identifies growth opportunities and devises strategies that maximize profitability while minimizing risks. His proactive approach and adaptability to market dynamics have earned him a reputation for reliability and excellence. Darsan remains dedicated to continuous learning, staying updated with the latest financial laws and trading techniques to deliver tailored solutions that drive sustainable growth and long-term success for his high-net-worth individual and corporate clients.

Dr. Pallavi Muraleedharan is a public health researcher specializing in health systems strengthening, clinical research, and maternal-newborn health in low- and middle-income countries. She holds a PhD in Clinical Medicine Research (Brain Sciences) from Imperial College London, where her doctoral work focused on neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. Her research combined health systems analysis with the development of a machine learning-based clinical prediction model to support early identification of neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy in Indian tertiary hospitals. Pallavi also holds a Master’s in Health Administration from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, and a B.Sc. in Nursing from the University of Calicut, Kerala.

With over eight years of experience, Pallavi has contributed to the Global Burden of Disease Study at the Public Health Foundation of India, conducted field research on indigenous health with the Association for Health Welfare in the Nilgiris, and coordinated neonatal encephalopathy studies across India and South Asia at the Centre for Perinatal Neuroscience, Imperial College London. Her extensive involvement in large-scale global health research initiatives includes leading capacity-building efforts, research management, and stakeholder engagement across multi-country partnerships.

Pallavi combines robust qualitative and quantitative research skills with practical experience in health systems evaluation. She has a proven track record of managing complex global health collaborations, presenting her work at major international conferences, and publishing in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.

 She has received the NIHR UK’s Global Health Research Short Placement Award for Research Collaboration (SPARC). She has also served on the NIHR Global Health Research Training Steering Committee and the NIHR Global Health Research Academy Member Event Planning Committee, supporting training initiatives across the NIHR Global Health Research portfolio.