An Indian-origin doctor has been appointed chief executive officer of the American India Foundation, which gives grants for education, public health and livelihood projects in India.

Sanjay Sinho, presently director of health at CARE-USA, has handled over 250 projects in over 50 countries, spanning issues from reproductive, maternal and child health to infectious diseases.

Announcing Sinho's appointment, Victor Menezes, co-chair of the AIF board, said, "We are delighted to have Sanjay join us and are confident that the experience he brings in developing and managing large-scale programmes in India and internationally will take AIF to new heights."

Sinho, a trained paediatrician and a sociologist, has over 24 years of experience in public health. He worked with CARE-India till 1999, when he relocated to the United States to join CARE-USA.

AIF's founding president, Lata Krishnan, and Executive Director Pradeep Kashyap will relinquish their executive roles and become vice-chairs of the board of directors.

Sinho joins the recently appointed senior leadership team at AIF that includes Chief Operating Officer Kris Dasgupta, and the West Coast Regional Director Ethan Veneklasen.

AIF has invested in over 100 Indian non-governmental organisations since its inception in 2001. It awards grants to education, livelihood and public health projects in India with emphasis on elementary education, women's empowerment and HIV/AIDS.