People
Founded in 2015, Mangrove Collective emerged from a shared vision: to bring the finest Indian design sensibilities and craftsmanship to the world. Our 50,000 sq. ft. in-house workshop and studio is home to a diverse team of designers and master craftsmen who collaborate seamlessly, guided by respect, curiosity, and a shared love for making. Open, transparent, and deeply hands-on, our workspace reflects the values we build with. And each afternoon, our studio-cooked lunches keep us connected—not just as colleagues but as a community that learns, builds, and grows together.
team
Co-Founder & COO
Arun Kullu
Kullu is a man of few words. His colleagues unanimously describe him as someone who speaks only to communicate deep meaning in very few syllables. Its perhaps fitting that he then describes his design philosophy as inseparable from learning. “The best part of my job is the translation of 2D thinking into 3D objects, which requires the challenge of balancing aesthetic aspiration, locally available skills, efficiency and consistency in quality ” he says. To make this happen, Kullu works around what he considers Mangrove’s core pillars: collaboration & teamwork, purity of thought, uncompromising quality, and a high attention to detail – along with the ‘little extra’ that it takes. When Kullu is not perfecting his art of merging industrial processes with tactile finishes, he enjoys going on long runs.
Arun Kullu is the Head of Design Development & Production at Mangrove. Trained as a furniture designer at the NID Ahmedabad, he has been designing furniture and millwork for almost 20 years.
Co-Founder & CEO
Suman Sharma
Suman describes Mangrove as her passion: ‘crazy and chaotic’, the unpredictable nature of work here is what gives her absolute joy. While days can be stressful, she says she’s ‘wired all the time’, for her, working with the team huddled together in Mangrove’s beautiful studio workshop erases most signs of tension. These moments, allow her to thrive amongst the multitude of ideas that emerge. “…design should allow people to feel connected and at the same time have a sense of belonging with what they produce” she says.
Suman graduated as a Furniture Designer from the NID, Ahmedabad in 1998… Amongst the core members of the founding team at Mangrove, her current position at Mangrove is informed by her diverse career in which she has worked as an award-winning designer, entrepreneur, curator and academic.
Outreach & Communications Head
Niyati Nagpal
With an academic foundation in Psychology from Delhi University, Niyati brings a multidisciplinary professional background spanning business development, marketing communications, operations, and human resources.
She has over 25 years of experience across diverse industries, including her tenure at GECIS, along with extensive global exposure, prior to embarking on her journey with Mangrove Collective. Her inherent passion for design, combined with her breadth of experience, reflects in thoughtful client interactions and a continued commitment to operational excellence.
Business Development Head
Shruti Modi
As the Business Development Head at Mangrove Collective, Shruti oversees client engagement, strategic growth, and project structuring. With a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from the JD Institute of Technology, she brings a keen eye for design and a deep appreciation for process. She focuses on building meaningful client relationships while ensuring clarity across scope, timelines, and execution. Her role bridges design intent and delivery, enabling seamless collaboration across teams and projects.
Design Team Lead
Sanya Chawla
A graduate in Interior Design, Sanya has been working as a designer since 2013. Over the years, she has gained a deep understanding of wooden craftsmanship, technical precision, and practical detailing. She truly enjoys designing thoughtful, functional spaces and strives to create homes that beautifully reflect the clients’ needs, lifestyles, and visions.
