About Us
Kathy and Bob Runyan
Bob Runyan grew up in California's emerging Silicon Valley, where early exposure to technology sparked his lifelong curiosity. His travels through Mexico and Europe as a young soccer player deepened his passion for understanding diverse cultures and perspectives.
After serving with the Peace Corps in the Seychelles Islands—where he taught math and computer science—Bob transitioned into computer programming in 1989. In 1996, inspired by technology's potential to build empathy, he conceived software that could simulate life experiences worldwide using real statistical data. This vision led him to found Educational Simulations Inc. and launch RealLives in 2001.
The partnership that would transform RealLives began when Bob met Dr. Parag Mankeeker through the Ashoka Foundation, recognizing his exceptional vision for the platform's global potential.
Dr. Parag Mankeeker is a social technology entrepreneur whose journey spans medicine, public health, and anthropology. His multidisciplinary expertise has driven him to tackle complex social challenges, from developing innovative hospitals to managing disaster response systems.
Parag's work has taken him to the frontlines of understanding global conflicts, including terrorism research in India and Afghanistan. His commitment to positive change has earned him recognition as both an Ashoka Fellow and Salzburg Seminar Fellow.
Now leading RealLives' global expansion, Parag is transforming the platform into a powerful tool for building empathy and socio-emotional learning, advancing the shared dream of creating a more empathetic world.
Dr. Parag Mankeekar
Team Leader
CTO
Chief Stasitician
Senior Frontend Developer
Senior Backend Developer
Chief Strategist
Account and HR
Frontend Developer
Product Manager
AI Intern
We extend our deepest gratitude to the many talented professionals from the Neeti team whose significant contributions helped bring this ambitious project to life. Their expertise and dedication laid crucial groundwork for RealLives' continued evolution.
Over the past three years, more than 200 passionate interns from diverse backgrounds and disciplines have poured their energy into this labor of love. These remarkable individuals—spanning fields from technology and education to social sciences and design—have each left their mark on RealLives, contributing fresh perspectives, innovative solutions, and countless hours of dedicated work.
We are profoundly grateful to the following organizations for their generous support in connecting us with exceptional talent. By providing outstanding interns who shared our vision for building empathy through technology, these institutions have become integral partners in our mission to create a more understanding world. Their commitment to fostering meaningful educational and professional experiences has directly contributed to RealLives' growth and impact.
To every intern, mentor, and supporting organization—your contributions have not only advanced our platform but have also embodied the very spirit of global collaboration and cultural exchange that RealLives seeks to promote.
Manisha Sathe
Vivek Rishi
Paresh Deshpande
Nikhil Jain
Purva Deshpande
Sateesh Khomne
Namita Pandya
Abhijit Kuljkarni
Aniruddha Bhide
Chaitanya Joshi
Tejas Chitale
Pinaki Dixit
Bob Runyan
Omkar Chandrachud
Makarand Vagaskar
Dilip Kalantri
Dr. Manasi Abhyankar
Lukesh Bundele
Yogini Barde
Aditi Thombre
Ramesh Garudkar
Sarita Karde
Anjani Pathak
Jaganntah Shelar
Sharvari Kulkarni
support@reallivesworld.com
Pune, India