Aruna is a development professional with over two decades of experience in natural resource governance, institution building, organisation studies, and sustainable livelihoods. She began her career at IIM Ahmedabad with the HoneyBee Network, where she led an international applied research project that fostered innovation and knowledge exchange between local communities and modern scientific institutions. Over the years, she has led and managed multiple initiatives with national and international agencies.

She currently works as a consultant, designing research and intervention strategies that integrate systems thinking and equity within nonprofit initiatives. Aruna also teaches postgraduate courses on Environment and Development, Systems Design, and Research Methods. She previously served as Director for Research at the Indian School of Development Management. Her recognitions include the Young Analyst Award from the EU and DPG, the M. K. Tata Prize, the NTPC Gold Medal for her research at TISS, and the Felix Scholarship Trust award for her PhD. She teaches the course Research Methods.