A room of builders.

Namya Mahajan is the Co-founder of Rocket Learning, a social enterprise that focuses on community-led early childhood development in India. Rocket Learning’s mission is to catalyze a high-quality, universal, and free early childhood development system, so all children, regardless of their family’s income or area of residence, can reach their full potential and thrive. Rocket Learning engages parents and primary caregivers by delivering bite-sized, localized content via WhatsApp, to their phones.

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Prior to launching Rocket Learning, Ms. Mahajan led the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) federation of 106 cooperatives in Gujarat, including childcare co-ops and advocacy, and spent time at McKinsey. She also serves on Indian government’s Expert ECE Curriculum Committee, is an Elevate Prize Winner (2023), Mulago Fellow (2022), Forbes 30Under30 Asia list (2022) and Draper Richards Kaplan Fellow (2021). She holds an MBA and a BA in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University.

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Nandita Sebastian is a development sector professional with over a decade of experience in impact measurement, monitoring and evaluation, and data-driven strategies. As Vice President – Data and Research at Generation India Foundation, she leads large-scale impact frameworks and digital transformation initiatives. She has previously worked with BCG, PwC, EY, and Sambodhi across education, health, and livelihoods sectors.

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Neelam Dhawan is an Independent Director on the Boards of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) and ICICI Bank. At HUL, she serves as Chairperson of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and the Risk Management Committee, and is a member of the Audit Committee, Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, and the Environmental, Social and Governance Committee.

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A veteran of India’s information technology industry, Ms. Dhawan has held leadership roles at HCL, IBM, Microsoft, and Hewlett Packard since 1982. Her last executive position was as Vice President, Asia Pacific and Japan, at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, until March 2018. Over the years, she has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s IT landscape, including serving on the NASSCOM Executive Council (2009–2017), where she contributed to industry strategy and public policy frameworks.

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She currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at Capita PLC, Fractal Analytics Pvt. Ltd., and Yatra Online Inc., and as Chairperson of Capillary Technologies. Ms. Dhawan is also on the Governing Board of IIIT Delhi and advises several organizations on business transformation.

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She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, and an MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi.

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With over 25 years of experience in social development, program management, and nonprofit leadership, Bhasin brings a wealth of expertise to her role as CEO of Digital Green - India. Prior to joining Digital Green, she served as CEO of Nasscom Foundation, where she transformed the organization and took it to the next level by championing technology for social good and worked to bridge the digital divide in underserved communities across India by impacting over 15M  lives positively. Before that, she spent two decades at Concern India Foundation as Deputy CEO, leading initiatives in education, health, and disaster rehabilitation, community development, particularly for women.

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She is passionate to serve the intersectionality of technology, gender, climate and agriculture. Bhasin is an alumna of India’s prestigious Delhi School of Social Work, Delhi University. She is also a fellow of the Japan-India Transformative Technology Network (JITTN) by Salzburg Global, and has been featured among the “50 Women in Technology Leadership” by one of India’s leading IT magazines.

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Ms. Biswas is the Head of the NuSocia Translational Research Center, where she leads the organization's work at the intersection of evidence and social development. Prior to her current leadership role, she honed her expertise in rigorous evaluation and research methodologies at the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie). In her work, Ms. Biswas applies a systems thinking lens to dissect complex social initiatives and advocate for more equitable and effective implementation. Her published research includes "Upskilling for Women: A Clarion Call or a Gender-biased Solution?" in the Economic and Political Weekly, "A theory of change roadmap for universal health coverage in India" in Frontiers in Public Health, and an "Evidence gap map of performance measurement and management in primary healthcare systems" in BMJ Global Health, contributing significantly to the discourse on workforce development and health systems.Ms. Biswas received her Master of Public Health from The George Washington University.

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Nishant started his career as a technology enthusiast, focusing on software development and eCommerce solutions.

Having spent over 13 years at Flipkart, Nishant has gained extensive experience in building and scaling businesses. His efforts were crucial in establishing Flipkart’s marketplace platform, a venture that has significantly contributed to the growth of lakhs of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across India. 

Nishant joined Walmart.Org in 2022, where he is the boots-on-ground connect between the Walmart Foundation and its grantees. The Walmart Foundation enables market access for lakhs of smallholder farmers in India. It is this deep commitment towards creating inclusive growth that excited Nishant to embrace this role.

Driven by his passion towards shared growth, he  dons the role of Head of Sustainability at the Flipkart Group, focusing on integrating sustainable practices within the company's operations and broader strategy.

Nishant’s passion extends to advocating for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. He is actively involved in several initiatives aimed at fostering a more inclusive environment. His focus areas include creating better opportunities and workspaces for women, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), and individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, thereby enriching the corporate culture with diverse perspectives and inclusive policies.

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Nishant Pandey is the New York based CEO of the American India Foundation, providing strategic leadership to its operations globally. He is an economist by training, anthropologist by heart and entrepreneur by mind-set. He began his career as a banker but soon realized that development sector was his calling. He joined Oxfam as its Programme Officer for South India where he designed and developed multi-state, multi-stakeholder, value-chain programmes on the theme of ‘power in markets’. Subsequently, he moved Oxfam’s global HQ in Oxford (UK) to lead on programme development and management in 12 countries in Middle East, Eastern Europe and the CIS. Before moving back to India as AIF’s Country Director, Nishant was based in Jerusalem where he led one of the most complex and challenging operations as Oxfam’s Country Director for the Occupied Palestinian Territory & Israel.

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Nishant firmly believes in the power of win-win partnerships. In his career spanning 24 years, he has forged several multi-stakeholder initiatives involving civil society, governments and corporate partners, big and small, global and local. Nishant speaks and writes routinely on development issues, corporate social responsibility and public-private partnerships (PPP). He appears regularly on media outlets such as NDTV, CNN News18, Republic World and TV Asia. He has authored Op-eds for reputed outlets such as The Economic Times and The Hill and has been quoted in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and NPR. He has been invited as a speaker at events and conferences organized by Harvard University, Georgetown University, CGI-New York, Asia House (London), European Commission, UNDP, Unicef, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), NASSCOM and many others. Nishant is a founding-member and Vice-Chair of the India Philanthropy Alliance and a member of the Advisory Council of the Indian School of Leadership.

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Nishant acquired his Master’s in International Development & Finance as a British Chevening scholar. He also holds M.A. in Economics, B.A. in Anthropology and Advanced Management Programme from the Henley Business School, University of Reading, UK.

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Nita works on Co-Impact’s partner sourcing, grant making, and program partner support efforts across Asia, collaborating closely with the Regional Director to shape and implement regional strategic initiatives.

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With two decades of rich experience spanning implementation and funding organizations, Nita excels in program implementation, program design, advocacy, capacity building, and fostering meaningful collaborations. Most recently, she worked as Senior Programme Manager for Asia at Porticus. There, she spearheaded operations in India, overseeing grants and projects that championed education, active citizenship, and youth engagement. Gender, equity, and social inclusion have been fundamental aspects of her work. Across diverse roles, she has collaborated closely with various state departments, implementing programs and influencing policies.

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Nita’s entrepreneurial spirit and experience with startup organizations have enriched her perspective. Her previous roles with esteemed institutions such as the Language and Learning Foundation, Centre for Knowledge Societies (READ Alliance), Absolute Return for Kids, British Council, and Room to Read have honed her expertise in program management, program evaluation, and partnership development. Nita is based in Bangalore, India, with her family.

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Nithya Ramesh is Director, Jana Urban Space Foundation works on urban policy, planning and design across cities and states in India. She has been with Jana Urban Space Foundation, committed to the group’s mission on fixing India’s cities since 2013. She works on innovative policies, plans and transformative projects spanning the fields of street design, public space design, neighbourhood improvement plans, energy efficient affordable housing all with a focus on climate and gender. She is an Eisenhower Womens Leadership Fellow (2024) and was part of a high level committee on urban planning reforms at MoHUA ( 2022 – 2024). She holds a master’s degree (M.Arch) in Urban Design and Creative Urban Practices from the Glasgow School of Art and a bachelor degree in architecture, (B.Arch) from Anna University, Chennai.

Rippleworks is a foundation that supports high-impact, scaling social ventures by providing tailored programs and funding to further their growth and impact. As the Head of Portfolio Sourcing, Nitida leads the team responsible for identifying ventures best positioned to leverage Rippleworks’ support and partners with leading investors, funders, and ecosystem partners globally.Prior to Rippleworks, Nitida had several roles building health-focused social businesses. At SC Johnson (SCJ) she provided strategic direction to support the delivery of the Base of the Pyramid team’s mission by creating access to and delivering affordable product offerings through market-driven models in both Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. At Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP) in Kenya, she supported the development of social businesses in Ghana and Kenya.

Ojasvi, fondly known as OJ, leads the AI partnerships team at Meta India, driving Llama adoption and development across industries. He collaborates with key stakeholders to make Llama smarter and facilitates next-gen model development. Prior to Meta, OJ led Product at MakeMyTrip, focusing on ground transportation.

Pallavi is a seasoned CSR leader with over 17 years of experience in the social development and corporate sectors. Currently serving as Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Tata Communications, she leads the organization’s global CSR initiatives, driving impactful programs that contribute to the well-being of people and the planet.

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With a strong foundation in environmental science & education and an early career in the development sector, Pallavi transitioned to the corporate world in 2017. Since then, she has excelled in managing complex, large-scale projects with a focus on sustainability, volunteering, and community engagement. Known for her methodical approach and resilience, she consistently inspires her team to deliver results through trust, collaboration, and transparency.

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Pallavi is passionate about building a culture of success by transforming ideas into actionable initiatives that align with organizational goals and societal needs. Her leadership exemplifies accountability, innovation, and a commitment to creating long-term social impact.

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Pallavi has degrees in leadership and change management from IIM Indore and National University of Singapore and behavioural science from Ashoka University. 

Pankaj is an entrepreneur and investor who champions the power of work capital—deploying capital to give meaning and access to work.He is the Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Caret Capital, an early-stage sustainability-focused venture capital fund, and the Co-Founder of Taggd, the preferred recruitmentpartner of India Inc.He has successfully led the exits of PeopleStrong (to Goldman Sachs) and Wheebox (to ETS, creators of TOEFL, GRE, and TOEIC). Pankaj serves as the Founder Trustee of YouinYou, a non-profit dedicated to educating underprivileged children and contributes to national capacity-building as a board member of the KarmYogi Bharat mission and a member of the Government of India’s high-powered exam reform committee.He also advises leading education and business institutions, including Masters’ Union and Sunstone Eduversity, and was recently conferred an honorary PhD for his contributions to entrepreneurship and job creation. Pankaj is a seeker at heart, driven by a passion to decode ancient Indian wisdom and distill it into practical life tools for modern living.

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Pooja Nanda leads the Women’s Economic Empowerment vertical at the Mahindra Group – Kaabil - a flagship initiative aiming to enable one million women to enter the workforce through skill development, digital access, and job placement. With nearly three decades of global experience across financial services, operations and technology—including global leadership roles at Mastercard, Credit Suisse, Citi, and Thomson Reuters—she brings deep expertise in execution, strategy, stakeholder engagement, and program leadership.

After 28+ years in global roles, Pooja’s transition to India and into the social impact sector reflects her commitment to using business as a force for good. Pooja is also serving as a Managing Trustee of Adhata Trust, in her personal capacity,  which is a family run trust supporting dignified aging and senior citizen welfare programs, including community centers, an assisted living home, and a geriatric hospital for underserved populations, and scaling to support children and women.

An INSEAD MBA graduate, Pooja is known for building high-performing diverse, global teams and delivering results across continents. Her career reflects a strong dedication to inclusive growth, systems change, and sustainable development. She is also the Co-Chair and active volunteer for the INSEAD Alumni network in Mumbai.

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Prakash is a Senior Manager at the Nudge Institute, where he heads the Impact team for the Economic Inclusion Programme. Over the past four years, he has spearheaded multiple impact and process evaluations across diverse geographies while strengthening monitoring and quality measurement frameworks.

He has over 12 years of experience in the social development sector. He began his career implementing programs at the grassroots level, focusing on energy access, water security, and livelihood. He has since gravitated towards monitoring and evaluation. 

Prakash holds a Master's degree in Renewable Energy Engineering and Physics

Pranav is a Project Leader at BCG in the Public Sector & Social Impact practice, with over a decade of experience shaping transformative models across digital agriculture, cooperative finance, and rural development. His work integrates policy innovation, technology adoption, and AI-enabled delivery to drive inclusive economic growth across India’s rural and agri ecosystems.

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He has led strategy and implementation for India’s largest agriculture-focused development finance institution (DFI), anchoring national initiatives on PACS computerization, digital cooperative enablement, and financial inclusion. Pranav has pioneered breakthrough solutions such as an AI- and remote sensing-based alternative credit scoring model for shrimp farmers in Andhra Pradesh, and India’s first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) purpose-bound lending framework for tenant farmers—advancing precision credit and traceable fund utilization.

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His portfolio includes designing a shared digital services platform for rural cooperative banks to enable scale efficiencies, data integration, and AI-led monitoring; establishing a GenAI Centre of Excellence for a leading DFI to embed AI across governance, operations, and portfolio management; and contributing to India’s national digital rural transformation strategy, shaping scalable models for farmer collectives, agribusiness ecosystems, and blended finance partnerships.

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He has completed the Climate & Sustainability Stewardship Program from Nanyang Technological University, holds a Post Graduate Program in Management (Finance & Strategy) from the Indian School of Business, and earned a B.E. (Hons.) in Mechanical Engineering along with an M.Sc. (Hons.) in Economics from BITS Pilani.

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Prarthana Prateek Kaul is a prominent figure in the field of disability inclusion and social entrepreneurship. As the Co-Founder of GiftAbled, she has spearheaded initiatives to create an inclusive society by supporting the livelihood of thousands of People with Disabilities and the underprivileged across India. Prior to GiftAbled, she gained valuable experience at IBM and iVolunteer.

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Known for her dynamic energy and expertise, Prarthana is a sought-after motivational speaker and consultant on disability inclusion, having worked with numerous multinational organizations to foster diversity and inclusion within their ranks. She has conducted extensive workshops and training sessions on topics such as sign language, Braille, volunteer management, and employee engagement.

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Her impact extends beyond workshops; Prarthana has engaged with over 25,000+ volunteers and hundreds of non-profits, making significant contributions to various causes. She has been invited to prestigious institutions like IIT Chennai, ISDM, TISS Mumbai, and IIM Bangalore to share her insights on inclusion and volunteering.

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Her efforts and contribution towards the empowerment of People with Disabilities, has won her various awards and accolades, including: Social Entrepreneur of the Year by Namma Bengaluru Foundation (2015), Community Service Award by Rotary Bangalore Centennial (2017), Best Social Entrepreneur Award by Hand in Hand (2018), Top 3 social enterprise in the country by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park as part of Tata Social Enterprise Challenge (2019), Social Innovation Leadership Award at National CSR Leadership Congress & Award by World CSR Day, World CSR Congress, CMO Asia and World Women Leadership Congress (2021 & 2023), Excellence In Social Service Award by Karnataka Women Achievers Award (2024). She has also served on the board of non-profit entities and contributed as a life skills trainer for students in need.

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Prarthana has led workshops for numerous corporate giants such as Accenture, All State, Akamai Technologies, Capgemini, Cisco, Fujitsu, Google, GE, IBM, Intel, Intuit, LinkedIn, McAfee, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Pfizer, Publicis Sapient, Shell, UBS, Visa, Vijaya Bank, Walmart to name a few, helping them embrace diversity and promote inclusion within their organizations.

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Prasanna Arunachalam is the Chief Product Officer at Meesho, where he drives the company’s product strategy and innovation to advance its mission of democratizing internet commerce in India. Over his nearly five-year tenure at Meesho, he has played a pivotal role in building and scaling key business verticals, previously leading monetisation and content commerce.

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With extensive experience in product leadership, Prasanna brings a strong blend of strategic thinking, customer-centric design, and a deep understanding of India’s rapidly evolving digital commerce ecosystem. He holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore and continues to shape Meesho’s vision of making online commerce accessible to every Indian entrepreneur.

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Prashast is the Co-founder and Director at Saajha, a not-for-profit improving learning outcomes in government schools. He has led the development of data-driven and tech-enabled systems that enable scale across public education networks. With prior leadership experience in business excellence, supply chain, and data systems at organizations like Dharma Life, he brings strong analytical and technical expertise. An engineer from BITS Pilani and an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, he focuses on scalable, data-led social impact.

Prateek Agarwal is an accomplished leader with 15+ years of experience spanning technology, education, and social impact. Currently, he leads Education initiatives for Amazon Community Impact in India including Amazon Future Engineer program, focusing on increasing access to computer science education and career opportunities for underserved students. Under his leadership, the Amazon Future Engineer program has scaled significantly, reaching millions of students through strategic partnerships with state governments and nonprofits.

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Before his current role, Prateek managed social impact programs at AWS and Meta, focusing on health and skill development initiatives. His experience includes leading the AWS re/Start program, which provided cloud computing skills and job placement support to unemployed and underemployed individuals. Earlier in his career, as a marketing leader at the National Skill Development Corporation, he spearheaded behavioral change campaigns that inspired millions of young people to pursue vocational training as a mainstream career option.

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A marketeer at heart, Prateek combines his passion for social impact with strategic program development and implementation skills to create sustainable change. His work consistently focuses on bridging opportunity gaps and enabling underserved communities to access quality education and career pathways in technology.

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Pratiksha, from Badarpur, Delhi, is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Science Technology. She joined Lend A Hand India as a Skill Mitra in 2024 (Cohort 6), where she worked with school students to promote skill education and vocational awareness through workshops and mentoring. She has shared her journey at Charcha 2024 and on the NITI Aayog Best Practices platform. Having later mentored Skill Mitra Cohort 7, Pratiksha continues to inspire young learners while honing her leadership and communication skills.

Praveen Singh is the CEO of Apnalaya, based in Maharashtra, India. He has extensive experience in the social impact and development sector, having previously served as Director of Impact at Magic Bus India Foundation and Head of Monitoring and Evaluation at TechnoServe. Praveen has also contributed to organizations like ARPAN and CRY – Child Rights & You.

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He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Management (PGDRM) from IRMA – Institute of Rural Management, Anand and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from St. Columba's College.

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Praveen brings a strong background in program management, impact evaluation, and strategic leadership to his work in driving social change.

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Preeti is currently pursuing her Master’s in Tourism Management from Delhi University. As a Skill Mitra with Lend A Hand India, she has gained hands-on experience in leadership, communication, and vocational skill development. During her fellowship, she supported employer onboarding, facilitated student orientations, and represented the organisation at the Delhi Job Fair. She also hosted the "Conversation with Intern" series, which strengthened her confidence and teamwork skills.

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Pritha is a Partner and Co-Head, Asia and Africa at The Bridgespan Group, and also serves as the head of the India office. She advises philanthropies/ donors, governments, nonprofits, and the private sector on a wide range of global development opportunities. Her work has ranged across strategy, business plans, operating models, and partnerships for social impact initiatives in over 25 countries in South and Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Pritha has led and co-authored knowledge reports and articles on strategic and collaborative philanthropy, a more resilient NGO sector, community driven change, and public health, among others.

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Prior to Bridgespan, Pritha established and led the New Delhi office of Dalberg Global Development Advisors, where she co-led the Global Health and Nutrition practice. Previously, she was a Director and India office head at Cambridge Economic Policy Associates (CEPA), UK; and earlier as a financial specialist at the World Bank.

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Pritha holds a Masters in Development Management from the London School of Economics and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, including an exchange program at Melbourne Business School. She is a recipient of the Citibank Leadership Award and V-WA Award for Women Leaders. She serves on the Advisory Boards of Social Alpha and Bahaar Foundation; and is a mentor at WomenLift Health.

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Priya Anant is the Co-Founder and Chief Customer Officer of Life Circle Health Services Pvt. Ltd., a social enterprise delivering affordable, home-based care for older adults across India.

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At Life Circle, Priya leads initiatives in quality, customer engagement, and caregiver skilling. Her work focuses on strengthening India’s care economy through gender-inclusive employment, competency-based training, and technology enabled operations that support ageing in place.

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Life Circle has been recognised with the DBS Foundation Impact Beyond Award and awarded by the UN Women led Asia-Pacific Care Accelerator, supported by Groupe SOS France and the Ministry of Social Justice, Govt of India, for its elder-care solution. Priya also contributes to national curriculum and policy development in geriatric care, serving on expert committees that advance professional caregiver training and advance quality in care delivery.

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Gaurav Verma, is a Professor of Polymers and Nanotechnology at the Chemical Engineering and is the Director of a premier Advanced Instrumentation Laboratory at Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. He is a holder of CV Raman Post-Doctoral Fellowship from MIT, Cambridge USA and a PhD in nanotechnology & materials from PU, and is amongst top 2% influential scientists list published by Stanford-Elsevier Statisticians. He has published a text/reference book on Nanostructures (https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-820048-3.00013-9) and about 80 research publications with 2100 citations. Granted with 02 Indian Patent he has filed 03 others. He is a recipient of Nottingham Trent University Research Grant (2022), Go Global Exploratory Grant of British Council (2021), MARIHE visiting fellowship (2020/21), Indian Chemical Council recognition for contribution to nano- agriculture (2019), DST Travel grants (2018, 2012) ChascoVention Young Investigator Award at 2012 Chandigarh Science Congress and has also bagged five best paper awards at IIT Madras (2008, 2010), ICT Mumbai (2014), and Panjab University Chandigarh (2010, 2004). He was instrumental in setting up the Drone fabrication and repair facility at PU.

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His research interests include applying nanotechnology and materials science and adoption of AI to various applications like nanocomposite coatings, agriculture, energy, and waste management. He foresees integration of nature and nanotechnology, which will benefit the human race in future. He extensively lectures internationally and around the country at various forums and also is an avid cyclist and sports enthusiast.

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With fearless determination and a pioneering spirit, Ms. Pushpa Bector stands at the forefront of India’s retail evolution. As Senior Executive Director of DLF Retail, she has been instrumental in shaping DLF Malls into benchmarks of excellence, consistently anticipating global industry trends and evolving consumer needs. Under her leadership, DLF Malls have not only adapted to changing market dynamics but have also set new standards for innovation, experience, and growth in the Indian retail sector.

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Ms. Bector’s professional journey began in the hospitality industry with Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, followed by her role as Head of Marketing at Domino’s Pizza (Jubilant FoodWorks). These early experiences honed her expertise in customer engagement and brand positioning—skills that would later prove invaluable in her retail leadership journey.

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At DLF, she first made her mark as Vice President and Mall Head of DLF Promenade, where her creative marketing strategies and operational acumen transformed the mall into a leading fashion destination—even amidst the challenges of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. She also played a pivotal role in establishing six successful food courts for DLF before assuming her current role overseeing the entire retail portfolio.

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Today, Ms. Bector provides strategic leadership across marketing, leasing, finance, and operations, steering DLF Retail toward continued innovation and excellence. An alumnus of Harvard University, she balances her dynamic professional life with a love for music, cinema, and family time.

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Rajat Gupta is a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, India, and a founding member of McKinsey’s India office. With over 32 years of experience, he has led large-scale transformations across power, mining, metals, paper, oil, chemicals, and infrastructure, working closely with boards, CEOs, and top management teams. His expertise spans strategy, operations, sustainability, digital/AI, and organization building, and he leads McKinsey’s work with the Indian government and several top Indian conglomerates. He has founded and led multiple practices, including the Asia Sustainability Practice, Energy & Materials, Capital Projects, Operations, and Industrials.

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Rajat leads McKinsey’s social responsibility efforts as Chair of the Board of Generation, the world’s largest demand-driven skilling initiative, and is a member of the McKinsey Global Institute Advisory Council. A gold medalist from IIM Calcutta (1992) and BITS Pilani, he has contributed to McKinsey’s thought leadership, co-authoring reports on India’s decarbonisation pathways and the bestseller Reimagining India. He also serves on the boards of Childline India Foundation and the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP).

Raj Gilda, Co-founder & Director (Strategy and Development), a banker-turned-social entrepreneur leads resource mobilization and external relations at Lend A Hand India. With over 20 years of experience in education, banking, insurance, and IT, he transitioned to full-time in social development sector in 2011. His past roles include positions at Citibank and Deloitte Consulting in New York. Raj has been involved in various government advisory roles, such as a member of the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) from 2014-17 appointed by Gov of India, part of the committee to review scheme of vocatioanalisation of school education and part of the Curricular Area Group for Vocational Education under the National Curriculum Framework(NCF) 2023. He is a Chevening Gurukul Scholar at the London School of Economics. He's recognized as a top 100 graduate alumni of the University of Texas at Austin and received an award for community service from the U.S. President. Raj is an Electronics Engineer from the University of Pune, and holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.

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Rakesh Dosi is a distinguished leader at the intersection of digital transformation, financial services, and enterprise technology. With over two & half decades of experience across India’s technology landscape, Rakesh has consistently championed innovation and customer-centric growth.

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As Chief Business Officer at Protean eGov Technologies Ltd., he leads the company’s domestic business portfolio and spearheads its expansion into new sectors—leveraging next-generation technologies and platform-driven models to strengthen India’s digital public infrastructure. Rakesh’s leadership is defined by his ability to translate strategic foresight into actionable business outcomes.

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Prior to Protean, he served as Business Head at Sify Technologies, where he led the end-to-end transformation of the Network Services business, and as Business Head at Jio Enterprise, delivering sector-specific, tech-enabled solutions to clients in banking, capital markets, insurance, IT, and manufacturing. His career includes influential roles at Nxtra Data, Airtel, and Safescrypt, where he has driven innovation, scale, and resilience in complex business environments.

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A respected voice in enterprise strategy, Rakesh brings deep expertise in go-to-market execution, organizational transformation, and building future-ready teams. His academic credentials include Post Graduation from SP Jain Institute of Management & Research and SMP from IIM Calcutta.

Rakhshanda Jalil is a multi-award-winning translator, writer, and literary historian. She has published over 25 books and written over 50 academic papers and essays. Some of her books include: Liking Progress, Loving Change: A Literary History of the Progressive Writers Movement in Urdu; a biography of Urdu feminist writer Dr Rashid Jahan: A Rebel and her Cause; a translation of The Sea Lies Ahead, Intizar Husain’s seminal novel on Karachi, and Krishan Chandar’s Partition novel Ghaddar among others. She runs an organisation called Hindustani Awaaz, devoted to the popularisation of Hindi-Urdu literature and culture.

Rashmi Arun Shami is a senior IAS officer of the 1994 batch, known for her leadership in governance, education, and rural development. Over her career, she has served in key administrative roles including Principal Secretary, School Education; Commissioner, Rajya Shiksha Kendra; and Collector in Dewas, Sehore, and Bhind.

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She is a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Administration for the implementation of the Forest Rights Act.

An alumna of Loreto Convent and Lucknow University, she holds an M.A. in Medieval and Modern Indian History and a PG Diploma in Public Policy and Management from IIM Bangalore.

Rashmi is a keen reader, she has a deep interest in education, human resource management, and environmental issues.

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Reinu Shah is the founder of STEP, a leading incubator and accelerator in India supporting over 1,000 women-led startups. Her work empowers women entrepreneurs across India with her latest focus being women in climate action and rural women entrepreneurs. A Mason and John Galbraith Fellow from Harvard Kennedy School, Reinu has received multiple awards for her contributions to diversity and inclusion. Through STEP, she continues to shape India’s startup ecosystem and champion innovation in emerging markets.

Rekha Balakrishnan is a journalist and Editor at YourStory, with over 26 years of experience in storytelling that drives social impact. With a career spanning two geographies, she brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to her work, focusing on gender, equity, and social change.

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She leads HerStory and SocialStory—platforms that spotlight changemakers, entrepreneurs, and voices from the margins. Known for her empathetic and authentic approach, her work spans in-depth interviews, sharp editorial features, and meaningful on-ground engagement. 

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As a moderator and speaker, she creates spaces for thoughtful dialogue on leadership, equity, and purpose.

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A firm believer in the power of stories to shape culture and policy, she continues to champion narratives that matter—especially those that are often overlooked.

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As Partnerships Lead at The Udaiti Foundation, she builds high-impact collaborations across government, industry, and philanthropy to advance women’s economic empowerment and expand workforce participation nationwide. She drives strategic partnerships and multi-stakeholder engagement to scale Udaiti’s flagship platforms—the Close the Gender Gap (CGG) 30×30 Initiative and the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Index—positioning gender parity as a core driver of India’s $30-trillion Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

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Rhea is also the Founder, Ecoware, India’s first sustainable packaging company, recognised for replacing single-use plastic with biodegradable alternatives. Her pioneering efforts have influenced both policy and consumer behaviour, positioning Ecoware as a leader in circular economy innovation.

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Her achievements include receiving the Nari Shakti Puraskar, India’s highest civilian honour for women, being named a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, an Asia 21 Young Leader of the Asia Society, and an Impact Hero 2021 of the Earth Company. She served as Chairperson of the Indian Women Network (Northern Region) and is a member of several national committees promoting clean air and gender inclusion.

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A graduate of the University of Bristol, Oxford, and Harvard University, Rhea’s career spans global pharmaceuticals, sustainable manufacturing, and social impact. Across all her roles, she continues to champion the intersection of sustainability, policy, and inclusion driving India’s transition toward a greener and more equitable future.

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Ridhima is a versatile business leader with experience across engineering, banking, product, and global technology. At Google Pay India, she leads multiple businesses, driving strategic partnerships and new product initiatives, taking ideas from concept to scale. Her career spans roles at Indifi Technologies, YES Bank and Infosys; blending entrepreneurial grit with financial rigor, strategic product vision, and engineering logic. An alumna of IIM Mumbai and NIT Nagpur, she is passionate about inclusive leadership and purpose-led growth.

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Rishabh is a Principal at The Bridgespan Group’s Mumbai office. He has worked extensively with leading donors and NGOs in India and globally on strategy, program design, impact evaluation, and operating model development. His experience spans across diverse sectors including education and ed-tech, skilling and livelihoods, rural development, urban governance, and climate change.

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Rishabh also brings significant expertise in capacity building for NGOs and impact investing. Commitment to advance equity and inclusion, he has co-authored Pathways to Greater Social Mobility for India's Dalit and Adivasi Communities and Building Climate Resilience and Prosperity in India: Six Bold Bets for Smallholder Farmers and Farm Workers.

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Prior to Bridgespan, Rishabh worked at Deloitte, on the design and implementation of human capital and financial management systems. Rishabh holds a Master in Business Administration from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and a Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Warangal.

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With over two decades of experience in the development sector, Ritikaa Khunnah has played a pivotal role in advancing youth development initiatives. Serving as the CEO of Pravah since 2008, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to empowering youth. Ritika's contributions extend beyond organisational leadership; she has been an influential member of the UNWomen multi-country civil society advisory group, advocating for gender equality on a global scale.

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Ritika's expertise lies in gender equality, youth development, curriculum design, and facilitation, coupled with a deep understanding of self-awareness. Her commitment to capacity-building interventions has empowered countless youth leaders and youth-led organisations. With a Master's in Social Work from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and a post-graduate diploma in human rights and international humanitarian laws, Ritikaa brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her work.

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Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ritikaa is known for her approachable demeanour and collaborative spirit. She fosters an environment of inclusivity and mutual respect, enabling effective collaboration and meaningful impact in the field of youth development.

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With over 15 years of experience in research and impact assessment, Ritika leads the Research unit at CMS, where she focuses on gender, women’s livelihoods, and empowerment. She has led evaluations of large-scale programmes such as the NRLP–NRETP and gender-transformative livelihood initiatives with tribal women, including a national skilling programme helping women enter the workforce. A postgraduate in financial management, Ritika brings together data, evidence, and community voices to rethink how impact is understood — not just in outcomes, but in shifts in power, confidence, and lived experiences.

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Riti Mohapatra is a partner at Bridgespan’s India office, based in Mumbai. She has extensive experience in developing and implementing long-term government initiatives and has worked with several government agencies across India and Asia. She co-authored the article "Why Gender Matters for Funders in Any Issue Area" published on Bridgespan.org in 2024.

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Before joining Bridgespan, Riti worked at McKinsey & Company, where she led strategy and implementation for large-scale government projects, including school transformation programs in Mumbai and Hyderabad in partnership with local governments and NGOs. She also helped operationalize the Performance Facilitation Unit for Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness Commission and led the literacy and numeracy improvement program for Qatar’s Supreme Education Council.

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Riti holds a Dual Degree (B.Tech and M.Tech) in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur.

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Rizwan Koita is the Co-founder of the Koita Foundation, a philanthropic initiative that supports digital health transformation and NGO capacity building in India. Through partnerships with institutions such as IIT Bombay, Ashoka University, Tata Memorial/National Cancer Grid, the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), the Foundation is enabling systemic change in healthcare and the social sector.

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He also serves as Chairperson of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH), which oversees quality standards for over 25,000 healthcare facilities across India.

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A serial entrepreneur and business leader, Mr. Koita co-founded CitiusTech in 2005 and served as its CEO for 16 years, building it into a global leader in healthcare technology with over 8,500 professionals and revenues of nearly USD 500 million. Earlier, he co-founded and led TransWorks, one of India’s pioneering BPO firms, and began his career at McKinsey & Co. His contributions have been widely recognized with awards including TiE’s Hall of Fame (2022), IIT Bombay’s Distinguished Alumni Award (2019), and EY Entrepreneur of the Year (2013). He holds a B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering from IIT Bombay and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT.

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Romit Sen in Senior Vice President, Sustainability at HSBC India. As part of his role, Romit manages the community investment initiatives for at HSBC India mainly in areas of climate change and skill development. In addition, he engages with cross-functional teams to support HSBCs climate transition and sustainability initiatives.

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Romit leads partnership efforts to advance multi-stakeholder engagement with government, think tanks, research institutions and not for profit organisations. He is an environment and sustainability professional with 20 years of experience in programme development and implementation, action research and evidence-based advocacy across development sector organizations, international NGOs and industry chambers.

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His areas of expertise include climate change mitigation and adaptation, rural livelihoods and natural resource conservation. Romit is an Advisory Council Member of the People’s World Commission on Drought and Flood. He was a member of Ministry of Jal Shakti’s committee on Water Use Efficiency and a Technical Committee Member of Alliance for Water Stewardship. Romit has a Master Degree in Natural Resources from TERI School of Advance Studies and a Bachelor Degree in Botany from University of Delhi.

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As the Senior Director of Talent and Learning Solutions at LinkedIn India, Ruchee Anand embodies the essence of a visionary leader in the talent and learning landscape. At LinkedIn, her transformative journey has been marked by scaling the Talent Solutions business into a vital consultancy for India's top enterprises. Her mission is clear: To revolutionize how companies hire, develop, and engage talent, fueling their growth in innovative ways.

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Ruchee's impact extends beyond business growth; she's a fervent advocate for diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Her dedication to women's advancement in their careers shines through her initiatives and leadership roles, particularly in the "Women at LinkedIn" group and the "Women in Sales" community, which she co-founded with People Connect. As a certified coach, she's committed to empowering individuals to reach their full potential, creating a workplace environment where talent and skill bridge the gap to opportunities.

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With a career spanning over two decades, Ruchee's expertise in the talent economy is backed by diverse leadership roles at organisations like Info Edge-Naukri.com, AuthBridge, and GTL Limited. Her approach is unique – a blend of strategic business acumen and a people-first philosophy, driving growth while nurturing diverse and dynamic teams. 

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Ruchee's influence also radiates beyond the corporate world. She's passionately involved in social causes, notably in educating and empowering young girls, ensuring they possess the skills needed for a successful future. She also serves as a regional council member (Mumbai) at Nasscom, contributing to the development of the IT industry in Western India.

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Ruchee is a strategic thinker, a compassionate leader, and an inspiring change-maker – making her a true role model for aspiring professionals.

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Rukmini Banerji is Chief Executive Officer of Pratham Education Foundation. She has extensive field experience working directly with rural and urban communities as well as in designing and implementing large scale partnerships with governments for improving learning of elementary school age children. From 2005 to 2014, she led Pratham’s research and assessment efforts including the well-known ASER initiative (Annual Status of Education Report). Rukmini is the 2021 recipient of the Yidan Prize for education development.

Sabina Dewan is the Founder and Executive Director of the JustJobs Network, a global institution that produces cutting-edge, actionable research on good job creation and workforce development. Under her leadership, the organization has become a key voice shaping global discourse on employment and labour market governance.

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Ms. Dewan has served as a Senior Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research in India and as a Non-Resident Fellow at the Carsey School of Public Policy, University of New Hampshire. Previously, she was Senior Fellow and Director for International Economic Policy at the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C.

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Her research explores how forces such as technology and climate change are transforming employment, emphasizing the need for dynamic education and skills policies. She works closely with governments, businesses, multilaterals, and grassroots organizations to advance inclusive and sustainable economic growth through better employment and employability outcomes.

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Ms. Dewan’s experience spans institutions including the World Bank, International Labour Organization, and European Commission, as well as grassroots organizations in Sierra Leone, India, and Western Samoa. She serves as an advisor to the Swedish Prime Minister’s Global Deal initiative, a member of the Global Challenges Foundation’s Climate Governance Commission, CII’s National Committee on Skills and Livelihoods, NITI Aayog’s Vision 2035 advisory committee, and the Work Fair and Free Foundation advisory group. She also contributed to integrating vocational education into India’s National Education Policy 2020 and National Curriculum Framework 2023.

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Her commentary appears regularly in leading international media such as The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Mint, CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera, and NDTV.

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Samar leads the foundation’s education work in India, partnering with organizations to improve schools, expand career opportunities for young people, and enhance learning with technology.

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Before joining the foundation, she spent more than a decade as a consultant with Boston Consulting Group and Ernst & Young, advising companies in media, consumer internet, and retail. With a background in understanding consumer behavior, she now applies those insights to strengthen education.

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Samar studied economics at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, and earned a dual master’s degree in public administration from the London School of Economics and Sciences Po Paris.

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Samik Sundar Das is a senior rural development specialist with extensive experience in rural transformation, livelihoods, and financial inclusion across India, Africa, and Central Asia. He has led large-scale World Bank–supported programs on rural prosperity, women’s economic empowerment, and enterprise development, blending policy design, institutional reform, and innovative finance. Samik works at the intersection of government systems, private sector engagement, and global knowledge exchange, with a strong focus on inclusive growth, resilience, and job creation. His efforts have immensely contributed to flagship initiatives such as NRLP, TNRTP, and the emerging Rural Prosperity and Resilience Program.

Sanjoy K. Roy, an entrepreneur of the arts, is Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, which produces over thirty highly acclaimed performing arts, visual arts and literary festivals across forty cities in countries such as Australia, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, UK and USA, including the world’s largest literary gathering: the annual Jaipur Literature Festival.Roy is a founder-trustee of Salaam Baalak Trust, which provides support services for street and working children in the inner city of Delhi. He works closely with various industry bodies on important policy issues within the cultural space in India and is co-chair of the Art and Culture Committee of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry; he is a former president of the Event and Entertainment Management Association and Earth Day Network’s official Global Advisory Committee and is the current co-chair of Catalyst Now. He has been awarded an honorary doctorate by York University, UK.

With 28 years of experience with multinationals, foundations and family offices, Saumya has built a successful career in corporate sustainability and strategic philanthropy.

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After a decade at General Electric USA in various technology-related roles, Saumya’s passion for inclusive growth and social impact led her to relocate home to India in 2007. Since then, she has operationalized and led global Corporate Social Responsibility platforms at conglomerates like Genpact and Godrej Industries, and advised UHNI donors across the lifecycle of philanthropic portfolios. Under her leadership, 360 ONE Foundation has reimagined traditional philanthropy and pioneered a more catalytic approach powered by blended finance and outcomes-based financing, to maximize social returns and generate higher leverage on grants. Throughout her tenure in this sector, Saumya has been a change agent to optimize giving: making philanthropic capital more outcome-oriented, efficient, and effective.

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Saumya began her career in 1997 with General Electric USA, through the Information Management Leadership Program (IMLP) - a fast track, rotational program designed to develop high potential candidates for GE's leading management positions. She is an Aspire Circle fellow (Cohort 4, 2017), and a winner of the Women Director of The Year Award (Not for Profit) at the MentorMyBoard Women Directors Conclave in December 2023. After having lived, studied and worked in four continents, she is currently based in Mumbai.

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Saurav is a seasoned strategic finance and business transformation leader with over 18 years of experience across industries. He actively contributed to Swiggy’s IPO, demonstrating his expertise in navigating complex financial landscapes. His core strengths include strategic planning, operational excellence, as well as driving businesses toward sustainable profitability. Throughout his career, he has played crucial roles in leading brands such as Ola, Flipkart and Tata Communications. 

In June 2025, he was appointed Senior Vice President and Head of Swiggy’s Driver and Delivery Organisation. In this capacity, he leads delivery operations and spearheads initiatives aimed at empowering Swiggy’s delivery partners—one of the key pillars of its ecosystem—while continuing to oversee Business Finance until a successor is appointed.

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Sayantani Gaddam currently leads the British Asian Trust, India as Head of Programmes, leading BAT’s programmes on Digital Skilling, Mental Health and Conservation, including the flagship CSR partnership with BT Group on empowering adolescent girls and women in safe digital skilling. She is a social sector practitioner with multi-sector experience leading strategy, operations and advocacy in not-for-profit and social development consulting organizations. Proven track record of 25+ years in guiding sizeable cross-functional teams across geographies in programme design, execution, monitoring and evaluation, and stakeholder management. Her focus is mainstreaming community concerns, participation and their active role in public systems development. By education she is a geographer and regional planner and a certified educator.

Sharad Sharma is a technology entrepreneur and evangelist with over three decades of experience in the Internet, enterprise software, and digital infrastructure sectors. He co-founded iSPIRT Foundation, a non-profit think tank focused on building India’s software product ecosystem, and has been a prominent voice in shaping India as a product nation. He also co-founded Teltier Technologies Inc., later acquired by CISCO, and has actively invested in over two dozen technology startups.

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Mr. Sharma has held senior R&D leadership positions at leading technology companies including Yahoo, VERITAS Software, Symantec, Lucent Technologies, and AT&T. Recognized with the R&D Visionary Award by Zinnov in 2008, he has also contributed to national policy as a member of the National Startup Advisory Council, SEBI’s Financial and Regulatory Technology Committee, and RBI committees on MSME and digital payments. An electrical engineering graduate from Delhi College of Engineering, he began his journey by creating India’s first Student Minicomputer Club and leading the IEEE Student Chapter.

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Shaveta is the CEO & Managing Director at Central Square Foundation. She has been part of the founding team at CSF since 2012.  Shaveta leads CSF’s work on FLN (Foundational Literacy & Numeracy), Early Childhood Education (ECE) and EdTech, and oversees the organization’s institution building. She is passionate to bring to life CSF’s vision of quality learning for all children and government-led system reform for scale and sustainability.

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Shaveta is on the advisory board of Language and Learning Foundation Foundation (LLF), Madhi Foundation and Saarthi Education. She is also on the advisory board of India Leaders for Social Sector (ILSS) in line with her commitment for high-quality leadership for the social sector. Another passion area for her is gender, and she is a founding mentor to The Udaiti Foundation that is working on women economic empowerment.

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Prior to CSF, she worked at The Boston Consulting Group and Citibank. She has also been a visiting faculty member in the Human Resources and Organizational Behavior disciplines at many business schools. Shaveta earned her bachelor’s degree in Economics from Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, and holds an MBA in Management from IIM, Bangalore. 

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She is a proud parent to two young adults (a boy & girl) & furry-boy. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching Hindi movies & listening to music, solving Sudoku & Kakuro puzzles and traveling with her family.

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Shifali Thakkur serves as the Chief of Staff at Samagra, where she leads the organization’s central functions including Organization Development, Outreach, and Recruitment. She has been with Samagra since 2019, beginning her journey as a Consultant with the Saksham Haryana team, working to improve learning outcomes for over 1.4 million students in government schools across the state.

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Prior to Samagra, she has worked with Teach for India for 5+ years and after a brief stint at Sattva Consulting in 2021, Shifali returned to Samagra in 2022 to lead key organizational building initiatives. She holds a Master’s degree in Education from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, and a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Amity University, Noida.

Ms. Shilpy Kochhar is heading the Strategic Partnerships and Entrepreneurship Development vertical at BIRAC, a Section 8 Public Sector Unit under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. She holds more than 15 years of experience of leading large national level grant programmes, implementing policy initiatives focused at promoting startups and building strategic national and international relationships. During her tenure at BIRAC, she had led several new initiatives, scaled processes through gap identification and developed relationships with key stakeholders.

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She is a post graduate in biotechnology from IIT-Roorkee and has studied Public Policy from ISB. She is currently an Executive Fellow at IIM Lucknow in the area of Economics (Business Environment).

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Shobhini Mukerji is the Executive Director of the Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) South Asia, which she has led since 2011, overseeing partnerships across 20 Indian states, central government agencies, and regional training initiatives. She works with governments, civil society, and development partners to strengthen data-driven policymaking and scale evidence-based social programs across India and South Asia, advising donors and multilaterals on high-impact policy investments.

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Prior to joining J-PAL, Ms. Mukerji worked with Pratham, one of India’s largest non-governmental organizations focused on improving primary education outcomes. Her research interests span education, gender, and employment, and she has co-authored several large-scale randomized evaluations on foundational literacy with Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo. This body of work has contributed to programs currently scaling to reach more than 60 million children across India and Africa.

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Ms. Mukerji serves on the advisory boards of Community Jameel and Indus Action, is a Board Member at Helvetas, and is a Steering Committee Member of the Jameel Arts and Health Lab in collaboration with the World Health Organization. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Research Methods from the London School of Economics and initially joined J-PAL in 2007 as a Research Associate.

Shriya leads Employability and Skills at The Convergence Foundation. Before this role, Shriya led the Social Sector practice at McKinsey & Co,  India where she worked with non profits, foundation and the government on strategy engagements. Prior to joining McKinsey, she was the Country Director of the International Innovation Corps, a University of Chicago social impact program that works on large scale development programs with central and state ministries in India. At IIC, Shriya has led multiple large scale projects in Health, Gender, Education, Waste, and Technology & Data, for Central and State ministries, such as the Ministry of Health, National Health Authority, Ministry of Electronics and IT, NITI Aayog, and multiple state governments. Shriya has an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and has also run her own Export firm in India.

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Shubha Sarma is an Indian Administrative Service officer of the 1999 batch from the Odisha cadre. She currently serves as Principal Secretary in the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Odisha.

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Born on April 20, 1976, she holds a graduate degree from Delhi University, a Master’s degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and an MBA from Amity University. A multilingual officer fluent in Assamese, English, French, Hindi, and Odia, she has contributed significantly to governance and public welfare initiatives, particularly in areas related to women and child empowerment.

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Shweta Punj is Editor for Economic Policy at Moneycontrol, where she drives Moneycontrol Policy Next—India’s only platform for deep-dive discussions on policies shaping the country’s growth and governance landscape. A Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, she has over two decades of experience across TV, print, and digital journalism, tracking India’s political economy, innovation, and policy reform.

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Previously Deputy Editor at India Today, Shweta has also worked with CNBC-TV18, Bloomberg UTV, and Inside Washington Publishers, and has reported from Capitol Hill on U.S. health policy.

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A Polestar and South Asia Laadli Award winner, she co-founded the Whypoll Foundation, which developed India’s first women’s safety app and crowd-sourced safety map. She is also the author of Why I Failed, which was translated into 5 languages. 

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Shyam Suryanarayanan is the Director of Udhyam Shiksha at Udhyam Learning Foundation.He leads the mission to integrate entrepreneurial mindset education into government schools, a program that has already reached over 4 million students across 12 Indian states.

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With a 25-year career spanning everything from tea tasting to building successful life sciences career platforms and ed-tech ventures, Shyam brings a unique, real-world perspective to his focus on employability, experiential learning, and mindset transformation for India’s youth. 

Siraz Hirani is a senior international development leader with over 24 years of experience shaping country-level strategy and directing complex, multi-country operations across South and Central Asia. As Director Programs at Mahila Housing Trust, he provides strategic leadership for regional portfolios spanning India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. His work is centred on designing and scaling bottom-up solutions for the urban poor, with a core focus on women's empowerment, inclusive urban development, and climate resilience. Siraz’s work bridges grassroots action with policy and investment to drive systemic, gender-smart climate solutions. Siraz holds an M.Sc. in Disaster Mitigation, an MBA in Finance, and is an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School.

Currently serving as Joint Secretary (NRLM) in the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, Smriti Sharan has brought to MoRD a blend of bureaucratic discipline and ground-level sensibility. Over the past few years, she has been centrally involved in the policy framing, programme oversight, and field-level review of key livelihood and gender-equity initiatives, particularly under the flagship Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).

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Smriti Sharan’s approach is marked by a strong emphasis on convergence, community-led action, and systems strengthening—both in institutional frameworks (state missions, federations) and on the ground (front-line workers, cadres, SHGs). Her public addresses reveal a focus on gender empowerment, rural livelihoods diversification (farm and non-farm), and enhancing capacities of rural institutions to act as engines of development. 

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She has worked as Deputy Director General (Establishment) in the Department of Posts and also served as Chief Vigilance Officer in Projects Equipments Corporation Ltd., a public sector enterprise under Department of Commerce, Government of India. She has also held the position of Director, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and handled the subjects of cooperation and farmers welfare.  As Deputy General Manager, she served Delhi Milk Scheme (DMS) in the Department of Animal Husbandry  & Dairying.  

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Smriti Sharan has been a part of various associations such as Member of CARUNA – Civil Services Association for Reach in National Disasters, as part of CARUNA-CPLO Hunger Helpline set up a country wide helpline with a view  to mitigate hunger during COVID times and also as Secretary, CPLO supervised the operation of four crèches in Central Delhi from 2016-March, 2022. 

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Sonal Sagore is an Indian actress acclaimed for her performance as Nehma in the Hindi–Kurukh film Humans in the Loop (2024), directed by Aranya Sahay. The film explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and indigenous identities, earning widespread critical acclaim. Sonal’s sensitive and powerful portrayal won her the Tasveer Best Actress Award (U.S.) and the WIF Best Actress Award (Mumbai).

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Subhadeep is an investment professional with almost a decade of first hand early stage venture investing experience across high impact sectors like agri-tech, food, rural supply chains, and rural focused alternate energy and farmer focused fin-tech startups in India. He leads the Delhi office for Omnivore and is a Partner in the investment team.

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Subhadeep has been responsible for leading investments in multiple startups across agricultural mechanization, supply chain technologies, digital agriculture, rural/farmer focused marketplaces, rural fin-tech and sustainable inputs amongst other sub-sectors of agtech. He is a regular speaker on topics around startups and the agri-tech and food sectors, at conferences organized by industry associations like CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, NASSCOM and TiE.

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He is a mentor for multiple agri-tech focused incubators and accelerators in agtech. He is currently on the board of multiple Omnivore investee companies (AgNext, Gramcover, Ecozen etc.) and works closely with them on a variety of issues ranging from hiring, business development, strategy, fund raising, and general scale up-related aspects.

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Subhashree is a seasoned social sector professional passionate about building a thriving livelihoods ecosystem and enabling social entrepreneurs to scale their impact. She brings over 30 years of credit investing experience in Asian markets, with a strong track record of over 300 investments across 12+ countries. With 15 years dedicated to ESG investing, she brings deep expertise in aligning financial strategies with sustainable development outcomes.

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Her global outlook is shaped by having lived in six countries and worked with over 20 nationalities, giving her a unique perspective on cross-cultural collaboration and impact. Subhashree spent two decades with Fiera Capital (Asia) (formerly Clearwater Capital Partners), where she served as CEO of its Singapore office, before transitioning to the social sector. She began her career with ICICI Bank in India. Subhashree holds a PGDM from IIM Calcutta and is a CFA® charterholder.

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Mr. Subrata Singh is the Executive Director of the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), one of India’s leading institutions working on the conservation and governance of land, water, and forest commons. Over a career spanning more than thirty years, he has played a key role in shaping the discourse on community stewardship, decentralized governance, local circular economy, ecosystem approach to landscape conservation, system change and scale design.

Sujit John is the Deputy Resident Editor at The Times of India, Bangalore, where he has been with the publication for over 27 years. He began his journey with TOI in 1995 as an Assistant Editor on the Edit Page and has since spent over two decades focusing on business and technology journalism. Sujit conceptualized and leads the widely acclaimed Times Techies page and the Times Techies Webinar, which spotlight India’s technology ecosystem and inspire young professionals.

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He previously worked with The Observer of Business and Politics and served as a researcher with the Government of India’s 10th Finance Commission. An alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Sujit holds an MPhil and MA in Economics, and a BA (Hons) in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi.

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Sumit Chauhan is an impact-focused CSR leader with over 15 years of experience across CSR, branding, and marketing. He currently heads Mphasis Foundation’s CSR initiatives across Asia and globally, driving programs that combine technology and social good. Previously, he led CSR at RBL Bank and managed national partnerships at FICCI on water and sanitation.

He has also worked with Macquarie Group, Parle, and Saatchi & Saatchi. A marketer turned CSR strategist, Sumit blends business insight with a development lens to build purpose-led, measurable, and meaningful programs focused on alleviating poverty through education, skills, water, and climate resilience initiatives.

Sushant Verma brings over two decades of deep-rooted experience in social development, with a focus on rural transformation, livelihood promotion, and community resilience. As the Asia Regional Director at Trickle Up, he leads strategic initiatives that empower ultra-poorcommunities—especially women—through enterprise development and inclusion. His career spans leadership roles in globally respected organizations such as USAID, World Bank, British Council, Heifer International, and ActionAid, where he has designed and managed large-scale programs in education, public health, disaster recovery, and women’s empowerment. Sushant’s work is distinguished by his commitment to grassroots innovation, participatory development, and adaptive program design. A recognized international trainer and facilitator, he has conducted transformative workshops on leadership, organizational development, and attitudinal change across continents. His academic foundation includes an MBA in Rural Development, a Master’s in Sustainable Development, and specialized training from institutions like Oxford University. Sushant’s insights into unseen foundations—such as social capital, community resilience, and informal support systems—make him an ideal voice for CHARCHA 2025’s exploration of hidden pillars that sustain micro and nano enterprises. His work exemplifies how inclusive, locally anchored approaches can build resilient livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to nation building.

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Tanvi Lall, Director of Strategy at people+ai (pronounced people plus ai), EkStep Foundation. She has a strong academic background in healthcare and business management. She holds a Master's of Science in Biotech and Management from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA from University of California, Berkeley. Tanvi has experience developing products and projects focused on sustainable social impact across the United States and India. Her work at people+ai spans AI for Social Good and Economic Growth, AI safety, AI infrastructure and AI use cases.

Mr. Trilok Chand Gupta, IAS (Retd.), a 1987 batch officer of the Haryana cadre, currently serves as the Chief Commissioner of the Haryana Right to Service Commission, a position he has held since June 15, 2021. Born on May 28, 1961, in District Nuh (formerly part of Gurugram), Haryana, Mr. Gupta is an alumnus of Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, and holds multiple professional qualifications — Chartered Accountancy (CA), Company Secretaryship (CS), Cost Accountancy (ICWA), Management Accountancy (Part I), and an LL.B. from the University of Delhi. Before joining the Indian Administrative Service, he practiced as a Chartered Accountant in Delhi for three and a half years.

Over a distinguished career spanning more than four decades, Mr. Gupta has held several key administrative positions, including Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Additional Deputy Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioner in Bhiwani and Gurugram districts. He also served as Administrative Secretary for critical departments such as Monitoring & Coordination, Food & Supplies, Town & Country Planning, School Education, Welfare of Scheduled Castes & Backward Classes, Administrative Reforms, Skill Development & Industrial Training, Power, New & Renewable Energy, Employment, Transport, Housing, and Mines & Geology. Between 2001 and 2008, he was on central deputation with the Government of India.

As Chief Commissioner, Mr. Gupta has been instrumental in advancing digital governance reforms in Haryana. Recognizing the gaps in public awareness and accountability within the service delivery framework, he conceptualized and led the development of the Auto Appeal System (AAS) — a pioneering digital initiative that ensures timely service delivery and automatic escalation of delays. Launched by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Haryana on September 1, 2021, the AAS has significantly enhanced transparency and efficiency in public service delivery, with nearly 22.59 lakh appeals processed through the system as of October 2025.

Mr. Gupta’s contributions to e-governance and administrative reform have been widely recognized. He received the National e-Governance Award (2008–09) from the Government of India for enhancing transparency and efficiency in HUDA’s operations. He has also delivered keynote addresses at prestigious forums, including the National Conference on e-Governance (Mumbai), the International Institute of Administrative Sciences–DARPG India Conference (Delhi), and the National Workshop on Sevottam and Effective Redressal of Public Grievances (Bhopal).

Mr. Gupta continues to be regarded as a visionary leader in public administration, governance innovation, and citizen-centric service delivery.

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Tushar is the Co-Founder and Partner at The Blended Finance Company, where he is advising large philanthropic foundations and impactful social enterprises in designing and implementing blended finance funds and facilities. Tushar is currently leading engagements to setup multiple climate adaptation linked facilities and facilities focused on livelihoods and employment. Prior to TBFC, Tushar was an Associate Partner at Dalberg Advisors, where he led the design and setup of multiple outcomes-linked facilities, like the Skill Impact Bond and LiftEd, and advised multiple development sector actors on their blended finance strategies. Prior to Dalberg, Tushar worked for close to a decade with Lazard India, as an investment banker. He is an MBA from IIM Bangalore and MIPP from Johns Hopkins SAIS.

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Usha Uthup: The Queen of Indian Pop The evergreen pop icon and Padma Shri recipient Usha Uthup, known for her songs in over seventeen Indian and eight international languages, has captivated audiences for generations. In a conversation with Sanjoy K Roy, she talks about what music means for her, sharing the passion and commitment that drive her. A fascinating sing-along recountal of a unique musical odyssey with a legend of our times.

Utkarsh Saxena, co-founder & CEO of Adalat AI, has seen the legal system from multiple vantage points. He was a law clerk on the Supreme Court of India, practiced law across courts in India, and petitioned the Supreme Court to legalize marriage equality in India. Utkarsh holds a BA/LLB from the University of Delhi, an LLM from Harvard Law School, a master’s in international development economics from Harvard Kennedy School and is completing a PhD in public policy from the University of Oxford. He also worked with Dr. Arvind Subramanium at the Chief Economic Adviser’s office at the Ministry of Finance, at the World Bank, and the Boston Consulting Group.

Vandana Gurnani joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1991 and is currently posted as Secretary, Labour and Employment, Government of India. Prior to this she was working as Secretary Coordination, Cabinet Secretariat where she was leading the Deregulation and Compliance Reduction agenda for Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living. She has worked in multifarious assignments in Govt. of India as well as the state of Karnataka and has a vast experience of working in the health sector.

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As Additional Secretary and Mission Director, National Health Mission in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, she led the initiative to achieve Universal Health Coverage and crafting of the PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission to develop resilient health systems to manage the current and future pandemics. She anchored and led several aspects of management of Covid in India including augmentation of the health systems and Covid vaccination.

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‍In her 34 years of public service, Vandana has served as an administrator, policy-maker and public health strategist holding a wide range of assignments in the fields of Health, Urban and Rural Development, Environment and Women & Child Development. She has successfully represented India in several global forums like ILO, Gavi, PMNCH, FP 2020. etc. A native of New Delhi, Vandana earned her Master’s degrees in Economics from the prestigious Delhi School of Economics, Delhi University and has also completed her Master’s in Public Health from the renowned Johns Hopkins University.

Vidya Vasudevan is the Head of Zoho Community at Zoho Corporation, where she leads efforts to build and strengthen highly localized user groups and nurture brand champions across regions. Over her 24-year journey with Zoho, Vidya has played a pivotal role in shaping customer engagement and product evangelism, bringing together users, partners, and teams to foster collaboration and learning.

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Starting her career at Zoho as a technical writer, she has since taken on diverse roles across customer support, training, and marketing, gaining a deep understanding of customer experience and product adoption. Based in Chennai, Vidya holds a postgraduate degree in English Literature from the University of Madras and brings extensive expertise in product marketing, CRM, and community management.

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Vikas Kanungo is an international thought leader in Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, advising governments and multilateral agencies in Asia, EU and Middle for over three decades. As a Senior Expert with the World Bank Group, he drives AI and Digital Transformation strategies that strengthen digital public infrastructure and advance sustainable, inclusive growth. His work bridges technology, policy, and human development—empowering nations to harness AI for agriculture, governance, and equitable prosperity.

Vikram is the Co-Founder of ANSR, a market leader helping global companies build and manage Global Capability Centers.He is also CEO of 1Wrk, an AI-powered global work platform providing enterprise-ready talent, HR and compliance solutions. At ANSR and 1Wrk, Vikram oversees a global portfolio of AI-enabled workforce solutions, mid-market and private equity backed GCC’s. Prior to ANSR, Vikram has held leadership positions across several companies, including: Founding Team of Cobone, the Middle East’s first e-commerce success story (acquired 2013) Building one of India’s earliest startup accelerators (Kyron - acquired by Techstars). Establishing Asia’s largest community for group tours (Byond Travel) Management Consultant with CapGemini. Vikram has served on the board of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) and YPO. Vikram has an MBA degree from IESE, University of Navarra and The Anderson School of Management UCLA.

Dr. Vikram Chandra is a journalist and the Founder & Managing Director of Editorji Technologies, a multilingual video news platform he established in 2018. With early backing from HT Media and Bharti Airtel, the company saw the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group acquire a majority stake in 2020.

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A prominent figure in Indian journalism, Dr. Chandra is known for hosting flagship programs such as The India Story, offering in-depth analysis of key national and global developments. Before founding Editorji, he served as the CEO of NDTV Group, where he earned recognition for his reporting on major national issues, including the Kashmir conflict.

Vineet Saraiwala is the founder & CEO at Atypical Advantage, India's largest livelihood platform for Persons with Disabilities. Whether it is a singer looking for a show, a visual artist looking to sell their paintings, or freelancers/full-time job seekers with Disabilities looking for a career opportunity, Atypical Advantage creates a level playing field, so that Persons with Disabilities can earn a dignified income. He has pursued his post-graduation from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIM-B) & strongly believes that generation of compassion is the only way to make the world a better place. He is also an avid trekker, marathoner, endurance cyclist & a lifelong volunteer. Vineet was also felicitated by the President of India with the National Award, for building the Best Placement Organization for Persons with Disabilities. Vineet’s pitch on Shark Tank India was widely credited for mainstreaming Inclusion across the country.

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Vineet Singh, Chief Technology Officer at Digital Green leads technology functions. With his deep passion for agriculture and belief that open-source technology plays a critical role in improving livelihoods, he is leading development of AI pipelines intersecting in the field of agriculture and LLM. He brings 19+ years experience in diverse tech startups across India where he steered technology and product development from concept to execution. With a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, he co-founded the first indigenous drone manufacturing company Aurora Integrated Systems in 2006, where he was instrumental in development of in-house technology and product. Post exit and handing over to Tata Group, he helped build the innovation team at Delhivery and led development of machine learning enabled products in the supply chain that resulted in a new business vertical. He also worked on robotics automation in the health tech domain leveraging computer vision models for autonomous image capture and analysis for microscopes.

Vivek Nayan is the Chief Technology Officer at Indus Action, an India-based nonprofit that builds digital public goods to help vulnerable families traverse the journey from poverty to dignity by enabling frictionless access to a carefully curated portfolio of legislated rights.

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With two decades of experience in engineering and governance, he is passionate about designing resilient public infrastructure by deploying grassroots technology to unlock agency, inclusion, and systemic change. He envisions dignity-driven design and federated stewardship as pathways to scale citizen impact.

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Vivek Nayan is a 2025 Perplexity Fellow. He holds degrees from Coventry University and Institute of Management Technology. He is a professional member of IEEE and has co-authored multiple papers across subfields of machine learning.

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