Hon’ble Justice U. U. Lalit

Chairman - Institute of Directors
former Chief Justice of India

Hon'ble Justice Uday U. Lalit enrolled as an advocate in June 1983. He specialised in criminal law and practiced at the Bombay HC from 1983 to 1985. Following his stint at the Bombay HC, he worked in the chambers of then Attorney General of India, Soli Sorabjee, from 1986 to 1992. Justice Lalit was designated as Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court in April, 2004. He aided the Court as amicus curiae in many important matters pertaining to forests, vehicular pollution and pollution of the Yamuna river. Justice Lalit was elevated as a Judge of theSupreme Court directly from the Bar on August 13th, 2014. He was the sixth Judge elevated directly to the SC without having served as a Judge in a lower court or High Court. As an SC Judge, he was appointed as the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) on May 14th, 2021. Justice Lalit took overas the 49th Chief Justice of India on August 27th, 2022, becoming the only second CJI to be elevated to directly from the bar.

Hon’ble Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi

Vice-Chairman - Institute of Directors
Judicial Member, Lokpal of India
former Chairperson, Law Commission of India

Hon'ble Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, graduated in Law from Lucknow University in the year 1986 and enrolled as an Advocate on 1" February, 1987. He practised in Civil, Service, Educational matters at Lucknow Bench, Allahabad High Court and was appointed the Assistant Solicitor General of India for the Allahabad High Court in the year 2007. After practising for more than 20 years, he was elevated as an Additional Judge on 13th April, 2009 and took oath as permanent Judge on 24" December, 2010. Hon'ble Justice Awasthi was also nominated at the Senior Judge at High Court at Lucknow in the year 2021 and thereafter was elevated as Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court on 11th October, 2021. During his tenure as a Judge for more than 13 years, Hon'ble Justice Awasthi decided approximately 44,000 cased, out of which more than 600 judgments were approved for reporting. Most of the cases decided by Hon'ble Justice Awasthi have had nation-wide impact as well as international importance too. Justice Awasthi presided over the matters related to NRHM Scam, SAHARA-SEBI case, Reservation in promotion case, CBI Enquiry in CMO Murder Case, etc. Justice Awasthi also issued directions for the cleaning and preservation of River Ganga in the NamamiGange Case at Allahabad High Court, which had a far- reaching impact on the revival of the scared river and making it pollutions free. Justice Awasthi while holding the post of Chief Justice of Karnataka, decided various full bench cases, including those of Income Tax Matters and National Investigating Agency (NIA) case, mines and minerals and also the wearing of Hijab in school case. Justice Awasthi also decided other landmark cases like Online Gaming case, issue of legacy waste in Mangalore, appointment of Public Prosecutors and important Arbitration Cases as well. Justice Awasthi has made a remarkable contribution to the field of law which has had far reaching impact. He was appointed Chairman of 22nd Law Commission of India on 09th November, 2022 and continued till 26th March, 2024. He has been appointed as Hon'ble Judicial Member, Lokpal on 27th March, 2024.

Dr. Tayeb Kamali

Global Chairman - UAE & Gulf, Institute of Directors, India
Chairman, Board of the Trustees Abu Dhabi School of Management UAE

Dr. Kamali is a leader in organizational change, and has spearheaded education, training, research and applied technology programmes in the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East for more than two decades. In 1989, following doctoral studies in engineering at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., he returned to the UAE where he took up senior leadership positions with the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) — the UAE’s largest institution of higher learning with 17 campuses. Five years later, he founded the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT), HCT’s entrepreneurial and commercial arm. In 2005, he was HCT Vice Chancellor till 2015.

Dr. Subhransu Sekhar Acharya

Chairman-cum-MD
National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC)

Dr. Subhransu Sekhar Acharya is the Chairman - cum- Managing Director (CMD) of The National Small Industries Corporation Ltd., A Public Sector Organization of Government of India. Prior to his present assignment, he was the Chief General Manager, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), New Delhi. Dr. Acharya is a Ph.D in Management, Post Graduate in Science (M.Sc.), a Post Graduate in Business Administration (MBA) and a Certified Associate of Indian Institute of Banking & Finance (CAIIB). He has experience of over 3 decades in various facets of MSME Financing and Development including Credit, SME Rating, Risk Management, Bills Financing, New Product Development, Business Planning, Entrepreneurship Development, Innovation financing, Micro-Finance, Start-Up mentoring etc. He was a British Chevening scholar and studied ‘Sustainable Development’ at University of Bradford, UK. He was a founding Member of India’s first SME Rating Agency and has served as CEO of India SME Technology Services Ltd (ISTSL), a company promoted by SIDBI and 4 other commercial Banks.

Shashank Chaudhary, IAS

Additional CEO - Invest UP
Govt. of Uttar Pradesh

Mr. Shashank Chaudhary is a dynamic officer of the Indian Administrative Service, belonging to the 2017 batch of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. A graduate in Electrical Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, he began his career as a Mathematics faculty member, before joining the civil services, a journey that reflects both academic rigour and a commitment to public service. Over the years, Mr. Chaudhary has served in several key administrative positions across Uttar Pradesh, earning a reputation for integrity, strategic thinking, and execution excellence. In 2025, he took over as Additional Chief Executive Officer at Invest UP, the state’s flagship investment promotion and facilitation agency. In this role, he is at the forefront of driving industrial growth, improving ease of doing business, and building investor confidence. Combining a deep understanding of technical systems with strong governance acumen, Mr. Chaudhary is committed to positioning Uttar Pradesh as a leading investment destination, nationally and globally.

Sumanta Chaudhuri, IAS (Retd.)

former Secretary - Ministry of Coal
Govt. of India

Mr. Sumanta Chaudhuri is a retired Indian civil servant with over two decades of experience in international trade policy and negotiations. As Joint Secretary and Director in the Department of Commerce, Government of India, he played a pivotal role in shaping India's trade engagements, particularly in WTO matters and regional and bilateral trade agreements. He was India’s Chief Negotiator for the India-Malaysia CECA, India-ASEAN Agreements, and led negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), India-EU, and India-EFTA BTIA. Mr. Chaudhuri also served as India’s lead Services negotiator in the Doha Round while posted as Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of India to the WTO in Geneva. He later held the position of Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Government of India. A recognized expert in trade and services, Mr. Chaudhuri has represented India at international forums such as the WTO, UNCTAD, World Bank, UNESCAP, ADB, and IOM. He has taught as guest faculty at premier institutions including IIM Kolkata, IIFT, NALSAR, and NUJS. Currently, he is Principal Adviser – International Trade Policy at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and also serves as an Independent Director and Masterclass faculty with the Institute of Directors (IOD).

Arun Goyal, IAS (Retd.)

former Member Central Electricity Regulatory Commission former Secretary to Govt. of India Cabinet Secretariat

Mr Arun Goyal is a 1985 batch retired IAS officer belonging to the Union Territories Cadre. He is a former Member of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission and former Secretary to the Government of India. He has nearly four decades of experience at the Central, State and Union Territory levels, across crucial domains such as power, finance, commerce, public policy, and regulatory affairs. He has contributed significantly to the major reforms and transitions in India including India’s transition from GATT to WTO regime, setting up of India’s Financial Intelligence Unit, and timely rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He has extensive experience in the power sector and has served three tenures within Delhi's power sector. He played a key role in driving and stabilizing the historic power reforms in Delhi, which resulted in unbundling of the Delhi Vidyut Board and the privatization of the distribution. Other important positions held by him include Secretary (Coordination) in the Cabinet Secretariat; Additional Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, where he headed the Project Monitoring Group; Minister (Economic & Commercial) at the Embassy of India in Tokyo; and Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor and Finance Secretary in the Andaman & Nicobar Administration.

Rajarshi Gupta

Managing Director & CEO
ONGC Videsh Limited

Mr. Rajarshi Gupta has more than 33 years of wide-ranging experience in supervisory, managerial & strategic planning capacities in domestic and international operations of ONGC and ONGC Videsh. He has a keen business sense of the oil & gas industry, commercial and financial acumen, with mergers & acquisitions, strategic planning, and man management as his core strengths. During his professional career, he has worked in the domains of Supply Chain Management, Business Development, Project Management, Planning & Strategy, Corporate Communications, Human Resources Management and General Administration. As Country Manager and President of ONGC Videsh’s US subsidiary, he set up the Geological & Geophysical Centre of Excellence in Houston. On return, he was Head of Corporate Planning & Strategy in ONGC Videsh and also headed Strategic HR and Corporate Communications. He was instrumental in framing the international business vision in ONGC’s long-term vision document, the Perspective Plan 2030.

Vishal Gupta

Managing Director - Borges India

Mr. Vishal Gupta, Managing Director of Borges India, brings over 22 years of experience with esteemed multinational corporations in India, where he refined his expertise in brand strategy and market penetration. Joining Borges at its inception, his leadership has been instrumental in establishing the company as a market leader in the olive oil sector and reshaping the health and lifestyle landscape in India. Under his guidance, Borges has not only introduced the concept of olive oil to the Indian market but has also become synonymous with quality and health. Mr. Gupta’s innovative approach extended beyond olive oils, leading to a diversification of Borges' product portfolio with various health and lifestyle offerings that address the evolving preferences of modern Indian consumers. His strategic vision and commitment to promoting healthier living have made a significant impact, improving the lives of many and setting new standards in the industry. Mr. Gupta’s remarkable journey underscores his visionary leadership and enduring dedication, positioning him as a key figure driving the advancement of Mediterranean products in India. He has been appointed as the president of Indian Olive association (IOA) for the year 2025-26

Dr. Prabodh Halde

Head Global Regulatory - Public Policy and Advocacy, Marico Ltd.

Dr. Prabodh S. Halde is the Head of Global Regulatory, Public Policy, and Advocacy at Marico Ltd . He is seasoned Food Technologist with 30 years of industry experience, previously working with Bakemans, ACC, and Coca-Cola India, and has held leadership roles in AFSTI, AIPFA, SEA of India, and PFNDAI, actively contributing to policy and regulatory affairs, including FSSAI and NITI Aayog. He is a mentor to 200+ startups, he has trained 6,000+ food safety officials and organized 200+ national and international seminars.

Suman Kumar Jha

Head Operations - Patanjali Foods Ltd.

Mr. Suman Kumar Jha currently serves as Head of Operations at Patanjali. He is a visionary and inspirational leader with over 30 years of extensive experience across diverse industry segments including food, pharmaceuticals (Ayush), herbal cosmetics, and nutraceuticals. Throughout his distinguished career, he has contributed to reputed organizations such as Emami, Charak, and Hamdard, building a legacy of operational excellence and strategic leadership. Beyond his corporate accomplishments, Mr. Jha is a recognized thought leader, having been an eminent speaker at numerous national-level forums, including dairy and nutrition summits. His commitment to professional development is evident in the training and mentorship of over 4,500 managers—many of whom now hold leadership roles in various organizations. Mr. Jha’s impactful journey is further marked by multiple prestigious national awards conferred for organizational excellence

Amitabh Kant, IAS (Retd.)

Ex- India's G20 Sherpa & former Chief Executive Officer, NITI Aayog
Govt. of India

Mr. Amitabh Kant, IAS was India’s G-20 Sherpa. Prior to this, he was the CEO of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog). He is a member of the Indian Administrative Service, IAS (Kerala Cadre: 1980 batch). He is the author of Branding India-An Incredible Story and has edited “The Path Ahead- Transformative Ideas for India”. Mr. Kant has been a key driver of the “Make in India”, “Startup India”, “Incredible India” and “God’s Own Country” initiatives that positioned India and Kerala State as leading manufacturing and tourism destinations. He is the Chairman of the Committee to implement Digital Payment in India. Mr. Kant has been the CEO, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Corporation, CMD – ITDC. He has been the recipient of Economic Times Policy Change Agent of the Year Award, the Bloomberg TV Personality of the year Award, the NDTV Administrator of the year Award and the Distinguished Fellowship of the Institute of Directors. He is also the recipient of the Golden Peacock Award for Leadership in Economic Transformation-2017. Mr Kant did his graduation in Economics (Hons) from St. Stephens, Delhi University and M.A from Jawaharlal Nehru University. He is a Chevening Scholar and had training with John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad.

Vijay Karia

Chairman & Managing Director - Ravin Group of Companies

Mr. Vijay Karia is the Chairman and Managing Director of the Ravin Group of Companies and recognized among India’s Top 50 Entrepreneurs. A dynamic industry leader, he serves on several prestigious bodies, including the Executive Council of IMC, Advisory Board of the Institute of Directors (IOD), and chairs the Business Development Committee of Lohana Mahaparishad. Mr. Karia has been a keynote speaker and panelist at leading conferences globally, including the Dubai Global Convention, ET Power Focus Summit, and Horasis India Meeting in Switzerland. He was part of the Prime Minister’s Delegation to Hannover Messe in Germany and has significantly contributed to shaping India's power and energy sector through leadership roles at IEEMA and Elecrama. Under his vision, Ravin became the first Indian cable manufacturer to set up a facility overseas in the UAE, making it a preferred global vendor. He has championed initiatives on electrical safety, skill development, and power theft awareness. As Co-founder and Director of Lohana International Business Forum (LIBF), he led major business expos and delegations worldwide. His vision is to create India’s first complete, globally competitive power infrastructure company focused on excellence, innovation, and value.

Durga Shanker Mishra, IAS (Retd.)

former Chief Secretary to Government of Uttar Pradesh

Mr. Durga Shankar Mishra, IAS is a 1984 batch retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre. He served as Chief Secretary to Government of Uttar Pradesh from 30 December 2021 till 30 June 2024. Previously, he served as Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary and Chairman of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. He has held all important assignments in Union and State Governments, covering Revenue, Internal Security, Vigilance, Civil Aviation, Tourism, Sports, Agriculture, taxation, Medical & Health, Mining and Urban Development. He is a B. Tech. in Electrical Engineering from IIT, Kanpur, also a MBA (International Business) from University of Western Sydney, Australia and post-graduate Diploma in Public Policy from Institute of Social Studies, The Hague. He has actively promoted Good Governance and has published policy papers on subjects related to Governance, Public Administration and Development Administration in national/international journals. He has represented Union/State Governments at various national/ international fora and participated in national workshops/ conferences. He is Visiting Faculty, at the University of Guelph, Canada. He was one of the youngest Secretaries, appointed to the Government of India.

Prasanna Mohile

National Head & Executive Board Member, Pernod Ricard India

Mr. Prasanna Mohile leads the Corporate Affairs Division at Pernod Ricard India, bringing over four decades of rich experience in Public Affairs and Public Relations across a variety of industries. In his current capacity, he evaluates trends, policies, and emerging issues pertinent to regulatory bodies and executes strategic initiatives in alignment with Pernod Ricard India's overarching business objectives. He maintains a thorough understanding of the implications of legislative, executive, regulatory, think tank, and NGO policies on business operations, and actively advocates for policies that support the company's interests. Mr. Mohile also oversees the internal audit function to ensure the effective operation of governance, policy, and internal control processes, as well as corporate compliance processes and externally mandated organizational assessments. His leadership has been instrumental in enhancing the visibility and reputation of Pernod Ricard India among key stakeholders, positioning the company as a leader in the liquor industry. Prior to his tenure at Pernod Ricard, he was with Raisoni Group of Institutions, JSW Energy, Indorama Synthetics, and Universal Pharmaceuticals. As an Executive Member of the Board and the National Head of Corporate Affairs, he is dedicated to steering Pernod Ricard India, contributing significantly to the company's 'India Growth Story.'

CA Charanjot Singh Nanda

President - The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

CA Charanjot Singh Nanda, FCA has been elected as the 73rd President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India for the term 2025–26. He is an ardent wordsmith and eloquent orator with the thought process of a societal benefactor. A distinguished Fellow Member, he has been a practicing Chartered Accountant for 34 years since qualifying in 1991. A merit holder from Kurukshetra University and 35th rank holder in the CA Inter Examination, he holds a B.Com from M.L.N. College (1987). He served on the NIRC of ICAI for two terms (1998–2001 & 2001–2004) and was Chairman in 2002–2003. Elected to the Central Council in 2004, he is now serving his seventh term. As Vice President (2024–25), he led critical roles in IRDAI, SEBI, MCA, and CBDT-related committees. As President, he now chairs all ICAI Standing Committees and is Editor-in-Chief of The Chartered Accountant. He also chairs ICAI ARF, XBRL India, and welfare funds for CAs, and is Director on ISAI, ICAI RVO, and IIIPI. Internationally, he represents ICAI on boards of SAFA, PAFA, and AFA. A visionary leader, CA. Nanda is admired for his humility, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the profession and nation-building.

Prof. (Dr.) Alka Rao

Advisor - Science and Standards and Regulations
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

Dr. Alka Rao is a molecular microbiologist and protein engineer with over 15 years of research and regulatory experience. Currently serving as Advisor, Science & Standards and Regulations at FSSAI, she leads critical work in developing food safety standards, guidance documents, and regulations, while also serving as India’s liaison to the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the WTO-SPS Committee.

A prolific scientist, Dr. Rao has led 22+ R&D projects, filed 15+ patents and copyrights (7 granted), and published over 50 international papers. Her groundbreaking work on rare bacterial enzymes and microbial agri-products has received global recognition, including a Career Feature in Nature (UK, 2024). She has also been honored with the Zero Project Award 2024 and the NCPEDP National Award.

Dr. Rao has contributed significantly to national policy, including key amendments to the BD Act 2002 and India's stance on Access and Benefit Sharing. As Chair of FSSAI’s Scientific Panel on Food Additives, she has played a pivotal role in harmonizing India’s food safety standards with international norms. Her advocacy and outreach, particularly through "Eat Right India" for the deaf community, reflect her strong commitment to inclusive public health and science-driven policy.

G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, IAS

Mr. G. Kamala Vardhana Rao is a distinguished Indian Administrative Service officer from the Kerala Cadre, renowned for his exemplary leadership and extensive contributions across a wide range of public service domains. In his current regulatory role as the Chief Executive Officer of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, he has taken several groundbreaking initiatives in the field of Food Safety. He has been instrumental in setting new standards for 14 types of millets, which was highlighted by the launch of “Shree Anna – A Holistic Overview” by the Prime Minister. He also organized the International Millets Conference and the Global Food Regulatory Summit, elevating India’s role in the global food safety landscape. His tenure at FSSAI has seen the initiation of modernizing Street Food through the “PRASADAM” project, which emphasizes hygienic protocols and food safety. Additionally, he has introduced innovative IT portals such as Food-‘O’-Copoeia, SaNGRAHA, and a Common Digital Dashboard, aiming to enhance regulatory transparency and support the food industry. He has served with distinction as Chairman and MD of the India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (ITDC). During his tenure, he managed the disinvestment of key properties and coordinated food supplies for all healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nitin Sethi

Chief Executive Officer - Aon Consulting, India & South Asia

Mr. Nitin Sethi is the CEO for Aon Consulting in India & South Asia. He advises CEO’s, Business Leaders and Boards extensively on their people strategies and how to align talent programs and practices to deliver business results. He has worked with clients in areas of People Strategy, Organization Effectiveness, Executive Compensation & Board Governance. Mr. Sethi works with clients across multiple industry sectors in India and around the world. He is also an active speaker at various HR & Business forums across the country and outside on topics that are of interest to HR and Business Leaders. Nitin's career spans nearly over 25 years, of which he has worked with Aon for a period of over 20 years. Prior to re-joining Aon in 2020, he held Leadership roles at Rivigo in India & Coca-Cola in Asia Pacific.

Dr. Meenesh Shah

Chairman & MD - National Dairy Development Board

Dr. Meenesh Shah is the Chairman & Managing Director of National Dairy Development Board. Dr. Shah has an illustrious career of more than 39 years in Dairy sector and has made immense contribution in the field of Research & Development, Product & Process Development, Project Appraisal & Finance, Cooperative Services, Project Management and Strategic Decision Making. Dr. Shah is also Chairman of MDFVPL, IIL, IDMC, NDDB Dairy Services & NDDB MRIDA, furthering the objectives of NDDB and catering to various value chain of our animal husbandry and dairying sector from animal & human health, dairy machineries, institution building, marketing of milk & milk products to manure management. He is also in the Governing Boards of many other premier institutions of the country. He is a Board Member of the International Dairy Federation (IDF), Member Secretary of the Indian National Committee of IDF and also a member of the Standing Committee on Dairy Policies and Economics of IDF. He spearheaded the successful organisation of the World’s largest Dairy Conference IDF-WDS 2022 in India in September 2022. He had also ensured successful implementation of the World Bank funded Central Sector Scheme ‘National Dairy Plan Phase I’.

Yashvardhan Kumar Sinha, IFS

former High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom

Mr. Yashvardhan Kumar Sinha served as the Chief Information Commissioner of India from November 2020 to October 2023, following his appointment as Information Commissioner in January 2019. A distinguished diplomat from the 1981 batch of the Indian Foreign Service, he held several pivotal roles over a 37-year career, including High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka, and Ambassador to Venezuela. He also led the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran Division in the Ministry of External Affairs and served in key postings in Islamabad, Dubai, and at the UN Mission in New York. Mr. Sinha holds degrees in History from St. Stephen’s College and Delhi University, and a diploma in Arabic from the American University, Cairo. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Xaverian Award (2018). An insightful commentator on international relations, he has contributed thought-provoking essays on India–UK ties, India–Pakistan relations, and post-Brexit diplomacy. His writings have featured in British parliamentary publications and leading diplomatic anthologies. Renowned for his depth of knowledge and diplomatic finesse, Mr. Sinha continues to contribute to public discourse on governance, transparency, and foreign policy.

Mugdha Sinha, IAS

Managing Director - India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC)

Mrs. Mugdha Sinha, IAS (1999 batch Rajasthan cadre) is the Managing Director at India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC). She is a senior bureaucrat, known for her visionary & dynamic leadership, and brings over two decades of vast experience across governance and administration. Her previous impactful role as Director General of Tourism at the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, saw her play a pivotal role in shaping National tourism policies, particularly in area of innovation and big data. She also served as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, where she led the GLAM division overseeing significant cultural and tourism initiatives. Her work focused on promoting India’s heritage while integrating it with tourism development efforts. She is a valuable asset leading ITDC’s transformation journey where she will oversees ITDC’s diverse verticals, including The Ashok Group of Hotels, Ashok Events, Ashok Travels & Tours, Ashok Institute of Hospitality & Tourism Management (AIH&TM), Ashok International Trade ( Duty free shops), Catering units and Ashok Consultancy & Engineering Services.

Pankaj Tewari

Group Company Secretary - Bharti Group

Mr. Pankaj Tewari is the Group Company Secretary of Bharti Group since June 2017, reporting to the Group Chairman. A member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and a law graduate, he brings over 23 years of professional experience across industry and consulting. He is responsible for ensuring high standards of Corporate Governance across the group and has anchored marquee corporate transactions including some of the largest fund-raising initiatives, mergers & acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and the overseas listing of Airtel Africa plc. He has engaged with regulatory bodies at senior levels in India and overseas and has represented the company at various national and international forums. He has collaborated closely with industry bodies on public policy and regulatory reforms. He is a member of the Bharti Management Board and serves as a Non-Executive Director on several Bharti Group companies. He has also been on the board of Indus Towers, one of the largest telecom tower companies globally. Before joining Bharti, he spent 12 years with PwC, advising on corporate laws, governance, and board effectiveness. He has served on committees in CII, FICCI, and PHDCCI, and is a regular faculty at the Institute of Directors. In 2023, he was awarded 'Governance Professional of the Year' by ICSI.

Vivek Wadhwa

Academic, Author, Entrepreneur, & Keynote Speaker, USA

Mr. Vivek Wadhwa is an acclaimed academic, entrepreneur, and author of five best-selling books, including The Driver in the Driverless Car and From Incremental to Exponential. Based in Silicon Valley, he writes, speaks, and researches advancing technologies, ranging from AI and robotics to biotech and nanomaterials and their potential to solve global grand challenges. He has served as Distinguished Fellow at Harvard Law School and Emory University, adjunct professor at Duke and Carnegie Mellon, and fellow at Stanford and UC Berkeley. He was head of faculty at Singularity University and a globally syndicated columnist for The Washington Post. Mr. Wadhwa’s pioneering research has shaped global understanding of innovation, entrepreneurship, skilled immigration, and education systems. His work has earned recognition including TIME magazine’s “Tech 40,” Foreign Policy’s “Top 100 Global Thinkers,” and the U.S. Government’s “Outstanding American by Choice” award.

Before academia, he was EVP and CTO of Seer Technologies and founder of Relativity Technologies, recognized by Fortune as one of the “25 Coolest Companies.” He holds a B.A. in Computing Studies from the University of Canberra and an MBA from NYU. His insights have been featured across major global media and at leading policy and academic forums.

Rajat Kumar Jain

Founder - PadUp Ventures Pvt. Ltd.
Independent Director on the Boards of Vodafone Idea Ltd, Mahindra Holidays, Aditya Birla Finance and Chairman of Fino Payments Bank

Mr. Rajat Jain is a Gurgaon-based corporate leader turned startup evangelist, passionately focused on nurturing India’s innovation ecosystem. An alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad, he co-founded PadUp Ventures in 2015 with Pankaj Thakar, a tech entrepreneur with academic credentials from MIT and Harvard. PadUp is India’s leading open-architecture mentoring platform, dedicated to supporting early-stage tech startups through deep mentoring, structured programs, and access to early capital. Over the past decade, PadUp has reviewed over 3,000 startups, mentored more than 300, and successfully graduated 158 ventures of which 130+ have secured initial funding and 20+ have gone on to raise follow-on investments. With over 30 years of corporate leadership experience, Rajat has held senior roles in leading organizations across FMCG, media, technology, and telecom such as Unilever, Sony, Walt Disney, and Xerox, where he served as Managing Director for both Xerox India and Disney India. Today, he serves in non-executive roles, including Chairman of Fino Payments Bank, and Independent Director on the Boards of Vodafone Idea, Mahindra Holidays, and EMA Partners India.

Chandni Khosla

Non Executive Director - Neo Securities and Independent Woman Director, Retas Enviro Solutions Ltd.

Ms. Chandni Khosla is a seasoned Independent Director and globally recognized ESG and Sustainable Finance expert, with over 25 years of leadership across capital markets, sustainable finance, and governance. Her career spans senior roles at Singapore Exchange (SGX), National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), HDFC Ltd., and Natixis Investment Managers, where she has shaped institutional strategy at the intersection of finance, regulation, and sustainability across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. She advises boards, financial institutions, and regulators on ESG strategy, climate finance, and sustainability-linked governance. She brings deep technical knowledge of global frameworks including S&P DJSI CSA, SASB, TCFD, SBTi, GRI, UNGC, CDP, and Bloomberg GEI, and has led organizations through complex ESG disclosures, ratings evaluations, and sustainable investment strategies. As Independent Director at RETAS Enviro Solutions, a climate-tech company focused on water reuse and resilience, she brings both governance insight and environmental foresight. She also serves as Board Advisor to Synergos LLC and Non-Executive Director at Neo Securities Ltd, offering strategic counsel on governance, regulatory engagement, and ESG integration. During her tenure at HDFC Ltd, she played a pivotal role in the company earning the title of India’s Most Sustainable BFSI Company (BusinessWorld 2021). She was named one of BusinessWorld's Most Influential Women in Sustainability (2025), and frequently speaks at global climate finance and ESG forums, championing capital market innovation for sustainability transitions.

Arjun Ram Meghwal

Hon'ble Union Minister of State (I/C) for Law & Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of India

Mr. Arjun Ram Meghwal is an Indian politician belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party and former party Chief Whip in 16th Lok Sabha. Mr. Meghwal is retired IAS Officer, Social Worker, Farmer, Educationist by Profession turned politician from Rajasthan. He took voluntary retirement from the Indian Administrative Service in order to join politics. After completing graduation in Law in the year 1977 and post-graduation in Arts in the year 1979 as a regular student, in 1982, he qualified the RAS Exams and got elected for the Rajasthan Udhyog Seva. He was appointed as Assistant Director in the Jila Udhyog Kendra, and worked as the General Manager of Jila Udhyog Kendra of Jhunjhnu, Dhaulpur, Rajsamvad, Jaipur, Alwar & Shriganganagar districts of Rajasthan. Currently, he is Union Minister of State (I/C) for Law & Justice. Parliamentary Affairs, Govt. of India. He has been elected to the 15 and 16th and 17th Lok Sabhas (terms of the lower house of the Parliament of India) from Bikaner constituency, in 2009, 2014 and 2019. He was awarded the Best Parliamentarian Award in 2013.

Tuhin Kanta Pandey, IAS

Chairman, SEBI - Securities and Exchange Board of India

Mr. Tuhin Kanta Pandey is a Sr. IAS officer of the 1987 batch belonging to the Odisha Cadre. Currently he is serving as Chairman, Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI). In early part of his career, he worked as Executive Director & Managing Director of Odisha State Finance Corporation (OSFC) and Odisha Small Industries Corporation (OSIC) respectively. He has acquired wide experience in the areas of Industrial Development, Financial Management and Public Finance and has been instrumental in bringing about several institutional innovations, new policies and systems in the Departments he has served. He was also the Principal Secretary for Finance Department in Government of Odisha.

Angelo George

CEO - Bisleri International

Mr. Angelo George, CEO of Bisleri International, brings over three decades of distinguished leadership experience across renowned organizations such as Hindustan Unilever, EID Parry, and Dabur India. He is a transformational leader and widely respected for his deep market insights, innovation, and brand-building expertise. His strategic vision has consistently driven business growth, new ventures, and enhanced consumer engagement. Under his leadership, Bisleri has achieved record growth, refreshed the brand image, reinforced its market dominance, and expanded its global footprint with an entry into the UAE market.

Mr. George is committed to environmental sustainability and has positioned Bisleri as a socially responsible industry leader. Under his stewardship, Bisleri became one of the first companies in India to achieve plastic-neutral and water-positive status—recycling more plastic than it puts into the market and replenishing more water than it extracts. The company has taken the lead in sustainability narrative through its pathbreaking initiatives like ‘Responsible Use of Plastic’ and ‘Water Credits’.

Beyond his corporate role, Mr. George contributes actively to the broader business and academic ecosystem. He serves as an Independent Director and is an executive member of CII and ICC committees on Water, as well as the CII National Committee on Food Processing Industries. He is also an Honorary Professor at leading management schools, mentoring future business leaders, and serves on the Advisory Boards of Management Institutes and Universities.

In recognition of his outstanding leadership, he was honoured as one of the Inspiring CEOs at the Economic Times CEO Conclave.

M. Nagaraju, IAS

Secretary - Dept. of Financial Services
Ministry of Finance, India

Mr. M. Nagaraju is an IAS officer belonging to Tripura cadre. After graduating in Economics and having completed his post-graduation in Philosophy from the University of Hyderabad, he joined the IAS in 1993.

He has served at Local, State, National and International level in various capacities for over a period of 30 years. In the State Government, he served as District Magistrate, Director of Tribal Welfare, Secretary / Principal Secretary of Health, Finance and Industries & Commerce departments and was deeply involved in tribal development work and rehabilitation of surrendered militants.

During the period of 2004-08, he served in the Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs as Director Japan / North America and Director in the World Bank Division. During period he was in charge of bilateral economic relations, he commenced feasibility studies for Delhi-Kolkata freight corridor, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and was in charge of financing large projects like Delhi Metro, Bengaluru Metro and Chennai Metro (etc.) from JICA. He was also in charge of India- US Financial and Economic Forum and India-US CEO Forum.

Thereafter, he worked as Advisor to the Executive Director at the World Bank, Washington DC till 2012 and contributed actively in Bank’s response to 2008 financial crisis, food crisis and fuel crisis and also the sanctioning of huge development assistance to India during 2008-12. He was also closely involved in G-20, G-24 and G-11 discussions articulating India’s interests and positions.

As Joint Secretary and Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal from 30th January, 2020 he had opened up coal sector for commercial mining in the country, transforming India from coal deficit to coal surplus country.

He has served on the on the Boards of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, Northern Coal Fields, NLCIL and Coal India.

He was appointed as Secretary Financial Services on 19th August, 2024.

Chanchal Kumar, IAS

Secretary - Ministry of DoNER
Govt. of India

Mr. Chanchal Kumar is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1992 batch from the Bihar cadre and currently serves as the Secretary, Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region, Government of India. He holds a B.Tech (1990) and an M.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Kanpur. He also holds a Master’s degree in International Development Policy from Duke University and a Ph.D. in Economics.

Mr. Kumar has held several key positions in the Government of Bihar, including District Magistrate of Kaimur, Bokaro, East Champaran, and Nalanda. He has served as Secretary of the Art, Culture and Youth Department; Principal Secretary of the Building Construction Department; Principal Secretary of the General Administration Department; and Principal Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office, Bihar.

At the national level, he has previously served in the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. Prior to his current role, he was the Managing Director of the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd., New Delhi.

Nadir B. Godrej

Chairman & Managing Director
Godrej Industries Limited

Mr. Nadir B. Godrej is the Chairperson of Godrej Industries Group; Chairperson and Managing Director of Godrej Industries Limited and Chairman of Godrej Agrovet Ltd. He is also the Co-Chair of Godrej Good & Green Governing Council. He has been a Director of several Godrej companies since 1977 and has developed the animal feed, agricultural inputs and chemicals businesses of Godrej Industries and other associate companies and has been very active in research.

Mr. Godrej is deeply committed to the GOOD and GREEN strategies and achievement of set targets for the Godrej Industries Group. He encourages and supports a shared vision value for all programs of Good and Green.

Mr. Godrej is a recipient of many prestigious awards in the country and overseas including the Hurun award for most respected Indian Industrialist of the Year.

Recently, he was honored with a DSc. (Honoris Causa) by Institute of Chemical Technology and has also received a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management from XIM University, Bhubaneswar in recognition of his contribution to Industry and Society. In the past, he has been felicitated with ‘Green Business Titan’ Award for his commitment towards driving sustainability at the Godrej Group, by the JSW The Times of India Earth Care Awards.

His interests are in science, linguistics, swimming and poetry. He is author of "Life and Other Poems" & “Nadir Godrej The Poet” (a collection of English and French poems).