Asia Dialogues
Esteemed Speakers at Asia Dialogues
Forum 2026 | Mumbai
Dr. Padmakumar Nair
Vice Chancellor Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology
Professor Padmakumar Nair, Vice Chancellor, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology and the founding Dean of Thapar School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is a passionate researcher, teacher, and scholar in innovation in higher education, leadership development, nanostructured materials, and sustainability. He has more than 55 publications in journals of international repute. He has been cited more than 2900 times in academic journals with a Google Scholar H-factor of 29. Professor Nair has worked both in academia and industry and has a combined experience of more than 38 years in various sectors such as oil & gas (Shell in Amsterdam), education (Netherlands, Denmark, US, Japan, China, and South Korea), consulting (PwC, Japan and the US) and advanced R&D (NL, Japan and US).
Aakanksha Patel
Managing Director OLIVER Agency
Aakanksha Patel is Managing Director at OLIVER Agency (2024–Present), after serving as Country Head (2019–2024). An award-winning digital leader and entrepreneur, she also co-founded KefirCulture (2018–2024). Earlier, she built her career at Digitas India (2011–2019), with early stints at Barista Coffee Company (2002–2004), Shaw Wallace Distilleries (2001–2002), Leo Burnett (2008), Red Bull (2007–2008), and Rous Iland (2010).
Abhinav Aggarwal
Founder & CEO Fluid AI
Abhinav Aggarwal is one of the founders of Fluid AI (www.fluid.ai). Abhinav dropped out of the MBA at India’s number 1 insititute (Indian School of Business) to found his company, Fluid AI. He has been leading AI research for the last 15 years. He was featured on the cover of Forbes Magazine for his work in AI and running a business (cover issue above). He is a part of the Forbes 30 under 30 Asia list and the Fortune 40 under 40 India list.
Akhilesh Ayer
Chief Executive Officer Cactus Communications
Akhilesh Ayer is the CEO of Cactus Communications (2024–present), with over 20 years of leadership across strategy, P&L, analytics, marketing, and global expansion. Previously, he spent 13 years at WNS Global Services (2011–2024) leading data, AI, and marketing functions; served at Guizzetti & Associates (2009–2011); McGladrey Capital Markets (2006–2009); Genpact (2002–2006); CRISIL (2001–2002); and SPCL (1998–2001).
Alok Jain
President Viacom18
Alok Jain bringing 25+ years of leadership across media, consumer durables, and industrial goods. Previously, he led regional TV and digital businesses at Disney Star (2016–2023), built new businesses at HIL Limited (2012–2016), drove strategy at Bharat Forge (2009–2012), consulted at Boston Consulting Group (2007–2009), and began his career across Intelligent Information Systems, Accelya Kale Solutions, and Solutions Inc (2002–2007).
Amit Chincholikar
Group President - Human Resorces Hinduja Group Limited
Amit Chincholikar is Group President – Human Resources at Hinduja Group Limited (2025–present). Previously, he served as Global CHRO at Yokohama Off-Highway Tires (2023–2024) and Tata Consumer Products (2018–2023), and held senior Group HR roles at Tata Sons (2010–2018). Earlier stints include Novelis (2008–2010), Aditya Birla Group (2002–2008), Universal Music Group (2002), and Mercer (1998–2002).
Devendra Singh Rajput
Chief Business officer Indira IVF Group
Devendra Singh Rajput is the Chief Business Officer at Indira IVF Group, driving P&L, digital growth, and B2C/B2B expansion across India (2024–present). Previously, he served as COO–Diagnostics at Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited (2023–2024), Vice President roles at Apollo (2020–2023) and Neuberg Diagnostics (2019–2020), MD– South Asia at Quest Diagnostics (2013–2019), Country Head–Sri Lanka at Metropolis Healthcare Limited (2010–2013), with earlier leadership at Biogenex, SRL/Agilus, Reliance Life Sciences, Novartis, and Duphar.
Girish Bhagat
Chairman Saleri India
Girish Bhagat is Chairman, Industrie Saleri Italo S.p.A. India (2021–present), specializing in EU–India cross-border business and technology facilitation. He has served on boards of multiple European manufacturing firms in India (2011–present). Previously, he was MD–India at IndiaNivesh Group (2017–2019), Board Member at The EuroIndia Centre (2009–2016), CEO–Asset Management at Atherstone Group (2006–2008), MD at HDFC Securities Limited (2000–2002), and earlier led roles at Mphasis, HSBC Software, IIT InvesTrust, and Unit Trust of India.
Hari Menon
Global Chief Human Resources Officer Eternis Fine Chemicals Limited
Hari Menon is a distinguished global HR leader with over 21 years of experience driving high-performance people strategies across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Currently serving as the Global CHRO for Eternis, Hari oversees human capital strategy from the group’s headquarters in Mumbai. His career is defined by a decade-long tenure at Alstom, where he held pivotal leadership roles in Switzerland, France, Singapore, Malaysia, and India, preceded by foundational years with the Tata Group and a CHRO role at Mitsui.
Harsha Razdan
CEO South Asia dentsu
Harsha Razdan is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience across various industries. Before joining dentsu, he served as a Senior Partner at KPMG, overseeing Clients & Markets, Consumer Markets, Life Sciences, and Internet Business. Harsha was a valuable member of the Advisory Leadership at KPMG India and the Global Consumer & Retail leadership teams.
Karthick Venkatakrishnan
Managing Director EisnerAmper India
Karthick Venkatakrishnan is the Managing Director of EisnerAmper India offices. He oversees the India operations, and is responsible for the growth, office stewardship, client service initiatives and talent maximization in our India offices. In addition, he leads the strategy and management of India operations and creates a strong foundation and culture for our offices and colleagues in India.
Kunal Sanghavi
Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer HDFC Securities Ltd
Kunal Sanghavi is the Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer at HDFC Securities, with 16+ years of experience across capital markets, strategy, finance, and transformation. He previously served as CFO at HDFC Securities (2020–2023) and Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India (2018–2020), and held senior roles at Angel One (2016–2018) and Motilal Oswal Securities (2006–2016). A CA and ISB alumnus, he specializes in strategy, M&A, digital transformation, and financial leadership.
Makesh Sankaran
Chief Executive Officer Altruist Technologies Pvt. Ltd
Mr. Makesh Sankaran currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Altruist BPO, bringing with him a rich leadership career spanning multiple global organizations and industries. Makesh chose to begin his professional journey with leading FMCG and technology brands including HCL, Onida and LG. His transition into the BPO industry proved to be the turning point of his career. Over the years, he has held senior CX and leadership roles at Adventity, Allsec, Karvy, Armsoftech and Fusion BPO Services, gaining comprehensive expertise across all facets of the business.
Parth Trivedi
Chief Information Security Officer Bosch Global Software Technologies
Parth Trivedi is a client-facing CISO advisor and Senior Cybersecurity Architect, with extensive experience in designing and leading enterprise security programs across IT and OT environments. He works closely with CXOs and boards to align cybersecurity with business objectives, strengthen cyber resilience, and manage regulatory and operational risk. Parth has led multiple initiatives around ISO 27001, SOC 2, data protection, incident response, and the secure adoption of emerging technologies, including generative AI. He is passionate about transforming cybersecurity from a support function into a strategic business enabler and regularly shares practical insights on security leadership, governance, and digital trust.
Priti Singh
Chief People Officer Universal Sompo General Insurance Co. Ltd
Priti Singh is the Chief People Officer at Universal Sompo General Insurance Co. Ltd. (2024–present), a global HR leader known for driving business results through people strategy. Previously, she led People & Capability at Mastercard across South Asia (2017–2022) and EEMEA (2022–2024), held senior HR roles at Suntory Global Spirits (2014–2017), Sun Life Financial (2010–2013), AXA XL (2007–2010), FirstRain (2006–2007), and Panalpina (2001–2006).
Raj Lakhani
Group Head of Communications Reliance Industries Limited
Mr. Raj Lakhani pioneered the Indian operations of the Global leader PERI in 2006. He has taken the lead role from the inception to the conception of PERI India by introducing the first ever System Formwork in the country and making PERI India the “market leader”. Mr. Lakhani’s more than 40 years of professional career comprises experience across various functions, in India and abroad with expertise in Formwork and Scaffolding. He has spent his entire professional career in formwork and the scaffolding industry.
Rohit Bansal
Group Head of Communications Reliance Industries Limited
An influencer's influencer works at the intersections of generative AI4aBillion, media, reputation, strategy, and common sense in India's most valued company. Also, in Provoke (Holmes) World’s Top In-House Communicators List 2025. Honorary Visiting Professor of AI at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, leading management schools and corporates on AI4Bharat. Alum of Harvard Business School (Advanced Management Program 177), IIM Ahmedabad (Senior Management Programme 07) & St Stephen’s College (BA honours in History). Executive alum at the Indian School of Business (Leadership with Al) and Arthur C. Page CCOs Multistakeholders Program at Yale School of Management.
R Gopalakrishnan
Ex-Unilever VC Former Director Tata Sons
R Gopalakrishnan (Author and Corporate Advisor) studied physics at Kolkata University, engineering at IIT Kharagpur and attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. He has been a professional manager from 1967. He has served as Chairman of Unilever Arabia, as MD of Brooke Bond Lipton and Vice Chairman of Hindustan Lever, as director of Tata Sons and several Tata companies. He serves as an independent director of Press Trust of India (PTI).
Shweta Shalini
State Secretary Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP)
Shweta Shalini is a senior political leader, strategist, and spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party, serving as State Secretary, Maharashtra (2022–present) and Party Spokesperson (2014–present). She is also Advisor to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Previously, she was Co-Convenor, BJP Maharashtra IT Cell (2012– 2016). Parallelly, she has led and advised organizations including Realtimewave India (Managing Partner, 2011–present), Fortune Cookie Marketing Solutions (Founder, 2008– 2023), ImaginXP (Board Advisor, 2013–present), and Y4D Foundation (Sustainability Expert, 2017–present), bringing together politics, technology, entrepreneurship, and social impact.
Sunil Gupta
Co-founder, Managing Director & CEO Yotta Data Services Private Limited
Sunil Gupta, widely known as the Data Center Man of India, is a pioneering leader in data centers and AI with over 30 years of industry experience. An alumnus of Columbia University and NIT Kurukshetra, he leads Yotta Data Services, driving hyperscale data centers, sovereign cloud (Yntraa), and AI platforms like Shakti Cloud. A Forbes India cover leader, Sunil is a key force shaping India’s digital and AI ecosystem.
Sumit Bhatia
Field CTO - Snowflake Tredence Inc
Sumit Bhatia is a Technology Evangelist, entrepreneur, and risk-taker with a strong passion for creating blue-ocean opportunities. Holding a Master of Science and extensive experience across Corporate America, he currently serves as Field CTO – Snowflake at Tredence Inc.. Sumit drives innovation across the AI Data Cloud, spanning data science, engineering, monetization, and applications, blending leadership, technology, and business acumen to deliver measurable customer value.
Venu Nair
Chief of Strategic Partnerships & Omnichannel, SVP Myntra
Venu Nair is the Chief of Strategic Partnerships & Omnichannel at Myntra, where he leads global brand partnerships and international portfolio growth. With 30+ years in retail and fashion, he previously served as MD & CEO of Shoppers Stop, and held CEO/MD roles at Trent Ltd and Marks & Spencer Reliance. An NIT Calicut alumnus with an MBA from SPJIMR, he brings deep P&L and transformation expertise.
Vineet Gautam
Founder and CEO 91Brands
Vineet Gautam is the Founder & CEO of 91Brands (2025–present), building a bridge between global brands and India. With 25+ years in retail and consumer businesses, he previously served as CEO of Bestseller India (2010–2024), scaling it into a leading fashion portfolio. Earlier roles include leadership stints at Benetton Group (2007– 2009), Etisalat India (2009–2010), Idea Cellular, Wills Lifestyle, Cafe Coffee Day, and Domino's Pizza.
Vivek Jain
Chief of Staff and HR Strategy BSE India
Vivek Jain is Chief of Staff & HR Strategy at BSE India (2025–present), bringing over two decades of strategic HR leadership across banking, BPO, pharma, and IT. Previously, he served as CHRO at Capri Global Capital (2024–2025) and spent 15+ years at Kotak Mahindra Bank (2008–2024) in senior HR roles. Earlier, he held HR leadership positions at Genpact (2006–2008) and Lupin Pharmaceuticals (1998– 2006), driving transformation, talent strategy, and sustained business performance
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