Our Speakers

Dr. Anthony Atala is a world-renowned surgeon and the Director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. He is a pioneer whose team engineered the first lab-grown organ to be implanted into a human. His research focuses on growing and regenerating tissues and organs and includes breakthroughs in harvesting stem cells from amniotic fluid. As a speaker, he provides invaluable insights into the future of medicine, bioengineering, and the disruptive potential of 3D bioprinting and tissue fabrication technologies.

Dr. Srikumar Rao is a renowned expert on Creativity and Personal Mastery and a bestselling author. His course on the topic is the only one in the world with its own business school alumni association. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad and Columbia Business School (PhD), he helps executives become more resilient and develop inner serenity. His keynotes apply ancient wisdom and contemplative discussion to achieve goals and create a successful, conscious business environment.

Sakshi Malik, the first Indian female wrestler to win an Olympic medal, embodies resilience and empowerment. Her journey from Haryana village to Olympic podium inspires change in gender norms in sports. Beyond wrestling, she advocates for gender equality and empowers young women to pursue their dreams.

Dr. Justine Cassell is a foundational pioneer in Conversational AI, a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University, and a senior researcher at INRIA Paris. She is the credited developer of the Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA). She is a long-time advisor to the World Economic Forum and a member of the French governmental committee CNNUM (Council on the Future of Digital in France). Her keynotes translate complex research into actionable insights on the impact of AI on learning and communication, focusing on developing technologies that evoke humans' most humane capabilities.

Kiran Karnik is the former President of NASSCOM and a globally recognized thought-leader for the Indian IT industry. He is an IIM Ahmedabad alumnus and a pioneer in applying space technology for education. A recipient of the Padma Shri and named Forbes “Face of the Year 2003,” his career spans leadership roles at ISRO, Discovery Networks, and NASSCOM. He advises the Prime Minister's Scientific Advisory Council and is an expert on ICT initiatives and global technology positioning.

Parameswaran Venkataraman is a leading pioneer in Design Thinking and Behavioral Design in India. He is the Co-founder of '3 Big Things' and an expert who has held leadership roles at IDEO, Tata Digital, and Fractal.ai. The former Chief Design Officer at Fractal.ai and an HBS alumnus, his work is showcased as a case study in IDEO U's Design for Change course. His keynotes focus on Creating a Design Thinking mindset and translating design principles into personal reflections, leveraging his unique toolkit of Mindfulness and Design Thinking.

Dr. Richard A. D’Aveni is a Bakala Professor of Strategy at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business and a preeminent global expert on competitive dynamics and disruption. He is the author of the breakthrough book Hypercompetition. His advice is sought by boards, CEOs, and the world’s richest families, and he was once the principal advisor to half of the Fortune 10 CEOs. His keynotes provide nitty-gritty insights on using aggressive market disruption and judo techniques to win against competitors and thrive in the new world of group-based competition.

Anurag Kashyap is a leading Indian filmmaker and actor, recipient of four Filmfare Awards, and was made a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the Government of France (2013). His body of work includes the cult epic Gangs of Wasseypur and the critically acclaimed The Lunchbox. His experience navigating censorship issues and achieving success after multiple failures provides a compelling narrative for audiences on creative persistence and innovation in storytelling.

Ashish Vidyarthi is an award-winning Indian film actor who has performed in over 200 films across 12 languages. He is the founder of Avid Miner Conversations, which creates customized interactive modules for organizations. His talks, which he fondly calls "conversations," apply his storytelling mastery to ignite positivity, creativity, and unleash the inner potential of the audience. He advises leading companies on how to transform their culture and effectively address real-life challenges.

Yossi Ghinsberg is a bestselling author and daring adventurer, best known for his 72-day struggle for survival in the uncharted Bolivian Amazon. He is a committed advocate for Indigenous people and the defense of the Amazon jungle. As an international businessman, he founded the acclaimed Chalalan Ecolodge in the Amazon and the social mobile app Blinq. His keynotes draw on his survival story to inspire audiences on the power of resilience, following one's gut, and the necessity of personal and professional transformation.

Dr. Katharine K. Wilkinson is a leading climate strategist and the Co-founder of The All We Can Project. She is a Rhodes Scholar and the co-editor of the bestselling anthology All We Can Save. Named one of TIME magazine’s “women who will save the world,” she is a prominent voice on gender equity and environmental advocacy. Her keynotes provide a unique blend of warmth and rigor, offering transformational frameworks for climate wayfinding and inspiring individuals and organizations to become active participants in the earth's healing.

Abhishek Bachchan is an acclaimed Indian actor and producer, the son of Amitabh Bachchan, and a four-time Filmfare Award winner. He received the National Film Award for producing the film Paa. His career is a testament to persistence, with major acting successes in films like Dhoom and Guru, and recent acclaim for his performances in the streaming series Ludo and Dasvi. His keynotes offer unique insights into the resilience and strategic choices required for sustained success in the competitive entertainment industry.

T. D. Chandrasekhar is a seasoned Executive Leadership Coach and Family Business Consultant. He is a Partner at BAF Consultants and an alumnus of IIT Delhi and XLRI Jamshedpur. He provides tailored coaching for C-suite executives and focuses on Business Charters, Next Gen Succession Planning, and Organizational Development. He is a Course Facilitator for prestigious programs, including the Advanced Management Program at the Bombay Stock Exchange and the Vedica Scholars Programme for Women.

Nabeela is a visionary global leader and former C-Suite executive at IKEA and Walmart, specializing in multi-billion dollar organizational transformation. She is a passionate advocate for DE&I and workplace wellbeing. As a sought-after speaker, she teaches her proprietary frameworks for tackling burnout, building inclusive communities, and mastering the skills to lead effective change. Her mission is to move hearts and minds into action, helping people and organizations Reflect Deeply, Think Differently, and Enact Positive Change.

Neil Martin is a leading Formula 1 strategist and data scientist with over 30 years of experience. He is the Founder of Random Logic, an analytics firm, and former Head of Strategy for Ferrari and Red Bull Racing. His early work revolutionized Game Theory and Monte Carlo race strategies in F1, a methodology now used across the sport. His keynotes provide highly inspirational insights into data-driven decision-making, strategic agility, and the application of cutting-edge F1 technology to business growth and complex problem-solving.

Wayne Hemingway is a designer, an entrepreneur, and a leading voice on urban regeneration and social responsibility. He is the co-founder of Red or Dead, a global fashion brand. His work is a powerful testament to the power of a bold vision and a commitment to a more human-centered and purpose-driven approach to business. A compelling keynote speaker, Hemingway provides a clear and practical guide to mastering sustainable design and social responsibility. He speaks on entrepreneurship, leadership, and the importance of a more human-centered approach to business. His talks are ideal for leaders and teams.

Arunachalam Muruganantham is a pioneering social entrepreneur and the inventor of the low-cost sanitary pad making machine, a technology that is empowering rural women in India. Named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, his story was the subject of the acclaimed Bollywood blockbuster Padman. His keynotes inspire audiences with lessons on grassroots innovation, social entrepreneurship, and the power of low-cost technology to create mass employment and transform public health.

Rama Bijapurkar is a leading thought leader on business-market strategy and Consumer India. She is the author of widely acclaimed books, and one of India’s most experienced independent directors (served on boards including Infosys and ICICI Bank). A long-time Visiting Faculty at IIM Ahmedabad, her work provides the "people lens" to understand India's economy. Her keynotes focus on customer-based business strategy and the mega consumption story being driven by smaller markets in India.