Our Speakers

Nithya Shanti is an internationally renowned spiritual guide and mindfulness expert, specializing in fostering deep connections and personal transformation. He is a former Buddhist monk and a consultant to hundreds of global organizations. He is the host of the RoundGlass podcast “The Stories We Tell” and a trusted advisor to leaders on decision-making and human connection. His keynotes share actionable practices for cultivating "kindfulness" and developing compassion and clarity for sustained personal and professional success.

Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai is a celebrated scholar and expert in Kautilya's Arthashastra, holding a Ph.D. in Philosophy. He is the Founder Director of Chanakya Aanvikshiki Pvt Ltd, a leadership training and mentoring institute. His book The corporate Chanakya was a record-breaking bestseller. His keynotes translate ancient wisdom into contemporary strategies for Leadership, Corporate Governance, and crisis management, delivered to clients like Credit Suisse, JP Morgan, and the Tata Group.

Michael Bergdahl is a former executive at Wal-Mart, where he worked directly with Sam Walton. He is considered the foremost authority on the retail giant and a successful turnaround specialist. The author of bestsellers What I Learned from Sam Walton and The 10 Rules of Sam Walton, his books have been translated into Chinese, Thai, and Korean. His keynotes, a blend of business, inspiration, and entertainment, teach organizations how to compete successfully in a Wal-Mart World by leveraging Sam Walton's core principles.

Viren Rasquinha is the former Captain of the Indian Hockey Team and an Arjuna Award recipient. He is the CEO of Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), which played a key role in 5 out of the 8 medals India won in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. An alumnus of ISB, Hyderabad (MBA), he provides a strategic perspective on achieving seemingly impossible goals. His keynotes offer inspiring lessons on the importance and art of teamwork, leadership, and how to successfully adapt to a changing environment to emerge as a true winner.

Patrick Hamilton Walsh is an international thought leader and author widely recognized for empowering organizations to unlock the potential of diverse teams. He has advised global corporations like Apple and Microsoft. His books, including A.I. Poverty and Talent Cities, provide a strategic blueprint for navigating the future of work and addressing economic disparities. As a speaker, he leverages his expertise to help nations, cities, and businesses attract, retain, and develop the global talent necessary to drive meaningful change and innovation.

Geetanjali Pandit is a best-selling author and a leading voice in human resources and professional transformation. Her book, Buddha At Work, has a global readership across four continents and eight countries, offering a unique blend of corporate wisdom and spiritual principles. Her expertise is rooted in over two decades of senior HR leadership and a robust coaching practice, where she has mentored thousands of individuals. As a speaker, Geetanjali provides a roadmap for personal and professional breakthroughs, helping audiences re-engage with their goals, build self-belief, and foster purposeful, profitable organizations.

Swapan Seth, CEO of Equus, is a visionary force in advertising, renowned for infusing campaigns with creativity and strategic acumen. His innovative approach has not only propelled Equus to new heights but has also redefined how brands engage audiences. As a speaker, Seth offers thought-provoking insights into the future of consumer engagement and the art of communication, drawing from his vast experience and industry foresight.

Twinkle Khanna is a WSJ bestselling author and former actress who won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She is India’s highest-selling woman writer and a leading advocate for menstrual hygiene. Her book The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad was adapted into the National Award-winning film Pad Man. She is the founder of the digital media platform Tweak India for women and actively campaigns at the United Nations and on the BBC for menstrual hygiene and sanitation globally.

Santosh Desai is a renowned brand guru and the MD & CEO of Futurebrands. He is a veteran advertising executive and a former President of McCann-Erickson. An alumnus of IIM-Ahmedabad, his work focuses on the evolving consumer culture in India and the relationship between culture and brands. His keynotes, delivered to global boards like Microsoft and Coca-Cola, provide highly insightful and accessible analysis on Branding & Design and Understanding India.

Rashmi Bansal is the #1 bestselling business books author in India, with 10 books on entrepreneurship that have sold over 1.2 million copies. She is an alumna of IIM Ahmedabad and co-founded the popular youth magazine JAM. Her key titles include Stay Hungry Stay Foolish and Connect the Dots. As a speaker, she shares highly motivational stories on entrepreneurship and innovation, and she mentors young entrepreneurs while teaching a course called 'Road Less Travelled' at Ashoka University.

Eika Chaturvedi Banerjee is a CEO, international thought leader, and Chevening Gurukul Fellow from Oxford University. She integrates Indian mythology and yoga into corporate leadership and business strategy. She is the founder-curator of Aakhyaan, India's first annual mythology festival, and runs the bespoke “Goddess In the Boardroom” retreats for senior corporate women. Her keynotes focus on Diversity, Women's Issues, and applying ancient wisdom to achieve modern business and leadership goals.

Shobhaa De is one of India’s most popular and influential writers. All 17 of her books have topped the charts, and four of her titles are used as course material at the University of London. She is a distinguished columnist for The Times of India and Asian Age, known for her sharp, "Politically Incorrect" observations on society, politics, and the economy. She is a highly influential voice, recognized as one of "India's Most Trusted People" by Reader's Digest.

Risha Grant is a leading expert in DEI and a captivating motivational speaker, known for her unique bias-busting process that leads audiences to Radical Acceptance. She is a recognized top HR and powerful woman leader. Her background—as a CEO, entrepreneur, and former Division 1 athlete—gives her a distinct perspective on team dynamics. Her keynotes provide executives, politicians, and academic directors with concrete advice on how to lead, manage, and behave more inclusively in business and drive sustainable cultural transformation.

Pooja Makhija is a celebrity nutritionist to stars like Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor. She is the bestselling author of Eat Delete and Eat Delete Junior, advocating for a nourishing diet over quick fixes. With an MSc in Food Science and Nutrition, her keynotes help audiences build the right relationship with food, achieve weight goals, and fight disease. She is a regular columnist for the Times of India and a popular speaker on wellness, nutrition, and rebuilding faith in the power of food.

Gul Panag is an acclaimed actress, former Miss India, and one of India's most powerful social media influencers and thought leaders. She is a dedicated activist for gender equality and environmental issues. A recognized fitness icon and serial half-marathoner, her keynotes inspire creativity, positivism, and a go-getter attitude. She shares her unique perspective on gender equality, fundamental rights, and the importance of citizen-government partnership for social change.

Shankkar Aiyar is a leading political economy analyst, former Wolfson Chevening Fellow at Cambridge University, and the author of the critically acclaimed book Accidental India. His journalism exposed India’s 1991 gold crisis, accelerating economic liberalization. His keynotes, informed by his book Gated Republic, provide deep insights into India’s socio-economic fault lines, public policy failures, and the intersection of politics and economics in the country's development.

T. N. Ninan is the Chairman and Editorial Director of Business Standard Ltd., and one of India’s most respected economic editors. He is a recipient of the B.D. Goenka award for excellence in journalism. He successfully edited Business Standard, The Economic Times, and Business World, driving rapid growth. His weekly column, “Weekend Ruminations,” is highly influential. He is a sought-after commentator on economic and business issues and was a recipient of the Nehru Fellowship.

Tisca Chopra is an acclaimed actress and author who won a Filmfare Award for her performance in Taare Zameen Par, which was India's official entry to the Academy Awards. Her career, which includes a nominated performance at the New York Indian Film Festival and acting in a Pulitzer Award-winning play, demonstrates her dedication to high-quality storytelling. Her keynotes share lessons on persistence, passion, and the ingredients needed to live a successful life.