Our Speakers

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.

Dr. Shelja Sen is a leading expert in child and adolescent mental health and the Co-founder of Children First. She is a TED speaker and the critically acclaimed author of books including All You Need is Love and Imagine. Her expertise is applied through Narrative Therapy and SFBT training, and her books focus on mindful parenting and the necessity of emotionally safe spaces for inclusive learning. Her talks, including a TED presentation, emphasize that such spaces are a prerequisite for children to grow, thrive, and flourish.

Mark Mathews is a former professional Big Wave Surfer and Red Bull Athlete known for his mastery of high-stakes environments. He is an award-winning speaker and expert in mental resilience and sustained long-term performance. Drawing from 20 years of experience, his presentations provide counterintuitive techniques on Leadership, Safety, and Risk Management. His keynotes use spectacular surf footage to demonstrate the need for agility and meticulous preparation to overcome challenges and perform at peak levels.

Varun Agarwal is an acclaimed entrepreneur and author of the national bestseller How I Braved Anu Aunty and Co-Founded a Million Dollar Company. He is the co-founder of Alma Mater, India’s largest provider of school and college merchandise. His talks foster a go-getter attitude and have been delivered to major global clients including the United Nations, Google India, and HP. His presentations, which are highly sought after by educational institutions and corporations, focus on Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and the pursuit of passion.

M. J. Akbar is a leading Indian journalist, former editor of major dailies, and a critically acclaimed author. He is a prominent expert on Indian policy and South Asian geopolitics. His first book, India: The Siege Within, had a deep impact on India’s policy in Punjab and Kashmir. His latest book, Tinderbox, discusses identity crisis and class struggle in Pakistan. His keynotes offer incisive commentary on current and political affairs and the complex dynamics of the Indian subcontinent.

Calum Chace is a best-selling AI author and futurist whose books Surviving AI and The Economic Singularity have shaped how leaders think about automation, work, and society. A former business executive and journalist with an Oxford PPE background, he translates complex ideas—AGI, LLMs, and accelerating tech—into clear, practical narratives. His core message is balanced and actionable: AI can drive abundance, but only if organizations prepare thoughtfully with strategy, skills, and sensible governance. He co-founded the Economic Singularity Foundation, contributes to Stories from 2045, and advises boards on responsible AI adoption. On stage—at events like CogX and private leadership offsites—Calum mixes big-picture foresight with near-term playbooks: where AI creates value now, how to adapt jobs and education, and which policies reduce risk without stifling innovation. Audiences leave with context, vocabulary, and concrete next steps to build an AI-ready future.

Palki Sharma Upadhyay is a journalist and editor who translates complex international affairs into clear, evidence-led narratives. After early work in public broadcasting and print, she anchored WION’s global news coverage and later held senior editorial roles at Network18/Firstpost. Her on-air style privileges sourcing and context over spectacle. As a moderator and commentator she helps audiences and leaders read geopolitical signals, assess media risk, and shape communications that withstand scrutiny.