Society Speakers

Debjani Ghosh is a former executive at Intel and the first female President of Nasscom. She currently serves as a Distinguished Fellow at NITI Aayog, focusing on frontier technologies and their role in India's economic growth. Recognized by the President of India as a "First Lady" pioneer and named “Tech Leader of the Year” by Vogue (2020), her leadership embodies a passionate commitment to human-centric innovation. Her keynotes provide strategic counsel on AI, digital transformation, and the Inevitable India strategy for global competitiveness.

Graça Machel is a leading global activist and the former First Lady of both Mozambique and South Africa. She served as Mozambique's first Minister of Education, a role in which she drastically reduced the country's illiteracy rate. Today, she is the founder of the Graça Machel Trust, dedicated to education, women's empowerment, and good governance across Africa. As a public speaker, she delivers a stirring message of determination, hope, and advocacy, providing a unique perspective on political transitions, human rights, and the power of committed social action.

Sophia the Robot is the world’s first robot to be granted citizenship and serves as the first Robot Innovation Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme. She is Hanson Robotics' most advanced human-like robot and a platform for AI research. Her highly visible appearances and speeches have made her a global symbol of technological innovation. Her talks explore The Future of AI Personified, focusing on her role in medicine and education, and inspiring critical discussions about human-AI collaboration and the journey toward robot autonomy and sentience.

Jamling Tenzing Norgay is an acclaimed mountaineer and the son of Everest pioneer Tenzing Norgay. He scaled Mount Everest in 1996 and starred in the IMAX film Everest. His book is notable for discussing the exploitation and labor issues faced by Sherpas, providing a crucial perspective on expedition dynamics. His keynotes share powerful lessons on self-reliance, adaptability, and teamwork, drawing from his family’s ancient Sherpa legacy.

Shabana Azmi is one of India's finest actresses, a five-time National Film Award winner, and a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan (2012) and Padma Shri (1988). As a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador and a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha (upper house of parliament), she is a highly visible advocate for social justice, gender equality, and HIV/AIDS prevention. Her keynotes draw on her decades of activism and art to inspire action against prejudice and injustice.

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.

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.

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.

Sonam Wangchuk is a celebrated engineer and educator who founded SECMOL, a movement that transformed school pass percentages in Ladakh from 5% to 75%. He is the inventor of the "Ice Stupa" artificial glacier, a low-cost, innovative solution to the water crisis caused by climate change. As a speaker, he provides audiences with a whole new perspective on innovation and entrepreneurship that effectively embraces social change.

Mithali Raj is a pioneer of female leadership and the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket. She is the only female player to captain India in multiple ICC ODI World Cup finals. A recipient of the Padma Shri and Arjuna Award, her talks are powerful, impactful, and packed with practical, real-world takeaways that inspire peak performance and exceptional leadership. She advocates for gender representation in sport and the power of endurance and discipline.

Richard Williams, or Prince Ea, is a spoken word artist and filmmaker who has garnered over two billion YouTube views for his motivational content. He is a leading voice on self-development, environmentalism, and spirituality. With a degree in Anthropology, Prince Ea founded the "Make S.M.A.R.T. Cool" movement to promote intelligence and creativity in hip-hop culture. His keynotes inspire audiences with practical wisdom on self-development, finding passion, and the vital importance of motivation and engagement in the classroom and workplace.

Rosario Marin is a prominent political figure and the first Mexican-born Treasurer of the United States of America, a position in which she oversaw the collection of $41 billion in taxes. She is a leading advocate for Hispanic women's empowerment and inclusivity. Her memoir, Leading Between Two Worlds, details her journey from emigrating to the U.S. at age 15 with no English to graduating with honors after overcoming an unfair mental disability label. As a speaker, she shares powerful lessons on leadership, perseverance, and the importance of implementing positive change in the community.

Rajat Sharma is a leading Indian journalist and the Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of India TV. He is best known as the host of Aap Ki Adalat, the longest-running reality show in Indian television history. The recipient of the Padma Bhushan (2015), he is an influential executive who recently filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Delhi High Court urging the government to address the challenges posed by deepfake creation.

Devdutt Pattanaik is a renowned mythologist and speaker who uses Indian and World mythology as a toolkit to understand business, leadership, and life. He has authored over 50 books and 1000 newspaper columns. His TV shows Business Sutra and Devlok are pathbreaking. His key philosophy for business is that successful leadership is about paying attention to the "other" and ensuring that individual and corporate beliefs are congruent to avoid disharmony and disruption.

Farhan Akhtar is an award-winning Bollywood multi-hyphenate—an actor, director, writer, and singer. He is the co-founder of the successful production banner Excel Entertainment. His directorial debut, Dil Chahta Hai, won him his first National Award and gained cult status, influencing a generation of filmmakers. His keynotes share insights into creative problem-solving, mindset, and the strategies required to achieve excellence across multiple creative domains.