World Affairs Speakers

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.

Philipp Kristian is a leading global expert and speaker on trust issues and digital humanity. He is the author of The Trust Economy and advises Fortune 500s on building trusted digital value propositions. As a former innovation evangelist for Fortune 500s in Asia, he helped scale two technology unicorns. His keynotes, informed by his book RESET, inspire leaders to win with trust, leave behind complexity, and foster a more human-centered and trustworthy digital future.

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.

Naina Lal Kidwai is a prominent Indian investment banker, former Chairman of HSBC India, and a former Non-Executive Director on the global board of Nestlé. She is an alumna of Harvard Business School. Awarded the Padma Shri and the HBS Alumni Achievement Award, her influence is vast. She founded and chairs the India Sanitation Coalition, and her books, such as Survive or Sink, focus on water, pollution, and green finance as critical elements of India's economic growth.

Junaid Kamal Ahmad is the Vice President of Operations at MIGA (World Bank Group), responsible for mobilizing private finance for development projects in emerging markets. The former Country Director for the World Bank in India and Chief of Staff to the WBG President, he holds degrees from Brown, Harvard, and Stanford (PhD in Applied Economics). His keynotes offer strategic insights on mobilizing private finance, infrastructure reform, and delivering development impact at scale in emerging markets.

Dr. Ricardo Hausmann is a globally recognized economist, public official, and Professor at the Harvard Kennedy School. He is known for directing the Growth Lab, guiding nations on development strategy and economic diversification. A former Minister of Planning for Venezuela and the first Chief Economist of the IDB, his expertise is informed by high-stakes policy roles. His books, including The Atlas of Economic Complexity, provide unique insights into economic development and the global financial system.

Pierluigi Collina is widely considered the best football referee of all time and is currently the Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee. An economics graduate, he refereed the 2002 World Cup final and the "ultimate final" of the 1999 UEFA Champions League. Voted FIFA 'Best Referee of the Year' for six consecutive years, his book The Rules of the Game outlines key strategies for success. His keynotes provide invaluable insights on Preparation, conflict management, and using all available resources to make the best possible decision in a fast-moving, high-pressure business environment.

Stephen Goldsmith is the Derek Bok Professor of Urban Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School and a renowned expert in data analytics for local government. He formerly served as Mayor of Indianapolis and Deputy Mayor of New York City. As a leading author on local government, his books include The Responsive City and A New City O/S. His keynotes provide actionable strategies for leaders on how to govern data, how to build a smart city, and the power of open, collaborative, and distributed governance to enhance public and private sector performance.

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.

Gurcharan Das is the former CEO of Procter & Gamble India and a bestselling author of a trilogy on Indian philosophy, including India Unbound and The Difficulty of Being Good. An alumnus of Harvard University and a columnist for The Times of India, his work explores the link between ancient wisdom and modern management. His keynotes provide senior executives with unique insights into organizational setups, leadership, and ethical decision-making to foster growth in a complex global environment.

General V.P. Malik is an acclaimed war hero and the former Chief of the Army Staff, renowned for leading Operation ‘Vijay’ at Kargil in 1999. He is a recipient of the Param Vishishta Seva Medal, India’s highest national award for distinguished military services. He currently advises several corporate boards as an independent director, translating his deep experience in army strategy, discipline, and welfare into corporate leadership. His keynotes motivate audiences to strike at their goals like soldiers do, emphasizing principles of unyielding discipline, leadership, and strategic execution.

Dr. Ian Goldin is an Oxford University Professor and a leading expert on globalization and megatrends. He is a former Vice President of the World Bank and served as Economic Advisor to Nelson Mandela. The author of 25 books, including Terra Incognita and The Butterfly Defect, his data-driven insights provide a strategic blueprint for building resilience and transforming turbulence into a force for progress. He advises industries on navigating global volatility and fostering the agility needed to thrive amidst rapidly changing landscapes.

Shaun Rein is the Managing Director of the China Market Research Group (CMR), the leading strategic market intelligence firm focused on China. He is a recognized expert on Chinese economic strategy and consumer trends. The bestselling author of The End of Cheap China, his work details the country's transformation from a producer to a consumer society. His engaging keynotes provide senior executives with highly valuable insights on the megatrends affecting businesses worldwide and how to capitalize on the vast opportunities in the Chinese market.

Chetna Gala Sinha is the founder of the Mann Deshi Bank—India’s first bank for and by rural women—which has provided over $70 million in loans to female micro-entrepreneurs. She is a distinguished social entrepreneur, a former Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum in Davos, and a recipient of the Nari Shakti Puraskar (India’s highest civilian award for women). Her talks provide actionable insights into financial inclusion and the power of grassroots entrepreneurship for social transformation.

Taavi Kotka is the former CIO of the Estonian government, where he pioneered globally influential e-residency and digital governance initiatives. He was named European CIO of the Year 2014. Today, he is the CEO and Co-founder of KOOS.io, a firm that helps businesses grow by giving their communities "skin in the game." His keynotes offer unique, high-level insights into digital transformation, the future of governance, and the innovative use of technology to create economic value and solve public-sector problems.

Dr. Gerard ’t Hooft is a Nobel Laureate in Physics (1999), recognized for his work on the quantum structure of electroweak interactions. He is a Distinguished Professor at Utrecht University and a world-leading theoretical physicist. His groundbreaking research on gauge theory and the holographic principle has profoundly advanced the study of black holes and quantum gravity. As a celebrated speaker, he delivers mind-expanding keynotes that showcase the true pioneering spirit of scientific investigation and bring the leading edge of theoretical physics to a mass audience.

Irina Bokova is the former Director-General of UNESCO (2009–2017), the first woman and first Eastern European to hold the post. She is a global expert on cultural heritage, global governance, and the role of education in sustainable development. Her leadership led to the UN Security Council recognizing the safeguarding of cultural heritage as a peace and security imperative. As a speaker, she provides critical insights on the challenges of global governance, women’s rights, and how to leverage soft power for sustainable, inclusive development in the 21st century.

Dr. Fons Trompenaars is a leading expert and consultant on cultural diversity and corporate culture, whose foundational book, Riding the Waves of Culture, has been translated into various languages. Named a top management consultant by Business Magazine, he helps global leaders solve complex cultural issues critical to increasing global growth and efficiency. His keynotes provide actionable strategies for navigating the 7 dimensions of culture and building truly high-performance organizations.