Akkai Padmashali
Transgender Activist, Motivational speaker and Singer
Akkai Padmashali, an Indian transgender activist, motivational speaker, and singer, is a distinguished advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Recognized with the Rajyotsava Prashasti and an honorary doctorate, she began her activism journey at Sangama, a Bangalore-based LGBT rights group. Passionate about dignity and rights for transgender individuals and sexual minorities, Akkai founded 'Ondede,' a human rights organization championing the rights of children, women, and sexual minorities. Her impactful work has left an indelible mark, inspiring positive change and earning her accolades for her unwavering commitment to equality.
Bhargavi Venkatram
Carnatic Vocalist
Bhargavi Venkatram, born into a musical legacy, is a prodigious Carnatic classical vocalist mentored by the esteemed T.M. Krishna. Demonstrating exceptional musical acumen from the age of 2, she swiftly garnered recognition, winning prestigious awards such as the All India Radio national competition and the Pratibhakankshi award. Her accolades include the Kishora Prathibe Prize and the ITC Sangeeth Research Academy award. Bhargavi has graced renowned music sabhas nationwide, including The Music Academy and Narada Gana Sabha, showcasing her remarkable talent and contributing to the rich tapestry of Indian classical music.
Biju Dominic
Chief Evangelist, Fractal
Biju Dominic, Chief Evangelist of Fractal Analytics and Chairman of FinalMile Consulting, is a trailblazer in behavior architecture. With an initial career in traditional advertising, he transitioned to pioneer a novel approach by integrating insights from behavioral economics, cognitive neuroscience, and design. In 2007, he co-founded Final Mile Consulting, revolutionizing the understanding and influence of human behavior. Currently, Biju focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence and behavior architecture synergies at Fractal Analytics, aiming to empower every human decision through innovative and strategic insights.
Executive coach, keynote speaker, published author
Binod Shankar, a renowned public figure, began his career in industrial banking and swiftly ascended the ranks at Nakheel, a major Dubai property developer. As Finance Director, he played a pivotal role in securing the world's largest convertible bond. Subsequently, he co-founded Genesis, a leading financial training company, later acquired by Kaplan Inc. Binod, a Chartered Accountant and CFA charter holder, is now an executive coach, market analyst, and author of "Let’s Get Real: 42 Tips for the Stuck Manager." His diverse achievements include summiting numerous major mountains, cycling expeditions, and marathon completions.
Cheryl Dutta
Life Transition Coach
Cheryl Dutta, an accomplished Life and Career Transition Coach, brings a wealth of experience in guiding individuals from diverse backgrounds through seamless and positive transitions. With a passion for empowering others to achieve success in both personal and professional spheres, Cheryl emphasizes the importance of aligning values and life purpose with career choices. A trailblazer, she served for a decade in the Indian Armed Forces as the country's First Woman Helicopter Pilot. Alongside her military career, Cheryl, a successful entrepreneur, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Economics, complemented by a robust background in media and communications.
Director, Bulls Adventure and Outward Bound India Himalaya
As an adventurer and explorer, Dilshad has led several treks in Nepal and India, including Everest Base Camp, tackled Grade 5 rapids on the wild Zanskar river in Ladakh, and is the first and only female to ever lead a civilian trek to the Siachen Glacier—all of this after surviving cancer.
Dilshad has worked in the media and entertainment space for over 22 years and has several television channel launches to her credit. Her multi-channel broadcasting career started with STAR Movies, where she was assigned by STAR’s partner Zee TV to launch Zee Cinema in 1996, after which there was no looking back. As Head of Operations, she went on to launch STAR Plus Hindi and STAR News, and as Senior Vice President of STAR TV, she was responsible for the launch of the STAR brand in the UK.
Co-Founder & CEO, Ultraviolette Automotive
Narayan Subramaniam, CEO and Creative Design Head at Ultraviolette, is a visionary engineer and automobile designer shaping the future of mobility. With a commitment to establishing a global technology brand from India, he leverages his expertise to create future-ready vehicles, products, and experiences. Narayan's international design experience spans renowned companies like Volkswagen and Daihatsu, earning him prestigious awards such as the Move Awards and Michelin Design Challenge. Armed with multiple degrees, including a master's in automobile design from the National Institute of Design and a second master's from Umeå Institute of Design, Sweden, Narayan is a driving force in transforming the landscape of innovative transportation.
Professor, Director of Academic Research, Sindhi College
Dr. Manwani is an Academician, Motivational and Keynote Speaker. His life is filled with a purpose to touch lives and make a difference which he does through his words. He is currently working as a Professor and Director of Academic Research at Sindhi College, Bangalore.
He has motivated and mentored over 21,500 students and executives over a span of 22 years and received excellent response from his corporate and educational clients. He has received the National Award as a Role Model for Empowerment of Persons With Disability from the honorable President of India, Pranab Mukherjee in December 2013. He has also received the Special Award by the Chief Minister of Karnataka in 2011 and the State Award for Excellence by the Government of Karnataka in 2015. He is certified as a Distinguished Toastmaster, the highest award in Toastmasters International.
Rajesh Krishnan
Playback Singer
Rajesh Krishnan, a versatile Indian playback singer and actor, has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry with his melodious voice. Renowned primarily for his contributions to Kannada cinema, he has showcased his vocal prowess in multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and more. Over nearly three decades, Rajesh has lent his voice to numerous feature films, devotional albums, theme albums, and commercials, establishing himself as a prominent figure in the music and film landscape with a rich and diverse repertoire.
Rishi Pardal
Former CEO & Managing Director at United Breweries
Rishi Pardal, a seasoned executive, held the position of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at United Breweries for approximately three years. Prior to this role, he showcased his leadership as the Vice-President and General Manager, Global Apparel Solutions at Avery Dennison. Under his guidance at UBL, Pardal strengthened the company's leadership team by strategically incorporating a blend of externally recruited professionals and skilled leaders from Heineken, fostering a dynamic and talented executive bench.
RJ Guru
Radio Jockey at Radio Mirchi, 98.3 FM
Guruprasad is a popular radio jockey with 11 years of experience, currently working with
Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM, Bengaluru. He hosts the programme "Evenings with Guru" from Monday to Saturday. Despite holding a degree in journalism, psychology, and literature, from KLE College and master's degree in Mass Communications from Bangalore University CMR College, he chose to embrace his passion — RJing. He is also
an aspiring singer, actor, and writer.
Vineet Gupta
Senior Consultant & Head - Medical Oncology & Haematology - Sakra World Hospital
Dr. Vineet Gupta, a preeminent oncologist based in Bangalore, holds the esteemed position of Senior Consultant & Head of Medical Oncology & Haematology at Sakra World Hospital. Renowned for his expertise in treating solid tumors with chemotherapy and targeted therapy, Dr. Gupta specializes in blood-related disorders, including leukemia, lymphomas, and myelodysplastic syndromes. As a distinguished blood cancer specialist in India, he excels in handling complex cases like bone marrow transplants and clotting disorders. With over 12 years of clinical experience in the USA, Dr. Gupta, the recipient of the Lubrano Distinguished Scholar award from Dana Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard University, is dedicated to advancing oncological care and treatment.