Ash Akshay Goel
Chief Growth Officer
Chief Growth Officer & Co-Founder, Global Book Publishing
Ash Akshay Goel is a testament to the power of passion, branding, and resilience. A strategic and performance-driven growth multiplier professional, Ash has consistently demonstrated his prowess in driving double-digit growth, even in the most competitive markets of the US and Canada. His passion for embracing challenges and creating new avenues—be it markets, products, or services—sets him apart. Guided by the mantra 'Be The Best Or Nothing', Ash's journey is a relentless pursuit of excellence. With extensive travel and major stints in the US, Canada, Hong Kong, and India, Ash brings a global perspective to every endeavor. His academic credentials are equally impressive, holding an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta and a B. Tech from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur.
Hima Bindu Kudapa
Molecular Breeder
Hima Bindu Kudapa is a molecular breeder with over 15 years of research experience leading and implementing molecular genetics and applied genomics for crop improvement in both cereals and legumes, including the development of cutting-edge genomics resources in ICRISAT mandate crops. Before joining ICRISAT in 2010, she worked at the ICAR- Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR), Hyderabad, India for six years.
Her research efforts aimed at understanding molecular basis of biotic and abiotic stresses in legumes and cereals through next generation genomics approaches. She published more than 60 research articles in different international journals of repute including articles in high profile journals- Nature, Molecular Plant and Plant Biotechnology Journal. Also delivered invited presentations in international conferences, authored invited reviews and reviewed papers/proposals for international journals/funding agencies.
Jia Sarah Jai
Student
Jia is an 18-year-old BSc Honours Psychology student at Christ University, Bangalore. An avid public speaker and a debater, she's always on the move, embracing work and various events. Passionate about dancing and reading, she firmly believes in the power of divergent thinking to shape our world. When you won’t find her doing her daily dose of therapeutic cleaning or microplanning her whole life out, you can find her sipping on what is probably her 7th cup of coffee of the day, and “analysing” just about anything and everything
Rishi Shyamsundar
Student
an 18 year-old student studying business and management at Christ University, Bangalore. A formidable debate opponent and avid public speaker , Rishi has a never-ending love for the stage and an audience ready to listen to him. When he’s not working or sleeping, you can find him listening to 70s rock, unsuccessfully learning a new guitar riff or watching replays of formula one races. A huge fan of John Grisham, Rishi believes in the art of rhetoric and the dance of persuasive arguments. Rishi loves to get up on stage and talk.
Sai Prasad V
Entrepreneur/ Engineer
Sai Prasad Vishwanathan – the first Asian with a disability to set foot on the Antarctic Continent, featuring in Satyamev Jayate, the celebrated TV show, was an opportunity to raise the concern over our country's infrastructural disability. A recipient of multiple awards including the Helen Keller Role Model Person of the Year Award 2010 & I.S.B.'s Torch Bearer Leadership Award -- 2011, Sai has now caught the imagination of the world through his indomitable spirit and self-belief in dealing with physical disabilities.
Sai is an adventure freak. In 2008, while in the U.S., he became the first physically-challenged Indian to skydive from 14, 000 feet, which fetched him a mention in the Limca Book of Records. In 2012 -- he was out exploring Grand Canyon and its billion year sediments in a chopper ride. He lived in the Canyon for over a week. In 2013, he became the first Asian with a disability to set foot on the Antarctic Continent.
Tia Sanker
Student
Don't be misguided by her size, she can annihilate her adversary in debate while still being the smallest in the room. She's a trusted 12th grade student council member at Meridian School Madhapur who always bounces between activities, which is why you will never find her in class. Tia has been an integral part of the Hyderabad MUN circuit for over 6 years, having done justice to roles in every capacity including those of Secretariat, Executive Board and Delegate.
Currently working as a Young Champion for Refugees Trainee under the UNHCR and the Project Head of the Vimala Sankar Trust for the Marginalised. Tia is an extremely approachable and friendly person, resolute to complete every single task given to her with perfection.