Theme: Building Strong Institutions: Empowering Youth Leadership for Sustainable Development

Building Strong Institutions: Empowering Youth Leadership for Sustainable Development" focuses on the critical role of young leaders in shaping resilient, future-ready institutions. This TEDx talk will explore how empowering youth with leadership skills, knowledge, and opportunities can drive sustainable development and contribute to achieving global goals like the SDGs. By fostering innovation, inclusivity, and social responsibility, today's youth can strengthen governance, promote equity, and create long-lasting positive impacts. The talk will highlight real-world examples, strategies for youth empowerment, and how strong institutions can harness their potential to create a sustainable, thriving future for all.

AUDITORIUM, JAGANNATH INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT SCHOOL, KALKAJI
MOR Pocket 105, Kalkaji, New Delhi, Delhi 110019
NEW DELHI, Delhi, 110019
India

Akshay Verma

Co-Founder of FITPASS

Sir is transforming fitness accessibility in India with a vision to make wellness affordable, flexible, and convenient. FITPASS, India’s largest fit-tech company, provides a universal membership to over 8,100 gyms and fitness studios nationwide. Akshay’s previous experience as an investment banker at UBS in London, specializing in leveraged finance and private equity, equipped him with expertise in business analysis and financial modeling. An alumnus of St. Stephen’s College, Oxford, and Columbia University, he is passionate about using technology to drive social change. He also leads Agratam India, a project focused on converting unproductive land into profitable fish farms. As a thought leader, Akshay frequently speaks at top business schools such as Oxford, IIMs, and London Business School. His innovative spirit and dedication to revolutionizing fitness accessibility are shaping a healthier, fitter India, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Kanika Agarwal

Founder & CEO of MindPeers

Kanika is the Founder & CEO of MindPeers - a mental wellbeing platform. She is a serial entrepreneur and scaled her first business to a multimillion in Singapore by age of 26. She goes through anxiety which helped her appreciate mental health. Recently recognized for getting on LinkedIn’s Top 20 Companies and also getting four shark deal with double investment in Shark Tank India, she herself is also an active Angel Investor in startups like Boba Bhai, ZuAI, Leap Club etc. She currently flip flops between her home in Bir, Himachal & Singapore.

Nishant Gupta

Student, JIMS KALKAJI

Sir is a driven individual with a strong blend of academic, professional, and extracurricular achievements. A graduate of St. Columba's School (2019), where he excelled in both academics and sports, he went on to pursue a BBA in Computer-Aided Management from Ideal Institute of Management and Technology, securing 2nd position in the university. Currently, he is pursuing a PGDM at JIMS Kalkaji with specializations in Analytics and Marketing. Nishant has demonstrated his analytical abilities by winning the prestigious Harvard Case Study Competition at MSIT. A state-level athlete and former Sports Captain at St. Columba's, he also has three years of experience coaching football and is currently a coach at Get Set Go Football Academy. Professionally, he worked at Teleperformance and interned at Grant Thornton Bharat, where his exceptional performance earned him a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO) to join in 2025.

Rajneesh Tomar

Visionary Global HR leader

Rajneesh Tomar is a visionary HR leader with nearly two decades of experience in the FMCG and Manufacturing sectors across Indian and international markets. As a trusted advisor to C-suite executives, he has consistently driven organizational success through innovative HR practices. Rajneesh is the author of an Amazon bestseller and has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including "CHRO of the Year" in 2023 and "HR Leader of the Year" in 2022. His forward-thinking approach to human capital management has earned him a place among the "20 Topmost Impactful HR Leaders" and "101 Top HR Minds (INDIA)." Rajneesh's expertise in HR transformation, performance management, and organizational development has enabled companies to achieve business excellence. As a keynote speaker and thought leader, he continues to shape the future of HR, inspiring professionals to create thriving workplace cultures that foster growth, engagement, and employee well-being.

Sudipti Arora

Research Scientist & Assistant Director Dr. B. Lal Institute of Biotechnology, Jaipur

Dr. Sudipti Arora is an Environmental Research Scientist and Assistant Director at Dr. B. Lal Institute of Biotechnology, Jaipur. She specializes in waste and water management, holding a patent for her innovative vermifiltration technology, a nature-based wastewater treatment solution. Dr. Arora founded the Prakrit Sustainable Integrated Foundation, promoting environmental sustainability through education and solutions aligned with the SDGs. As an ESG Consultant at Advwin Advisory Pvt. Ltd., she guides organizations on integrating ESG principles. With a Ph.D. from IIT Roorkee, she has earned several prestigious awards, including the "Young Water Professional Award" from India's Ministry of Jal Shakti. Her work spans multiple government projects, and as an IWA Grundfos Young Water Fellow, she represents India on international platforms, including the UN Water Conference, advocating for global water management and sustainability.