Diversity & Inclusion Speakers in India

Shweta Shalini is an Indian politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra and the official Spokesperson and advisor to the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis. She is one of the most visible, young, and dynamic Uttar Bharatiya leaders in BJP-Maharashtra, bringing together a wide range of skillsets for the party, courtesy of her corporate and entrepreneurial background. She is also a columnist and a thought-leader, frequently writing articles on political and non-political issues.

Nandita Das is an internationally acclaimed actor, filmmaker, and social advocate known for her powerful storytelling and commitment to meaningful cinema. With a career spanning over two decades, she has starred in more than 40 feature films across Indian and global cinema, including Fire, Earth, Before the Rains, and Manto. As a director, her films Firaaq and Manto have been widely praised for their depth, sensitivity, and social relevance, screening at major international film festivals. Beyond cinema, Nandita is a prominent voice on issues of gender, identity, freedom of expression, and inclusion. She combines lived experience, cultural insight, and thoughtful dialogue to challenge stereotypes and provoke reflection. As a speaker, she brings nuance, empathy, and clarity to conversations on leadership, creativity, diversity, and social change, inspiring audiences to think critically and act consciously.

Sumit Agarwal is a distinguished Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategist, global speaker, and advocate for inclusive leadership. Living with cerebral palsy, he has transformed personal adversity into a mission for societal change, becoming a powerful voice in the DEI space. With over 300 impactful talks delivered across TEDx, Josh Talks, and corporate forums, Sumit is widely recognized for shaping inclusive cultures and guiding Fortune 500 companies in building sustainable DEI strategies. As the Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador of HRAI and a lifetime member of India Diversity Forum, ISTD, and NHRDN, he plays a pivotal role in national conversations on inclusion. A LinkedIn Top Voice with 200M+ views, Sumit also serves as an SDG Ambassador and NITI Aayog Mentor for Change, mentoring inclusive innovation. His thought leadership continues to inspire a global shift toward embracing diversity, equity, and authentic representation in workplaces and beyond.

Ranjani Mani, Director of Gen AI at Microsoft, spearheads transformative AI-driven outcomes for clients as part of the Global Black Bet team. With almost two decades of experience, she has been instrumental in building AI product platform capabilities for industry giants like VMWare, Dell, and Atlassian. In her previous role as head of Enterprise Analytics at Atlassian, Ranjani led a global AI team, collaborating with top-tier executives. Recognized as a Top Voice for Tech on LinkedIn in 2023, she actively mentors deep-tech startups and is part of the NASSCOM Deep-Tech Club. A TEDx and Keynote speaker, Ranjani is among the Top 100 AI Leaders' 22, acknowledged for her leadership in AI and analytics in India. Her podcast, "Generative AI and I," and her writings on technology and personal development further showcase her influential presence in the industry.

Neetu is a professional and highly motivated Learning professional with 12 years of experience in L&D and Talent Management. LDP and DEI are her key speciality. She has won three Global awards in 2023 in L&D category – Gold for Best L&D Platform implementation (E-Learning), Brandon Hall Excellence award, Bronze and Leadership Factory award for initiating multiple Leadership Journey for required roles.

Harish Iyer is an Indian equal rights activist and Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with Axis Bank. Iyer engages in advocacy for a number of causes, including promoting the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, children, women, animals, and survivors of child sexual abuse. He is an active voice for a number of causes and is known as one of the most prominent people who moved the Supreme Court on section 377. He is the founder of The Jimmy Foundation, an organization that stands for the values of Equality and Justice irrespective of gender, caste, sexuality or species. He is the only Indian National to be featured on the World Pride Power List, a list of 100 most influential people of the LGBTQ community across the world. In the year 2010, films “I Am” and “Amen” inspired by Harish’s life were released.

Sushant Divgikar is an LGBTQ activist and drag queen performer based in India. Also known as Rani Ko-He-Nur, Divgikar joined the country's singing competition, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, which was broadcast on national television in 2018, the same year India's supreme court repealed the Section 377 law criminalizing homosexuality. Currently, he is involved with auditioning, mentoring and training younger drag queens and aims to make drag a more accessible art form in the country. In 2019, Divgikar made his international debut with Rainbow Riots-House of Wallenberg in Sweden and in the same year released the single "I'm Coming Out" during Stockholm Pride. In 2014, Divgikar won Mr Gay India. He was featured in Forbes 30Under30 Asia, 2020 & Forbes Top 100 Indian Digital creators Power list 2022.

Parmesh is an author, LGBTQ inclusion advocate and Vice President at Godrej Industries Ltd. where he heads the Godrej India Culture Lab. He serves as part of FICCI's inaugural D&I task force and as a board member of Khoj International Artists’ Association. In the past, he has been a TED Senior Fellow (2018) Yale World Fellow (2014), a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader (2014), a Utrecht University-Impakt Fellow (2012), and an academy member of the Global Teacher Prize.

Richa brings forth 21 years of multifaceted experience encompassing advertising, brand communication, marketing, and sales within the telecom sector. Her professional journey has been enriched by a pivotal engagement in the realm of social impact, notably collaborating with CRY (Child Rights and You) in 2014, where she played a pivotal role in fundraising initiatives.

Richa embraced a purpose-driven path, founding Saarathee in 2018. With a visionary goal to showcase the positive business outcomes derived from the employment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), Richa endeavors to transform PwDs into Professionals with Disabilities. Saarathee stands as a testament to her commitment to converge EdTech, Hiring, and Change Management, facilitating corporates in unlocking the untapped potential of PwDs. Her trajectory reflects a fusion of professional acumen and a passionate dedication to fostering inclusive workplaces for individuals with diverse abilities.

Anuradha Mishra is the Head of Talent, Learning, and Inclusion for Marsh McLennan's Global Inhouse Center, which includes Mercer and Marsh McLennan Global Services. With expertise in organizational development and talent management, she has worked on various projects such as change management, leadership development, employee engagement, and HR process design. Anuradha has a keen interest in change management during acquisitions, leadership readiness for future markets, and developing talent strategies for fast-paced organizations. She is known for her innovative thinking and has led the implementation of a groundbreaking career-based mobile application. Prior to her current role, Anuradha worked at Tata Strategic Management Group and BOC India, where she gained experience in HR functions, organization design, and talent acquisition. She holds a Masters degree in Management and a Bachelors degree in Law. Anuradha specializes in organization development, employee engagement, strategic HR, talent management, and HR process design.

Srikanth Bolla is a visionary entrepreneur, social innovator, and changemaker, best known as the co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Bollant Industries Private Limited, a pioneering eco-friendly packaging company based in Hyderabad. Despite being visually impaired, he became MIT’s first international blind student and broke barriers by excelling in science and engineering. At Bollant, he champions sustainability by creating biodegradable packaging while empowering persons with disabilities through inclusive employment. Srikanth is also a sought-after global keynote speaker, inspiring audiences with his journey of resilience, innovation, and leadership. His impact has been recognized internationally, featuring in the Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 list and being honored with multiple awards, including the NDTV Indian of the Year Award and the National Entrepreneurship Award by the Government of India. A World Economic Forum Young Global Leader (2021), Srikanth continues to inspire future entrepreneurs with his purpose-driven leadership.

Aradhana Lal is a seasoned sustainability and ESG leader with over 29 years of experience spanning Sales, Marketing, Corporate Communications, and Sustainability. Currently serving as Senior Vice President – Sustainability & ESG | Lemon Tree Hotels, she drives the company’s mission to build an inclusive and socially responsible workforce. Aradhana has been instrumental in Lemon Tree’s 15-year legacy of employing Individuals With Disabilities (EWDs), pioneering initiatives that include employees with Down Syndrome, Autism, Visual Impairment/Low Vision, Speech and Hearing Impairment, and Orthopaedic disabilities. She co-leads EWD recruitment and spearheads programs for other marginalized communities, including orphans, school dropouts, acid attack survivors, and transgender individuals. Under her leadership, Lemon Tree Hotels received the FICCI FLO Award for outstanding inclusivity. A thought leader in DEI and sustainability, Aradhana combines strategic business insight with a deep commitment to social impact, representing the company at industry forums and public platforms.

Dr. (h.c.) Kumar Visvanathan is a Human Resources Professional with a Master’s degree in Management. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate for People Management by a New York based University in 2019. He recently obtained his Associate Certified Coach (ACC) certification from International Coaching Federation (ICF). He has over 30 years of experience in the HR space in the IT industry. He is a founding member of Conference Board’s Asia Pacific Shared Services Council. In 2016 he was awarded as HR Superstar by HRO magazine, Philadelphia, USA. He is also a member of India’s Nasscom Steering Committee on Background Checks providing thought leadership and direction. Kumar joined Mindtree in November 2013 to setup and run a multi-functional global Shared Services organization that handles processes in HR, Finance, legal and Procurement. His work was converted into a case study by Harvard. He is currently involved in internal automation.

Majid Ali Khan is an HR leader with 19+ years of experience across Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, and DEI, having worked with brands such as Mphasis, Aditya Birla Group (Minacs), Religare, HP/EDS, Tata BSSL, InfoCepts, and Alorica. He is widely recognized for building inclusive hiring practices and strengthening talent branding. Majid has played a pivotal role in advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workforce by institutionalizing DEI processes and policies. At Mphasis, he led the LeadHer initiative to promote women’s leadership and helped achieve ~50% women representation in hiring, earning the CEO Award. A public speaker and DEI advocate, he works at the intersection of technology, equity, and inclusive growth.
Invite Majid to speak on inclusive hiring, DEI leadership, talent branding, and building diverse workplaces.

Tina Vinod is the Founder of Diversity Simplified and a leading DEI practitioner with 22+ years of experience, including over seven years focused on building high-impact Diversity, Equity & Inclusion programs. She specializes in intersectional DEI across gender equity, disability inclusion, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and social equity. Tina is known for translating complex DEI frameworks into practical, measurable actions that organizations can embed into leadership, culture, and systems. A published author and belonging advocate, she has led award-winning initiatives and advised organizations on creating psychologically safe, inclusive workplaces.
Invite Tina to speak on practical DEI implementation, inclusive leadership, belonging at work, and building equitable organizational cultures.

Laxmi Narayan Tripathi is a distinguished transgender rights activist, Bollywood actress, Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, and a motivational speaker. As the Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhada, she holds a significant position in the transgender community. Laxmi made history as the first transgender individual to represent the Asia-Pacific region at the United Nations in 2008. During her impactful address at the UN assembly, she shed light on the challenges and struggles faced by sexual minorities, advocating for their rights and recognition. Laxmi's commitment to inclusivity and equity is further exemplified by her participation in the popular reality show, Bigg Boss, in 2011. Her dedication led to a groundbreaking achievement when she facilitated the first transgender team's successful ascent of a Himalayan peak, the Friendship Peak, in 2020. Laxmi's life journey is a testament to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as she continues to break barriers and inspire change.

Divyanshu Ganatra is a multifaceted professional, excelling as a diversity and inclusion expert, clinical psychologist, educator, and avid researcher. He holds the distinction of being India's first solo blind pilot, mountaineer, trekker, scuba diver, and marathon runner. He also embarked on a groundbreaking journey as the first blind pillion cyclist to navigate from Manali to Khardung La, the world's highest motorable road. His extensive career spans a wide range of passions, including human potential optimization, rational thinking, positive psychology, IT for empowerment, personality development, counseling, psychometric assessment, and scientific exploration. As a globally recognized speaker, Divyanshu is celebrated for his insights on leadership, inclusion, and innovation. His inspirational story serves as a testament to being resilient, overcoming attitudinal barriers and stereotypes to achieve remarkable feats, including becoming the first blind Indian to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest freestanding mountain globally.

Dr. Charu WaliKhanna is a leading women’s rights lawyer, former Member of the National Commission for Women (NCW), and Executive Member of the Supreme Court Bar Association. With over two decades of experience in gender justice and legal reform, she currently serves as Group 'A' Panel Counsel for the Union of India in the Supreme Court. She holds a Ph.D. in Law and has been nominated by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to its Core Group on Women. A nationally recognized expert on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act, she advises government and academic institutions on policy and compliance. She began her career in advertising before founding the Social Action Forum for Manav Adhikar (SAFMA), an NGO with UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status. As an advocate, author, and speaker, she continues to advance women’s rights and inclusive legal frameworks in India.

Nilanjana Sanyal is a passionate advocate for peace and humanitarianism, whose journey spans from grassroots social work to becoming a published author and award-winning changemaker. Despite facing numerous challenges, she has been honored with the Public Peace Prize (2018), Human Rights Hero Award (2018), Karmaveer Chakra (2012), and Best Personalities of India Award (2011), among others. Her writings focus on themes such as human freedom, racial equality, poverty, national progress, women's emancipation, the rights of the differently-abled, and the pursuit of non-violence. Through her work and vision, Nilanjana strives for an egalitarian world and a happier, more just planet.

Swati is working as Group Vice President, Marketing and Communications with The Raintree Group which is committed to tackling India’s chronic social issues through a hybrid model of a socially conscious investing arm and a private philanthropic foundation. Swati is a storyteller and a marketing communications strategy professional. She comes with an experience of over 26 years in corporate relations, branding, internal and external communications, and market creation expertise in diverse fields such as Engineering, Technology, Retail and Auto. She was the chief communications and brand officer at the Bajaj Group in her last stint. In her prior roles, Swati served as Vice President, Corporate Communications at General Motors India and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at CK Birla Group. She was also Vice President of Corporate Relations, Public Affairs and Branding at Ingersoll Rand India.

Ankurita Pathak, a communications specialist with 15 years of experience, serves as Joint Director at FICCI. She has a rich background, having worked with media giants like Hindustan Times, Asian Age, and India Today Group. An alumna of Cotton College, Guwahati, she is a postgraduate in English from Delhi University. Starting her writing journey at 11, her work has graced various publications, including The Assam Tribune, Northeast Times, and more. She's written timely articles on self-care, mental well-being, and coping with change. She's also a co-author of the coffee table book "Black Coffee & Metamorphosis" and has contributed to anthologies on topics like Women's Entrepreneurship. As a public speaker, she's engaged with prestigious institutions and events, earning accolades for her contributions. An enthusiastic traveler and explorer, Ankurita finds joy in food, fashion, people, and poetry.

As a highly experienced and accomplished Principal Scientist; I have spent twenty-eight years dedicated to advancing in Plant Genetic Resources and Agricultural Education system in India. I have a proven track record of effective implementation of the Government of India's schemes at a national level. My expertise lies in developing strategic plans and policies to enhance the quality and accessibility of higher education and plant genetic resources management. Through my leadership, I have successfully established collaborations with various national and international institutions to promote knowledge exchange and foster innovation. My strong background in research and development has allowed me to make significant contributions to the scientific community. I have authored numerous publications, and my work has been widely recognized. My ultimate goal is to make a meaningful impact on the agriculture and higher education sector by equipping the next generation of professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle global challenges. 

Hitesh is a Paralympic Medal winner with the Singapore Cerebral Palsy Football Team and the author of the book 'Better Than Normal' which has sold more than 15,000 copies worldwide. He has received the South-East Asia Excellence Awards-Special Mention of Outstanding Achievements for being an exceptional role model to youth all around the world. Hitesh is also a certified Jack Canfield Success Principles Trainer and is featured regularly on local and global TV, Radio and Magazines for his crazy mission to inspire 50 Million People by 2050!

Aparajita Amar is the founder of SHLC–Sexual Harassment Law Compliance Advisory, a Certified Sexual Harassment and Workplace Diversity Advisor, and an Advocate. She was honored with the “Exceptional Women of Excellence” award by the Women Economic Forum in 2019. Through SHLC, she offers end-to-end compliance services on Sexual Harassment laws, including policy drafting, audits, sensitization workshops, and Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) capacity-building. Aparajita has designed and conducted customized training sessions for employees, supervisors, and senior leadership across sectors, enabling inclusive and gender-sensitive workplaces. She also serves as an external member on ICCs of various organizations and leads orientation and capability-building programs for committee members. SHLC further provides PoSH e-learning courses and counseling support for complainants, respondents, and ICC members. Aparajita’s mission is to create workplaces that are not only legally compliant but also safe, respectful, and diverse for all.

Sutapa Sanyal is an international speaker, writer and advisor on issues of diversity, gender and women in leadership. She is the former Director General of Police in Uttar Pradesh, where she was the highest-ranking woman I.P.S. officer. She has been awarded the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Services, Police Medal for Long and Meritorious Service, Hindustan Times International Women's Day Award, and the FICCI-FLO Outstanding Police Women Award. Her work for women and child empowerment has been highly appreciated by the Govt. of India, the Govt. of UK, INTERPOL and the US Department of State.

She has been awarded the Indian Express Devi Award, MSME/BRICS Women's Leadership Award, FICCI FLO Outstanding Police Woman Award, WEF Iconic Women Award & the HT International Women's Day Award. Ms. Sanyal is a former Member of the Advisory Committee of CARA (WCD Ministry) and works as an independent consultant to Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation

Devdutt Pattanaik is a renowned author, leadership advisor, and expert on Indian mythology whose work bridges ancient wisdom with contemporary business and life. With over 50 books and 1,000 articles to his name, Devdutt simplifies complex mythological narratives to help leaders and organizations understand culture, belief systems, and human behavior. His insights have shaped thinking across global corporations, where he advises on leadership, innovation, teamwork, and the role of storytelling in driving transformation. Devdutt is best known for popular titles such as Business Sutra, Jaya, Sita, and My Gita, as well as his engaging television series on mythology. A sought-after keynote speaker, he brings clarity and thought-provoking perspectives to topics like workplace culture, inclusive leadership, and the psychological foundations of management. Devdutt Pattanaik continues to make ancient wisdom accessible and relevant, inspiring audiences to rethink purpose, success, and leadership.

Sandeep Bidani is a trailblazer in Diversity & Inclusion (D&I), leadership transformation, and organizational change. With over 25 years of global HR leadership across top firms like IBM, American Express, and KPMG India/Middle East, he has shaped future-ready organizations by transforming leadership mindsets and capabilities. As India’s first senior HR leader with a disability, he brings lived experience to his role as a culture change consultant, inclusion advisor, and executive coach. Sandeep is the co-founder of Saarathee, a pioneering CRM platform where over 90% of the workforce comprises persons with disabilities (PwDs), driving systemic inclusion in corporate India.

An engineering graduate and Cornell-certified management professional, he also serves as a mentor to the Telangana AI Mission and NASSCOM. A sought-after speaker at SHRM, MDRT, and global D&I summits, Sandeep continues to lead with purpose—championing inclusion, leadership effectiveness, and the future of work.

Yogita Bansal Ahuja is a Learning & Development (L&D) specialist with over 20 years of experience, including 16+ years designing and executing interventions across industries. A certified PoSH and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Consultant and Trainer, she blends creative tools like storytelling, appreciative inquiry, and theatre to drive culture-building, leadership development, and long-term employer branding. As a TEDx speaker, storyteller, and social impact entrepreneur, she leads Mission Edusaarthi, a tech-enabled platform empowering educators and homemakers to become self-reliant edupreneurs. Yogita partners with organizations to create high-impact learning environments, especially during mergers and leadership transitions. Her expertise spans leadership coaching, communication skills, PoSH compliance (as an ICC external member), and team engagement. She also teaches at management colleges and conducts storytelling workshops for professionals and children, with a special focus on mentoring high-potential women leaders.

With 18+ years of experience in dynamic empathetic & innovation leadership and 15+ years of administrative leadership, Ms. Rajni Julka an IIM Indore Alumnus is a "Human Transformation & Innovation Strategist" who empowers open-minded leaders with a better process to drive transformation through self-leadership, empathy & innovation for better decisions, business excellence & higher retention. Having a unique blend of strong industry & academia experience as her signature strength, Ms.Julka has an exceptional ability to relate & align human behavior for with her signature program.
Rajni is a multifaceted business & leadership keynote speaker, award winning Edtech Strategist, business executive mentor & business leadership advisor. Rajni’ passion as speaker and mentor stems from her backstory of overcoming personal & business struggles while coming out ahead through a sustainable process. She empower leaders & organizations to overcome challenges in decision-making, performance & retention through a proven human transformation process

Lt. Cdr. Sadhana Giri is a veteran Air Traffic Control Officer with 17 years of distinguished service, specializing in combat aviation dynamics. She has led cross-functional teams, championed learning initiatives, and is adept at strategic planning and integrating advanced training technologies. A certified leadership and life coach, Sadhana is widely recognized for her ability to inspire transformation across individual and organizational levels. Beyond her military career, she is a respected social influencer, Fit India Ambassador, and winner of multiple Mrs. India titles. She has broken societal norms and earned prestigious honors, including the Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Rashtriya Shiksha Ratan Samman 2021 and Star India's Super Woman Award 2021 for her contributions to coaching. Through impactful corporate training sessions, she focuses on team building, change management, and diversity and inclusion, consistently driving personal effectiveness, synergy, and growth in dynamic environments.

Purvi, with a decade in leadership and career consulting, specializes in guiding individuals and organizations towards realizing their full potential. As a partner at Winning Edge, she crafts bespoke solutions fostering growth and excellence, bridging the knowing-doing gap. Purvi's coaching ethos revolves around Courageous Action, blending compassion, authenticity, and accountability. She listens attentively to her clients' narratives, empowering them to become the protagonists of their journeys. Leveraging mentoring, training, communication, and strategic leadership skills, she inspires positive change in every interaction. Purvi's mission is to unlock untapped potential and drive transformative impact, catalyzing growth within individuals and organizations alike.

Devika Malik is a para-athlete and inclusion advocate specialising in resilience, disability inclusion, and purpose-driven leadership.
She is an international para-athlete, TEDx speaker, and co-founder of the Wheeling Happiness Foundation, which provides assistive devices to persons with disabilities, and a recipient of multiple national and international recognitions.
Devika delivers keynote sessions on overcoming adversity, inclusive leadership, mental resilience, and building purpose-led social initiatives for corporate, academic, and leadership audiences.
Invite Devika Malik for diversity and inclusion forums, youth leadership events, CSR conferences, and corporate inspiration sessions.

Lata is an ICF Certified Life Coach, Emotional Intelligence Assessor & Educator, and NLP Practitioner, boasting over 8 years of transformative coaching and training experience with diverse individuals and organizations worldwide. With a rich background in the IT industry spanning over two decades, she's honed her skills in technical documentation, localization, and Agile coaching for software development teams. Lata's passion lies in empowering people to achieve their aspirations, rooted in a deep understanding of emotional well-being. She finds fulfillment in positively impacting lives, recognizing the profound influence of emotions on individual growth and performance. Lata's coaching journey is a testament to her commitment to facilitating holistic personal and professional development.

Sylvie is a leading Indian make- up artist and hair stylist. She went to England to study medicine and later became a doctor at London's St Luke's Hospital and worked as a gynecologist, delivering babies. Sylvie was the best surgeon in the hospital and the only one with purple colored hair. She left after working for six years to complete her desire to become a hair stylist. After coming to India, she became popular and within two years opened her own salon. But things were not easy for a trans hairdresser who walked the streets in women's clothes. She was also homosexual, open and the first to move around as a transvestite. Nevertheless, she did not give up as she thinks that her sexuality is her own individuality. Her strength was her mom, who helped her face odd situations. Sylvie soon became a big celebrity in India.

Jyoti is a seasoned business leader with extensive experience in the service industry, having navigated various functions, regions, and consumer segments. An effective strategist, she excels in identifying upcoming trends, introducing innovative concepts to the market, and ensuring optimal returns on investment. In her role as Chief Operating Officer at Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces India, and as a member of the management board, Jyoti garnered recognition as one of the most influential women in the global travel sector. Her dedication to promoting tourism spurred her involvement in co-creating the Incredible India campaign, marking the first private sector initiative to showcase India on a global scale. She founded the Indian chapter of Women Corporate Directors and is a speaker on corporate governance at international forums. Presently, Jyoti leverages her expertise as an independent director on numerous boards while also offering advisory services to startups across diverse industries.

Sudha Muthaiah, a seasoned educator, guides individuals towards fulfilling career paths with zeal. With 15 years in the edtech industry, she's impacted 30,000+ young learners, instilling confidence in career decisions. Sudha's support extends to 10,000+ professionals securing placements and mentoring 500+ edtech experts, fueling industry growth. Hailing from Ambasamudram, Tamilnadu, she blends rural roots with urban aspirations, adept at adapting to diverse challenges. Passionate about education and technology, Sudha thrives on empowering individuals to reach their fullest potential. Her journey reflects a commitment to bridging gaps and fostering success in an ever-evolving landscape.

Vaibava Kamalasanan is the Regional Head of Talent Acquisition for APAC & ME Customer Service at Amazon, with 23 years of diverse recruiting experience across IT, ITES, pharmaceuticals, finance, and research analytics. She now specializes in Customer Service talent acquisition. Passionate about mentorship, Vaibava actively guides aspiring women leaders, supporting their career growth and advocating for diversity across various domains. Her commitment to fostering inclusive environments is demonstrated through her involvement in several impactful initiatives. As a frequent guest speaker at women’s leadership programs within Amazon, she aspires to contribute to the creation of diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces. Vaibava is enthusiastic about collaborating with teams that prioritize diversity and inclusivity, aiming to create an empowered workforce that values equality and innovation.

Kalki Subramaniam is a globally recognized transgender rights activist, artist, writer, and inclusion educator with over 16 years of advocacy and public engagement experience. She is the founder of the Sahodari Foundation, one of India’s leading organizations working for transgender empowerment through education, policy advocacy, and art-based interventions.

Kalki has played a significant role in shaping public discourse around gender identity in India and was among the prominent voices associated with the 2014 Supreme Court recognition of transgender rights. She has delivered sensitization and leadership programs for institutions including Google, Harvard, Yale, and Warner Bros Discovery, impacting students and professionals worldwide.

As a speaker, Kalki combines lived experience with structured DEIB frameworks to address inclusion, allyship, and workplace equity with clarity and conviction.

Invite Kalki for DEIB programs, leadership dialogues, education forums, and inclusion training initiatives.

With 12 years of expertise in industrial engineering, production, and quality within the retail sourcing sector, I have mastered optimizing processes, ensuring top-notch quality, and driving cost efficiency. My journey is deeply rooted in fostering sustainable business practices aligned with organizational strategies. However, my true passion lies in aligning people with the overarching goals of the organization, enhancing engagement, and driving meaningful work. Transitioning to a Senior People Advisor role, I focus on personal development, capability building, and fostering inclusion. I am dedicated to empower individuals to discover purpose in their work and align their efforts with meaningful goals, speaking passionately about Crafting Meaning at Work, Purposeful Goals, and Purposeful Leadership. I am member of Professioanl speaker asscociation of India and key member of Delhi chapter, Ex Education head of the chapter. 

Dr. Divya Jaitly is the Founder & Managing Director of Forethought Corporate Communications and The Advanced Learning Institute, with 23+ years of experience in brand strategy, leadership communication, and performance consulting. She has worked with global organizations including BNY Mellon, Barclays, Siemens, and JSL. A PhD in Organizational Leadership, TEDx speaker, and award-winning public speaking coach, she also serves as a board advisor, angel investor, columnist, and celebrity interviewer. Recognized as CEO of the Year at the MSME Business Excellence Awards 2023, she is an IICA-certified Independent Director and holds certifications from Wharton and Harvard.
Invite Dr. Divya Jaitly for keynotes on leadership presence, personal branding, and high-impact communication.

Nidhi Gulati is a seasoned corporate communications leader with over two decades of experience across media, IT, BFSI, and scientific publishing. A former journalist, she brings strong expertise in employee communications, branding, stakeholder management, CSR, and DEAI. Nidhi has led high-performing communications teams and mentored professionals to become strategic business partners. With advanced training in journalism and business management, she is known for shaping authentic narratives and building trust through communication.
Invite Nidhi Gulati to speak on strategic communications, employer branding, DEAI, and storytelling as a leadership capability.

Dr. Ratna, with over three decades of experience in human resource management, excels in crafting learning strategies, building organizational capabilities, and championing ethics and social responsibility. As VP-HRM at Tata Metaliks, she led HR, IR, and CSR initiatives that extended beyond the organization, positively impacting society. Now a Leadership Coach, she brings her expertise to diverse sectors, including FMCG, healthcare, and manufacturing. A dedicated Mentor, Therapist, and Behavioral Facilitator, Dr. Ratna is passionate about DEI&B, enhancing employee experiences, and empowering women, consistently driving sustainable development and stakeholder engagement.

Monika Patil is a Software Engineering Test Lead and Technical Lead with 11 years of experience delivering digital transformation programs across banking, digital, and telecom domains. She has led cross-functional teams on quality engineering, delivery governance, and platform modernisation initiatives, working closely with business stakeholders to drive outcomes. Monika is recognised for servant leadership, customer collaboration, and building high-trust engineering teams. Her work spans test strategy, release management, and enabling teams to adopt new tools and delivery practices in fast-changing environments.
Invite Monika Patil to speak at technology leadership forums, quality engineering conferences, women-in-tech events, and delivery excellence summits.

Avishkar Mehrotra is an executive coach and leadership advisor known for his deep listening, clarity-driven approach, and work at the intersection of business transformation and human behavior. An alumnus of Harvard Business School, Avishkar is an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Certified Psychological Safety Practitioner, and GE Six Sigma Black Belt.

He brings extensive corporate leadership experience from organizations including Walmart Inc., General Electric, Genpact, and NIIT Technologies, where he served as Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer for Walmart India. His leadership roles spanned technology, operations, Six Sigma, and human capital strategy, giving him a rare cross-functional perspective.

Today, Avishkar coaches senior leaders and startup founders to navigate disruption, scale responsibly, and build future-ready organizations. His work emphasizes clarity, grit, distributed authority, and sustained positive energy as core leadership capabilities.

Invite Avishkar Mehrotra for leadership programs on psychological safety, clarity in decision-making, and leading through complexity.

Umadevi Ravindran is a seasoned transformation leader with over 22 years of experience driving large-scale digital transformation, change management, and DevOps initiatives across finance and IT services organizations. She is known for embedding differential and design-led thinking into complex enterprise programs, enabling sustainable transformation rather than surface-level change. Umadevi has successfully led high-impact implementations for mission-critical IT programs and regularly shares her insights on international platforms. Her credentials include certifications in Digital Transformation and Design Thinking from Purdue University, Program Management (MSP) and PRINCE2 from Axelos, and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt from KPMG. She holds a B.Tech (Honors) in Civil Engineering and an MBA in Operations and Finance, giving her a rare blend of technical, strategic, and operational depth. Umadevi brings structured thinking, execution rigor, and innovation to every engagement.
Invite Umadevi Ravindran to speak on digital transformation, change leadership, DevOps strategy, and enterprise execution.

Soumita Basu is an inclusion strategist, entrepreneur, and award-winning founder of Zyenika, a pioneering adaptive fashion brand that designs inclusive clothing for people with disabilities and the elderly. Drawing on her lived experience of acquired disability, along with a background in policy research and communications, Soumita brings a unique, intersectional lens to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Beyond fashion, she advises brands on inclusive product design, accessibility, customer experience, employee sensitisation, and organisational policy. A recipient of the Global Honeybee Network Creativity and Inclusive Innovations Award, she is also a published author, storyteller, and advocate. Soumita regularly contributes to national and international conversations on DEI through TEDx talks, media appearances on CNBC and NDTV, and expert panels. Her latest work features in an anthology of feminist DEI-oriented fairytales, reflecting her passion for inclusive narratives and her commitment to reshaping spaces for equity and representation.

Enu Mittal is Director of Technology at Microsoft with 20+ years of experience in technology leadership. A certified alumna of Yale University’s Women Leadership program, she has led diverse teams and driven digital and application innovation initiatives, including work across advanced AI, Copilot products, developer productivity, and platform engineering. Enu is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion and actively mentors professionals on career growth in technology. Alongside leadership roles, she delivers structured talks on innovation and offers personalised career coaching for technology professionals.
Invite Enu Mittal for leadership forums, technology innovation conferences, women-in-tech summits, and corporate talent development programs.

Colonel Vineet Dev (Retd.) brings 39 years of professional experience, including over 27 years in the Indian Army, followed by senior corporate HR leadership roles. His work focuses on transforming HR into a strategic business partner, with expertise across DE&I, stakeholder management, talent transformation, and leadership development.

A Sena Medal awardee for valor in Siachen and Srinagar, Col. Vineet later transitioned into corporate leadership, where he played a pivotal role at Newgen—scaling the workforce from 700 to 3,500 employees, driving revenue growth, and implementing progressive talent practices. He has also completed senior leadership programs at IIM.

Deeply committed to mentoring veterans transitioning into corporate roles, he combines military discipline with business acumen to build resilient, high-performance organizations.

Invite Col. Vineet Dev for leadership, HR transformation, DE&I, and military-to-corporate transition sessions.

Sandeep Sharma is a dynamic DEI strategist and LGBTQIA+ inclusion expert with over seven years of experience across leading global organizations including HSBC, Infosys, and GlobalLogic. Recognized as a Top 20 Future Leader by INvolve & YouTube (2024), Sandeep has pioneered impactful DEI initiatives reaching over 100,000 employees worldwide. His work includes launching LGBTQIA+ employee resource groups, designing the “Active Ally Checklist,” and delivering SOGIE sensitisation sessions for people managers, all aimed at embedding inclusive workplace cultures.

A compelling speaker and mentor, Sandeep brings a unique blend of lived experience, storytelling, and strategic insight to his engagements. He has addressed corporate roundtables, academic institutions, and leadership mentoring forums on themes like queer leadership, allyship, and intersectionality. His signature talks include: Queer at Work, Allyship 2.0, and From Policy to Practice.

Invite Sandeep Sharma for conferences, leadership summits, executive offsites, and curated forums.

Umang Sheth is a dynamic change enabler, LGBTQIA+ rights advocate, and mental health champion with nearly 25 years of impact. As the Founder of Gay Bombay and The Hugging Club of India, and Co-Founder of Mr n Mr—India’s first gay matchmaking platform—Umang has empowered thousands to embrace their identity with dignity and pride. Since 1998, he has built safe spaces that support coming out, emotional healing, and conversations around sexuality and self-worth. His community work spans counseling, awareness campaigns, and inclusive events that tackle issues like suicidal ideation, chemsex, and substance abuse. Recognized by the Mumbai Police Commissioner’s Office for his grassroots impact, Umang also drives change through social media, storytelling, and workshops for corporates and communities alike. His empathetic leadership and advocacy continue to influence a more inclusive, emotionally resilient India—where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued.

Paras Vats is India’s first transman author (Beyond Labels), award-winning LGBTQIA+ motivational speaker, emcee, and confidence coach. As the Founder of The Paaras Factor, he empowers individuals and organizations to lead with authenticity, courage, and empathy. A proud transman and inspiring changemaker, Paras delivers transformative keynotes, workshops, and coaching sessions on confidence building, inclusive leadership, and personal growth. Drawing from his powerful life journey and extensive stage experience, he equips audiences to break barriers, embrace their truth, and turn vulnerability into strength. His clients include PepsiCo, UBS, L&T, FPAI, FAI, and the MOBBERA Foundation. Recognized as the Best LGBTQIA+ Coach & Speaker, Paras inspires self-acceptance and resilience in every interaction, leaving audiences energized, motivated, and ready to champion inclusion in their personal and professional lives.