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 has acted in more than 40 feature films in 10 different languages. She’s done many memorable roles and worked with several eminent filmmakers. She was conferred the ‘Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters’ by the French Government. She has a Master’s degree in Social Work and is a strong advocate for social justice. Her entrepreneurial spirit is seen as she founded ‘Nandita Das Initiatives’ (NDI), a creative platform which produced her feature films Manto and Zwigato in 2016. Under NDI, she has also directed and produced shorts such as India’s Got Colour and Listen to Her that shed light on pertinent social issues. She is the author of 20 books including "Manto and I" that chronicles her 6 year long journey of making Manto.

Sumit Agarwal is a beacon of resilience and determination in the DEI landscape. Living with cerebral palsy, he has transformed challenges into strengths, emerging as a prominent figure in diversity and inclusion. With over 300 speeches across corporate, educational, and social platforms, Sumit's voice resonates with a commitment to inclusivity. He is the esteemed Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador of HRAI, and a lifetime member and the Voice of Diversity of India Diversity Forum, ISTD, and NHRDN. Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice with over 200 million views, Sumit's advocacy for diversity is both impactful and far-reaching. His roles as an Entrepreneur, SDG Ambassador for Diversity and Inclusion, and NITI Aayog Mentor for Change further underscore his dedication and expertise in championing a more inclusive society.

Joydeep is Highly accomplished professional with 28+ years’ portfolio of success in devising and executing business strategies to achieve top line & bottom-line profitability. His last assignment was with PepsiCo India Holdings as Associate Director and COE (Centre of Excellence); leading procurement of 40%+ India Region product portfolios. Joydeep’s connection with two biggest global companies over last 28+ years has been remarkable. First with Whirlpool corporation, a $23 billion company which is 3rd largest globally in consumer products and PepsiCo, a $80 Billion company, a largest FMCG globally and best ethical company for 16 years in a row. His work with Whirlpool in opening 200 modern service centres with centrally controlled software design has given him many accolades & awards.Joydeep's knowledge in ESG, Sustainability, Workplace Integrity, D&I implementation has made him a distinguished member in every organization. 

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.

Pritha Dubey, an accomplished Sales, Negotiation & Leadership coach, empowers C-Suite executives, senior consultants, and women entrepreneurs through her 18 years of expertise in Banking, Financial Services, and Learning & Development. As the visionary behind SUCCESS VITAMIN, a transformative coaching & training academy, Pritha is dedicated to unearthing the potential within leaders and women entrepreneurs, fostering both financial and emotional abundance. Serving as a coaching partner to senior leaders in the Indian subcontinent & South Asia, she advocates for self-awareness to drive impactful life and business choices. Pritha's approach is characterized by simplicity, elegance, experiential learning, and a results-oriented focus. An esteemed Official Member of Forbes Coaches Council, she holds certifications in coaching, emotional intelligence, sales capacity assessment, and executive coaching from globally recognized institutions.

Breaking Barriers through Entrepreneurship: This 23-year-old tricked fate to build a Rs 50-crore company, Bollant Industries. He was the first international blind student to pursue engineering at MIT and was the first visually challenged student in India permitted to study science beyond grade 10. As a passionate learner, dynamic leader and social entrepreneur, Srikanth leads his team to create eco-friendly, sustainable paper products while employing persons with various abilities. Srikanth is a sought-after motivational keynote speaker who has been associated with organizations like Lead India Foundation 2030, Samanvai Centre for Children with Multiple Disabilities, and Surge Impact Foundation. In 2017, Forbes Asia had named him in the 30 under 30 List of Emerging Entrepreneurs under the age of 30. He has received numerous prestigious awards from various organizations.

Aradhana is a sustainability and ESG leader, driving impactful change at Lemon Tree Hotels. The company's mission centers on building an inclusive workforce, exemplified by their 15-year practice of employing Individuals With Disabilities (EWDs). Aradhana aims to raise their current 14% representation to around 30% by FY 2025-2026. Her commitment was recently acknowledged when Lemon Tree Hotels received the prestigious FICCI FLO award for outstanding inclusivity, with Aradhana representing the company. She actively co-leads EWD recruitment and pioneers new initiatives in the disability sector, having conducted groundbreaking trials over the past nine years, including individuals with Down Syndrome, Autism, Visual Impairment/Low Vision, as well as Speech and Hearing Impaired (SHI) and Orthopaedically Handicapped (OH) employees, which the company routinely hires. With an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and 29 years of experience spanning Sales, Marketing, Corporate Communications, and Sustainability, Aradhana is a pioneering figure in the ESG and sustainability space.

19+ years of diverse experience in HR with deep passion & expertise in Talent Acquisition & Management. Led and managed the full spectrum of HR & Recruitment functions. Majid has worked with well-known brands such as; Mphasis Limited, Aditya Birla Group (Minacs Ltd.), Religare, CAPITA, Hewlett-Packard/ formerly EDS, Tata BSSL, InfoCepts and Alorica.

Passionate about Talent Branding, Industry connect, Diversity, Technology, Equity and Inclusion.He is a public speaker. He has played a pivotal role in the field of DE&I by setting up strong processes and practices to bring in the LGBTQ community in the mainstream of workforce. Recently he was recognized and rewarded by Mphasis for leading a program called LeadHer to promote women leadership in the world of business. During his tenure at Mphasis he led the team to employ 50% of  workforce with women professionals and received the Annual CEO award for the same.

Tina Vinod is the visionary behind Diversity Simplified, pioneering high-impact Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies. With over seven years in DEI leadership and 22+ years of total experience, she simplifies complex DEI practices, focusing on amplifying marginalized voices. Specializing in intersectional DEI, she drives Gender Equity, Social Inclusion, Disability Inclusion, and LGBTQ+ initiatives. Tina's career boasts award-winning DEI programs, earning recognition as a trailblazer. She's lauded as a DEI champion and advocate for holistic organizational transformation. Her expertise spans workshops, talks, and consultancy, emphasizing actionable DEI solutions. As a published author and Belonging Advocate, Tina's innovative approach resonates globally, aligning organizations with progressive DEI practices.

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 is a leading women's rights lawyer, former Member National Commission for Women (NCW), and Executive, Supreme Court Bar Association. Nominated by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as Member Core Group on Women, she has been working on gender issues for over two decades. A Ph.D. in Law, Group Panel Counsel for the Union of India in the Supreme Court, she is also an eminent jurist serving on a number of public sector and college committees under the POSH Act. Charu started her career in the world of advertising and achieved success at an early age. Disturbed by the inequalities in society she founded the Social Action Forum for Manav Adhikar(SAFMA), an NGO with Special Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations.

An ardent advocate of peace and humanitarianism who has traversed her life journey from being a grassroots social worker to being a published author and recipient of many awards / prizes despite her arduous life journey. The awards I have won over the years include Public Peace Prize (2018), Human Rights Hero Award (2018), Karmaveer Chakra (2012), Best Personalities of India Award (2011), among others. As regards my writings, much of them focus on freedom from human bondage & racism, poverty & inequality, the progress of nations, the emancipation of women & differently able, and peace & non-violence. Lastly, I dream of and strive to see an egalitarian world order, and ultimately, a happier 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.

Lt (Cdr) Sadhana Giri, a veteran Air Traffic Control Officer with 17 years of service, excels in combat aviation dynamics. Leading cross-functional teams and driving learning initiatives, she's skilled in strategic planning and integrating advanced training technologies. As a proficient coach and mentor, she's recognized for her leadership coaching and life coaching expertise. Beyond her military career, she's a prominent social influencer, Fit India Ambassador, and esteemed winner of Mrs India titles. Breaking societal norms, she's the trailblazer among her siblings. Notable accolades include the Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan Rashtriya Shiksha Ratan Summan 2021 and Star India's Super Woman Award 2021 for her coaching contributions. Through corporate trainings, she emphasizes transformative team building, change management, and diversity inclusion, fostering personal effectiveness and synergy.

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 writes on relevance of mythology in modern times, especially in areas of management, governance and leadership. He is author of 41 books and over 1000 columns, with bestsellers such as My Gita, Jaya, Sita, Business Sutra and the 7 Secret Series. He was a speaker at TEDIndia 2009 and spoke on Myths that Mystify, East versus West. His TV shows include Business Sutra on CNBC-TV18 and Devlok on Epic TV.

Mr. Bidani, a pioneer in diversity and inclusion (D&I), is India's first Senior HR Leader, Culture Change Consultant, and Inclusion Champion with a disability (PwD). With over 25 years of experience, he has played pivotal roles as CHRO and Regional Global Executive - HR at IBM India / South Asia, as well as CHRO for AMERICAN EXPRESS and KPMG INDIA/Middle East. As a co-founder of Saarathee, a CRM company with a workforce of over 90% PwDs, he drives inclusive workplaces. A mentor for the Telangana AI Mission and NASSCOM, he's a prominent keynote speaker on key D&I topics at global conferences like IQPC Singapore, American India Foundation Livelihoods Program, Project Management Institute, SHRM, SHRM Tech, and MDRT Dubai Global Conferences. Holding an engineering degree and a management degree from Cornell University, Mr. Bidani continues to reshape the D&I landscape, serving as an inspiring beacon for all.

With over 20 years of diverse experience, Yogita Ahuja is a seasoned professional specializing in Learning & Development (L&D) for more than 16 years. She excels in designing and executing interventions across industry domains, employing innovative tools like Storytelling and Appreciative Inquiry. Certified as a POSH and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (D&I) Consultant and Trainer, she is dedicated to fostering long-term Employer Branding and Values-based People & Culture Building initiatives. As a Tedx Speaker, Storyteller, and Social Impact Entrepreneur, Yogita spearheads Mission Edusaarthi, empowering educators and homemakers. She collaborates with organizations to create impactful learning platforms for challenges like Mergers and Leadership Development. Yogita's expertise spans Leadership Development, Employer Branding, Diversity, Inclusion, and POSH Training & Consulting, along with coaching high-potential women leaders and conducting Storytelling workshops.

Lt (Cdr) Sadhana Giri, a veteran Air Traffic Control Officer with 17 years of service, excels in combat aviation dynamics. Leading cross-functional teams and driving learning initiatives, she's skilled in strategic planning and integrating advanced training technologies. As a proficient coach and mentor, she's recognized for her leadership coaching and life coaching expertise. Beyond her military career, she's a prominent social influencer, Fit India Ambassador, and esteemed winner of Mrs India titles. Breaking societal norms, her notable accolades include the Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan Rashtriya Shiksha Ratan Summan 2021 and Star India's Super Woman Award 2021 for her coaching contributions. Through corporate trainings, she emphasizes transformative team building, change management, and diversity inclusion, fostering personal effectiveness and synergy.

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.

Born with hemiplegia (which causes paralysis to one side of the body), Devika Malik overcame the challenges of her disability to become an international para-athlete (disability sports) with 8 national & 3 international medals at World Para Athletics Grand Prix competitions; a psychological counsellor; International Disability Inclusion Advocate & TEDx Speaker and social entrepreneur - Co-founder of the Wheeling Happiness Foundation. The foundation has provided artificial limbs & assistive devices to 550+ beneficiaries. Devika’s efforts have been recognised nationally and internationally, this includes receiving the Queen's Young Leaders Award from Queen Elizabeth II in London and being a Speaker at the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018 in London and recently recognition by the Vice President of India & United Nations India – Women Transforming India Award 2018 and inclusion in the coveted Forbes 30Under30 List in 2020.

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.

With 23 years of diverse recruiting experience spanning IT, ITES, Pharmaceutical, Financial, and Research Analytics, she  currently specialize in Customer Service. Alongside, she mentor aspiring women leaders, fostering their career growth. Advocating for diversity across domains fuels my passion, as evidenced by my active involvement in various impactful initiatives. As a frequent guest speaker at numerous women's leadership programs within my organization, she aspire to contribute to fostering diverse and inclusive work environments. she am enthusiastic about collaborating with teams that prioritize diversity and inclusivity, aiming to create a more equitable and empowered workforce.