Mr. Chowdhry is one of six founding members of HCL, a pioneer in Information Technologies. His profound impact in the industry was duly recognized when he was honoured with the prestigious Padma Bhushan in 2011, the highest civilian award in India, acknowledging his consistent and significant contributions.
In addition to his accolades, IIT Roorkee has bestowed Mr. Chowdhry with an Honoris Causa Doctorate of Science, further exemplifying his remarkable achievements and expertise in the field.
Furthermore, his appointment as the Chairman of IIT-Patna by the Hon’ble President of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, underscores his stature and influence in the academic and technological spheres. Mr. Chowdhry’s legacy as an industrialist and visionary leader continues to inspire generations.
Mr. Karandeep Singh
Founding Partner, Trilegal
Karan Singh is one of the founding partners of Trilegal. Over the decades, he has advised clients on strategic growth plans in India, including acquisitions and financial investments across sectors. His expertise extends to high-profile cross-border and domestic acquisitions, representing buyers, vendors, lenders, investors, and financial advisors.
After serving for many years on Trilegal’s Management Committee, Karan now serves on the firm’s Board. His experience spans mergers, demergers, share swaps, asset purchases, restructuring, and spin-offs for both listed and closely-held Indian companies.
Karan’s track record includes work with banks and institutions on offshore and domestic financing, project and syndicated finance, structured finance products, regulatory matters, and leveraged buyouts.
Ms. Pritika Singh Hingorani
CEO Artha Global India
Pritika Hingorani is CEO (India) at Artha Global. She also leads Artha’s work on cities and sustainability. Pritika has close to 20 years of development sector and consulting experience, having spent the last 10 years helping build and scale IDFC Institute, a Mumbai-based think/do tank, as Director and Research Fellow. Before IDFC Institute, Pritika was Senior Vice President at IDFC’s Policy Advisory Group and a consultant to the Indian Institute of Human Settlements.
Prior to her work in the development sector, Pritika spent several years in economic consulting with Charles River Associates across their Financial Economics, International Trade and AntiTrust practices in Washington, D.C. and London. Pritika has a Masters in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a dual Bachelors degree in Economics and Political Science (Honours) from Bryn Mawr College. She is currently on the Board of Advisors for SaveLife Foundation, on the Board of Reviews for CEPT University, on the Judging Academy of the World’s Best School Prize and is the recipient of MIT’s Excellence in Public Service Award.
Mr. Parul Soni
Global Managing Partner, Thinkthrough Consulting
A graduate from St. Stephen’s College, Mr. Soni’s career is marked by his association with esteemed organisations. In his early years, he contributed significantly as the country representative for India and Nepal for the Save the Children campaign, following his tenure with the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.
With a wealth of experience, Mr. Soni served as an Executive Director and Practice Leader at Ernst and Young, where he made notable contributions to the firm’s success. Currently, he holds the esteemed position of Global Managing Partner at Thinkthrough Consulting, where he continues to leverage his expertise to drive organisational growth and innovation.
Mr. Soni’s diverse professional journey reflects his commitment to excellence and his dedication to making a positive impact within both corporate and social sectors. His leadership and strategic vision continue to inspire those around him, shaping the trajectory of organisations and initiatives under his guidance.
Mr. G. K. Pillai
Former Union Home Secretary of India
Mr. G. K. Pillai, a member of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) of the 1972 batch, has held numerous esteemed positions within the government. Notably, he served as the Union Home Secretary, overseeing critical aspects of India’s internal security and governance, from 2009 to 2011.
Mr. Pillai’s leadership and expertise have been instrumental in shaping key policy decisions and driving forward the nation’s development agenda. Concurrently serving as Secretary of the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, during his tenure as Union Home Secretary underscores his multifaceted contributions to the Indian bureaucracy.
Prior to his tenure as Union Home Secretary, Mr. Pillai held pivotal roles including Commerce Secretary and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Kerala from 2001 to 2004. His extensive experience and strategic vision have been instrumental in navigating complex challenges and fostering sustainable growth across various sectors.
A graduate from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (I.I.T.) Madras, Mr. Pillai’s dedication to public service and his commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity have earned him widespread respect and admiration.
Mr. Akshay Saxena
Co-founder and CEO, Avanti Fellows
Akshay Saxena, the Co-Founder of Avanti Fellows, is recognized as an Ashoka fellow for his impactful contributions to education. In 2012, he received prestigious fellowships from Draper Richards Kaplan and Echoing Green for his pioneering work at Avanti.
Prior to his endeavours with Avanti, Akshay gained valuable experience as a management consultant with the Boston Consulting Group in India. His dedication to social causes led him to engage in project implementation with UNWFP and the International Save the Children Alliance.
Akshay’s academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from IIT Bombay, providing him with a solid foundation for his diverse professional pursuits. His commitment to leveraging education as a tool for social change continues to inspire and drive positive impact within communities across India.
Krishen Mehta
Co-Chairman, Global Financial Integrity (GFI), And Director, Asia Initiatives
Krishen is a leading advocate for global tax justice, drawing on his extensive experience as a writer, educator, and speaker. Formerly a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in New York, London, and Tokyo, he now focuses on advancing tax fairness worldwide.
Krishen serves as a Senior Advisor to the Tax Justice Network, shaping policies to address global tax inequalities. In academia, he serves as a Trustee of the Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver and the Institute of Current World Affairs in Washington, DC. Krishen mentors as an Adjunct Professor at American University and shares insights on global tax justice at institutions like the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and Tokyo University.
Krishen’s dedication to financial transparency is evident from his past role as Co-Chairman of the Advisory Board of GFI, a research group in Washington, DC. Through his multifaceted contributions, Krishen remains committed to building a fairer global tax system.
Justice (Retd) Indu Malhotra
Former Judge, Supreme Court of India
Indu Malhotra, a distinguished legal luminary, served as a former Judge of the Supreme Court of India. Notably, she holds the distinction of being the second woman ever to be designated as Senior Advocate by the Supreme Court.
Throughout her illustrious career, Justice Malhotra has played a pivotal role in shaping legal discourse and upholding justice in India. Her judicious decisions and profound understanding of legal intricacies have earned her widespread respect and admiration within the legal community and beyond.
As a retired judge and senior counsel of the Supreme Court, Justice Malhotra continues to be a guiding force in championing the cause of justice and advocating for the rule of law. Her dedication to upholding constitutional principles and protecting the rights of individuals remains unwavering, leaving an indelible mark on the Indian legal landscape.
Mr. Alexander Korah Kuruvilla
Managing Director, Conde Nast India
Alex Kuruvilla is a seasoned figure in the Indian media and entertainment sector. He launched Conde Nast India in 2007, introducing iconic publications such as Vogue, GQ, Conde Nast Traveller, and Architectural Digest. His influence spans across print, events, digital, and television platforms.
Prior to his role at Conde Nast India, Alex served as the Managing Director of MTV Networks India, where he received numerous awards and nominations, including a nomination for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2002. His accomplishments have garnered attention from international media like Fortune and The New York Times.
Additionally, Alex played a key role as a founding member of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation and serves as a trustee of the Kochi Biennale Foundation.
Mr. Piyush Tewari
Founder & CEO SaveLIFE Foundation
Piyush has been dedicated to saving lives on Indian roads since 2008. Notably, he spearheaded the implementation of India’s Good Samaritan Law and developed an acclaimed model for reducing fatalities on Indian highways and expressways.
In response to the COVID-19 oxygen emergency in India, both the World Economic Forum and the India Today Group acknowledged Piyush’s exceptional efforts.
Piyush holds an MPA from Harvard University and received the prestigious Rolex Award for Enterprise in 2010. Recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2019, he was also appointed as a Member of the National Road Safety Council by the Government of India in the same year.
Before founding SaveLIFE, Piyush served as the Managing Director, India, of the Calibrated Group, a prominent US-based private equity fund. His unwavering commitment to road safety and his innovative approaches continue to make a significant impact in India and beyond.
