Being a CEO series is a one of its kind original course with each session delivered by a leader running a large business. These talks aim to facilitate an interaction between students and CEOs so that students are aware of the challenges that CEOs face when running large organizations. CEOs have spoken about their firms and how they are facing current challenges. They have also spoken about their life journey and how they have faced challenges during their careers.
| Name | Designation | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | B.B. Chakraborti | Professor of Finance (IIMC) | B. B. Chakrabarti is a distinguished finance academic and former professor at Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, with extensive contributions to management education and financial research. He played a key role in launching the PGPEX program at IIM Calcutta in 2006 and served as its first Chairperson, teaching in the program until 2020. He also contributed to the early years of the PGPX program at Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad as a faculty member. He led the taskforce that established Indian Institute of Management Ranchi in 2009 and later served as its Director. Over his career, he has advised institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India, and the Government of India on financial and policy matters. With 24 years of senior industry experience including over six years as a CEO, and more than three decades in teaching and research, his expertise spans corporate finance, financial intermediation, risk management, derivatives, private equity, and fintech. |
 | Vikas Mittal | Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Magma General Insurance Limited) | Vikas Mittal is a seasoned business builder and financial services leader with extensive experience launching and scaling businesses across diverse client segments and organizations—from startups to multinational corporations. A Chartered Accountant and Cost & Works Accountant, he is currently a Doctoral Scholar in Strategic Management at IIM Kozhikode and holds a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), USA. He has a strong track record in transforming business ideas into operational models, including designing business plans, sales strategies, processes, and service delivery frameworks. Vikas has delivered strong leadership performance across multiple financial sectors—securities, banking, wealth management, gold loans, and insurance—serving institutional, corporate, HNI, retail, and micro-retail clients through B2B, B2B2B, and B2C models. He is particularly interested in bridging the gap between industry practice and academia through his professional and research work. |
 | Marzin R Shroff | Group Head - Transformation, People & Culture (Shapoorji Pallonji Group) | Marzin Shroff is a transformation leader and business turnaround specialist with over three decades of leadership experience, including serving as MD & CEO of Eureka Forbes. Currently the Head of Transformation, Culture & People at the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, he focuses on driving organisational transformation, building leadership capability, and fostering a values-driven culture within one of India’s prominent legacy business houses. A certified life coach and people strategist, Marzin combines execution excellence with emotional intelligence to deliver people-led growth during pivotal transitions. His leadership philosophy is rooted in inner growth, conscious leadership, and unlocking human potential, shaped in part by his personal journey overcoming two life-threatening cancers. |
 | Pankaj Dhanuka | CEO (Fusion CX) | Pankaj Dhanuka (PD) is a serial entrepreneur with over 27 years of experience in engineering, technology, and outsourcing businesses. He currently leads the Fusion Group, an IT & ITES-focused enterprise, and Global Seamless (GSTP), an engineering company specializing in seamless steel pipes. Known for his resilience and strategic leadership, PD has played a key role in expanding the Fusion Group through several inorganic acquisitions—such as Ameridial, SupportSave, Occurance, and Omind—helping position it as a strong player in India’s IT/ITES outsourcing industry. He brings extensive expertise in international business development, mergers & acquisitions, and joint ventures. |
 | Ranjit Gajare | Chief Growth Officer (Sterling & Wilson Data Center) | Ranjit Gajare is a senior sales and business development leader with over 20 years of experience in the technology and infrastructure sector. He currently heads international sales for data centers at Sterling and Wilson, leading teams across India, the Middle East, and Africa to secure and deliver large-scale data center projects. He brings strong expertise in RFP and bid management, contract negotiation, project financing, commercial strategy, and cross-functional leadership. Known for his client-centric approach, Ranjit focuses on understanding customer needs, developing tailored solutions, and ensuring high-quality project delivery. His mission is to drive global growth and profitability for Sterling and Wilson’s data center business by leveraging his industry knowledge, strategic partnerships, and extensive international network. |
 | Mohit Behari Lal | President (Motiveminds Consulting Pvt Ltd) | Mohit Lal is a global technology and consulting leader with over 32 years of experience in driving large-scale business growth and transformation. He currently serves as President – Americas at Motiveminds Consulting, where he leads regional expansion, client relationships, and market development. Previously, he was Senior Vice President & COO – Digital and Cloud Infrastructure at Wipro, managing a $4.2B global business and a workforce of over 75,000 professionals. During his 26+ years at Wipro, he held several senior leadership roles across sales, operations, strategy, and M&A, and played a key role in driving AI-led transformation, operational excellence, and large global deal pursuits. Known for his client-centric leadership, transformation expertise, and strong execution focus, Mohit is also actively involved in mentoring professionals and engaging in industry leadership forums. |
 | Puja Marwaha | CEO (CRY) | Puja Marwaha is the Chief Executive of CRY - Child Rights and You, one of India’s leading child rights organizations. With a career spanning over three decades in the social sector, she has been instrumental in advocating for children’s rights and ensuring that children remain central to development and policy discussions. After completing her post-graduation in Human Resources from Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi, Puja transitioned from the corporate sector to join CRY in 1994. She has since emerged as a prominent voice for child rights, receiving the Olga Alexeeva Memorial Prize in 2018 for social innovation. Beyond her leadership role, Puja contributes to several academic and advisory boards and actively engages in public discourse as a TEDx speaker, writer, and advocate for social change, promoting the belief that every individual can play a role in empowering children and strengthening their rights. |
 | Srinivasan Vijayaraghavan | Managing Director (Munters - Zeco) | Srinivasan Vijayaraghavan is a seasoned global business leader with over 25 years of cross-cultural leadership experience across India and the Asia-Pacific region. He currently serves as Managing Director & Business Head – HCT at Munters – Zeco, and has previously held senior leadership roles at Alfa Laval and Ingersoll Rand. With extensive experience across markets such as China, North Asia, Southeast Asia, and India, he is known for driving sustainable growth, operational excellence, and high-performance teams in complex global environments. His leadership philosophy centers on people-first values, collaboration, mentorship, and transformational leadership. As a speaker and business leader, Srinivasan focuses on building resilient organizations, unlocking team potential, and leading transformation with clarity and purpose in a rapidly evolving global business landscape. |
 | Pahade Prasanna | Business Unit Head (Mahindra Logistics) | Prasanna Pahade is a seasoned business leader with over 25 years of experience in strategy, operations, and business transformation across logistics, automotive, and consulting sectors. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of RIVIGO, a technology-enabled logistics and supply chain platform, where he is focused on driving growth, operational excellence, and sustainable profitability. Previously, he held several senior leadership roles at Mahindra Logistics, including Business Unit Head and Chief Strategy Officer, where he led key P&L portfolios and organizational transformation initiatives. His career also includes leadership roles at Voltas Limited and Tata Strategic Management Group, as well as co-founding Making CHAMPS. Prasanna is known for driving business turnarounds, scaling operations, and executing strategic growth initiatives in complex organizations. |