Vivek is part of the India Leadership Team and leads the Markets function. He also leads Clients & Markets programme for the PwC Network’s Asia Pacific & Americas (APA) cluster. In his role, he helps harness the firm’s vast capabilities to create tangible and long-lasting impact for our clients and society. Vivek is a resident of Mumbai and been a lifelong PwCer - joined in 1995 as an article trainee. He is a qualified chartered accountant and in his close to three decades of experience has led many assurance, due diligence and advisory engagements for some of the largest domestic and international clients within the banking, asset management, mutual funds, private equity and capital markets segments. He previously led the Financial Services sector for PwC India and the India-West region Assurance practice. Vivek is closely involved in various industry committees and is an active member at industry events and forums.

Vivek Prabhakar, the founder of Chumbak, is a trailblazing entrepreneur and a key figure in India’s design and lifestyle industry. He co-founded Chumbak in 2010 with the vision of creating a globally-inspired, India-centric brand that brings joy and vibrancy to everyday living. A proud resident of Bengaluru, Vivek has transformed Chumbak from a modest startup offering quirky souvenirs into a leading lifestyle brand celebrated for its distinctive designs across home décor, fashion and accessories. With a rich background in marketing and brand strategy, he brings over a decade of expertise in building and scaling innovative consumer brands.Rooted in Indian heritage yet soaring with global aspirations, Chumbak has expanded its footprint nationwide under Vivek’s leadership, establishing a robust retail network and a dynamic online platform. He remains deeply involved in every facet of the business, from curating creative designs to crafting memorable customer experiences. Beyond Chumbak, Vivek actively contributes to the entrepreneurial ecosystem, engaging with industry forums and mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs. He is also an avid photographer.

Dr. Jitamitra Desai is a distinguished Professor of Operations Research in the Decision Sciences group at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), recognized for his groundbreaking work in mathematical and computational decision analytics. With a keen focus on developing large-scale optimization algorithms, his research has significantly impacted fields like aviation, transportation, location theory, energy analytics and wireless communication networks. Jitamitra’s academic pursuits also extend to exploring networks and graphs, stochastic decision analysis and emerging biological applications. Beyond academia, his passion for tennis, coffee and the technology startup ecosystem fuels his creativity, while his role as a dedicated father adds a personal dimension to his multifaceted life. Renowned for his expertise in optimization theory and algorithm development, Jitamitra’s work bridges the gap between complex decision problems and practical applications, advancing both the theoretical and applied aspects of operations research.

Balram Vishwakarma is a Mumbai-based storyteller with a passion for documenting the lives of India’s urban labor class. His work shines a light on the resilience and quiet ambition of people in unorganized or gig economy jobs — hawkers, app-based workers and self-employed professionals. Through his stories, Balram hopes to break down the misconceptions and biases surrounding these professions, encouraging empathy, respect and a deeper understanding of their struggles and dreams. When he’s not telling stories, Balram co-runs a communications organization that helps brands connect meaningfully with their audiences. Whether through his personal projects or professional work, his focus remains on amplifying voices that often go unheard and building narratives that inspire real change.

Trilochan Sastry is a visionary academic, social entrepreneur and professor at IIM Bangalore, dedicated to building a more transparent, equitable and empowered India. As the founder of transformative initiatives like the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), he has spearheaded efforts to revolutionize electoral transparency in the country. Through Farmveda, he empowers farmers to become stakeholders in their prosperity, fostering economic self-reliance. His work with the Centre for Collective Development (CCD) has united small and marginal farmers into sustainable cooperatives, uplifting entire communities and promoting long-term growth. A true changemaker, Trilochan Sastry embodies the perfect balance of deep-rooted values and bold leadership, driving meaningful change in every endeavor.

Raaghav Belavadi is the founder and CEO of Hype Luxury, India’s leading luxury mobility startup. A mechanical engineering graduate from NIE Mysore with further studies at Oxford University, he left his position as Group Head at Accenture to establish Hype Luxury. The bootstrapped company is now valued at over ₹1,000 crores and operates a global fleet of luxury vehicles including private jets, yachts and high-end cars, with a reported asset value exceeding $650 billion. Under Belavadi’s leadership, Hype Luxury has become profitable without venture capital funding, focusing on creating a sustainable, family-oriented business model in the luxury transportation sector. He is scheduled to become India’s first space tourist with Virgin Galactic in 2026, demonstrating his pioneering spirit. Through Hype Luxury, Belavadi aims to redefine luxury mobility while establishing India’s presence in the global luxury market.

Dr. Renita Rajan is a prominent dermatologist and researcher specializing in skin of color. She authored ’Sunscreens in Skin of Color’ published by Springer Nature, the first book focusing on sunscreen for darker skin types. As the head of RENDER Skin and Hair clinic and founder of CHOSEN by Dermatology, she combines clinical expertise with evidence-based skincare solutions. With over 220,000 Instagram followers, Dr. Rajan shares dermatological insights that bridge scientific research with practical skincare advice. Her work emphasizes the interaction between genetics and environmental factors (the exposome concept) in determining skin health. She focuses particularly on pigmentation challenges and inclusive dermatological approaches, making her a thought leader in her field. Dr. Rajan regularly speaks at prestigious venues, including TEDx IIM Bangalore, where she discusses the relationship between biological factors and environmental influences on personal wellbeing.

Dr. Sai Kaustuv Dashgupta, known as the ’Wheelchair Warrior of India,’ is a globally recognized motivational speaker and India’s first disabled Certified Happiness Coach. Living with a rare brittle bone disease that left him 90% disabled with 80% hearing impairment, he received the National Award for Individual Excellence from the President of India and is featured on the D-30 Disability Impact List. As the founder of ’Happiness Unlimited,’ he has conducted over 1,000 sessions across 15+ countries, focusing on disability inclusion, workplace diversity and mental wellness. A Guinness and Limca record holder, Dr. Sai serves as a UN SDG 10 advocate, inspiring millions worldwide through his work in accessibility and inclusion.

Pranjal Kamra is the Founder of Finology Ventures, a leading FinTech and Financial Education platform dedicated to simplifying the complexities of finance for individuals across the globe. Under his leadership, Finology has emerged as a trusted name, empowering millions to make informed financial decisions. He is the author of two bestselling books, ’Mint Your Money’ and ’Investonomy,’ which have helped readers gain clarity on personal finance and investment strategies. Pranjal is also a prominent financial YouTuber with a community of over 6.3 million subscribers. Through his content, he demystifies investing, personal finance and wealth-building, making these topics accessible to everyone. A thought leader and influencer in the financial world, Pranjal Kamra continues to inspire individuals to achieve financial freedom and security.

Sudarshan Pattnaik is an internationally acclaimed sand artist from Odisha, India, and a Padma Shri recipient. Known for his masterful sand sculptures that address social, environmental and cultural themes, he has won numerous international awards and represented India at global sand art competitions. As the founder of the Sudarshan Sand Art Institute in Puri, he trains aspiring artists while continuing to create stunning works that often grace the shores of Puri beach. Pattnaik has earned over 60 international sand sculpture championship prizes and holds several world records. His art has become a powerful medium for social messaging, covering topics from climate change to national celebrations, routinely drawing thousands of visitors and global media attention. Starting his journey at the age of seven, he has transformed sand art from a local beach craft into a respected art form, inspiring a new generation of artists while bringing recognition to India’s cultural heritage.

Paddy Upton is a globally recognized high-performance coach whose impact spans across multiple sports and achievements. As a strategic leadership coach for the Indian cricket team, he played a pivotal role in India’s 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup victory and their first-time achievement of becoming the World’s No. 1 Test Team. His expertise further led the South African cricket team to become the first nation to simultaneously hold the World No. 1 ranking across all three cricket formats. With over 350 professional athletes from 20 different sports under his mentorship, including 5 world champions and 20 international sportspersons of the year, Upton’s influence extends beyond cricket. Most recently, he served as the mental coach to the Indian Men’s hockey team that secured bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics and to Gukesh Dommaraju, the 2024 chess World Champion. A professor at Deakin University and author of ’The Barefoot Coach,’ he combines academic expertise with practical experience in sports psychology and leadership development.