Speakers

Prof (Dr.) Sayalee Gankar is a distinguished academic and industry professional with an impressive 32-year career. She has held key leadership roles, serving as Dean of Management (PG) and Dean of Academics, along with directing two prominent business schools at MIT, Pune. Her extensive experience as a research guide has seen eight research students successfully complete their doctoral programs under her mentorship. Dr. Gankar’s expertise spans academic leadership, with a focus on strategic planning, institution development, academic programming, policy formulation, curriculum design, research, consultancy, industry collaborations, rankings, and accreditation. Her influence extends globally, having delivered plenary academic and research sessions in various countries, authored numerous research publications, and actively participated in international conferences in the UK, Washington, USA, and Paris. In addition to her academic contributions, she has been nominated to various professional bodies and received multiple prestigious awards, including the “Best Trainer Motivator” award by EDI, the “APJ Kalam – Leadership Award” by FUEL, and the “Dronacharya Award” for Outstanding Contribution to Education by The HR Club. Dr. Sayalee Gankar’s commitment to education and her noteworthy accolades have established her as a revered figure in the field.

Dr. Madhumita Patil is a distinguished figure in management education with over three decades of global experience encompassing entrepreneurship, strategy, human resources, and cultural studies. She began her career as a law graduate practicing at the High Court, Mumbai, and later expanded her horizons as a faculty for languages, Indian music, and culture in Fiji Islands. Her significant contributions include organizing landmark events for the Maharashtra Economic Development Council (MEDC), including educational delegations, UNDP initiatives, and strategic partnerships with international organizations. With an MBA in Marketing and a Ph.D. in Management Studies, she serves as the CEO of Chetana’s R. K. Institute of Management and Research (CRKIMR) and Chetana’s Institute of Management and Research (CIMR). Under her leadership, these institutions have achieved NBA accreditations for their programs, making them highly sought-after by both students and industry. As the CEO of Chetana’s Centre of Excellence (CoE), she has spearheaded successful collaborations with national and international organizations, fostering academic partnerships, research endeavors, and knowledge dissemination. Dr. Patil’s commitment to excellence is evident in her dedication to industry and government collaborations for training, consulting, and research projects. Her remarkable achievements have earned her numerous awards and accolades, recognizing her exemplary contributions to society. Recently, she was appointed as the Chairperson of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Development Council (WEDC), further cementing her role as a trailblazing leader in education and entrepreneurship.

Prof. (Dr.) K. Prathapan is a highly accomplished figure with over four decades of extensive experience in research, teaching, administration, and management in India and abroad. He currently holds the distinguished position of Vice Chancellor at D. Y. Patil Agriculture and Technical University in Talsande. Dr. Prathapan’s illustrious career includes roles as a former Professor at Kerala Agricultural University and as the National Horticulture Mission Director for the Government of Kerala and the Government of India. His educational background is impressive, with a Ph.D. from Kerala Agriculture University, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Pondicherry Central University. Dr. Prathapan’s contributions extend to international agriculture research and collaborations, with training exposure in Taiwan, France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland. Throughout his career, he has played pivotal roles in various government organizations and has been recognized with numerous state and national awards, including recognition as a scientist, administrator, best teacher, academician, and reviewer. Dr. Prathapan’s extensive work has also involved mentoring and guiding numerous M.Sc. and Ph.D. scholars, and he has handled substantial research and development projects in Kerala. His professional affiliations include serving as a life member of the Indian Society of Agronomy and as an international consultant to organizations worldwide. Currently, he contributes to the Board of Management at DY Patil Educational Society in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.

Hrridaysh Deshpande is an accomplished figure in the field of education with over 27 years of experience. Currently serving as the Vice Chancellor of Ajeenkya DY Patil University and a key member of its Governing Body and Board of Management, he also holds the position of Director at Ajeenkya DY Patil Group and Grand Port Hospital in Mumbai. Hrridaysh has played a significant role in promoting design and innovation in India. He served as a consultant advisor to the India Design Council (IDC) under the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion. Notably, he initiated the India Design Mark program in collaboration with the Good Design Award in Japan. Hrridaysh’s expertise led him to be a jury member for prestigious events like the Good Design Awards in Japan and the Taiwan International Student Design Competition. Furthermore, he contributed to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as a member of the National Committee on Design. He authored insightful reports on design in India, curated design summits, and managed design excellence awards. Hrridaysh’s commitment to innovation, design, and education has made him a sought-after speaker and facilitator in these domains. His dedication to expanding traditional boundaries and executing ambitious projects has left an indelible mark in the industry.

Prof. Siddharth Jabade is the founding Vice Chancellor of Vishwakarma University, Pune, India. He completed his Ph.D. at IIT Bombay. He has multi-faceted experience in education, research, innovation, intellectual property rights, and technology commercialization. He is a qualified patent attorney. Vishwakarma University has recently been awarded a prestigious Times Higher Education Awards Asia in the leadership and management team of the year category. He is the co-inventor of affordable housing technology, an initiative of the President of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has awarded this innovation. He served as an International Consultant for the Asian Development Bank, UNESCO and as a resource person to World Intellectual Property Organization. Siddharth has been the site director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Energy-Smart Electronic Systems Centre, established in collaboration with SUNY Binghamton, USA. He was Director for Innovation and IPR at the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand. The innovation management program and Intellectual Property Policy for the University in Oman and the Office of Prime Minister, Cameroon, Africa developed by Siddharth.

Dr. M. D. Lawrence is a highly accomplished academic and researcher with 33 years of experience. Currently serving as the Vice Chancellor of Dr. P. A. Inamdar University in Pune, he has guided numerous Ph.D. and M. Phil. students and authored over a hundred research papers in Marketing, HRM, and General Management. Dr. Lawrence’s international exposure includes 60 conferences, where he often delivered keynote addresses. For more than two decades, he contributed as an assessor for the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) Peer Team. Notably, he served as Principal at Marathwada Mitra Mandal’s College of Commerce and Foresight College of Commerce, both of which received recognition for excellence. Dr. Lawrence’s notable awards include the Best Teacher award from the Ministry of Higher and Technical Education, Government of Maharashtra, and the title of Best Principal from Savitribai Phule Pune University. His dedication to education and research has earned him several prestigious awards, solidifying his prominent position in the field.

Dr. Ganesh Rao is the present incumbent of Director of Pune Business School, PCET Group, Former Director of MITCOIN Institute of Management, Pune. He has total 20 years of rich experience in Corporate Career and Management Consulting. He has 12 years of experience in Academic Career. Dr Rao has worked as a Director in Sai Balaji Institute and MITCOIN Institute of Management. Dr Ganesh Rao has completed Bcom, MBA and subsequently Ph.D. He is an incredible Corporate speaker, he has spoken at Corporate Commando Programme. He is also the Current Excecutive Board Member- Western- AIMS- Association of Indian Management School. He was the Chairman- Pune Chapter–AIMS- Association of Indian Management Schools and also a Chairman– Maharashtra Chapter- AIMS- Association of Indian Management Schools.

Dr. Pooja Misal, the Founder and Director of SMEF’s Brick Group of Institutes, is a dynamic educational leader with a vision to transform the learning landscape in India. Her remarkable journey is shaped by her parents’ inspiration, the pivotal role of education in her life, and her relentless quest for knowledge. Having earned an MBA from Cardiff, UK, Pooja further honed her skills by completing a course in Financial Management for non-profit organizations at Harvard University and a short course in Book Writing from City University, UK. Her commitment to learning remains unwavering. At the age of 25, she embarked on the ambitious endeavour of establishing an institute tailored for progressive India. Under her visionary leadership, the institute continually evolves its curricula to meet global standards, fostering a hands-on learning environment that nurtures the designers of tomorrow. Pooja’s impact extends beyond borders with the launch of BrickETC, a hybrid Ed-tech platform offering a diverse range of courses for school students. She envisions this platform as a cornerstone for students to shape their futures. Additionally, Pooja’s diverse involvement as an investor in a hospitality start-up and a member of the board of directors of Vidya Sahakari Bank in Pune showcases her commitment to multifaceted success. A TEDx speaker, Pooja passionately motivates students to pursue their dreams and construct a sustainable future, making her a true beacon of inspiration.

Arti Dwivedi is the Account Director & Regional Head – Academic & Govt. at LinkedIn. She is an outcome-focused professional with a 12+ year track record in business development and partnership establishment. She is a specialist in continuing education and knowledge management, with a strong emphasis on technology-enabled learning models, particularly SaaS. As an entrepreneur, Arti excels in revenue generation, corporate and institutional sales, key account management, and growth consulting. Her expertise extends to building and nurturing relationships with top academic leaders, including University Presidents, Chancellors, Vice-Chancellors, and Deans, to drive profitable strategic alliances. Arti’s career is a testament to her ability to deliver tangible results in the academic and corporate sectors.