Career Odysseys

With an illustrious career spanning over 28 years, Anand Kumar Sinha is a distinguished technology leader, renowned for his expertise in IT operations, digital transformation, cybersecurity, cloud computing, ERP, AI, and IoT. Currently serving as the CIO & Global Head IT at Birlasoft, he has led business transformation and technology strategy across diverse industries, including Telecom, Media, FM, IT & ITES. Anand holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in IT from Shobhit University and a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) from MCRP, Bhopal. Honorary Doctorate in Information Technology & Cybersecurity from IIU. Additionally, he has pursued advanced certifications in areas such as AI & ML from IIT Kanpur, Cybersecurity from the Data Security Council of India, Digital Transformation from the Indian School of Business, Certificate in Finance for Tech Leaders from IIT Bombay, CIO to Chief Innovation Officer from IIM Bengaluru, and more, continuously expanding...

A dynamic People & Culture Leader, Business Transformation Strategist, and DEI Advocate, PREETI AHUJA brings over 18 years of HR leadership experience across leading organizations like Atlas Copco, Peak, Alfa Laval, Lear Corporation, Emerson, VMWare, and Larsen & Toubro. Renowned for her ability to engage C-suite executives and leadership teams, she has successfully driven organizational change, leadership development, and high-performance cultures. Recently been appointed as Honorary Director of TDI Programs of Economic Transformation Council (ETC), Preeti is a recipient of Pune Woman Leader 2021 and a Global Women Achiever, Preeti is also a Leadership Coach, Keynote Speaker, and Mentor for Change with NITI Aayog. She specializes in HR business partnering, compensation & benefits, talent management, succession planning, and learning & development. Her expertise in organizational design, coaching, and strategic workforce planning has led to innovative HR intervention...

Richa Shekhar is a highly accomplished strategic leader with over 22 years of extensive experience in the financial services industry, particularly in Investment Management, Asset Servicing, Treasury Operations, and Retirement Solutions. Richa has successfully navigated her career by leading cross-functional and cross-cultural teams, managing complex global transitions, and driving process re-engineering projects across APAC, Europe, and the Americas. Her career journey includes significant leadership roles such as Senior Director at Principal Global Services, where she served from October 2020 to November 2022, and Vice President - Service Delivery Leader for Investment Management at BNY Mellon from September 2014 to September 2020. Richa has also made notable contributions during her tenure as Senior Manager - Investment Management Operations at AXA Business Services Pvt. Ltd., and earlier as Assistant Manager in Treasury Operations at GE Capital Services India. Richa’s strong ed...

  Abhijit Deshpande , the seasoned Operations Manager at AXA Global Business Services, is a true epitome of leadership and professionalism. With a remarkable career spanning over 19 years, Abhijit has not only excelled in his field but has also left an indelible mark on his colleagues and the organization. Starting his journey with AXA Business Services in January 2006 as an Analyst, Abhijit has risen through the ranks, showcasing his expertise in equities, vendor management, and derivatives. Abhijit holds a Bachelors degree in Commerce from the SRT Marathwada University and an MBA from the University of Pune. Abhijit's tenure at AXA is not just defined by his professional accomplishments but also by his commendable personal qualities. Known for being friendly, level-headed, and supportive, Abhijit exemplifies the qualities of a true leader. His approachable demeanour and unwavering support have made him a beloved figure among his peers, while his strategic mindset and manageri...

Sameer Walgude is a distinguished professional with over two decades of experience in strategic sourcing & global sourcing for the automotive, manufacturing and ITES industries. His career is underpinned by an impressive academic foundation. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, specializing in Production & Industry Automation, from the University of Pune. To further enhance his expertise, he earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Finance and Banking from the prestigious Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM) - Pune, followed by an MBA in International Business and Operations Management from University of Pune. Sameer's commitment to continuous learning is evident from his Six Sigma Green Belt certification and Corporate Leadership Trainings from world-renowned institutions like Harvard Business School (HBS) and the Indian Institute of Management - Ahmedabad (IIM-A). Sameer began his professional journey at Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. as an Assistant Manage...