Speakers

Manjula Tiwari
Chief Executive Officer - Ancestry & Cover Story
GOPICHANDAR JAGATHEESAN
Director - Confectionery
Raj Rishi Singh
Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Business Officer
VIVEK MALHOTRA
Group Chief Marketing Officer & Chief Operating Officer - Consumer Revenue & Enterprise Strategy
Ruchira Jaitly
Chief Marketing Officer

Ruchira Jaitly
Chief Marketing Officer, Diageo India


Ruchira is Chief Marketing Officer, Diageo India and is part of the India Executive Committee. Ruchira leads Marketing and Innovation for Diageo’s award-winning alcohol and beverage portfolio.
Ruchira is an experienced marketer who has played a pivotal role in building leading consumer brands over the last 25 years. Prior to joining Diageo, she was with PepsiCo India as Senior Director, Marketing, building some of their biggest brands, including Kurkure and Mountain Dew. Ruchira led several award-winning consumer campaigns across the Foods and Beverages portfolio of PepsiCo brands, including the very popular Pepsi IPL campaign.
Ruchira started her career with Unilever India, and has worked at Nokia-HMD phones, and Royal DSM, where she created an F&B nutrition start-up (MANDI) to combat malnutrition at the bottom of the pyramid.
Ruchira is passionate about investing in talent; she is a co-founder at Ashoka University, and has supported Vedica Women’s Alliance as a mentor, was a member of the CII National Committee on Women Empowerment & Indian Women Network (IWN), and part of the CII Marketing National Committee.
Ruchira is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and St Xavier’s College Mumbai.

ARUNA DARYANANI
Director
Prabhvir Sahmey
Senior Director, Ad Sales
Pooja Sharma
VP - Presales, Solutioning and Customer Experience
Gaurav Jain
Chief Business Officer
Rahul Chhetry
Senior Vice President - Integrated Planning
Ishank Joshi
CEO & Co-founder
Aditya Krishna
Director - Sales & Marketing

Aditya Krishna
Director - Sales & Marketing, McCain


Mr. Aditya Krishna is the Head, Sales and Marketing of McCain India Retail division. A business leader with diverse experience in the consumer goods industry, he is an expert in front line sales, brand management, trade marketing and product innovation in India and South East Asia.
With a rich experience of 16 years, he has previously worked with Mondelez International, Cadbury India and Good Glam Group. He is an alumna of XLRI Jamshedpur (MBA in Marketing)

Arvind Sabharwal
Business Head
Ashish Tiwari
Chief Marketing Officer - India

Ashish Tiwari
Chief Marketing Officer - India, Home Credit


Ashish brings to the table 20+ years of corporate experience across consumer (FMCG/FMCD), insurance, telecom and new media domains. He practices the amalgamation of brand marketing, technology, and data analytics to transform brands and enrich consumer experience. At Home Credit India, he is responsible for using digital as a key medium for enablement & delivery and expand the brand’s reach across India. Prior to joining Home Credit India, Ashish was associated with Future Generali India Life Insurance (FGILI), Hero Group, Jubilant, Vodafone India and HCL. He has been a TEDx speaker, keynote panelist and jury member at various marketing summits, and a visiting faculty at IIMR. Ashish holds a post-graduate degree in Business Management from LBSIM, New Delhi, combined with a digital and social media specialization from IIM, Bangalore.

Kashish Vasishta
Deputy General Manager, Marketing & E-commerce

Kashish Vasishta
Deputy General Manager, Marketing & E-commerce, MMTC-PAMP


Kashish Vasishta serves as the Deputy General Manager of Marketing & E-commerce at MMTC-PAMP, India’s leading precious metals brand. With over a decade of experience in marketing, Kashish spearheads the brand’s strategic marketing, ecommerce and new product development initiatives across the Indian market.
In his role, he leads the development and execution of integrated campaigns to promote MMTC-PAMP’s Purest gold and silver offerings. He oversees a team of marketing professionals and collaborates closely with sales, agencies and business development teams to drive brand visibility, customer engagement, and revenue growth.
Kashish brings deep expertise in digital marketing, brand marketing, ecommerce, new product development and strategic partnerships. His efforts have been pivotal in reinforcing MMTC-PAMP’s reputation as a trusted and innovative brand in India’s precious metals industry.

GAURAV SHARMA
Chief Marketing Officer
Neelima Burra
Chief Strategy, Transformation & Marketing Officer

Neelima Burra
Chief Strategy, Transformation & Marketing Officer, Luminous India


Ms. Neelima Burra is the Chief Strategy Transformation and Marketing Officer at Luminous Power Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a leading consumer goods and services company. With over two decades of experience in diverse industries such as hospitality, FMCG, consumer durables, IT, consumer electronics, and OTC, Neelima possesses an astute understanding of the Asian market and its intricacies. Her core expertise lies in strategy formulation, market analysis, sales, marketing, and operational excellence leading to business transformation.
Neelima's astute strategic acumen has been instrumental in propelling Luminous Power Technologies to new heights. Her visionary leadership with forward-thinking approach and impeccable execution have solidified the company's position as a prominent player in the industry. Not only has she positioned Luminous as a market leader, but she has also ensured the organization's agility, resilience, and readiness to navigate the ever-evolving business landscape.
Prior to the current role, Neelima served as the EVP and Chief Commercial Officer at The Oberoi Group, where she spearheaded the formulation and execution of the commercial strategy encompassing sales, revenue, and marketing for the entire group. Her strategies proved highly effective in driving profitable sales and expanding the competitive advantage of The Oberoi Group.
Throughout her career, Neelima has held senior management positions at renowned companies such as HP and Cargill Inc. She has also actively contributed to various industry bodies such as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the food industry, the Indian Olive Oil Association as President, and the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) as a member. Neelima has also been a dedicated mentor in women's leadership development programs at Cargill Inc and HP Inc.
Neelima's exceptional contributions to the industry have garnered significant recognition, with Femina India honoring her as one of the top 100 influential women leaders in India. The World Marketing Congress has also recognized her as one of the 100 Most Influential Marketing Leaders, and she has been featured as an A-List Business Leader by Campaign Asia.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Neelima nurtures a deep passion for gardening and enjoys going on solo travel adventures. Her genuine love for food motivated her to establish Ganymede Business Ventures, her very own food tech startup. As a mother to a teenage daughter, she finds immense fulfillment in nurturing and supporting her child's growth and aspirations. Neelima also takes pride in being the owner of two delightful pet dogs named Bruno and Kiro, who bring her constant companionship and joy.
Neelima holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, and a Bachelor's degree in Science from Utkal University. Her exceptional education and extensive industry exposure have endowed her with a profound understanding of industry best practices, which she adeptly applies to drive the growth and success of Luminous Power Technologies.

NIKHIL GUPTA
Head of Marketing, Strategy, Govt. Affairs & CSR - Greater India

NIKHIL GUPTA
Head of Marketing, Strategy, Govt. Affairs & CSR - Greater India, Signify


Nikhil Gupta serves as the Head of Marketing, Strategy, Government Affairs, and CSR at Signify, Greater India. With over a decade at the company, Nikhil has excelled in various leadership roles, demonstrating his expertise in driving strategic initiatives and leading diverse teams of senior professionals. In his current role, Nikhil’s responsibilities span a wide spectrum including marketing, communications, pricing and CRM, market intelligence, influencer programs, sales excellence, MIS and reporting, national order desk and customer support, sales automation, and business strategy.
Nikhil brings over 23 years of experience across the Fast-Moving Consumer Durables (FMCD) and Financial Services industries, working with world-class firms. His career is marked by significant achievements in marketing, strategy, P&L management, and operations across multiple geographies, where he has delivered results in both high-growth, dynamic markets and mature, challenging environments.
Before joining Signify, Nikhil was the Vice President and Head of Portfolio Management at SBI Card, where he led activation, usage, retention, and corporate card programs for the joint venture between State Bank of India and GE Capital. Prior to that, he was the Product Head for GE Money Card and Personal Loan Retention at GE Money India, focusing on retention strategies for personal loans and GE Money Card. He began his career in the lighting industry as a Product Manager for CFL Lamps at Philips Lighting, managing the product line across South Asia.
Nikhil's vision is centered on fostering innovation and sustainability. He is committed to driving sustainable practices within the organization and the industry at large, ensuring that business growth aligns with environmental stewardship and social responsibility. His work on sustainability initiatives has been pivotal in positioning Signify as a leader in eco-friendly and energy-efficient lighting solutions. Nikhil is also actively involved with industry forums such as XX, YY where he contributes as a board member, shaping industry standards and policies.
Nikhil holds an MBA in Marketing from the Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management (LBSIM), Delhi, and a CXO Leadership Program, Business Administration from Cornell University, New York.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Nikhil is an avid sports enthusiast (TBD) who enjoys playing (any sport). He is also passionate about (any hobby). His extensive experience and strategic vision have been instrumental in advancing Signify’s market position in Greater India, driving growth and innovation in the region.

RIDDHI PIMPUTKAR
Director, Enterprise Solutions-India
Samir Sethi
Head of Brand Marketing

Samir Sethi
Head of Brand Marketing, Policybazaar.com


Samir Sethi is the Head of Brand Marketing for Policybazaar.com , has extensive experience in leading brand and consumer marketing, with expertise in consumer communication, media planning and investment, content marketing, market research and social media marketing.

Rahul Pant
Associate Director - Sales
Archan Banerjee
Head - Marketing & Communications
ARNAB CHOUDHURY
General Manager - Marketing, Catch Salt & Spices Division

Arnab Ghatak Choudhury
General Manager Marketing, DS Spiceco Pvt Ltd.


20+Years of Experience in with experience in handling Sales and Marketing Roles in diverse categories within Foods Sector. Currently responsible for overseeing Brand promotion activities of Catch Salts and Spices for India and Export Markets. Responsible for New Product Innovation and Launches of different Categories under the Brand. Lead the repositioning exercise of the Catch Brand and launched a number of Award winning Campaigns. In his earlier stint with Cargill, in the Edible Oils space worked on building key brands like Gemini and Leonardo Olive Oil. Started the career in the Confectionary Sector with Perfetti Van Melle where he handled multiple Sales, Trade Marketing and Brand Marketing roles (Happydent and Chlor-mint).

K GANAPATHY SUBRAMANIAM
Chief Marketing Officer
Nisha Khatri
Head of Marketing

Nisha Khatri
Head of Marketing, Libas


Nisha Khatri is a marketing leader with deep expertise in retail and digital brand-building, currently heading marketing at Libas—one of India’s fastest-growing fashion brands. She has been instrumental in scaling the brand's presence across online and offline channels, crafting high-impact campaigns that not only drive visibility but fuel business outcomes. She firmly believes: "It’s not anymore ‘you build it, they will come’ — but if you market it right, they just might."
Hailing from New Delhi, Nisha has helped brands evolve with changing consumer behaviour, using her keen understanding of data, trends, and storytelling. Her fascination with the human mind led her to pursue formal training in psychology and counselling, earning credentials as a certified therapist. She also hosts "Blessing in Breaking", a podcast that explores mental wellness and human connection.
When she's not leading marketing strategy or producing thoughtful content, you’ll find her in her terrace garden or on the hunt for the perfect tiramisu. Her ability to blend empathy with strategy continues to make her a standout voice in the evolving world of marketing and retail.

Kanika Anand
GM - Media

Kanika Anand
GM - Media, Airtel


Kanika Anand is a seasoned marketing leader with over 15 years of experience in media strategy, digital marketing, and brand management. As General Manager – Marketing at Airtel, she leads integrated media across key business verticals and additionally manages overall marketing budgets across functions. Kanika has driven large-scale media investments, built data-driven marketing frameworks, and championed innovation in emerging formats like AR, VR, and CTV. She is passionate about data-led storytelling and creating meaningful consumer impact through integrated, insight-driven marketing.

Mayank Prabhakar
Head of Digital Marketing - India
Rachit Mehra
General Manager, Brand and Marketing
Sumit Sonal
Associate Director & Head of Marketing - India

Sumit Sonal
Associate Director & Head of Marketing - India, Qualcomm


Sumit serves as the head of marketing for Qualcomm in India. In this role he uses his 14+ years of experience as a product marketing leader in building a successful brand. He directly contributes to the Qualcomm’s mission of connecting the world and enriching lives through innovative technology and strategic partnerships.
Sumit oversees all aspects of marketing in India including, corporate communications, advertising, social media, digital marketing, brand management and events, product and technology marketing.
Sumit Sonal joined Qualcomm in 2024, prior to which he was associated with Xiaomi as a general manager of marketing for 6 years, being the driving force behind increasing the visibility for all its various brands and categories. He was also associated with Myntra where he led numerous campaigns for traditional and digital marketing for Roadster, HRX, and Mast & Harbour. Additionally, he worked with OMD and Harman international strategies for brand leadership, campaign management and new product launch.
Sumit is a public speaker and strategic thinker, passionate about building strong brands and creating products that can have a positive impact in the dynamic world of today. On the education front, Sumit holds a master’s degree in marketing management.

TATHAGAT JENA
Head of Online Sales & Chief Marketing Officer - India & APAC
DEEPAK DHINGRA
Senior Director - Brand & Content Strategy
Lakhan Arjun Rawat
Content Creator & Blogger

Lakhan Arjun Rawat
Content Creator & Blogger


Lakhan Arjun Rawat, widely known and loved as Lakhan by his fans, is one of India’s most celebrated social media personalities with an impressive Instagram following of over 2.1 million. A dynamic content creator, former professional cricketer, and devoted family man, Lakhan is a household name across Indian digital spaces. His unique blend of sports, entertainment, and heartwarming family-centric storytelling has made him a favorite among audiences of all ages.
Lakhan began his digital journey in 2018, creating short lip- sync and dance videos on TikTok. His natural charisma and on-screen charm quickly gained traction, turning him into a viral sensation. Following the ban on TikTok in India, Lakhan skillfully transitioned to YouTube, shifting focus to long-format lifestyle vlogs. This pivot offered fans a deeper glimpse into his daily life, solidifying his place as a relatable and engaging content creator. Born in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, Lakhan had a strong background in sports. A former batsman for the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association and a Ranji Trophy player, he brought his cricketing passion into the digital space. This fusion earned him the title of India’s first "Cri-Creator", symbolizing his unique journey from cricketer to creator.
Together with his wife, Neetu Bisht, Lakhan co-owns the immensely popular YouTube channel ‘LakhNeet Vlogs’, which has garnered over 11.3 million subscribers. Their chemistry, authenticity, and shared life experiences have struck a chord with millions of viewers, making them one of India’s most adored digital couples.
In addition to vlogging, Lakhan has featured in several Hindi and Punjabi music videos, further expanding his presence across entertainment mediums.
Lakhan completed his schooling at Nirmala Convent School DPS, Bulandshahr, and holds a B.Com degree from Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, Delhi University.
From cricket fields to camera lenses, Lakhan’s journey is a testament to adaptability, passion, and the power of real, relatable storytelling.
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/lakhan_999?igsh=MTczanZnZmZtY3IydA==
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lakhneetvlogs?si=h1VPbIt-x_3wtKHW

NIDHI RASTOGI
Marketing Director - India

NIDHI RASTOGI
Marketing Director - India, Uniqlo


Nidhi is currently working as Marketing Director at UNIQLO India. She's been with UNIQLO 2019, playing a pivotal role in the brand's India launch. In 2021, she had the privilege of representing UNIQLO on a global scale by joining the company's headquarters in Japan as a part of the global marketing and strategy team. Upon returning to India in May 2023, she has taken on the responsibility of leading the marketing efforts to fortify and elevate Uniqlo's brand positioning in the Indian market. Her strategic vision and innovative approach have been instrumental in driving UNIQLO's growth in India.
With 18 years of rich experience in brand and digital marketing, Nidhi brings a wealth of expertise to the table. As a seasoned marketer, Nidhi's forte lies in leveraging data and customer insights to craft and implement dynamic marketing and branding strategies. She has a unique talent for striking the perfect balance between brand and performance marketing, ensuring that both brand image and business objectives are met.
Nidhi specializes in Brand & Digital Marketing Strategy, Content Marketing, PR, Influencer and Celebrity Marketing, Growth Marketing, and Media Planning, making her a valuable asset to any project or initiative.
Prior to UNIQLO, Nidhi has worked with leading names including Myntra for 5 years (2014 - 2019) where she led brand campaigns; digital marketing, and content initiatives. She also headed marketing for private label brands such as All About You, HRX, Anouk and Dress berry. She also serviced the Tata Group and Publicis Group in the field of brand and digital marketing.
She is an MBA from SP Jain, Mumbai and graduate from Sukhdev college of Business Studies

RAHUL TALWAR
Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer

Rahul Talwar
Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer Axis Max Life Insurance


Rahul Talwar is the EVP & CMO at Axis Max Life. In his current role he spearheads comprehensive marketing strategies that drive brand transformation, customer- centric growth, and digital innovation. His expertise encompasses integrated marketing communications (IMC), digital marketing, brand management, corporate communications, consumer insights, and customer experience (CX), ensuring a holistic approach to marketing leadership.
He is a strong advocate of data-driven marketing, strategic storytelling, and building high-performing, agile teams. Mr Talwar’s career trajectory uniquely bridges FMCG (PepsiCo Foods & Beverages, McVitie's Biscuits), Textiles & Strategy (Aditya Birla Group), and BFSI fuelling his ability to craft impactful campaigns, connect-the-dots, challenge traditional narratives and innovate with sector- agnostic strategies.
At Axis Max Life, he has pioneered the award-winning ‘You are the difference’ brand philosophy, and recently, led the 2024 brand refresh (Max Life is now Axis Max Life), launching the 'Double Bharosa' campaign.

Shantanu Chauhan
Director Marketing
Pratik Gour
Co-Founder
NITI KUMAR
Chief Operations Officer - India