Fulcrum – fulcrumawards 2024

Abhishek Mahapatra

Director – Public Relations
Amazon India

Abhishek Mahapatra

Director – Public Relations
Amazon India

Abhishek Mahapatra is the Director – Public Relations at Amazon India. He is an integrated communications professional with experience across corporate teams and consultancies. A strong believer in earned and owned channels; passionate about storytelling and driven by measurement metrics and delivery.
His Public Relations specialties include Advocacy & Counsel, Issues/Crisis Advocacy & Management, Team Leadership, Reputation Management, External Communication, Internal Communication, Media & Influencer Engagement, Communications Management, Marketing Communications, Storytelling, Product Communications, Media and Influencer Engagement, Campaigning and Content, Brand Management, Corporate Affairs, Public Policy and Government Relations, Sustainability, Community Relations and CSR, Brand Communications, Experiential Marketing and Events Management

Anubha Pandey

Head – Communications (Asia Pacific and Japan)
Broadcom Inc

Anubha Pandey

Head – Communications (Asia Pacific and Japan)
Broadcom Inc

Anubha Pandey leads APJ (Asia Pacific and Japan) Communications at Broadcom Inc. She oversees managing the reputation of Broadcom in the region, its products, services, employees, and values through authentic cross-platform storytelling.
Anubha is a passionate communicator with over two decades of experience in Corporate Reputation Management, Integrated Campaign Management, Issues and Crisis Management, Employee Communications, Advocacy and Public Relations.
Anubha takes an integrated, multi-channel approach to campaigns, delivering impactful business outcomes. Her work has been recognised as a game-changer and has received various accolades. Anubha is certified in disruptive digital marketing (Oxford University) and is an ARCTM certified crisis
consultant.

Ajey Maharaj

Head – Corporate Communications and PR
Fortis Healthcare

Ajey Maharaj

Head – Corporate Communications and PR
Fortis Healthcare

Ajey Maharaj leads Corporate Communications and PR at Fortis Healthcare Ltd, leveraging over 30 years of experience in Corporate Communications and Marketing Communications. His expertise extends to internal and external communications, crisis management, media engagement, public advocacy, CSR, and building corporate reputation. Ajey is known for his exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to develop collaborative relationships, alongside strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
At Fortis Healthcare, Ajey’s role encompasses strategic media and PR planning, integrated communication execution, enhancing corporate image, and crisis management. Additionally, Ajey contributes his expertise as a board member to several Fortis entities, including the Fortis CSR Foundation, Fortis HealthStaff Limited, Malar Stars Medicare, Fortis Health Management (East) Limited, and Fortis Cancer Care Limited.
In addition to his professional achievements, Ajey is an accomplished athlete, having represented India in basketball at various master international events and participating in International Cricket Sixes Tournaments. His athletic accomplishments complement his dynamic corporate communications career, where he has established a legacy of robust media relations and corporate brand enhancement.

Asawari Sathaye

Director – Communications and Patient Advocacy
Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI)

Asawari Sathaye

Director – Communications and Patient Advocacy
Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI)

Asawari Sathaye is responsible for OPPI’s communications and patient advocacy function and works on multi-stakeholder advocacy and social media engagements, including pushing advocacy efforts with the Government, Media, Academia, Industry and Patient Groups. She has over 16 years of experience across research, consulting, communications, investor relations and sustainability domains. Before joining OPPI, Asawari was the head of corporate communications, investor relations and sustainability at Shoppers Stop, and had led the corporate communications and investor relations functions at Voltas Limited – A TATA Enterprise.
Asawari did her MBA in Marketing and Strategy from the Indian School of Business (ISB) and holds a
Masters in Economics from The University of Mumbai.

Ashutosh Sharma

Global Head – Corporate Communications & Corporate Affairs
HCL Technologies

Ashutosh Sharma

Global Head – Corporate Communications & Corporate Affairs
HCL Technologies

Ashutosh Sharma is responsible for corporate reputation management and shaping the external communication narrative for HCLTech.
With close to 23 years of experience in communications, Ashutosh has worked with leading Indian and global corporations including Bharti Airtel, PepsiCo, and Tata Power.
Ashutosh completed his graduation from the University of Delhi and has done his Master’s in Marketing
Communications. He lives in Noida (India) with his wife and daughter.

Bibhu Mishra

Director – Corporate Communications & Public Relations
InMobi Group

Bibhu Mishra

Director – Corporate Communications & Public Relations
InMobi Group

Bibhu Mishra is a seasoned communications professional with over two decades of experience, transitioning from a senior business and technology journalist to an adept corporate and crisis communications expert. His journey encompasses a rich background in strategic communications, consumer and technology PR, and a holistic approach that goes beyond traditional norms. A proficient storyteller, Bibhu serves as strategic counsel to corporate leadership teams, adept at solving complex challenges.
Possessing a postgraduate degree in English literature, along with qualifications in Law and Journalism, Bibhu imparts his knowledge on business and strategic communications in esteemed institutions during his leisure time.

Geetanjali Nehru

Head – Communications, Asia
GE Vernova

Geetanjali Nehru

Head – Communications, Asia
GE Vernova

Geetanjali Nehru leads Asia Communications for GE Vernova overseeing internal and external communications for 22+ markets across Asia Pacific, South Asia and China. Geetanjali plays a key role in driving the strategic direction of communications and branding initiatives to strengthen the organisation’s reputation amongst its key stakeholders. As a strategic communications partner, she drives comprehensive communications programmes.
Geetanjali is a communications professional, with over 20 years of experience and accomplishments in diverse industries such as IT, Financial Services, Retail, Technology, Industrial and Consumer practice areas. Her expertise lies in planning and executing critical Corporate Social Responsibility and community initiatives, Media and Public Relations programmes, Strategic Branding initiatives, Government Relations and Crisis Communications. She believes in creating excellence through collaboration and innovation.
Prior to GE, Geetanjali has held several positions in Indian and MNC organisations. She holds an Honors degree in History from Delhi University and a diploma in Mass Communications from Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai.

Jasrita Dhir

Director – Marketing and Communications
Karkinos Healthcare

Jasrita Dhir

Director – Marketing and Communications
Karkinos Healthcare

Jasrita has led Brand, Marketing, Digital Marketing & CSR functions in her two decades-plus corporate journey. Her forte is strategic Brand Management, Marketing, Digital Marketing, Transformation & Adoption, Corporate Communication & Public Relations. Her current role entails creating brand preference and thought leadership in the Cancer care ecosystem.
She is credited with lending one of the brands that she has worked with in the past, a higher purpose and softening the ‘commercial only’ perception through private healthcare’s most significant public awareness and sensitization campaign on Organ Donation #MoreToGive (winner of 15+ prestigious awards including Effies India & APAC Finalist). Jasrita has worked in the services sector from Hospitality to Healthcare and Senior Care with a short stint in Media. Cause-based marketing or purpose-led communication are close to her heart.
In one of her previous stints, she headed four CSR programmes run by Fortis CSR Foundation in the space of first-aid training, charitable primary health clinics, preventive health education & disaster relief management.
In 2011, Jasrita made it to Campaign India’s A List of Media, Advertising and Marketing professionals. Health Biz India magazine, in its 3rd-anniversary issue, profiled her as one of the six Future Game-changers of Healthcare in 2014. Jasrita was nominated as a popular Digital Marketer in IAMAI & Moneycontrol’s Digital Marketer Award 2018. Exchange4Media chose her as one of the top 100 Corporate Communications professionals of 2021.

Jeyasingh Balakrishnan

DGM & Head – PR & Corporate Communications
Metropolis Healthcare

Jeyasingh Balakrishnan

DGM & Head – PR & Corporate Communications
Metropolis Healthcare

Jeyasingh Balakrishnan, a seasoned PR and Corporate Communications professional with nearly 19 years of experience, currently leads PR & Corporate Communications at Metropolis Healthcare Limited. He has a proven track record in crafting and implementing several communication campaigns across various sectors, encompassing FMCG, Retail, Consumer, Lifestyle, Pharmaceutical, Life Sciences, Healthcare, and Social Development.
Prior to joining Metropolis Healthcare, he played a pivotal role in establishing and driving Corporate Communications for global pharmaceutical giants like Cipla Limited and Hetero Group. Serving as a strategic media advisor to the C-Suite, he excels in Strategic Internal and External Communications,
Media Relations, Crisis Management, CSR, and Sustainability Communication, driving impactful campaigns across various sectors.

Kasturi Paladhi

Former
Protean eGov Technologies

Kasturi Paladhi

Former
Protean eGov Technologies

As a Communications Professional, Kasturi comes with a diverse experience having worked in both consultancy and brand roles. Currently, she serves as the head of corporate communications, events and public affairs at Protean eGov Technologies.
Previously, Kasturi has held the position of corporate communications head for Xiaomi India and CoinSwitch. Additionally, she has also worked with renowned consultancies such as Genesis Burson Marstellar, now known as Genesis BCW, and MSL. During her time there, she successfully crafted award-winning traditional and new media communications campaigns for prominent brands like Logitech, Rovio, Micromax, YU Televentures, HONOR and KAYAK.
Throughout her career, Kasturi has had the privilege of overseeing Communications and Marketing for various organisations, including Black Shark, a gaming technology company, and notable not-for-profit entities like Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) India and Genesis Foundation. Within these roles, she
managed both Internal and External communication channels.
She is a graduate from Miranda House, Delhi University, and a post graduate in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai. A strong advocate of using communications for positive change, Kasturi strives to embody the transformation she wishes to see in the world.

Kavita Doshi

Head- Corporate and Digital Communications
NASSCOM

Kavita Doshi

Head- Corporate and Digital Communications
NASSCOM

A seasoned communication & public relations professional, with over 20 years, She has driven/led external and internal communications (across mediums, particularly digital) for various organisations. Currently, she is heading communications for NASSCOM. In the process, she has acquired deep insights on IT Services, Policy issues, startups and entrepreneurship; global issues; and related verticals such as engineering, e-commerce. She has been instrumental in setting up the social media brand presence of the organisation.
A certified IIMA alumni, she has won Gold award for best communication professional for the year by Adfactors PR and has been in the list of most influential PR professionals by BW.

Lavanya Mandal

General Manager & Head – PR and Internal Communications
Aster DM Healthcare

Lavanya Mandal

General Manager & Head – PR and Internal Communications
Aster DM Healthcare

Lavanya Mandal is an award-winning communications professional with over 15 years of experience in leading global reputation management programmes for MNCs across the Middle East, India and global markets. Her portfolio boasts multiple award-winning campaigns, recognised for excellence in PR and marketing communications. Her work in healthcare has been recognised at the Middle East PR Association Awards for five years in a row.
Currently, Lavanya is serving as General Manager & Head of PR and Internal Communications at Aster DM Healthcare, she leads the global reputation programme across multiple markets, driving external and internal communications, leadership outreach, and strategic business marketing communications.
Lavanya’s achievements include spearheading the global communications and public affairs programme for the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, receiving widespread recognition and coverage from renowned global media outlets like BBC and CNN.

Nadhiya Mali

Head – PR and Corporate Communications
Agilus Diagnostics

Nadhiya Mali

Head – PR and Corporate Communications
Agilus Diagnostics

Nadhiya Mali is a seasoned PR and Communications expert with 15 years of experience in brand storytelling, leadership profiling, crisis management and corporate reputation. She has successfully led Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability initiatives. She is currently the Head of PR and Corporate Communications at Agilus Diagnostics Ltd, India’s largest Diagnostic Company.
In her previous stint, she was associated with Metropolis Healthcare where she led the communications journey of the company for over seven years.

Neha Singhvi

AVP & Lead – Public Affairs, Communications & CSR
Games24x7

Neha Singhvi

AVP & Lead – Public Affairs, Communications & CSR
Games24x7

Neha Singhvi leads Public Affairs, Communications and CSR at Games24x7. She has over two decades of experience across reputation management & brand communication having assisted and advised companies across diverse sectors on multi-stakeholder programmes. Adept in managing crises, Neha has
championed data-driven programmes and policy advocacy campaigns leading to change. Neha understands the India market well and believes that a strong vision combined with a stimulating and truthful narrative can establish the right connection with stakeholders.
Prior to joining Games24x7, she headed operations and worked in leadership roles across some of the well-known communications firms in the country. An alumna of University of Delhi, Neha is an avid reader of business and political biographies.

Pooja Thakran

Australian Institute of Business
Executive & Lead Public Affairs – India & Philippines, Wells Fargo

Pooja Thakran

Australian Institute of Business
Executive & Lead Public Affairs – India & Philippines, Wells Fargo

Pooja Thakran, currently working as Sr. Director – Corporate Communications & CSR for Honeywell India and Honeywell Technology Services, is a seasoned communications professional with over two decades of leadership experience across Fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Telenor, Hewlett Packard, Aon Hewitt, Alstom and others. She is adept at crafting winning communications strategies that have led her to support and promote corporate reputation in challenging market situations.
Well-versed with the traditional and new-age media, Pooja has a rich legacy of working with top executives as a trusted advisor and has been a mentor to high-performing teams. She won accolades and industry awards for many initiatives including an APAC Sabre Award for Corporate Branding.
In her various leadership positions with iconic brands, she has contributed in building a leadership communication framework, digital marketing concepts and customer communication campaigns along with employer branding plans that have enabled corporates to excel and achieve solid brand positions amongst its stakeholders. She is a Master’s in Business Administration specialising in Marketing from the Australian Institute of Business and a graduate of Delhi University. She is a proud mother of a 25-year-old and spends her time watching documentaries, gardening, and exploring new cities.

Pooja Trehan

Communications, PR & Content
Jio World Centre

Pooja Trehan

Communications, PR & Content
Jio World Centre

Pooja is a communications professional with 18+ years of experience, who kickstarted her career as a Senior Associate at Genesis BCW. She has significantly contributed to the growth of brands such as Colgate Palmolive, Castrol India, Bennett & Coleman, Sugarbox, and her entrepreneurial venture PRestaurants, with her flair of curating narratives, enhancing storytelling and leading various facets of communication. Her expertise spans across stakeholder profiling, media communications, employee and employer branding, strategic policy communications, crisis management, digital brand advocacy and advocacy campaign frameworks, making her a distinguished figure in the communications field.
Her passion is running, being a bibliophile, experimenting with black coffee across regions, travelling and falling in love with the written word each day.

Rasick Gowda

Head of Communications – Asia
Fortinet

Rasick Gowda

Head of Communications – Asia
Fortinet

Rasick Gowda is a seasoned communications professional with over 15 years of experience in developing and leading strategic communication programs for top brands. Currently, he serves as the Head of Communications, Asia at Fortinet.
Prior to joining Fortinet, Rasick was with Cisco for over a decade where he led Corporate Communications for India & SAARC regions. He has also worked on the consultancy side of the business at The PRactice for close to five years.

Rishi Basu

Global Head & Director – Corporate Communications & PR
Infosys

Rishi Basu

Global Head & Director – Corporate Communications & PR
Infosys

Rishi heads Corporate Communications and PR for Infosys, globally, and has been with the organisation for close to nine years. A seasoned storyteller, Rishi is always on the hunt for newer and innovative ideas to tell a story. Seizing every opportunity to tell a great story, finding platforms and partners to amplify the story and getting it before the right beneficiaries, to build the brand that’s in his charge is what inspires him to get to work each morning.
Rishi is an alumni of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi and St. Xavier’s Collegiate School, Calcutta.

Sakshi Talwar

Head of Communications
LinkedIn India

Sakshi Talwar

Head of Communications
LinkedIn India

Sakshi Talwar is an erstwhile journalist with an in-depth understanding of the Media, which is the
cornerstone of any communication strategy. In her current role as the head of the communications team
at LinkedIn India, her responsibilities include corporate communications, stakeholder management,
creating and maintaining the corporate identity across print and digital platforms as well as managing
communication campaigns across channels. Additionally, She has also been engaged in other aspects of
business communications such as content creation, public relations, crisis communication, marketing
strategy, media handling and more.

Sameer Bajaj

Head – Corporate Communications & Corporate Affairs
MakeMyTrip

Sameer Bajaj

Head – Corporate Communications & Corporate Affairs
MakeMyTrip

With a professional experience of over 25 years, Sameer’s career spans leadership roles at ESPN STAR, Discovery Inc, Amway and more, where he has consistently leveraged communications to drive brand visibility and stakeholder engagement.
As a strategic advisor, Sameer’s counsel has been pivotal to senior leadership across the companies he has served. His ability to navigate complex scenarios and influence corporate strategy underscores his role as a key figure in shaping corporate narratives and culture.
Sameer has been recognised consistently as one of India’s Top 100 Corporate Communications Professionals and recently honored as a Maestro of Communications by exchange4media (e4m), Sameer’s contributions reflect his leadership and commitment to the field. Sameer firmly believes that Communication is the cornerstone of trust and innovation and by fostering transparent, authentic dialogues, one can ignite the transformative power of purpose in business and society.

Sandeep Fernandes

Head – Public Relations & Communications
Škoda Auto India

Sandeep Fernandes

Head – Public Relations & Communications
Škoda Auto India

A strong Public Relations advocate, Sandeep Fernandes is an ‘auto-head’, leading the PR & Communications drive at Škoda Auto India. In a career spanning close to two decades, Sandeep has worked across different geographies, and with a wide range of brands. Prior to joining Škoda Auto India, he held a senior communications role at Groupe Renault. He has also worked with communications consultancies which gives him an experience of both sides of the client-consultancy spectrum. He is passionate about new ideas, travelling and getting Public Relations the value it deserves.

Saumya Bhushan

Lead – Corporate Communications
S&P Global South Asia

Saumya Bhushan

Lead – Corporate Communications
S&P Global South Asia

Saumya Bhushan is a seasoned professional with 17 years of diverse experience, currently serving as the Lead for Corporate Communications at S&P Global South Asia. In this role, she effectively manages communication strategies that reinforce the company’s reputation in the region. Prior to S&P Global, she led Corporate Communications at Reckitt India and executed award-winning campaigns for clients like Airbus, Philips, Pernod Ricard and Vistara in her career as a communications consultant. She also spearheaded key communications initiatives for The Oberoi Hotels Group and had a successful tenure as a Business Development Manager at Motilal Oswal Financial Services Limited.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Saumya has dedicated significant time to social causes, working towards the upliftment of women and children of Army jawans.

Shivanjali Singh

Chief Corporate Communication Officer
Cairn Oil & Gas

Shivanjali Singh

Chief Corporate Communication Officer
Cairn Oil & Gas

Shivanjali is a seasoned Communications leader with over 23 years of experience across diverse sectors such as Energy, Telecom, Technology and Education. She is currently the Chief Corporate Communications Officer at Cairn Oil & Gas, the largest private oil & gas producer in India. Prior to this, she has managed communications for several iconic brands including Vodafone Idea (Vi) and NIIT, among others.
She has rich experience in leading large advocacy campaigns, stakeholder communication, brand building, corporate reputation, internal communication, crisis management etc. She has worked with several industry associations on a range of policy and regulatory matters, as well as mass consumer awareness campaigns in the telecom and digital space.

Sunaina Jairath

Vice President – Brand and Communications
Aliaxis India

Sunaina Jairath

Vice President – Brand and Communications
Aliaxis India

Sunaina Jairath has over 20 years of experience in public relations and policy advocacy with a long-standing background in the business. She is a Vice President at Aliaxis India. Sunaina has worked with CRED and was also with Dentsu network (Perfect Relations) where she was the lead for business development, strategy and client servicing. During her earlier tenure, she has created and executed 360-degree campaigns for brands across social media, policy advocacy, media relations, crisis communication and stakeholder relations.
Sunaina holds a PGD from Xaviers Institute of Communication. Music, books, travel and coffee are her go-to distractions.

Saba Khan

General Manager and Head – Marketing Communications and PR
Honda India

Saba Khan

General Manager and Head – Marketing Communications and PR
Honda India

Saba Khan is a communication professional with over 25 years of varied and in-depth experience in Corporate Communications, Public Policy and Brand Marketing in the automotive industry. She is a strong business professional in Brand Advertising, Media Relations, Stakeholder Engagement, PR and Marketing Programmes, Reputation management, Crisis Management, Project Management and Internal Communication.
Adept at facilitating clear and transparent communication between all levels of company staff, she is a motivated and detail-oriented people person who is energised by dynamic and innovative team members who are dedicated to creating stellar work.

Jury 2024

Abhishek Mahapatra

Abhishek Mahapatra

Anubha Pandey

Anubha Pandey

Ajey Maharaj

Ajey Maharaj

Asawari Sathaye

Asawari Sathaye

Ashutosh Sharma

Ashutosh Sharma

Bibhu Mishra

Bibhu Mishra

Geetanjali Nehru

Geetanjali Nehru

Jasrita Dhir

Jasrita Dhir

Jeyasingh Balakrishnan

Jeyasingh Balakrishnan

Kasturi Paladhi

Kasturi Paladhi

Kavita Doshi

Kavita Doshi

Lavanya Mandal

Lavanya Mandal

Nadhiya Mali

Nadhiya Mali

Neha Singhvi

Neha Singhvi

Pooja Thakran

Pooja Thakran

Pooja Trehan

Pooja Trehan

Rasick Gowda

Rasick Gowda

Rishi Basu

Rishi Basu

Sakshi Talwar

Sakshi Talwar

Sameer Bajaj

Sameer Bajaj

Sandeep Fernandes

Sandeep Fernandes

Saumya Bhushan

Saumya Bhushan

Shivanjali Singh

Shivanjali Singh

Sunaina Jairath

Sunaina Jairath

Saba Khan

Saba Khan