Leadership Series 2025
Auditorium (Offline) |22nd August 2025 | 10:30 AM – 04:00 PM
MBA (IB/AB/E&E) Batch (2024-26 & 2025-27) | Participants – 300+
The SIIB Leadership Series 2025, held on August 22, 2025, spearheaded by Dr. Chetan Prabhu, Ph.D., under the guidance of our respected Professor and Director Dr Alka Maurya, is a much- anticipated event that the institute has celebrated as one of its most renowned yearly traditions as its flagship event.
The Leadership Series 2025 edition this year focused on the theme of 4Ts – Technology, Trade, Turbulence and Trust, giving a clear understanding of the disruptive yet opportunity-rich environment that leaders are forced to operate in the complex environment we live in today.
Introducing the event, the Guest of Honor Mr. Amar Variawa, Vice President and Country Head of the Board of Directors, Vestas Wind technology Pvt. Ltd., gave the opening address, which underlined the fine line between sustainability and industry development. He was open about how the energy sector undergoes change and how leadership was needed to guide organizations in the turbulent environment and how to establish global trade relations based on responsibility.
He was succeeded by Squadron Leader (Retd.) Vibhuti Mangal, Global IT and Innovation Leader at Amazon Inc., who has had an exceptional career in the defense service and as a global business executive, provided a compelling lens on agility. She pondered on the role of leaders who must be flexible and innovative and must build trust as a grounding tool in unpredictable situations.
To make the discussion even more enriching, Mr. Manoranjan Manish, the Chief Operating Officer of Viacom India LLP and an SIIB Alumnus (Batch 2011 – 2013) discussed the transformational role of media and communications. He pointed out that in a world where information can move like lightning, the skill to establish trust between communities and audience is not only mandatory but also a strong differentiator of organizations.
The series of talks was culminated by the keynote by the Chief Guest, Mr. P. Venkatesalu, the CEO and Executive Director of Trent Ltd. and an Alumnus of SIIB (2001-2009). He spoke of the necessity of harnessing innovation, building resilient trade strategies, and embedding trust as the bedrock of leadership. His reflections tied together the 4Ts, showing how technology, trade, turbulence, and trust are interwoven in shaping successful organizations and societies.
Special thanks were also extended to Prof. (Dr.) Alka Maurya, Director, SIIB, for her steadfast support and guidance throughout the planning and execution phases.
The second half of the day was the exciting panel discussion moderated with insight and vigor by Dr. Chetan Prabhu, Faculty at SIIB. The panel has assembled an incredible group of industry champions, with each having a distinct point of view related to the 4Ts. Mrs. Shilpa Khopade, Vice President, Mercedes Benz R&D (Harness Division) addressed the topic of technological breakthrough in redefining mobility and trade ecosystems. Mr. Under turbulence in the global supply chains, Abhinav Gupta, General Sales Manager of South Asia and ANZ at Caterpillar Inc. discussed the challenges and opportunities of global supply chains. Dr. Sandhya Pande, Senior
Director and Site Leader, Philips India, pointed at trust-based leadership in industries that directly affect human lives, including healthcare and technology.
The evening concluded as Prof. Dipen Paul, Deputy Director, SIIB, and Dr. Jeevan Nagarkar,
Assistant Professor, SIIB, presented hearty Votes of Thanks to the eminent speakers and panelists, hailing their wisdom, and the inspiration they gave to the students. The Leadership Series 2025 was not merely a gathering but a meeting of scholars and business, history and outlook, mission and potential. With the exploration of Technology, Trade, Turbulence, and Trust across various perspectives, the series once again confirmed the mission of SIIB to equip future- ready graduates capable of being innovative, inspiring, and successful leaders in a rapidly evolving world.
A crucial aspect of the event’s success was the dedicated student volunteer team, which was formed after a rigorous selection process. This team consisted of over 28 members from both the first and final-year batches, representing diverse domains within the institute. Each member brought unique strengths and skills to the table, making the one-month preparation for the event an organized and collaborative effort. Their enthusiasm and commitment ensured that every aspect of the event was executed seamlessly, from logistics to event management.
The SIIB Leadership Series 2025 stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between students, faculty, and the administration. The discussions and insights shared will continue to inspire future leaders as they navigate the challenges and opportunities on India’s path inface of the challenges ahead.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The Leadership Series 2025 gave me an insight into the role of Technology, Trade, Turbulence, and Trust in business today. The insights shared by the leaders motivated me to welcome change and develop confidence in my future profession.
– Sabik Shrestha (Batch 2025-27, International Business)
Thediscussionstouchedmyheart,especiallyunderstandinghowturbulenceaffectsagriculture supply chains. It inspired me to think creatively about building resilience and ensuring sustainablegrowthforfarmersandcommunitieswhorelyonthisvitalsector.
– Pranjal Bhagchandani (Batch 2025-27, Agri Business)
The SIIB Leadership Series 2025 was a truly enriching experience that deepened our understanding of sustainability and renewable energy, while also highlighting practical ways to support conservation. The sessions emphasized the growing importance of ESG and CSR practices among companies today. Mr. Venkatesh Salu, CEO & Executive Director of Trent, enlightened us with the example of Zudio, showcasing how it differentiates itself in a competitive market and creates meaningful impact. Squadron Leader (Retd.) Vibhuti Mangal, Global IT Innovation Leader, shared valuable insights on tackling real-world challenges through technology at Amazon. We are grateful to SIIB and the leadership team for this insightful event.
– Neha Jagdish Patel (Batch 2025-27, Sustainability Management)
Photographs of the Event:
