Speakers 2026

Shailesh Chaturvedi is one of Arvind’s strongest leaders who has successfully led several of its brands over the last 15 years. Shailesh joined Arvind in 2006 to lead the Tommy Hilfiger JV. Over the next 15 years, he made Tommy one of the most admired and aspirational brands in the country. He also took over the Calvin Klein brand in FY18 and has scripted a strong turnaround of the business.

Shailesh is a proven leader in the apparel space with a total career that spans 28 years in leadership roles in Madura coats, UCB and then Arvind. His deep expertise in working with international brands gives him a unique insight into global best practices and trends. Before his long stint in building the bridge to luxury brand portfolio for Arvind he has worked extensively in the mass premium men’s wear segment as well.

Rajesh Jain is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for Sports And Leisure Apparel Limited – Lacoste Licensee in India. He has been constantly nurturing the brand since October 2009. With his persistent efforts and focused vision, he has built and propagated Lacoste in India as a complete Lifestyle brand, offering a unique and original universe for different verticals including clothing for women, men and children, shoes, leather goods, watches, etc. His strong belief in his own quote, “Top Line, Bottom Line, Growth, Customer Delight and Human Resource Development – Everything else is merely incidental” has cultivated the brand with firm establishments reaching out to every major city/ metro of the country today.

With over 25 years across retail, fashion, telecom, and consumer-facing businesses, I’ve had the privilege of building brands, scaling teams, and navigating the evolving pulse of the Indian consumer. For 15 of those years, I led Bestseller India as CEO, building the business from the ground up into one of the country’s most respected fashion retail portfolios.Today, I’m investing my time in a different kind of building. I work closely with early-stage startups and high-growth founders, advising them on how to shape strategy, build authentic brands, and lead with purpose. I’m especially drawn to businesses at the intersection of retail, technology, and consumer culture. Whether it’s through angel investing or advisory roles, my goal is to support businesses that create long-term value not only through growth, but through trust.

Hussaine Kesury is a seasoned business leader with over two decades of experience in e-commerce, retail growth, and omnichannel transformation. He currently serves as Chief Business Officer at Pepperfry, where he leads the company’s omnichannel expansion, assisted buying, channels and franchise ecosystem — shaping India’s largest omnichannel home and furniture marketplace.
Throughout his tenure at Pepperfry, Hussaine has played a pivotal role in scaling private labels, category strategy, enhancing product portfolios, and driving profitable growth across company-owned and franchise-owned studios. Previously, he has built deep expertise across B2B, strategy, sales, marketing and operations with leading organizations like eBay Motors, ICICI Bank and Tata AIA Life Insurance. His strengths lie in P&L ownership, market expansion, team leadership, and building high-impact category and retail businesses in competitive environments.

A visionary leader with an impressive 26-year track record spanning entrepreneurial and corporate roles, he is adept at igniting growth and navigating dynamic market landscapes.A results-driven growth catalyst with extensive expertise in forging strategic partnerships, expanding retail footprints, driving business development initiatives, and enabling cross-functional collaborations, he has consistently delivered high-impact and sustainable results.

He is a key member of the Fashion Vertical at Aditya Birla Group, where he leads expansion and alternate channels for international brands under the Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited portfolio, including The Collective, Ted Baker, Hackett, Ralph Lauren, Fred Perry, and Galeries Lafayette in India. He rejoined the organization in 2023, marking his second stint with the company.

Previously, he was associated with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited from 2008 to 2019, where he held various roles in operations and eventually headed expansion for all mono-brand stores in malls. Between his two tenures at Aditya Birla Fashion, he led the Retail vertical at VIP Industries Ltd., a leading luggage company.

With a strong background in retail operations and expansion, he brings a comprehensive understanding of brand rollouts, mall partnerships, and market growth strategies across premium and international fashion formats.

Gyan Prakash Srivastava is a seasoned retail leader with over 16 years of experience in the consumer and apparel industry. Currently serving as AVP – Retail at UnderNeat, he leads the development of offline retail infrastructure and customer experience. He previously played a key role in building Devo (Siyaram Group) and has held positions with leading brands including Manyavar Mohey, Lacoste, Adidas, Bata, and Videocon. His expertise spans brand building, retail expansion, and operational excellence, with a strong focus on execution-led growth.

Experienced Head Of Retail Operations with a demonstrated history of working in the apparel and fashion industry. Skilled in Trend Analysis, Market Research, Merchandise Planning, Business Operations, and Retail Sales. Strong business development professional with a CBA focused in Business Administration and Management, General from INSEAD.

Venu G Somineni is a visionary serial tech entrepreneur, international best-selling author, Film Director and Advisor with over 25 years of global experience in AI, digital innovation, and business leadership.

A seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in strategizing, planning, and driving business growth across premium department stores, hypermarkets, bookstores, beauty, home, and category-led retail formats. Brings a strong foundation in general management, operations, property, and project delivery, with a proven ability to operate successfully across diverse formats and dynamic trading environments.

Has played a key role in developing market penetration strategies and leading the rollout of business plans aligned with long-term organizational vision. With extensive exposure to leading international and national retailers, has contributed significantly to expansion initiatives and portfolio growth.

Core competencies include real estate strategy, expansion planning, portfolio optimization, process management, P&L analysis, client acquisition, and building strategic brand partnerships. Known for leading high-performing teams in evolving environments and delivering consistent business results.

A self-driven leader with strong networking capabilities across India and globally, demonstrates the ability to navigate complexity, align cross-functional stakeholders, and drive execution. Adept at managing ambiguity while maintaining a sharp focus on strategic priorities and organizational goals.

Sumit Ghildiyal is an industry veteran and seasoned business development leader with over 25 years of experience across retail, F&B hospitality, and telecom. He currently heads Business Development at the national level for MAX and Easy Buy at Landmark Group, which operates over 800 stores across 5 million square feet of retail space in India.

An alumnus of IMT Ghaziabad with an Executive Certification in Business Management, Sumit brings deep expertise in real estate strategy, market expansion, franchise development, operations management, and scalable process design. He has played a pivotal role in driving Landmark Group’s expansion, growing the store network from 205 to over 495 locations across 210 cities, with a strong focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 market penetration.

Prior to this, he spent 12 years at Jubilant FoodWorks, where he was instrumental in scaling Domino’s Pizza from 100 to 1,100 outlets across 200+ cities in India. His earlier experience includes roles at Vodafone (Hutch), Subway, and Café Coffee Day.

Recognized among the top 30 BD Heads by IMAGES Retail in 2023, Sumit is known for his execution-driven leadership and strong people-first philosophy.

Binal S is a dynamic marketing leader known for her strong grasp of consumer insights and trend forecasting. As the Marketing Head at Macmerise, she leads licensing and collaboration strategies, works closely with celebrities to build merchandise lines, and drives multi-channel brand promotion.

With a background in qualitative research at Ipsos, she has handled projects for leading brands like HUL, Kellogg’s, and Kao, gaining deep insights into the Indian consumer. Leveraging this expertise, she has been instrumental in transforming content into engaging merchandise that strengthens connections between celebrities and their audiences.

She is focused on advancing merchandising as a powerful branding tool, driving collaborations with influencers and global brands. With a vision to scale Macmerise globally, she continues to build innovative, community-driven merchandise ecosystems.

Aditya Bagri is the Director of the Bagrry’s Group, one of India’s pioneering companies in FMCG and food processing, with a legacy spanning over 50 years. Since joining the group in 2012, Aditya has played a key role in driving the company’s expansion into new product categories, strengthening national and international distribution, scaling supply chains, and building Bagrry’s into a trusted household name.

As a dynamic young leader, Aditya actively engages with industry forums, trade bodies, and government platforms, contributing to policy discussions and thought leadership in India’s evolving food ecosystem.

Before joining Bagrry’s, he was associated with the global youth leadership organization AIESEC and worked with Goldman Sachs in the UK. Aditya holds a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Hindu College, Delhi University, and a Master’s in Management from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Abhishek Ganguly is the CEO of Agilitas Sports, a sportswear and athleisure platform he co-founded in 2023. A seasoned business leader, he has a strong track record across the sports, lifestyle, and retail sectors. Prior to this, he served as Managing Director of Puma India and Southeast Asia, where he played a key role in building the brand’s presence in the region. At Agilitas, he is focused on creating an innovation-led, end-to-end sports ecosystem spanning manufacturing, product development, and retail. He is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow.

Munish Khanna is the Chief Business Officer at Express Avenue, a leading retail and entertainment destination in Chennai. In his role, he is responsible for driving business growth and enhancing consumer engagement through curated experiences and initiatives at the mall. He has been associated with key customer-centric activations, including wellness and lifestyle events aimed at delivering holistic experiences for visitors. Known for his focus on relevance and impact, he plays a key role in shaping strategies that strengthen the mall’s positioning and patron connect in a competitive retail environment

Seven years ago, Andrew founded Athflex from a one-bedroom apartment — starting with just two t-shirts and a conviction that fitness deserved a brand built differently. What began as a leap of faith has grown into one of India’s emerging athletic apparel brands, built on the values of discipline, strength, and community. Through consistent effort, honest iteration, and a deep connection with its audience, Athflex has evolved from a two-product startup into a brand with a loyal following known as the Flex Tribe. Andrew leads the brand’s vision, culture, and community — believing that great brands aren’t just built on products, but on people and purpose.

Anand Baldawa is an entrepreneur and business leader based in Mumbai, India. He serves as the CEO and Director of the Seeba Group of Companies and is the Founder of thinKitchen®, a premium kitchenware and home products platform serving both consumers and hospitality businesses across India.

A rank-holder Chartered Accountant and an MBA graduate from New York University’s Stern School of Business, Anand began his career in international finance and advisory, working with global firms including Arthur Andersen, Ernst & Young, Lehman Brothers, and Robert W. Baird across the UK, USA, and India.

In 2012, he joined his family business and led its transformation from a traditional export-focused manufacturer into a diversified kitchen and home solutions platform. Under his leadership, the group now spans manufacturing, global sourcing, premium international brand distribution, product innovation, hospitality solutions, and omnichannel retail through thinKitchen.Through thinKitchen, the group distributes several premium international kitchenware and home brands, including Joseph Joseph, Kilner, KitchenAid, Dreamfarm, and Crystal Bohemia serving customers across online marketplaces, retail stores, and hospitality projects across India.

Chirag Chhajer is the Co-founder of Burma Burma, India’s pioneering chain of vegetarian Burmese restaurants and tea rooms, established in 2014. A second-generation entrepreneur, he brings a strong blend of traditional business acumen and modern retail sensibilities.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Swinburne University of Technology and a Diploma in Education in Family Managed Business from SPJIMR, equipping him with a solid foundation in both global business practices and family enterprise management.

Alongside managing his family’s textile business interests, Chirag has been instrumental in scaling Burma Burma into a prominent pan-India brand. In his role, he leads expansion strategy, customer value proposition, and finance and operations across 21 outlets in major Indian cities.

Under his leadership, the brand has focused on sustainable growth, strengthened its hybrid dine-in and delivery model, and diversified into retail pantry offerings, including sauces and chips, further enhancing the overall consumer experience.

A dynamic CEO and CTO, he is currently leading the digital transformation of Shrimuktai Mart Pvt. Ltd., a retail chain serving over 5 lakh customers. With a strong focus on bridging business vision and technological execution, he architects scalable, resilient, and data-driven systems designed to support rapid growth and long-term value creation.

He has played a pivotal role in evolving the organization’s retail ecosystem by positioning technology as a core business driver. His expertise spans omni-channel expansion, enterprise data security, and building IPO-ready digital infrastructure.

With prior leadership experience at renowned brands such as ORRA Fine Jewellery, Prince Pipes, and Baggit, he brings a proven “build to scale” approach. Known for his analytical leadership, he leverages data to drive strategic decisions, while championing agile, cloud-based systems that ensure operational efficiency and organizational resilience.

Shantanu Jha is a seasoned business leader currently serving as Head of B2B at Styli, based in Dubai, UAE. With a strong track record of driving growth and building scalable business verticals, he brings deep expertise in new business development, analytics, CRM, strategic planning, and team leadership.

Prior to Styli, Shantanu held key roles at Mensa Brands, Docsuggest, and CA Technologies, where he played an instrumental role in expanding market presence and strengthening operational capabilities across diverse sectors.

He holds a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (2002–2006). Known for his data-driven approach and sharp commercial acumen, Shantanu excels at unlocking new opportunities, optimizing performance, and delivering sustainable business impact.

Sunil Goklani is the Managing Director & CEO of Sri Ram & Son, a heritage menswear brand based in India. He is a retail leader known for his strong leadership approach and belief in people as core business assets. Based in Gurugram, he is currently responsible for leading the company’s growth and expansion agenda. His role focuses on strengthening the brand’s legacy while steering it toward broader national and global reach. He is an alumnus of Awadesh Pratap Singh University.

Vishwachetan Nadamani has extensive experience across retail, consumer goods, and digital commerce and is known for driving growth, transformation, and brand-led business strategies in competitive markets. He has a proven track record in turning around businesses in multiple industries, geographies and contexts. With a career spanning leadership roles across prominent organizations, Nadamani has done zero-to-one stints (set up new businesses from scratch), one-to-ten stints (scaled products that achieved first level PMF) and ten-to-hundred stints (large complex P&L responsibilities).

Nadamani has built a strong reputation for combining strategic thinking with execution excellence. He has led initiatives across business expansion, category development, and omnichannel growth, with a focus on delivering sustainable revenue and profitability. He is also recognized for his forward-looking approach to digital transformation, leveraging data, technology, and customer insights to create seamless and engaging consumer experiences across channels. With a leadership style rooted in innovation, agility, and collaboration, Vishwachetan Nadamani continues to play a key role in shaping the future of modern retail and consumer-driven businesses.

Shahroz Mirza serves as the business Head of Meena Bazaar, one of India’s most iconic ethnic fashion retail brands. He plays a pivotal role in driving the brand’s Impressive growth and spearheading its marketing and expansion strategies across India.

His expertise includes business development, market research, operational efficiency, and enhancing customer experience, all contributing to Meena Bazaar’s success in women’s ethnic fashion, In recognition of his impact on the retail ecosystem, he was honored with the Best 30 Retail Leaders award at the 2nd edition of the India Retail E-commerce & DZC Summit, held in Bangalore as part of the india Retail Summit.

With a keen understanding of evolving market trends and a steadfast commitment to excellence, Shahroz masterlully fuses contemporary innovation with Meena Bazaar’s rich, timeless heritage.
Widely respected for his visionary leadership and agility in the fast-moving retail landscape, he remains focused on shaping the brand’s future while honoring its legacy:
Beyond expansion, he is passionate about building strong teams and fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence. His leadership focuses on empowering people, encouraging innovation, and ensuring a great experience for customers.

A Chartered Accountant and law graduate, Mr. Jain is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience across finance, education, real estate, retail infrastructure, and the food & beverage sector. Known for his strong financial acumen and strategic vision, he has built scalable ventures across diverse industries.

As the Founder of GKJ Special Foods Pvt. Ltd., he has developed successful vegetarian QSR brands such as Rajwada Bhog, Amritsari Express, Cafe Chennai, and Chaat Masala, blending authentic regional flavors with modern retail formats. Amritsari Express, his flagship brand, has gained strong recognition for its signature kulchas and North Indian cuisine, earning industry accolades and customer loyalty.

Previously, as Chief Financial Advisor with Pacific Group, Mr. Jain played a key role in strengthening the organization’s financial and strategic growth. Expanding into fine dining, he recently launched a Kathiyawadi Thali concept, now operating successful outlets in Delhi NCR with further expansion planned.

He is also the founder of Delhi Public School, Sirsa, reflecting his commitment to education and future-ready learning.

Puspen Maity is the CEO of TechnoSport and a key force in India’s retail and fashion landscape. With over two decades of experience, he is leading TechnoSport’s transformation into a pan-India activewear brand focused on innovation, sustainability, and performance-driven design.

He began his e-commerce journey during its early stages in India with Myntra, where he played a pivotal role in scaling the business into the country’s leading online fashion destination. Over an eight-year tenure, he led major categories and initiatives that reshaped how Indian consumers engaged with fashion online, while also enabling traditional brands to embrace digital commerce.

Since becoming CEO in 2022, Puspen has driven TechnoSport’s growth by expanding its retail footprint, strengthening exclusive brand outlets (EBOs), and focusing on vertically integrated operations. His leadership has helped redefine activewear for Indian consumers—making it climate-relevant, accessible, and future-ready.

Known for building high-performance teams and fostering collaboration, he champions purpose-driven growth, ensuring Indian brands scale with innovation, resilience, and strong consumer trust.

Manish Kapoor is the Managing Director of Marks & Spencer India, where he leads the brand’s strategic direction, expansion, and operations in a key international market. With over two decades of experience in fashion retail, he brings strong expertise across product, supply chain, brand management, marketing, and retail operations, driving customer-centric growth and strengthening the brand’s positioning in India.

Prior to this, Kapoor served as Managing Director and CEO at Pepe Jeans India Ltd., where he played a crucial role in transforming the business by aligning local strategies with global objectives. Joining in 2014 as Vice President – Sales, he progressed through leadership roles including Sales Director and Chief Business Officer, becoming CEO in 2019 and Managing Director in 2022. During his tenure, he led key innovations such as Pepe HD and earned accolades including The Economic Times Inspiring CEO.

Kapoor has also held leadership roles at French Connection, Sisley, Benetton India, Pantaloons, and Madura Garments. He holds a B.Tech from Technological Institute of Textiles and Science and a postgraduate diploma from National Institute of Fashion Technology, where he was a gold medallist and All India topper.

Kapil Mahtani is the founder of Tresmode, a leading fashion footwear brand known for bringing European design sensibilities to the Indian market. With over 25 years of industry experience, he has been instrumental in shaping the brand’s identity around style, comfort, and contemporary appeal. Under his leadership, Tresmode has evolved into a modern omnichannel lifestyle brand, with a growing digital footprint and expansion into categories such as travel luggage.

An alumnus of Bond University, Kapil began his career in the footwear export industry, gaining hands-on experience that continues to guide his strategic approach. Known for his composed leadership style and global outlook, he has positioned Tresmode as a preferred choice for urban, fashion-conscious consumers.

Nishant Poddar is a seasoned marketing leader with over two decades of experience in brand building, storytelling, and consumer engagement across the fashion and lifestyle sectors. As Chief Marketing Officer at The House of Rare, he leads brand marketing, communications, digital strategy, content, community building, and consumer experience for a diverse portfolio including Rare Rabbit, Rareism, Rare Ones, and Rare’z.

Prior to this, Poddar served as Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Retail Experience at WROGN, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the brand’s identity, retail narrative, and digital ecosystem. His work significantly contributed to establishing WROGN as one of India’s most culturally relevant youth fashion brands, recognised for its originality and strong emotional connect with consumers.

Earlier, he spent nearly nine years at Café Coffee Day in key marketing leadership roles, building expertise in large-format retail and brand-led growth. He began his career with Sealand Container Services, gaining foundational operational experience.

An alumnus of IIM Calcutta, with further credentials from Wharton Online and IIT Bombay, Poddar is known for his philosophy that simplicity drives impact, blending strategic insight with creative execution to build enduring, community-driven brands.

A seasoned leader with over two decades of experience in the beauty and wellness industry, he brings deep expertise in driving business growth, operational excellence, and elevating service standards to international benchmarks. His career has been defined by a strong commitment to enhancing customer experience and building scalable, high-quality service models across diverse markets.

He has held several senior leadership roles, including Chief Executive Officer, Business Head, Executive Vice President, Regional Head, and Country Manager, working with leading organizations such as Jean Claude Biguine Salons, Kaya Skin Clinic, VLCC Health Care Limited, and Marico. Across these roles, he has successfully led salon and spa operations, franchise networks, and large-scale retail and FMCG distribution, both in India and international markets.

In addition to his corporate experience, he has contributed to industry development through his association with the National Skill Development Agency, supporting public-private partnerships to strengthen vocational training and skill-building initiatives in the beauty sector.

With expertise spanning salon operations, franchise management, training and education, B2B wellness, and P&L management, he remains passionate about nurturing talent and advancing the Indian beauty industry.

Rajesh Kadam, the visionary CEO of Inc.5 Shoes, is a trailblazer in the footwear industry. With a keen eye for new initiatives and a strategic mindset, he has steered the brand’s offline and online growth. A marketing maven, Rajesh has orchestrated impactful campaigns, establishing Inc.5 as a household name. As CEO, he is responsible for steering the company’s overall strategy, including retail expansion, merchandising, supply chain, and brand development. Under his leadership, Inc.has continued to strengthen its market presence by focusing on design innovation, affordability, and a deep understanding of evolving consumer preferences, particularly among fashion-conscious urban audiences.

Kadam is known for his sharp commercial acumen and ability to scale retail businesses in competitive environments. He has played a key role in enhancing customer experience across both offline and online channels, while also driving efficiencies across operations and distribution.His entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond, fostering collaborations with multiple brands and venturing into new realms, marking him as a driving force in the legacy brand’s dynamic success story with his over 25 years footwear industry experience.

Vinay Chatlani is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Soch Apparels Pvt. Ltd., the company behind Soch, one of India’s fastest-growing women’s ethnic wear brands. With a background in Entrepreneurship and Marketing from the University of Miami, he began his professional journey in the United States, launching a promotions venture catering to premium nightlife and hospitality spaces.

After relocating to India in 2004, he joined his family business, MD Retail, where he played a key role in evolving Favourite Shop by introducing a private label in Indian fashion wear for women. Building on this experience, he spearheaded the launch of Soch as an independent brand in 2007, driven by a clear vision to create a differentiated and scalable retail business.

Over the years, he has been instrumental in shaping Soch’s growth strategy, overseeing all aspects from merchandising and store design to marketing and expansion. Under his leadership, the brand has grown to a strong retail presence across 60+ cities with over 175 stores.

Beyond fashion retail, he has also ventured into interior design and experience solutions, offering end-to-end services across retail, office, and residential spaces.

Shibu Philips is a seasoned retail and mall management professional with over 25 years of experience in launching international quick service restaurants and world-class shopping destinations in India. An alumnus of IIM Kashipur and a graduate of Mumbai University, he has been a pioneering force in transforming the country’s retail landscape since the early 2000s.

He has played a pivotal role in the launch and success of some of India’s most prominent shopping malls, including Inorbit Mall (Malad, Mumbai), Oberoi Mall (Mumbai), and Lulu Mall (Kochi). A Level 3 Certified Shopping Centre Manager from the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), he has also received global recognition from the body at the Maxi Awards in 2007 and 2014.

In 2010, he joined Lulu Group India and was instrumental in bringing the concept of international shopping experiences to Kerala. As Business Head of Lulu Mall, Kochi, he led its rise as a landmark retail destination and contributed to the group’s expansion into multiple cities across India.

Currently serving as Director – Shopping Malls at Lulu Group India, he is leading the development and operations of an ambitious pipeline of new malls nationwide.

A seasoned business leader with extensive experience in the multiplex cinema and retail real estate sectors, he has been instrumental in driving growth, innovation, and capital investment strategies across emerging markets. With a strong focus on leveraging technology, he has championed the development of next-generation cinema experiences that prioritize convenience, customer empowerment, and predictive intelligence to enhance consumer engagement and retention.

At PVR Cinemas, he has played a key role in shaping business expansion and operational strategy, contributing significantly to the evolution of India’s film exhibition industry. With over 18 years at PVR Limited, he has built deep expertise across multiple functions while cultivating strong relationships with developers and stakeholders in the retail and real estate ecosystem.

He also serves as an Independent Director at Future Market Networks Limited, a listed entity of the Future Group, where he contributes to strategic initiatives spanning shopping centres, logistics, warehousing, and large-format retail. Previously, as Managing Director and CEO of the organization, he led key growth and transformation initiatives.

His experience is further enriched by roles at Everstone Capital Advisors, where he gained insights into structured finance and asset monetisation, and at Oberoi Realty, where he developed a strong understanding of integrated real estate development.

An accomplished real estate professional, he brings extensive leadership experience in developing, operating, and scaling large, complex mixed-use projects and businesses across their full lifecycle. He has worked on or advised over 100 developments spanning residential, commercial, retail, IT/ITES, hospitality, and townships.

He successfully developed, operated, and exited a chain of shopping centres attracting over 24 million annual visitors and housing 250+ tenants across multiple cities. He also spearheaded the development of Select Citywalk, New Delhi—a landmark 1.4 million sq. ft. mixed-use project now part of a REIT backed by Blackstone.

His expertise includes building high-performing teams, fostering strategic partnerships, and driving innovation, including mentoring early-stage tech startups. He has held leadership roles such as Managing Principal at Keystone Development Advisory and Founder & CEO at STARCENTRES, along with senior positions at Nexus Select CITYWALK and JLL India.

A senior retail leader with over two decades of experience, he specializes in driving business growth, operational excellence, and market expansion across organized retail and consumer-facing businesses in India. He has a proven ability to lead large teams, enhance profitability, and build scalable retail models in competitive markets.

His experience spans diverse formats, including department stores, convenience retail, e-commerce, luxury, lifestyle, and specialty retail. Over the years, he has led large-scale operations, driven business development initiatives, strengthened marketing strategies, and implemented best-in-class technology and processes.

He has held key roles with leading organizations such as Shoppers’ Stop, Hindustan Unilever, Next Retail, Future Retail, and Bhima Jewels. A results-driven professional, he brings deep industry insight, a passion for innovation, and a strong focus on delivering sustainable business success.

Sanjay Vakharia is the Co-founder and CEO of Spykar, one of India’s leading youth-focused denim brands. Since 1992, he has led the company’s growth from a startup to a ₹600 crore business, expanding its presence across 900+ multi-brand outlets, 600+ national chain stores, and 300 exclusive brand outlets nationwide.

With over three decades of experience, he has driven innovation and diversification at Spykar, introducing categories such as women’s wear, accessories, and innerwear. Known for his hands-on leadership style, he combines entrepreneurial vision with a deep understanding of evolving consumer trends.

A respected industry voice, he has spoken at forums like Jio Institute’s Leadership Series and #ChangeMasters. Under his leadership, Spykar has received accolades including the E4M Pride of India Brands Award and Most Admired Fashion Brand of the Year.

Sandeep Varaganti is the Chief Executive Officer at JioMart-Reliance Retail. He is a sharp and astute professional with demonstrative experience in scaling up businesses and fostering cross-function organisations. He is dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs and businesses, in particular small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), in experiencing multi-fold growth in the burgeoning e-commerce space.In the past, Sandeep has worked with companies like Cognizant, Amazon, and Prione. Throughout his career, he has donned numerous hats. His goal is to create the world’s largest and most trustworthy online marketplace by allowing millions of small and medium businesses to sell their products. At JioMart, heis set out to achieve just that. He aims to make JioMart one of the largest & most preferred indigenous e-marketplaces for buyers as well as the sellers. He has an MBA from INSEAD, France and has a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad. Sandeep is a car and bike enthusiast and a sports aficionado – closely following Cricket, Lawn Tennis and Formula One.

Sreejit Nair leads the strategic growth initiatives for one of the fastest-growing value retail brands in the country. With extensive experience in retail expansion and business development, Nair plays a pivotal role in driving MR DIY’s footprint across India. His responsibilities include identifying new market opportunities, leading store expansion strategies, forging key partnerships, and strengthening the brand’s presence across high-potential locations.

Known for his strong commercial acumen and execution focus, he has been instrumental in accelerating the brand’s growth through data-driven decision-making and a deep understanding of consumer demand in the value retail segment. His work has contributed significantly to building scalable, high-performing retail networks aligned with evolving customer needs.Sreejit brings a well-rounded perspective on retail, combining strategic planning with on-ground execution to deliver sustainable business outcomes. His leadership continues to support MR DIY India’s rapid expansion while reinforcing its positioning as a go-to destination for affordable, everyday essentials.

Meghna Trivedi is a seasoned retail real estate expert with over two decades of experience across diverse formats, including anchor stores, vanilla retail, high-street developments, and multiplex placements. She is widely recognized for her ability to scale brands during early growth stages and navigate complex real estate transactions with strategic precision.

Her expertise spans format development, franchise expansion, capital expenditure optimization, and asset management across multiple consumer-facing businesses. Known for combining commercial acumen with execution excellence, she has consistently driven sustainable growth and value creation in dynamic retail environments.

Puneet Dudeja, a seasoned business leader with 15 years of experience, is driving growth at WGSN as the Director of Business Development for South Asia. With a proven track record in new client acquisition, marketing, strategy, consulting, and operations, he’s forging strategic partnerships across diverse industries including beauty, fashion, retail, tech, interiors, food and many others.

Puneet’s entrepreneurial spirit and strategic acumen have led to the formation of impactful partnerships that are reshaping the industry landscape. His dynamic leadership and ability to navigate complex business challenges have been instrumental in solidifying WGSN’s position as the leading trend authority in the region.

Beyond his corporate role, Puneet is a sought-after keynote speaker, inspiring audiences with his insights on the future of industries and the power of innovation. His engaging presentations challenge the status quo and empower individuals and organizations to embrace the future.

Ankur Bisen is a Senior Partner at The Knowledge Company, bringing 26 years of extensive cross-functional experience across India, Greater China, and Europe. He is recognised for his in-depth understanding of India’s consumer and business landscape, as well as his ability to distil complex data, market signals, and structural shifts into clear, actionable strategic direction. He brings a high level of intellectual rigour and analytical depth to his work, helping organisations navigate ransformation, identify growth opportunities, and strengthen competitive positioning in an increasingly dynamic environment. Prior to his current role, he spent nearly a decade with the Tata Group, where he served as the Country Manager in China and advised on operational excellence and strategy through Tata Quality Management Services.

In addition to his advisory work, he is also an accomplished author, recognised for articulating informed perspectives on markets, consumers, and business evolution. His work reflects strategic foresight, thought leadership, and a consistent focus on building sustainable, future-ready organisations.

Madhulika Tiwari is a seasoned consultant with over 20 years of experience advising brands across the retail, fashion, beauty, and consumer goods value chain. Her expertise lies in commercial due diligence, market assessment, and entry and growth strategies, particularly for businesses navigating dynamic customer expectations and competitive landscapes. With a strong foundation in both economics and fashion business, Madhulika seamlessly blends analytical rigour with market intuition. She has led multi-country engagements for new market entrants, M&A assessments, and category-level strategic repositioning. Her work is marked by depth, precision, and a bias for clarity and action.

Madhulika also serves as a mentor to emerging professionals and women leaders in the industry. Her perspective is especially valued in high-growth consumer segments like beauty, wellness, and omni-channel retail, where agility and insight matter most.

A seasoned retail leader with extensive experience in driving business growth and strategic expansion. A postgraduate in Management, he brings a strong pedigree in the retail industry, with deep expertise in store rollout, market entry strategies, and brand partnerships.

At Shoppers Stop Ltd., he leads Group Leasing, Strategic Partnerships, Design & Projects, and multi-format expansion initiatives. He works closely with promoters and board leadership to shape long-term growth roadmaps, drive commercial asset strategy, and build organisational capabilities.

He is a seasoned business leader with over 20 years of experience in driving strategic growth, market entry, and large-scale expansion across retail, luxury, FMCG, and real estate sectors. A postgraduate in Management, he currently serves as Chief of Business Expansion and Projects at Shoppers Stop Ltd., where he leads Group Leasing, Strategic Partnerships, Design & Projects, and multi-format expansion initiatives.

With over two decades of rich experience in the F&B industry, Tarak Bhattacharya serves as the Executive Director and CEO of Mad Over Donuts. Under his leadership, the acclaimed donut brand has grown from a 12-store set-up in Mumbai to a chain of 150+ stores across 6 cities in India, serving over 10 million delighted patrons. Over his illustrious career, Tarak has worked with several renowned F&B companies. He headed Operations for Barista, one of India’s first and most successful coffee brands, and was later appointed as the COO for MGH Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. to lead two of their popular brands- Nando’s and Barista for their markets in Bangladesh and Nepal. Having worked across continents with diverse cultures, Tarak has a keen understanding of local sensibilities that he uses to inform business strategies.

In 2011, Tarak was named COO at Himesh Foods Pvt. Ltd. for their Singaporean gourmet brand Mad Over Donuts. He was promoted to Executive Director and CEO in 2019. A multi-faceted leader, Tarak currently manages diverse aspects of operations, planning and human resources at Mad Over Donuts India.

Mallikarjuna Reddy Yarabolu is a seasoned business leader with over two decades of experience across retail, FMCG, apparel, and lifestyle. As Managing Director for De Beers Group in India, including Forevermark, he leads the company’s strategic direction and growth in a key global market for diamond jewellery.

He has previously held leadership roles at Walmart International, Nestlé India, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, and Arvind Fashions, where he drove expansion, strengthened brand positioning, and delivered consistent business performance. Known for his strong commercial acumen and deep understanding of evolving consumer behaviour, he brings both strategic clarity and executional discipline.

At De Beers, he is focused on building a differentiated brand anchored in product integrity, design excellence, and a progressive retail vision, while fostering high-performance teams and future-ready businesses.

Akash Srivastava is a seasoned retail and hospitality professional with over 11 years of experience across business development, retail real estate, leasing, project management, franchising, and market entry strategy. He currently leads store expansion for Jubilant FoodWorks across India, driving growth for its portfolio of brands. He played a pivotal role in scaling Chaayos, contributing to the launch of 50+ outlets across diverse formats and cities.

Previously, he led expansion for Tata Starbucks during its high-growth phase and managed business development for KFC. Akash has launched over 100 outlets across malls, high streets, airports, and other retail channels. He also serves as an advisor to BIMTECH and contributes to NSDC, while actively speaking at leading retail industry forums.

Aman Abdullah is the Director of Market99, a leading value retail chain in India. He studied Retail Management at Loughborough University, followed by International Finance, building a strong foundation in business and retail operations. Aman joined the family business in 2007 when it operated just two stores under the brand Store99. In 2017, the brand was reimagined as Market99, which has since grown to over 100 company-owned stores nationwide.

At Market99, he oversees IT systems, business development, projects, logistics, warehousing, and front-end operations, playing a key role in driving efficiency and expansion. He comes from a family with a strong legacy in retail, including ventures like Sabka Bazaar and The Home Store (THS). In 2024, he led Market99’s international foray with the launch of Something Ells in Melbourne, Australia.

Joseph Paul George is the Executive Director of Vismay, a leading women’s ethnic wear brand from Kerala with a growing multi-store presence across South India and set to expand at a pan-India level. A third-generation retail entrepreneur, he blends legacy with modern, data-driven retail strategies. At Vismay, he drives store-led expansion, agile merchandising, and customer-first innovation, integrating digital platforms, social commerce, and personalization to enhance omnichannel experiences. His future-focused vision combines ethnic fashion with contemporary retail systems to build a scalable and resilient brand.

Kumar Nitesh brings over 24 years of extensive experience in retail leadership across India, Thailand, Bangladesh, and the Middle East.His experience spans over two decades in the retail industry, focusing on developing scalable retail formats and pioneering B2B/B2B2C strategies.In his current role, he leads the strategic growth of AJIO’s business and the Trends Footwear segment, with a strong focus on scaling operations, strengthening category leadership, and enhancing customer value propositions.

He has deep expertise in developing and scaling private labels, having played a pivotal role in building and growing brands such as Lee Cooper, Performax, and Catwalk. His ability to blend product strategy, merchandising, and consumer insights has consistently enabled strong brand positioning and improved margins. With a leadership style rooted in innovation, agility, and performance, Kumar Nitesh continues to play a key role in shaping the future of fashion and footwear retail within Reliance Retail’s rapidly evolving ecosystem.

Mr. Gurnani has over 12 years of experience in Hospitality and more than 19 years in Retail and Real Estate. Prior to joining Prozone, he was working with some well-known hospitality chains around the world namely; Taj Group of Hotels, Ramada Grand Hotel, Australia Moving on he joined Piramyd the retail arm of the Piramal group in 2006 he became the CEO of the lifestyle division of Piramyd Retail Limited and was responsible for driving the aggressive growth plans of the company. He joined Future Group as CEO- Joint venture business in 2007 and in 2008 he moved to Provogue (India) Ltd as Group President to drive the expansion of the brand business and support the new initiatives of the group. Mr. Gurnani is currently a Whole time Director and CEO with Prozone intu Properties ltd. Prozone Intu has two operational Malls in Coimbatore and Aurangabad. Prozone with other mixed use Mall and residential projects under development in Mumbai, Coimbatore,Nagpur and Indore. He has been instrumental in the overall growth of the company and is focused on creating value for all stakeholders. He is a on leader who works along side the team and supports their development. He is known for being a customer’s person and believes that any strategy without the customer in the middle of it is heading for disaster.

Sandip is the Founder of Nuvora, established in February 2025 as an extension of AstorMueller AG’s retail business in India. Previously serving as Chief Operating Officer at AstorMueller India, he played a key role in conceptualising Nuvora as a strategic partnership with the Gaurik Group, bringing together local market expertise and European craftsmanship to accelerate growth in India’s luxury retail segment.

With nearly two decades of omnichannel experience across retail and the sports industry in India and South Asia, Sandip is known for building high-performing teams, scaling brands, and driving sustainable business growth. He has held leadership roles with global brands including Adidas, Reebok, Aldo, Florsheim, Reliance Retail, and AstorMueller. A strong business leader and strategist, he specialises in market expansion, go-to-market strategies, and revenue acceleration.

Daman Bali is a seasoned brand, marketing, and PR leader with over 15 years of performance-driven experience across e-commerce, consumer brands, and digital platforms. Currently, leading Brand Marketing at Zivame, India’s leading intimate-wear brand, where he drives integrated brand strategy across PR, CSR, digital marketing, CRM, retail, and large-scale campaigns that have delivered significant growth in brand equity, traffic, and revenue. At Zivame, he has led several category-defining initiatives that have reshaped conversations within the intimate-wear space while driving record business outcomes. His work is known for balancing cultural relevance with commercial impact, combining strong consumer insight, strategic clarity, and sharp execution. Prior to Zivame, he held roles across Myntra, Ogilvy, and a few start-ups, where he launched and scaled marquee brands, private labels, platform-first experiences, and tentpole events. With a sharp blend of strategic thinking, creative leadership, and execution rigour, he is known for translating consumer insight into culturally relevant, high-impact brand growth.

Bhavin Devpuria is a growth-focused marketing and brand transformation leader with over 15 years of experience across fashion, retail, telecom, electronics, and digital-first businesses in India and Sri Lanka. He is currently Head of Marketing – India & Sri Lanka at Triumph International, where he has led a comprehensive brand and digital transformation, delivering 2X B2C revenue growth and strengthening omnichannel performance. Known for combining strategic clarity with commercial discipline, Bhavin has driven impact across GT, MT, EBOs, marketplaces, and DTC platforms. Previously, he held senior leadership roles at Trent Ltd (Westside & Landmark) and led growth and brand mandates at Vodafone Idea, Future Group, Unicorn Infosolutions, and Yaari Digital.

Darpan Kapoor is a veteran retail leader with over 36 years of experience, skilled in Business Planning, Retail, E-commerce, Business Development, and Financial Planning. Darpan is a strong business development professional with a Bachelor’s degree focused in Business/Managerial Economics from DAV College, Chandigarh. He is widely regarded as the pioneer who standardized the fashion retail ecosystem in Upper North India. He played a pivotal role in transforming a fragmented market into a structured, globally aligned retail environment. He currently leads Knockout Stores, an innovative value-led retail platform that converts previous-season inventory into high-value retail through the Value MBO (Multi-Brand Outlet) format, delivering premium experiences for youth-focused consumers.

His portfolio also includes Kapsons Retail, a leading e-commerce aggregator partnering with platforms such as Myntra to provide end-to-end warehousing and digital retail solutions, and Kapsons Agency, a premier distributor of global fashion brands in North India. Through integrated operations, logistics excellence, and deep market insight, Darpan Kapoor continues to set benchmarks in regional fashion retail.

Harsh Vardhan Bansal is the Co-Founder of Unity Group, a prominent real estate firm known for developing commercial, retail, hospitality, and institutional projects across Delhi-NCR. With extensive experience in corporate governance and real estate operations, he holds directorial roles across multiple companies and contributes to strategic business development and project execution. Unity Group has delivered millions of square feet of real estate and over 100 developments, shaping key urban spaces in the capital. Bansal is also actively engaged in industry forums, contributing to discussions on sustainable redevelopment and urban infrastructure.

Rakesh Jallipally is a seasoned business leader with over 18 years of experience across fashion, retail, and consumer technology. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Pepe Jeans India, where he drives strategic growth and brand transformation. Prior to this, Rakesh was Vice President at Flipkart, leading the men’s fashion category and launching Spoyl, a Gen Z–focused fashion platform that achieved a 10x revenue scale-up within a year. He also played a pivotal role in launching AZORTE at Reliance Retail, reinforcing his reputation as a fashion retail innovator. Earlier, Rakesh spent a decade at Arvind Fashions Ltd. as CEO and COO, steering the growth of brands such as US Polo Assn. and Flying Machine. He began his career at Raymond Ltd., managing large-scale retail operations across South India. Rakesh holds a PGDM from IIM Lucknow and a B.E. from Osmania University.

Sagar Suri is a Director at Chunmun Stores Pvt. Ltd., a Delhi-based fashion and lifestyle retail company. Part of the Suri family business, he represents the new generation driving the brand’s evolution and expansion. He has been actively involved in strengthening Chunmun’s positioning as a prominent retail destination in North India, with a focus on customer experience and product innovation. Sagar Suri also co-founded and led the launch of Steele, a menswear brand under Chunmun, aimed at expanding into the men’s fashion segment. His work reflects a continued effort to build on the legacy of the brand while adapting to changing retail trends.

Mohit Khattar is the CEO of Graviss Foods Pvt. Ltd., the master franchisee of Baskin Robbins in India and parts of South Asia. A seasoned business leader, he brings extensive experience across retail, marketing, and consumer businesses. Since taking over as CEO in 2017, he has played a key role in driving the brand’s expansion and strengthening its market presence. Prior to this, he held leadership roles at Godrej Industries, including CEO & Managing Director of Nature’s Basket, and led retail strategy and branding initiatives. His earlier career spans companies such as Titan, Reckitt Benckiser, and Subhiksha.

Anuj Kejriwal is the CEO & Managing Director of ANAROCK Retail, a specialized retail advisory platform formed through a partnership between ANAROCK and Faithlane Property Consultants. With over 15 years of experience in retail real estate, he has advised domestic and multinational property owners, occupiers, and investors across India. Prior to this, he served as National Director for Retail Services at a leading international property consultancy, where he drove strategic growth and oversaw key markets including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata. At ANAROCK Retail, he leads business strategy, client advisory, and growth initiatives in India’s evolving retail real estate sector.

Peeyush Agarwal is the CEO of Smarr Realty, where he leads the company’s vision of delivering transparent, customer-centric, and technology-enabled real estate solutions. With a strong entrepreneurial mindset, he has been instrumental in building Smarr Realty into a trusted name in the real estate advisory space.

Agarwal brings extensive experience in real estate strategy, sales, and client advisory, with a focus on simplifying property transactions and enhancing customer trust in a traditionally complex sector. Under his leadership, the company has emphasized innovation, digital integration, and data-driven insights to improve decision-making for homebuyers and investors.

He is known for his sharp understanding of market dynamics, strong execution capabilities, and ability to build high-performing teams. His approach combines on-ground expertise with modern business practices, enabling scalable growth and consistent client satisfaction.

As CEO, Peeyush Agarwal continues to drive Smarr Realty’s expansion while reinforcing its commitment to integrity, transparency, and long-term value creation in India’s evolving real estate landscape.

Abhishek Raj is the Chief Operating Officer for Sports and Leisure Apparel Limited – Lacoste Licensee in India. As an integral team member, he has been instrumental in Lacoste’s growth journey in India from the last 17 years. In his 20 years of corporate journey, Abhishek has worked around most stimulating areas of modern retail, starting from Apparel Production, Merchandising & Buying, Retail Planning, Visual Merchandising, Project Management, New Business Development, Retail Operations, Travel Retail, E-Commerce, CRM, Marketing, T&D and Supply Chain Management.

Abhishek has completed his Post Graduation in ‘Garment Manufacturing Technology’ from NIIFT and has also accomplished his Chief Operating Officer Programme from prestigious Indian Institute of Lucknow.

Rajneesh is a seasoned retail leader with over two decades of experience across operations, management, consulting, expansion, leasing, and mall management. He has been serving as CEO of Inorbit Malls since 2017, where he has strengthened organizational culture and internal processes, contributing to the company being certified as a Great Place to Work® every year since 2018.

He began his career with Barista in 2000, rapidly rising to National Head and expanding the brand to 100 stores. In 2004, he joined Cushman & Wakefield as Executive Director, building a leading retail consulting practice. Since joining Inorbit in 2009, he has played a pivotal role in leasing, operations, and business growth.

Nimish Arora is a seasoned real estate leader and Chartered Accountant with over 18 years of experience in developing and scaling retail and mixed-use destinations across India. As Managing Director of Aarone Group, he leads strategic growth across retail, commercial, and hospitality verticals.

He has been instrumental in shaping landmark assets such as Select CITYWALK, where he played a key role in operations, leasing, and asset positioning, and contributed to the Blackstone-led transaction culminating in the Nexus Select REIT merger. At Aarone Group, he is driving expansion into tier-2 markets, including new developments in Dehradun and a marquee hospitality venture with a global hotel brand.

Previously, he worked with Ernst & Young in transaction advisory and M&A. He also serves as Chairman of CREDAI’s National Committee and is an active member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization.

Rahul Singh is the Founder & CEO of The Beer Café, one of India’s largest alco-beverage chains, established in 2012. A professional-turned-entrepreneur, he has played a pivotal role in shaping and popularising beer café culture in India by creating a neighbourhood-focused, experiential format. Under his leadership, the brand has expanded across multiple cities, offering a wide selection of domestic and international beers. He is also actively associated with the National Restaurant Association of India, serving as Honorary Secretary. An alumnus of The Technological Institute of Textile & Sciences (TIT&S), he brings a diverse background spanning entrepreneurship and business leadership.

Rajat Agrawal is the CEO of Barista Coffee Company, where he leads overall business strategy, operations, investor relations, and team management. A dynamic and value-driven leader with over 20 years of experience, he is focused on strengthening brand equity and accelerating growth while enhancing guest experiences in line with evolving industry trends.

A Chartered Accountant from Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Rajat has previously worked with global firms including EY, Grant Thornton, and Deloitte, handling diverse sectors such as retail, F&B, telecom, and IT.

He is committed to expanding Barista’s footprint across formats, fostering high-performance teams, and driving innovation, while maintaining an active lifestyle that fuels both personal and professional excellence.

Mohit Dhanjal is the Chief Operating Officer of Metro Brands Limited, having joined the organization in August 2024. With over three decades of experience in the fashion and lifestyle retail industry, he brings deep expertise in driving business growth and operational excellence across diverse retail formats.

Prior to this, he served as Chief Revenue Officer at Reliance Retail, where he played a key role in scaling the premium beauty platform Tira. His career spans leadership roles at prominent organizations including Sephora India, Raymond Limited, and Hindustan Unilever.

Known for his customer-centric approach and operational rigor, Mohit is focused on strengthening execution capabilities and leading the next phase of growth at Metro Brands.

Jayanti Ganguly is the CEO of Home Centre, one of India’s leading home retail brands, part of the Landmark Group. With over two decades of experience in retail, merchandising, and business leadership, she is known for driving brand transformation, product innovation, and customer-centric growth in the highly competitive home and lifestyle segment.

Ganguly has built a strong reputation for her deep understanding of consumer behavior, design sensibilities, and retail operations. Over the years, she has played a key role in shaping Home Centre’s positioning as a go-to destination for contemporary, affordable home solutions—spanning furniture, home décor, kitchenware, and furnishings. Her expertise in curating trend-forward collections and building strong sourcing and supply chain ecosystems has contributed significantly to the brand’s growth and differentiation in the Indian market.

As CEO, Jayanti Ganguly leads the brand’s overall strategy and operations across India, overseeing retail expansion, omnichannel integration, product design, and customer experience. She has been pivotal in accelerating Home Centre’s digital and omnichannel journey, ensuring seamless integration between online and offline retail while adapting to evolving consumer preferences.

Under her leadership, Home Centre continues to expand its footprint across key Indian cities while strengthening its identity as a design-led, value-driven brand. Ganguly remains focused on innovation, sustainability, and delivering elevated home solutions tailored to modern Indian lifestyles.

Mukesh Kumar has nearly three decades of extensive experience in the retail and hospitality industries, having spent almost two decades with K Raheja Realty. He leads the operations, leasing and marketing of Infiniti Malls, Andheri and Malad—two of the company’s flagship properties. He is all set to focus on further elevating the retail experience at both malls by enhancing customer satisfaction, optimizing services, and introducing innovative technologies. In his current role, Kumar leads the strategic direction and growth of the malls business while also driving new business initiatives for the organization. His responsibilities span end-to-end asset management, including leasing strategy, revenue optimization, operations, and the creation of compelling, experience-led retail environments that align with evolving consumer expectations.

Kumar has also made notable contributions to the industry as the former Chairman of the Shopping Centres Association of India (SCAI), where he worked closely with stakeholders to drive industry collaboration, advocate for progressive policies, and promote best practices in shopping centre development and management. With a strong focus on innovation, operational excellence, and consumer-centricity, Mukesh Kumar continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of India’s retail real estate landscape, driving the evolution of malls into dynamic, omnichannel, and experience-driven destinations.

Deepak Chhabra is a seasoned business transformation leader with over 28 years of experience across retail, consumer, lifestyle, and sportswear sectors. As Managing Director of Timex Group India Limited since 2022, he has spearheaded a comprehensive strategic turnaround, driving strong revenue growth, profitability, and investor value creation. Under his leadership, the company has delivered record financial performance, strengthened market relevance, accelerated premiumization, expanded its omnichannel footprint, and enhanced manufacturing capabilities—building a future-ready growth platform for its brands in India.

Prior to Timex, Deepak served as Managing Director at Tupperware India, where he successfully transformed the business from a direct-selling model into a harmonised multi-channel organisation, expanding into retail and e-commerce while sustaining its core network. Earlier, as Managing Director of Crocs India, he played a pivotal role in scaling the brand and strengthening its consumer connect.

Deepak began his career in 1996 and has held leadership roles at organisations such as Reliance Retail, Skechers, and Sprandi. Known for his hands-on leadership, strategic foresight, and calculated risk-taking, he believes that learning from failure is as vital as celebrating success.

V. Muhammad Ali is among India’s earliest shopping centre professionals, with over 21 years of experience in mall development and retail management. As CEO of the Retail Division at Prestige Group, he has been instrumental in shaping the company’s mall business since its inception, playing a defining role in the evolution of organised retail in India.

Ali was pivotal in launching The Forum Mall in 2004—widely regarded as one of India’s first fully functional modern malls. The project set new benchmarks in retail experience, integrating a multiplex, leading fashion brands, and a large-format food court, thereby redefining urban shopping in the country.

His core expertise spans shopping centre development, leasing, mall operations, and asset management. Over the years, he has led the leasing and launch of 10 malls for Prestige, covering over 6 million sq. ft. of gross leasable area (GLA) and 2,000+ stores. He is currently driving an ambitious expansion pipeline of nine new malls across Tier-1 cities, adding over 7.5 million sq. ft. and 2,000+ stores.

Ali has also collaborated closely with CapitaLand through a strategic joint venture and remains an active contributor to industry bodies such as Retailers Association of India and Shopping Centre Association of India.

Dharmendra RS, is a seasoned hospitality leader and the Chief Operating Officer of Bhagini Hospitalities Pvt. Ltd. and the Icon Hotels chain, overseeing 8 hotels and 7 restaurants. With a proven track record in scaling multi-unit operations, he is known for driving profitability, operational excellence, and guest-centric innovation. An award-winning professional and respected industry voice, Dharmendra has been a speaker at leading hospitality forums across India. His expertise spans brand building, revenue strategy, and team leadership. Passionate about elevating dining and stay experiences, he continues to shape high-performance hospitality businesses with a sharp, future-focused vision.

Ninad Umargekar is the founder of HEllO EDC, a WatchLife brand built for people who engage deeply with watches beyond just wearing them. Through products like watch straps, storage, carry, and care, along with curated cultural experiences, HEllO is redefining how enthusiasts connect with timepieces. A watch lover for over two decades, Ninad started the brand to address the lack of high-quality watch accessories in India, evolving it from a passion project into a globally relevant platform.

With over 20 years of experience in brand strategy and marketing, he has held leadership roles including CMO at J.G. Hosiery (Macho) and Chief Strategy Officer at agencies such as Taproot and Famous Innovations. A Mathematics graduate with a post-graduate degree in Marketing, he combines strategic thinking with hands-on innovation.

Arihant Jain is the Co-Founder of Dasnac and an entrepreneur, real estate developer, and investor with interests across property and technology. He leads the group’s real estate and strategic investment businesses in India and Europe, working across sectors including infrastructure, private equity, and sovereign funds. Arihant Jain has previously worked with organizations such as Zanbato, CB Richard Ellis, Designarch Infrastructure, and the Godrej Group, and has contributed to projects with global financial and advisory firms. He holds a degree in Management Science & Engineering from Stanford University and remains actively involved in investment networks and public service initiatives.

Kanishk Arya is a growth marketing leader at SleepyCat, known for driving high-impact, data-led marketing strategies in the consumer and D2C space. With a background spanning startups and large organizations across media, retail, and internet businesses, he brings a sharp blend of brand building and performance marketing expertise.

At SleepyCat, Arya plays a key role in scaling the brand’s digital growth, focusing on customer acquisition, retention, and full-funnel marketing effectiveness. His approach combines creative storytelling with performance-driven execution, enabling the brand to build strong consumer recall while delivering measurable business outcomes.

He has also gained valuable international exposure, having worked across markets such as Australia and the United Kingdom, which has shaped his understanding of global consumer behavior and cross-market growth strategies.

Shikha Mazumdar is the AVP – Head of Marketing & Visual Merchandising at Home Centre, part of the Landmark Group. A dynamic marketing leader with extensive experience in retail and consumer-focused industries, she specializes in building compelling brand narratives and immersive in-store experiences that drive customer engagement and business growth.

In her current role, Mazumdar is responsible for shaping Home Centre’s brand positioning, driving integrated marketing campaigns, and ensuring consistent storytelling across digital and physical touchpoints. With a strong understanding of evolving consumer preferences in the home and lifestyle segment, she has been instrumental in aligning marketing initiatives with seasonal trends, product innovation, and category growth. Her leadership has contributed to strengthening Home Centre’s identity as a design-led, accessible home solutions brand.

Mazumdar is also actively involved in advancing omnichannel strategies, ensuring seamless integration between online platforms and in-store experiences. Her approach combines creativity with data-driven insights, enabling the brand to remain relevant and competitive in India’s fast-evolving retail landscape.Known for her collaborative leadership style and sharp eye for detail, Shikha Mazumdar continues to play a key role in enhancing brand visibility, customer engagement, and experiential retail at Home Centre.

Pushpa Bector is the Executive Director at DLF Retail, and a widely respected leader in India’s retail and shopping centre industry, with over two decades of rich experience spanning business strategy, marketing, and large-scale retail operations.At DLF Retail, Bector has been instrumental in shaping some of India’s most iconic retail destinations. She played a pivotal role in the conceptualization and launch of DLF Mall of India—one of the country’s largest and most successful malls—and led the strategic revamp of DLF Promenade, enhancing its positioning as a premium lifestyle destination.

Her leadership has been central to driving innovation in mall management, tenant mix curation, and experiential retail, ensuring DLF’s assets remain at the forefront of India’s evolving consumer landscape. Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Bector also serves as the Chairperson of the Shopping Centres Association of India, where she plays an influential role in shaping industry dialogue, policy advocacy, and the future direction of organized retail in the country.

Known for her strategic acumen and deep consumer insight, Pushpa Bector continues to be a driving force behind the transformation of India’s retail ecosystem, championing innovation, experience-led retail and sustainable growth.

Sagar Daryani is an Indian entrepreneur and the co-founder of Wow! Momo, India’s largest homegrown quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand. Widely recognized for transforming the humble momo into a nationwide food phenomenon, Daryani’s journey is a compelling story of innovation, resilience, and the power of sharp, youth-driven branding in the Indian F&B landscape. His strategic focus on digital-first growth—including online delivery, takeaway-led formats, and aggressive cloud kitchen expansion—enabled the brand to significantly enhance service coverage and adapt swiftly to evolving consumer behavior in the post-pandemic era.

Under his leadership, Wow! Momo has consistently pushed the boundaries of product innovation, accessibility, and customer experience, making it a standout success in India’s competitive food services market. Daryani’s journey from a student founder to a QSR industry leader reflects how vision, persistence, and differentiated branding can disrupt even the most traditional sectors. As the brand continues to expand its footprint, he remains focused on building Wow! Momo into a globally scalable Indian food experience.

Rahul Shanker is a seasoned business leader with nearly 27 years of experience across globally recognised organisations, including PepsiCo, Mars Wrigley, Philips, Avon, and Modicare. His expertise spans diverse consumer categories, from FMCG to personal care, beauty, and health & wellness.

As Group CEO of Quest Retail, Rahul leads the organisation’s next phase of growth, focusing on accelerating expansion, strengthening operational efficiency, and enhancing customer experience through innovation. He oversees all four business verticals, steering the company’s strategic direction across markets.

Quest Retail is a leading omnichannel player in the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle space, with a strong presence in India and expanding operations in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Under Rahul’s leadership, the group continues to build and scale a portfolio of globally renowned brands, including The Body Shop, Kiehl’s, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Kylie Cosmetics, Avon, and Max Factor.

Known for his strategic mindset and cross-category expertise, Rahul brings a strong track record of driving sustainable growth and building future-ready consumer businesses.

Harminder Sahni is a seasoned management consultant with deep expertise across textiles, apparel, retail, CPG, and food sectors, and brings decades of experience that help businesses compete and scale in India’s dynamic, consumer-driven market. He has worked extensively across retail, agriculture, dairy, and food processing, driving transformation and growth strategies.

An early angel investor in India since 2009, he has backed over 20 startups, including Inkfruit, Capillary, Tapzo, InnovAccer, mCaffeine, Wooqer, Burger Singh, Rage Coffee, and Purple Style Lab, among others—many of which have achieved significant scale or successful exits. He also leads Wazir Skilling, one of India’s top-ranked skill development initiatives, with a presence across 10 states, focused on building industry-ready talent.

Harminder Sahni holds an MBA in Marketing from IMS Indore and a B.Tech in Textile Technology from TIT&S, Bhiwani, blending strong academic grounding with industry leadership.

Swati Dayani is the Chief Transformation Officer at Cipla Health, where she leads enterprise-wide transformation initiatives and drives innovation in health and wellness. With a strong foundation in pharmaceutical leadership, she is focused on reimagining health management through forward-looking, consumer-centric solutions.

Swati had served in the Executive Vice Chairperson’s Office at Cipla, where she played a pivotal role in advancing the company’s strategic priorities and strengthening its position in the pharmaceutical sector.

During her power sector tenure with Reliance Power, Swati contributed to project development and operations. She later gained experience in consulting through roles at McKinsey, where she advised organizations on strategy and business transformation across industries, and at Accenture as a Summer Associate, building early exposure to technology and consulting environments.

Her expertise spans business transformation, financial analysis, and operational strategy, underpinned by a multidisciplinary academic background. Swati holds a Master of Medical Science from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies and a bachelor’s degree from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology.

Robin Mangla is a seasoned real estate professional whose career spans the full spectrum of sales, marketing, and business strategy in one of India’s most dynamic and competitive sectors. A graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, — Robin brings a rigorous analytical foundation to his work, blending engineering-grade problem-solving with sharp commercial instincts. With years of deep industry experience, Robin has emerged as a pivotal architect of M3M India’s success story — steering the company’s commercial direction at a time when luxury real estate is undergoing transformational growth.

His tenure at M3M India has been defined by a relentless focus on market leadership — from orchestrating high-impact project launches that command national attention, to crafting a brand identity synonymous with luxury, aspiration, and trust. Robin’s approach is deeply rooted in consumer insight: he reads market signals early, aligns product design and positioning with emerging demand, and ensures M3M stays ahead of the curve in an industry where timing and perception are everything.

Sannjeev Rao is a seasoned Retail leader and Co-founder Kathy’s Beverages. He is also the Director at IETO (Indian Economic Trade Organization) with over 25 years of experience in transforming retail and consumer businesses into profitable, future-ready enterprises. With a career spanning fashion, textiles, and broader consumer sectors, he is known for driving high-impact growth through a unique blend of strategic vision and hands-on execution.

Over the years, Rao has led large-scale business transformations—from steering leading fashion brands to revitalizing legacy textile organizations, consistently enhancing brand equity while delivering strong revenue and profitability outcomes. He brings deep expertise in P&L management, market expansion, and operational turnarounds, with a proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams.

In addition to corporate leadership, Sannjeev Rao is an active advisor and angel investor, supporting emerging startups that are redefining the future of retail. A strong advocate of mentorship and collaboration, committed to nurturing next-generation leadership and fostering innovation-led growth. With a sharp focus on execution, scalability, and consumer-centricity, Sannjeev Rao continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of modern retail.

Prateek Kataria is a dynamic business leader known for building and scaling high-growth ventures across global markets. As Co-Founder of RightChoice.ai, he is helping 150+ enterprises across India, SEA, MENA, and the Americas transform their local marketing through AI-led solutions.

Beyond this, Prateek serves as Chief Business Officer & Founding Member at Phoenix Tech Labs, and has been an active angel investor with Upscale, backing emerging businesses and driving innovation. Previously, as Vice President – Enterprise Business at MSB Docs, he led global sales, marketing, and fundraising initiatives.

At RightChoice.ai, Prateek is focused on empowering local businesses through AI-led marketing solutions. Under his leadership, the platform has emerged as an award-winning solution in local marketing, helping brands strengthen their presence across 30+ directories and achieve superior local rankings. The platform is trusted by leading brands such as Castrol, Max Healthcare, Physics Wallah, Cashify, OYO, and BlueStone.

Himanshu joined Acevector in Nov 2021 and is currently the CEO of Stellaro Brands (a part of Acevector Group). He is an experienced industry leader with experience in FMCG, retail and fashion. He also has significant exposure to technology solutioning and ecommerce during his stints in retail and fashion. Himanshu’s previous assignments spanned Snapdeal (CEO), Arvind Fashions, The Mobile Store (Essar), Trent Limited (Tata Group) and Lakme Lever (Hindustan Unilever), to name a few. With the help of the young Stellaro team, Himanshu is building Rangita as the first national ethnicwear brand in the value segment. One of the leading brands in ethnic wear value segment at Amazon and Myntra, Rangita launched its own hand-crafted store experience in 2024 across specific South markets. Himanshu is a B.Tech from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, post which, he completed his Post Graduation in Marketing & Finance from Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.

Rohit Gopalani plays a pivotal role in driving business growth, revenue strategy, and asset performance across the company’s portfolio of premium shopping destinations.He works closely on curating the right tenant mix, enhancing brand collaborations, and delivering high-impact consumer experiences that drive footfall and tenant success.

Known for his strong understanding of retail dynamics and consumer behavior, he has been instrumental in strengthening Inorbit Malls’ positioning as a preferred destination for both brands and shoppers. His approach combines strategic foresight with execution excellence, ensuring sustained growth and competitiveness in an evolving retail landscape.With extensive experience in retail real estate and mall management, Gopalani is responsible for leading key functions including leasing, revenue optimization, partnerships, and commercial strategy.

Rohit brings a results-driven leadership style, with a focus on innovation, experiential retail, and long-term value creation. His contributions continue to shape Inorbit’s growth as a leading player in India’s organized retail and shopping centre ecosystem.

Vinod Sharma has decades of experience in the electronics and manufacturing sector and has played a pivotal role in building Deki Electronics into a globally recognized and quality-driven organization. Apart from being an entrepreneur, he is also an active BSO member and consultant/ trainer who has co-authored the book “Valuemagics”- a new roadmap to global markets.

Under his leadership, the company has strengthened its position as a key exporter, delivering high-performance components to industries such as automotive, industrial electronics, consumer durables, and power applications. Sharma has been instrumental in driving technological advancement, operational excellence, and stringent quality standards, ensuring the company remains competitive in international markets.

He is known for his strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement, fostering a culture of precision engineering and customer-centricity. His leadership has enabled Deki Electronics to scale its manufacturing capabilities while maintaining reliability and consistency in product performance.

Vinod Sharma continues to steer the organization towards future-ready growth, with an emphasis on expanding global reach, enhancing R&D capabilities, and aligning with evolving industry demands in the electronics and components ecosystem.