RCM Reddy
MD & CEO, Schoolnet India Ltd & Learnet Skills Ltd
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Erik Solheim is a well-known global leader on
environment and development as well as an experienced
peace negotiator.
He served as Norwegian minister of Environment and
International Development from 2005-2012. During that
period, he initiated the global program for conservation
of rainforests and brought through game changing
national legislation - among them the Biodiversity Act
and legislation to protect Oslo city forests. He brought
Norwegian development assistance to 1%, the highest in
the world. Before joining government, he was leader of
the Socialist Left Party 1987-97 as well as member of
Norwegian Parliament 1989-2001.
He led the peace efforts in Sri Lanka from 1999-2009 as the main negotiator of the peace process
between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers and played a vital role in peace processes in
Nepal, Myanmar, Sudan and Burundi.
Erik was the Executive Chair of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (the main body of world
donors) from 2012-2016 and Undersecretary General of the UN and Executive Director of UN
Environment from 2016 to 2018.
Currently he is President of Europe - Asia Center in Brussels.
He is International Vice President of the Belt and Road Green Development Coalition in Beijing and
member of China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development.
Erik served as the International Environment Adviser to Ranil Wickremesinghe, the former President of
Sri Lanka, and is also a member of the Climate Council established by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in Tamil
Nadu, India.
Erik is the Chairman of the Development Roundtable at the Green Hydrogen Organization, President of
the International Advisory Board – GH2 India, Adviser to the Global Wind Energy Council, and a Board
Member of the International Hydropower Association.
In business Erik is adviser to the RGE of Indonesia, the world largest paper and pulp company. He is also
adviser to Key Carbon, a London based carbon credit provider. Erik works closely, on a non-profit basis,
with ProClime, a climate company in Chennai, India.
Erik is Ambassador for the Center of Oneness in Omkareshwar India, celebrating the Hindu reformer and
Saint Adi Shankaracharya
He is Chief Mentor of Global Alliance for Sustainable Planet, Chairman of the Board of Afroz Shah
Foundation in Mumbai, mentor for the Zero Plastic Movement in Sri Lanka and mentor to the Smart
Campuis Cloud Network in Pune, India.
He is Honorary President of the China - Norway International cooperation Center in Yantai, chair of
Kubuqi Desert Forum in Inner Mongolia and member of the board of Guiyang Eco Forum, all in China.
He is vice chair of International Finance Forum in Nansha, China. Erik is vicechair of Peking University
Institute of Carbon Neutrality.
Erik is fellow at the International Centre for Sustainability in London, UK which specialize in Indian -
European relations. He is on the advisory board of Global Carbon Council in Doha, Qatar.
Erik is honorary professor at Tsinghua University (Beijing), Jiaotong University (Shanghai), Fudan
University (Shanghai), Chengdu University, Southeast University (Nanjing) and Hong Kong University of
Science and Technology, Guangzhou. He is also honorary professor at the Kalinga Institute in
Bhubuneswar, India and environment adviser to Sri Sri University in Bhubuneswar. He received an
honorary professor appointment from Teri University, Delhi.
Awards:
• Chinese Government Friendship Award, 2024
• Appreciation letter from Prime Minister Modi on the occasion of 75 years of India
independence, 2022
• Champion of the World, United Nations,
• Lifelong member of Friends of the Earth, Norway
• European of the Year, Norway
• Hero of the Environment, Time magazine
environment and development as well as an experienced
peace negotiator.
He served as Norwegian minister of Environment and
International Development from 2005-2012. During that
period, he initiated the global program for conservation
of rainforests and brought through game changing
national legislation - among them the Biodiversity Act
and legislation to protect Oslo city forests. He brought
Norwegian development assistance to 1%, the highest in
the world. Before joining government, he was leader of
the Socialist Left Party 1987-97 as well as member of
Norwegian Parliament 1989-2001.
He led the peace efforts in Sri Lanka from 1999-2009 as the main negotiator of the peace process
between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers and played a vital role in peace processes in
Nepal, Myanmar, Sudan and Burundi.
Erik was the Executive Chair of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (the main body of world
donors) from 2012-2016 and Undersecretary General of the UN and Executive Director of UN
Environment from 2016 to 2018.
Currently he is President of Europe - Asia Center in Brussels.
He is International Vice President of the Belt and Road Green Development Coalition in Beijing and
member of China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development.
Erik served as the International Environment Adviser to Ranil Wickremesinghe, the former President of
Sri Lanka, and is also a member of the Climate Council established by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in Tamil
Nadu, India.
Erik is the Chairman of the Development Roundtable at the Green Hydrogen Organization, President of
the International Advisory Board – GH2 India, Adviser to the Global Wind Energy Council, and a Board
Member of the International Hydropower Association.
In business Erik is adviser to the RGE of Indonesia, the world largest paper and pulp company. He is also
adviser to Key Carbon, a London based carbon credit provider. Erik works closely, on a non-profit basis,
with ProClime, a climate company in Chennai, India.
Erik is Ambassador for the Center of Oneness in Omkareshwar India, celebrating the Hindu reformer and
Saint Adi Shankaracharya
He is Chief Mentor of Global Alliance for Sustainable Planet, Chairman of the Board of Afroz Shah
Foundation in Mumbai, mentor for the Zero Plastic Movement in Sri Lanka and mentor to the Smart
Campuis Cloud Network in Pune, India.
He is Honorary President of the China - Norway International cooperation Center in Yantai, chair of
Kubuqi Desert Forum in Inner Mongolia and member of the board of Guiyang Eco Forum, all in China.
He is vice chair of International Finance Forum in Nansha, China. Erik is vicechair of Peking University
Institute of Carbon Neutrality.
Erik is fellow at the International Centre for Sustainability in London, UK which specialize in Indian -
European relations. He is on the advisory board of Global Carbon Council in Doha, Qatar.
Erik is honorary professor at Tsinghua University (Beijing), Jiaotong University (Shanghai), Fudan
University (Shanghai), Chengdu University, Southeast University (Nanjing) and Hong Kong University of
Science and Technology, Guangzhou. He is also honorary professor at the Kalinga Institute in
Bhubuneswar, India and environment adviser to Sri Sri University in Bhubuneswar. He received an
honorary professor appointment from Teri University, Delhi.
Awards:
• Chinese Government Friendship Award, 2024
• Appreciation letter from Prime Minister Modi on the occasion of 75 years of India
independence, 2022
• Champion of the World, United Nations,
• Lifelong member of Friends of the Earth, Norway
• European of the Year, Norway
• Hero of the Environment, Time magazine
Radhabinod Aribam Sharma
IAS, Municipal Commissioner & Administrator, Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC)
Masood Mallick
Managing Director & CEO | Re Sustainability
SPEAKERS
Prakhar Suresh Sharma
Sr. Manager, SEEDS India
Navya Singh
Founder, News With Navya
Samyak Jain
CEO, A Plus Charge
M.Sc. (in Financial Economics) - University of Wales, Cardiff, Bachelors of Business Management (BBM) - Bangalore University
Swapan Mehra
CEO, IORA Ecological Solutions
Shramay is an investment professional with over 5 years of experience in the Indian Private Markets space. He has been an entrepreneur with two dorm room startups in the education and fin-tech space. He has prior experience handling portfolio support operations for India’s largest cross border accelerator and has led market entry projects for a global consulting firm into India and China. He has also advised the Nation’s Highest offices on investment policy and supported investments into Indian GPs as part of India’s National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency. He holds degrees from Ashoka University (BA Political Science, Hons) and BITs Pilani School of Management (MBA).
Shloka is the CEO of the India Climate Collaborative, a non-profit focused on mobilising philanthropic capital to accelerate climate action in India. Prior to this, she led the Sustainability and Policy & Advocacy portfolios at the Tata Trusts. She also co-founded and was the Managing Partner of Sankhya Women Impact Funds, a gender lens fund with a focus on sustainability. She started her career as a journalist, with a decade of experience at the BBC in London, as a news anchor with NDTV and a Principal Correspondent with Forbes in Mumbai. She is also the author of the book, “Hidden India: Journey to Where the Wild Things Are” (April 2018), a compendium of photographs and writing about Indian wildlife and landscapes.
Siddharth R. Mayur
Founder & CEO - H2e Power
Nidhi Pant
Co-Founder, S4S Technologies
Purvi Bhavsar
Co Founder & Managing Director- Pahal Financial services
Mr. Mehta has a career spanning 16 years in Asset Management, with 12 years of direct investing experiences in impact and climate investments with a large Switzerland based asset manager with and AUM of US$4.5 billion, and more recently with a Venture Capital fund focused on early-stage climate technology investments in India.
Mr. Mehta has led deals across energy, water, smart agriculture, alternative proteins and broader climate technologies.
M.Sc. (in Financial Economics) - University of Wales, Cardiff, Bachelors of Business Management (BBM) - Bangalore University
Stefano Funari
Founder & Managing Director of I was a Sari
Gaurav Shah
Founder & Managing Partner, Arete Ventures
Chinu Kwatra
Founder, Khushiyaan Foundation
Darshana Gajare
Sustainability Head - Reliance Brands & Lakme Fashion Week
Rahul Nainani
CEO - Recircle
Shreya Godhawat
Content Creator - Sustainable Tea With Shreya
Aakash Shah
Partner - Peak Sustainability
Madhav is a respected thinker-practitioner who has been working on issues of urbanization, climate change, transportation and environment in various countries over the past few decades.
Madhav joined WRI India in 2008 to become part of the Institute’s founding team. He has played a definitive leadership role at WRI India that has helped it reach its present position. He has conciously invested his energies in nurturing talent to build large, high-performance teams at WRI India that can support the design, implementation and scaling up of pioneering solutions to India’s complex challenges.
Madhav graduated from the University of Mumbai as a civil engineer and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Transport Planning from the University of California, Berkeley. His own research and programmatic work has evolved to prefer systems thinking as an approach to negotiate with the myriad complexities of the contemporary city.
Under his leadership as Executive Director of WRI India Ross Center and prior to that as Director of EMBARQ India, the team has supported implementation of several pioneering projects. Notable successes include the Mumbai Climate Action Plan (MCAP), the Raahgiri campaign for democratizing public streets, and the National Electric Bus Program (NEBP). The team has also informed multiple national, state, and city level policy discussions on urban and regional planning, road safety, urban transport, transit-oriented development, electric mobility and clean air.
Madhav is a published author and has written several research papers for renowned journals as well as various articles and books on urban transport, urban planning, resilience and clean air.
Ajay Menon
Senior Practice Lead, TechnoServe India
Shaili Chopra
Founder of Gytree and SheThePeople
Sumita Ghose
Founder Director, Rangsutra
I am a CA, CFA, FRM charterholder, and Company Secretary (AIR 9), driven by work that combines rigor, scale, and real-world outcomes—particularly initiatives that expand access to jobs, income stability, and economic mobility. My work spans equity and grant investing, end-to-end deal execution, and active portfolio engagement across skilling, workforce platforms, the gig economy, financial inclusion, and affordable finance.
Samrat is a purpose-driven professional in the social and environmental impact sector, with over 23 years of experience at the intersection of science, policy, business, and development. Trained as a water resources management specialist, he brings both optimism and pragmatism to tackling some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including environmental pollution, water security, climate change, and nature-positive development. His career has spanned diverse sectors including working with government agencies, philanthropic donors, bilateral funders, international financial institutions, corporates, start-ups, and communities - where he has designed and led solutions that are science-based, context-specific, inclusive, and actionable. He thrives at the interface of nature, people, business, and building partnerships that translate science into solutions and ambition into action. Looking ahead, he is keen to continue shaping strategies, investments, and innovations that create resilient futures for all.
V Laxmikanth is a Managing Partner at Pavestone, a venture capital firm, with over 35 years of experience in Global Leadership in Business Strategy and Sales, Product and Technical Innovation, Mergers and Acquisitions.
As a pioneer of the Indian IT industry, over the last 15 years he has been the India MD and Member of the Global Executive Committee of Broadridge Financial Solutions. Prior to this, he established and grew India offices for Global Enterprises such as ADP, D.E. Shaw and Intergraph. He was a Member of the Investment Committee and an LP in Parampara Early-Stage Opportunities Fund. He is also part of the NASSCOM GCC Council and was its chair for several years.
He has extensive experience in building, deploying and supporting large scale Enterprise grade products in SAAS model for global clientele. Additionally, he has set up centers of excellence for AI/ML and Big Data and supported the innovation of Blockchain technology in India.
As a pioneer of the Indian IT industry, over the last 15 years he has been the India MD and Member of the Global Executive Committee of Broadridge Financial Solutions. Prior to this, he established and grew India offices for Global Enterprises such as ADP, D.E. Shaw and Intergraph. He was a Member of the Investment Committee and an LP in Parampara Early-Stage Opportunities Fund. He is also part of the NASSCOM GCC Council and was its chair for several years.
He has extensive experience in building, deploying and supporting large scale Enterprise grade products in SAAS model for global clientele. Additionally, he has set up centers of excellence for AI/ML and Big Data and supported the innovation of Blockchain technology in India.
Dr. G. Venkateshwarlu is the Managing Director of AgHub, the Agri Innovation Hub of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTAU), Hyderabad. With extensive experience in agricultural innovation, entrepreneurship development, and technology-driven rural transformation, he has played a key role in nurturing agri-startups and fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem. Under his leadership, AgHub has supported numerous agri-entrepreneurs, driving sustainable growth and impactful solutions for the agriculture sector across India.
Mahak Agrawal is an urban planner, sustainability expert, and climate policy professional with extensive experience in climate action, sustainable infrastructure, and public policy. She currently serves as Head of India at Riding Sunbeams, leading initiatives to integrate solar energy into rail and mass transit systems. Mahak is also the founder of All Bits Count (ABC), a climate science and storytelling platform launched at the UN Summit of the Future and COP29. A Columbia University Environmental Fellow and Gold Medalist from the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, she has been recognized as a LinkedIn Top Green Voice, TEDx Fellow, and UN Fellow. Her work has contributed to projects with organizations including the OECD, UNEP, World Bank Group, and the Government of India, advancing sustainable urban development and climate resilience.
Dr. Sujeet Ranjan is a senior development sector leader with more than two decades of experience in public health, nutrition, philanthropy, and social development. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Delhi, where he works on fostering collaborations between corporates, nonprofits, and communities to drive sustainable social impact.
Prior to this role, Dr. Ranjan held several leadership positions, including Associate Director – Nutrition at Tata Trusts, Executive Director of the Coalition for Food and Nutrition Security (CFNS), Director at CARE India, and Chief Operating Officer at Swasthya Management and Research Institute (SMRI). His expertise spans public health program management, nutrition, policy advocacy, strategic partnerships, and institutional development.
As a thought leader, he has been recognized as one of the Top 200 Reproductive Health Fellows across Asia and Africa, reflecting his longstanding contributions to advancing public health, equity, and sustainable development. in the development sector. Dr. Ranjan has been associated with various national and international leadership fellowships and has contributed significantly to advancing nutrition, health, and community development initiatives across India. He is known for promoting collective action and cross-sector partnerships as key drivers of long-term, scalable social change.
Krishna Chaitanya (Assistant General Manager) – CSR at Biological E. Limited, leading the CSR arm Dr. Vijay Kumar Datla Foundation's initiatives in healthcare, education, skill development, and community development. With over 12 years of CSR experience across Biological E. and Cyient Ltd, I am passionate about building partnerships that create sustainable and measurable social impact
Prior to this role, Dr. Ranjan held several leadership positions, including Associate Director – Nutrition at Tata Trusts, Executive Director of the Coalition for Food and Nutrition Security (CFNS), Director at CARE India, and Chief Operating Officer at Swasthya Management and Research Institute (SMRI). His expertise spans public health program management, nutrition, policy advocacy, strategic partnerships, and institutional development.
Prior to this role, Dr. Ranjan held several leadership positions, including Associate Director – Nutrition at Tata Trusts, Executive Director of the Coalition for Food and Nutrition Security (CFNS), Director at CARE India, and Chief Operating Officer at Swasthya Management and Research Institute (SMRI). His expertise spans public health program management, nutrition, policy advocacy, strategic partnerships, and institutional development.
As a thought leader, he has been recognized as one of the Top 200 Reproductive Health Fellows across Asia and Africa, reflecting his longstanding contributions to advancing public health, equity, and sustainable development. in the development sector. Dr. Ranjan has been associated with various national and international leadership fellowships and has contributed significantly to advancing nutrition, health, and community development initiatives across India. He is known for promoting collective action and cross-sector partnerships as key drivers of long-term, scalable social change.
Rashmi Pimpale is the CEO of RICH (Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad)-Hyderabad S&T Cluster, an initiative of the Telangana government and O/o Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India, which facilitates the process of taking research to market by fostering collaboration between research and academic institutions, industry, entrepreneurs, start-ups, NGOs and civic society for an effective innovation ecosystem. Prior to RICH, she has worked in the pharmaceutical sector for over 12 years in R&D and Intellectual Property management roles. She holds a post-graduate degree in pharmaceutical sciences from Pune University and MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
We’re a leading Agri & food incubator in India called Indigram Labs with about 100 startups. We have made over 90+ Agri and food pre-seed investments in the last 8 years and these companies have raised over USD 600 Million in follow-on equity institutional capital so far and currently also running a micro VC fund called Benzai10 ventures to invest in rural Agri and food ventures. A lot of our investments intersects with climate theme and also have Deeptech / Biotech and food consumer brands.
Alokparna Sengupta is the Managing Director of Humane World for Animals India Foundation (formerly Humane Society International/India) and one of India's leading voices in animal protection and welfare. With more than 15 years of experience spanning policy advocacy, law, science, public engagement, and institutional leadership, she has been at the forefront of some of the country's most significant animal welfare reforms.
A trained biotechnologist and legal professional, Alokparna holds a Master of Science in Biotechnology from Osmania University and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from National Law University, Delhi. Her unique interdisciplinary expertise has enabled her to bridge science, law, public policy, and compassion to drive meaningful systemic change.
Alokparna played a pivotal role in securing India's landmark ban on animal testing for cosmetics and subsequent restrictions on the import of animal-tested cosmetic products. Working closely with regulatory authorities, including the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), she helped advance India's position as a global leader in cruelty-free innovation.
A trained biotechnologist and legal professional, Alokparna holds a Master of Science in Biotechnology from Osmania University and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from National Law University, Delhi. Her unique interdisciplinary expertise has enabled her to bridge science, law, public policy, and compassion to drive meaningful systemic change.
Alokparna played a pivotal role in securing India's landmark ban on animal testing for cosmetics and subsequent restrictions on the import of animal-tested cosmetic products. Working closely with regulatory authorities, including the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), she helped advance India's position as a global leader in cruelty-free innovation.
Vivek Jain is the Co-Founder & CEO of Stride Green, a technology-enabled climate finance platform accelerating the adoption of sustainable infrastructure through innovative green asset financing, leasing, and asset management solutions. Under his leadership, Stride Green has emerged as a leading enabler of India's energy transition, supporting electric mobility, battery storage, and renewable energy with technology-driven capital solutions. Previously, Vivek served as Director at Stride Ventures, where he led investments and built strategic partnerships across the venture ecosystem. With over 19 years of experience spanning wholesale banking, structured finance, investment banking, and startup financing, he has held leadership roles at HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDFC FIRST Bank, and Aditya Birla Finance. Vivek is a passionate advocate for climate finance, sustainable innovation, and building scalable financial ecosystems for the green economy.
Aruna Newton
VP- Global Head – DEI & ESG Governance and Reporting
Jayanthi Raju Vadivelu
Consulting Director, ERM
Aiyappa Somayanda
Chief Business Officer, Brigade REAP
Devansh Peshin
Regional Program Manager, Enviu
Wilma Rodrigues
CTO, Saahas Zero Waste
Akshatha Venkatesha
Inclusive Climate Action (ICA) City Advisor, Bengaluru, C40 Cities
Nidhi Bhasin
CEO, Digital Green Trust
Samhita R
Co-Founding CEO, Resilience AI
Andrew Almack
Founder & Group CEO, Plastics For Change
