AI Innovation Summit 2025 (AIS2025)

Nandita Manchanda

Nandita Manchanda is a seasoned business executive with extensive experience spanning over two decades across strategic operations, finance, and global service delivery. She currently serves as the Strategy and Operations Leader for PS ISA at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where she leads high-impact initiatives focused on the public sector, driving performance, scalability, and innovation across the India and South Asia region.

Before joining AWS, Nandita had a distinguished 14-year career at IBM. She held key leadership positions including Chief Operating Officer and Strategy Leader for India South Asia, COO for Global Business Services India, and Global CFO for a major telecom client. Her strategic contributions extended across pricing, operations, and financial planning, consistently aligning business outcomes with enterprise goals.

Her prior experience includes financial leadership roles at Cheil Communications, Leo Burnett, and PwC (A.F. Ferguson & Co.), where she developed a strong foundation in audit, finance, and business management.

Nandita is a Chartered Accountant, having earned her qualification from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. She is recognized for her expertise in areas such as vendor management, business transformation, employee engagement, outsourcing, and strategic planning.

With a proven track record of managing cross-functional teams and delivering measurable results, Nandita brings both strategic acumen and operational depth to her leadership approach in dynamic business environments.

Sandip Shah

Sandip Shah is a dynamic and result-oriented finance leader with over two decades of diverse experience across global organizations in the IT, telecom, and oil & gas sectors. Currently serving as Finance Director for Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) at Microsoft in Bengaluru, he plays a pivotal role in driving strategic financial initiatives, investment agility, and sustainable growth.

Sandip is widely recognized for his ability to balance strategic business partnership with governance excellence. As a core member of the leadership team, he leads multi-year investment planning, performance management, and profitability optimization across complex and matrixed environments. His focus on digital transformation, business insights, and operational excellence has earned him the reputation of a dependable execution champion.

He has successfully led and contributed to large-scale projects including finance outsourcing, cost optimization, Nokia integration, and internal reorganizations, while consistently upholding strong compliance standards, including SOX governance. His impactful leadership is underscored by numerous awards and recognitions from peers and senior management.

A Chartered Accountant from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Sandip is also a seasoned thought leader, having delivered 100+ external presentations on modern finance and digital transformation to industry peers, partners, and clients.

Sandip's key competencies span financial strategy, P&L ownership, stakeholder engagement, business process reengineering, and team mentoring. He thrives in high-growth, fast-paced, cross-functional settings and is known for his collaborative leadership, analytical acumen, and commitment to continuous improvement.

Varinder Saini

Varinder Saini is a seasoned product leader with over two decades of experience in shaping and delivering successful digital product strategies. Currently serving as Principal Product Manager at Adobe, Varinder has been instrumental in modernizing Adobe Acrobat, launching new revenue channels, and building industry-leading solutions that serve millions globally.

With a strong foundation in computer science engineering, Varinder has built a career centered on innovation, customer empathy, and technology storytelling. His track record includes leading the redesign of core document platforms, managing large-scale rollouts, and building V1 products that significantly improved customer satisfaction and reduced deployment complexity.

His earlier professional journey includes impactful roles at Seasia Consulting and Dell, where he developed and implemented high-value solutions in client-facing and technical capacities. Known for his collaborative leadership and global mindset, Varinder brings deep cross-functional expertise, agile product development experience, and a passion for team growth.

Varinder holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology.

Beyond his professional achievements, Varinder is passionate about personal development. He is a certified yoga instructor, an enthusiast of Indian classical music, and has explored theatre arts. His commitment to continuous learning and cultural curiosity is reflected in his multidisciplinary approach to both work and life.

Mahesh Khandekar

CA Mahesh Khandekar is an accomplished Chartered Accountant with over 13 years of professional experience in taxation, audit, virtual CFO services, and strategic financial advisory. As the Founder and CEO of a CA firm., he leads a dynamic practice that serves a wide spectrum of clients—from individuals and startups to established enterprises—helping them navigate complex financial landscapes with confidence and compliance.

With deep expertise in tax planning and preparation, Mahesh offers customized solutions aligned with evolving tax regulations. He is also a trusted authority in Audit & Assurance, delivering comprehensive audits including Income Tax, GST, Company, Revenue, and Stock audits that ensure regulatory transparency and accuracy.

His Virtual CFO services empower businesses to scale efficiently, providing critical insights in budgeting, forecasting, cash flow optimization, and strategic decision-making. He further extends his capabilities into business advisory and financial planning, enabling clients to strengthen financial health, manage risk, and pursue growth opportunities.

A forward-looking professional, Mahesh is actively exploring new frontiers in fintech, blockchain, and digital transformation in accounting. He is open to strategic partnerships that can complement his vision of evolving into a technology-enabled, innovation-driven financial advisory firm.

CA Mahesh Khandekar holds a Chartered Accountancy qualification from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, and continues to build a future-focused practice rooted in integrity, insight, and impact.

Supreet Kaur

Supreet Kaur is an award-winning Data and AI Solutions Architect at Microsoft, recognized as a 2024 LinkedIn Top Voice and a leading advocate for cutting-edge AI innovation in financial services. With a strong foundation in data science and AI strategy, she designs impactful AI solutions on Azure, enabling enterprise transformation and digital maturity.

Her career began as a Data Scientist in the U.S., where she built predictive models to improve medication delivery. At ZS Associates, she developed AI systems to support drug launches and analyze large-scale healthcare data. Later, at Morgan Stanley, Supreet led the development of a personalization engine that drove a 6X increase in net asset growth. She is also a co-inventor of a patented testing strategy for AI-powered personalization.

Currently, Supreet combines her deep technical acumen with business alignment, co-creating AI roadmaps with C-suite leaders and guiding organizations on their generative AI journeys. She is also a recognized speaker at 40+ global forums, Google Women Techmakers Ambassador, AI Project Lead at Delta Analytics, and author of over 30 published thought leadership pieces.

Supreet holds a Master’s in Data Science and Analytics from Rutgers University and a B.Sc. in Mathematics from Delhi University. Her additional training in language and leadership includes certifications in French and active mentoring roles in academic and industry programs.

With her passion for ethical AI, diversity in tech, and community engagement, Supreet continues to shape conversations at the intersection of data, innovation, and impact.

Sachin Punyani

Sachin Punyani is an accomplished business development and technical sales leader, currently driving the growth of Deep Tech Services at AWS India. With a career built at the intersection of advanced technology and strategic business execution, Sachin plays a pivotal role in helping organizations across sectors unlock the full potential of cloud and deep tech solutions.

His mission is to transform startups, scale-ups, and large enterprises into tech-powered growth engines by delivering innovative, scalable, and industry-specific solutions. With a forward-thinking approach and deep understanding of the evolving technology landscape, Sachin has successfully enabled numerous organizations to accelerate digital transformation, optimize operational efficiency, and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market.

Sachin’s work spans multiple key verticals, including Government (public sector), Enterprises, Education, and Healthcare—where technology adoption is not just a trend but a necessity for meaningful progress. By deeply engaging with stakeholders, understanding nuanced challenges, and aligning technical capabilities with strategic business outcomes, he has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor and solution partner.

Over the years, Sachin has collaborated with hundreds of organizations, helping them navigate complex digital journeys with confidence. His strengths lie in strategic thinking, ecosystem building, and stakeholder alignment, enabling him to lead cross-functional initiatives that deliver measurable business value.

In addition to his customer-facing leadership, Sachin is also known for his ability to build and lead high-performing teams, cultivate innovation-driven cultures, and foster collaboration across functions. He thrives in dynamic environments where technology, business, and human insight intersect, constantly pushing boundaries to create long-term impact.

With a strong commitment to enabling innovation and growth at scale, Sachin continues to be a key driver of AWS India’s mission to democratize deep tech and empower organizations to thrive in the digital age.

Ankush Sabharwal

Founder & CEO – CoRover.ai & BharatGPT.ai

Ankush Sabharwal is a nationally recognized tech entrepreneur and visionary innovator, best known as the Founder and CEO of CoRover.ai and BharatGPT.ai—the world’s first human-centric conversational AI platform powered by Generative AI. Under his leadership, CoRover has served over 1 billion users across 15000+ enterprises and 20+ channels in 100+ languages, redefining conversational experiences through AI Assistants, VoiceBots, VideoBots, and LLM-based solutions.

With a mission to humanize technology, Ankush has been honored as the Innovator of the Year (2024) and counted among the Top 10 AI Influencers globally. His work has earned accolades from world leaders including the Prime Minister of India, Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, and Google’s Sundar Pichai. At CoRover, he spearheads strategy, product innovation, GTM, R&D, customer success, and operations to drive scalable and responsible AI adoption.

Ankush brings over two decades of leadership across global SaaS enterprises and startups spanning India, North America, and Europe. He has successfully managed global teams of over 1200 professionals and driven multimillion-dollar product innovations. His academic credentials include an MS in Software Engineering from BITS Pilani, an MBA from ICFAI, and executive education from MIT Sloan and IIM Calcutta. He has also completed the Machine Learning Specialization from Stanford University.

As a respected thought leader, Ankush frequently speaks at international conferences and has contributed to top media and academic forums, including Forbes, Economic Times, and TED Talks. He is also a founding member of the Coalition for Responsible Evolution of AI (CoRE-AI), advocating for ethical AI development.

Holding certifications in Agile, PMP, Six Sigma, Scrum, and ITIL, Ankush is deeply committed to responsible innovation, mentorship, and the scalable impact of AI technologies across industries and geographies.

Geetha Ramadevi

A seasoned and visionary Engineering Leader with over two decades of experience in architecting and delivering high-value, enterprise-grade software solutions across global markets. Renowned for building and mentoring high-performing, culturally diverse teams across the United States, Malaysia, Europe, Israel, and Amsterdam, I specialize in scaling engineering operations and driving digital transformation initiatives that align with business goals.

My expertise spans across a wide range of modern technologies and practices including agile methodologies, DevOps, cloud computing, microservices architecture, and big data. I have a strong track record of leading the development and management of large-scale consumer and enterprise eCommerce platforms, always with a focus on delivering superior customer experiences and business outcomes.

A firm believer in inclusive leadership, I foster a collaborative and innovative engineering culture. I engage actively with customers, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to ensure the delivery of solutions that meet real-world needs. My leadership style emphasizes vision, transparency, and accountability, with a strong commitment to developing people and driving operational excellence.

As a Site Leader, I have successfully built technology hubs from the ground up—overseeing recruitment, team development, infrastructure setup, and seamless integration with global business units. I work closely with HR, Finance, Facilities, and IT to ensure compliance, culture-building, and a productive work environment, including policy enforcement like POSH compliance.

Passionate about technology, team empowerment, and strategic growth, I thrive in fast-paced, innovative environments where I can make a meaningful impact on both people and products.

Preet Deep Singh

Dr. Preet Deep Singh is a Vice President at Apna.Co, a unicorn to match jobs with candidates. He was earlier at Invest India, the national investment promotion agency of India leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) Adoption for the Government. He has been actively involved in promoting the use of AI in public policy. He has trained over 50000 Central Government officers including the Prime Minister's Office to use Generative Artificial Intelligence. He hosts multiple highly rated courses on AI on the Karamyogi portal.

He used to lead the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, which aims to put at least one product from each district of India on the world map. He served as the Chief Analytics Officer where he leveraged artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide insights and solutions for various sectors and stakeholders. As the lead of Startup India programme, Dr Singh worked on blockchain-based certificates, resolving the Angel Tax issue and defining Startups.

Dr. Preet Deep Singh has a PhD in Finance from IIM Ahmedabad, where he was awarded the Chaudhary-Padmanabhan-Pant Gold medal. His research interests include startups, trust, corporate governance, and perception. He is ranked in the top 5% of all researchers on SSRN (Social Science Research Network).

Dr. Preet Deep Singh is passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of leaders and innovators. He teaches Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence and Startup Mindset at IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay and IIM Sambalpur respectively. He is also a mentor and expert for various incubators.

Tejas Goenka

Tejas Goenka is a dynamic business leader, product innovator, and purpose-driven entrepreneur, best known for his leadership at Tally Solutions, where he is driving the mission to empower business owners across India and beyond. With a deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of technology and education, Tejas is passionate about building solutions that help businesses not only run efficiently but grow sustainably.

At Tally, Tejas leads the creation of intuitive, scalable, and high-impact software products that simplify the financial and operational challenges faced by millions of small and medium enterprises. His vision extends beyond product development—he is committed to ensuring that people have the skills, training, and support necessary to thrive in today’s fast-evolving business landscape. Through Tally Education, he champions initiatives that bridge the skills gap and promote employability, particularly among youth and first-time job seekers.

His passion for social responsibility is equally strong. Under the TallyTogether initiative, Tejas is actively involved in giving back to society—whether by contributing to education, supporting local communities, or improving the welfare of animals. His approach reflects a broader philosophy: that successful businesses must be active contributors to the social fabric.

Beyond his role at Tally, Tejas is also a founding force behind Transition Ventures, an investment platform focused on backing startups and entrepreneurs innovating in the clean energy space. With the belief that sustainable technology is the future, he supports companies working on transformative solutions to combat climate change and create a better, greener world.

Further extending his commitment to individual empowerment, Tejas co-founded Tijori, a platform aimed at helping individuals and families make smarter financial decisions. Recognizing the lack of accessible, practical tools for personal finance management, Tijori provides simple, yet powerful solutions to help people take control of their financial lives.

Tejas’s work spans technology, education, sustainability, and personal finance, unified by a central theme: building ecosystems that enable people—whether business owners, individuals, or innovators—to unlock their potential and contribute meaningfully to the world.

Bhooshan Kelkar

Bhooshan Kelkar is a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience in the fields of artificial intelligence, intellectual property, and academic-industry collaboration. He is currently the Director of Neuflex Talent Solutions Pvt Ltd, where he focuses on strategy and business development. Prior to this, he served in various key roles at IBM India, including as Country Manager for University Relations, and contributed significantly to talent development and innovation enablement.

At IBM, Bhooshan also worked as a Patent Engineer and Software Architect, where he was actively involved in research and development projects. He contributed to over 30 patents, with a strong focus on AI, machine learning, and data science applications in life sciences and informatics. His career began at GE Praxis in California as a Control Engineer, where he developed algorithms and control systems for utility companies.

Academically, Bhooshan holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Strathclyde, UK, specializing in AI and process control, and a B.Tech. from IIT Bombay. He has further enhanced his expertise with certifications in Bioinformatics, Intellectual Property Rights, and MBTI personality assessment. His multidisciplinary background reflects a unique blend of deep technical knowledge and strategic leadership in emerging technologies.

Sammir Inamdar

Sammir Inamdar is a dynamic technology leader with over two decades of experience in designing, developing, and scaling AI-powered learning platforms across global markets. His work has directly impacted millions of learners in over 65 countries and empowered hundreds of enterprises through advanced digital learning ecosystems. With a sharp focus on performance measurement, user engagement, and instructional efficiency, he continues to shape the future of learning through innovation and strategic vision.

His professional journey includes leadership roles across top-tier e-learning and technology organizations, where he was instrumental in launching and managing enterprise SaaS solutions, learning management systems, and blended learning strategies. Sammir's strengths lie in instructional design, needs analysis, and driving operational excellence. His collaborative leadership style and depth of experience have earned him wide recognition in the fields of digital learning and enterprise training.

Academically, Sammir holds a degree in Computer Science from St. Xavier’s College, backed by a strong foundation from institutions like R.D. National College and Asia English School, Ahmedabad. Endorsed for key skills such as e-learning, learning management, instructional design, and content tools like Captivate, he is regarded as a forward-thinking professional with a proven track record in the learning and development industry.