About Us

Amol Padhye is a seasoned Risk Management leader with over 23 years of experience spanning across Global Banks, Indian Banks, Risk Consulting, technology transformation, and financial services regulations. A qualified Chartered Accountant, Amol has distinguished experience of building and leading LED risk management functions at BNP Paribas, EY, HDFC Bank and now at AU Small Finance Bank.

Over the course of his career, Amol has played pivotal role in setting up and scaling comprehensive risk management frameworks. His expertise covers Enterprise Risk Management, Credit Risk, Market & Liquidity Risk, Model Risk Management, AI & GenAI Governance, Stress Testing, Capital Planning, and Risk Technology.

Prior to joining AU Small Finance Bank, Amol held several leadership positions at HDFC Bank heading multiple risk teams during his 9 years stint. In his last role, he was heading Group Risk, Model Risk & Risk Assurance function where he had a unique experience of building and overseeing risk frameworks across diverse set of subsidiaries covering Asset Management Company (AMC), Life Insurance, General Insurance, Non-Bank Finance Company (NBFC), Broking, Investment Managers across all risk families. He was also responsible for building Model Risk Management team and built governance frameworks for traditional models as well as Artificial intelligence / Machine Learning models (including Gen-AI). He also managed Risk Management frameworks for Custody-PCM, LAS businesses. Before taking up this role, Amol headed Market Risk function at HDFC Bank covering Trading Risk, Liquidity Risk, ALM risk / IRRBB, Counterparty Credit Risk, Country Risk and Bank Credit Risk.

Prior to joining HDFC Bank, he was associated with EY's Financial Services Risk Consulting practice and worked across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East region and successfully delivered several large-scale risk transformation and regulatory compliance programs. He boasts an enriching and satisfying experience in setting up Small Finance Banks, Payment Banks and universal Commercial Bank in India. Amol started his career with BNP Paribas, India where he headed Market & Liquidity Risk for a decade.

Mr. Amol recently joined AU Small Finance Bank as Chief Risk Officer entrusted with the responsibility of strengthening Risk Management function. He leads Bank’s Risk Management function and is responsible for strengthening risk governance, frameworks and methodologies across risk families. A recognized industry expert in emerging risk domains, Mr. Amol has spearheaded the Model Risk Management and AI Governance agenda. He focuses on comprehensive frameworks for model lifecycle governance, validation, AI risk assessment, and responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI. His work ensures robust governance, control, and ethical oversight of advanced analytics and AI-driven business solutions.

A strong advocate of enterprise-wide Risk Culture and Capability Building, Mr. Amol is widely recognized as a thought leader and speaker in the financial services industry. He is a frequent guest faculty speaker at premier institutions including RBI, IIMs, IITs, NIBM and other reputed institutes and regularly addresses industry forums and conferences across Asia. He is particularly passionate about advancing discussions on Responsible AI, Generative AI Risk, and the future of risk management in the digital era.

Known for building high-performing teams and scalable risk organizations, Mr. Amol combines strategic vision with execution excellence to enable sustainable growth while maintaining a strong risk and governance culture.

Mr. Gaurav Jain is a seasoned finance and strategy leader with over two decades of global experience across financial services, investment banking, corporate strategy, M&A, digital transformation and governance across India, UK and US. He is an All-India Rank Holder Chartered Accountant, holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, and is a B.Com. (Hons.) graduate from Shri Ram College of Commerce.

Since joining AU Small Finance Bank in January 2021, Mr. Jain has played a key role in major strategic initiatives, including the acquisition and integration of Fincare Small Finance Bank, AU’s Universal Banking journey, capital and balance sheet strategy, and digital transformation. His contributions have strengthened the Bank’s scale, governance, resilience and long-term value creation.

As Chief Financial Officer, he leads finance, investor engagement, capital allocation, financial planning, governance and enterprise-wide transformation initiatives. He brings together financial discipline and strategic foresight to support sustainable growth, prudent risk management, regulatory compliance and shareholder value creation.

Prior to AU, Mr. Jain held senior roles with Morgan Stanley in New York and London, Lloyds Banking Group in London, Tech Mahindra and PwC in India. His global experience across developed and emerging markets gives him deep expertise in financial strategy, corporate development, digital enablement and large-scale transformation.

Outside work, Mr. Jain is an avid tennis player and a dedicated practitioner of meditation, reflecting his balanced approach to leadership and personal growth.

Mr. Ashok Kumar Khandelwal is a seasoned banking professional with over two decades of experience in banking regulation, compliance, risk governance and financial services. As Chief Compliance Officer of AU Small Finance Bank, he plays a pivotal role in strengthening the Bank’s governance framework, fostering a culture of regulatory excellence, and ensuring adherence to the highest standards of integrity, transparency and compliance.

Mr. Khandelwal has been associated with AU since 2016 and has been an integral part of the Bank’s transformative journey from a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) to one of India’s leading Small Finance Banks. Over the years, he has contributed significantly to several strategic milestones in the Bank’s evolution, including securing the Small Finance Bank licence, achieving Scheduled Bank status, the successful amalgamation of Fincare Small Finance Bank with AU Small Finance Bank, and most recently, the Reserve Bank of India’s in-principle approval for AU’s transition to a Universal Bank.

Throughout his association with AU, Mr. Khandelwal has been instrumental in building a robust compliance architecture aligned with the Bank’s growth aspirations and evolving regulatory landscape. His leadership has helped institutionalize strong governance practices, proactive regulatory engagement, and a risk-aware culture that supports sustainable business growth while safeguarding stakeholder trust.

Known for his deep regulatory expertise, pragmatic approach and commitment to ethical banking, Mr. Khandelwal continues to play a critical role in advancing AU’s vision of becoming a future-ready, technology-led and responsibly governed financial institution.

Mr. Manmohan Parnami is a seasoned governance and compliance professional with over two decades of experience spanning corporate laws & legal, corporate governance, secretarial practices, regulatory compliance, finance, treasury, and underwriting. A qualified Company Secretary and law graduate, he is recognized for his deep expertise in governance, regulatory affairs, and stakeholder stewardship.

Since joining AU in August 2008, Mr. Parnami has been an integral part of the Bank's growth journey, contributing significantly to its transformation into one of India's leading banking institutions. Over the years, he has led several key corporate and regulatory initiatives, strengthening the Bank's governance framework, enhancing transparency, and ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory and listing requirements.

As the Company Secretary and Compliance Officer, he plays a pivotal role in supporting effective Board governance, fostering a strong culture of compliance, and promoting the highest standards of corporate governance. His cross-functional experience across secretarial, compliance, finance, and treasury functions enables him to bring a well-rounded perspective to strategic decision-making and institutional development.

Known for his calm & meticulous approach, integrity, and balanced judgment, Mr. Parnami combines technical expertise with strategic insight to create long-term value for stakeholders. His leadership has been instrumental in aligning governance practices with business objectives and reinforcing the Bank's commitment to transparency, accountability, and sustainable growth.

A firm believer in ethics-led leadership and continuous improvement, Mr. Parnami continues to play a key role in strengthening the Bank's governance foundations as it advances towards its next phase of growth and transformation.

Mr. Vinay Vaish is a seasoned banking and governance professional with over three decades of diverse experience spanning internal audit, risk management, credit, governance, controls and business leadership. With a career built on unwavering integrity, continuous learning and operational excellence, he has established himself as a respected leader known for his deep domain expertise, adaptability and commitment to building sustainable institutions.

Since joining AU in 2015, Mr. Vaish has been an integral part of the Bank's transformational journey, contributing significantly to its evolution from a Non-Banking Financial Company to one of India's leading Small Finance Banks. Over the years, he has played a pivotal role in strengthening and institutionalizing critical functions, establishing robust governance frameworks, enhancing risk and control mechanisms, and building an agile internal audit ecosystem aligned with the Bank's growth ambitions and evolving regulatory expectations.

As Head of Internal Audit, Mr. Vaish provides strategic oversight on assurance, governance, risk management and internal control effectiveness. Under his leadership, the Internal Audit function has evolved into a trusted partner for the Bank's Board and management, delivering independent insights that support sound decision-making, operational resilience and sustainable growth.

His journey at AU exemplifies the values of perseverance, collaboration and purpose-driven leadership. Through his steadfast commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, he has contributed meaningfully to creating a culture of accountability, transparency and responsible growth across the organization.

Mr. Vaish's professional philosophy is rooted in the belief that learning is a lifelong pursuit and that strong institutions are built through consistency, discipline and collective effort. His leadership continues to support AU Bank's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of governance, stakeholder trust and organizational excellence.

With a career span of over two decades in the banking industry, Mr. Shoorveer Shekhawat brings a wealth of experience in Strategy, Business Leadership, Product Management, Marketing, across roles at top institutions like YES Bank, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank.

Known for his purpose-driven and philosophical mindset, Mr. Shekhawat has been instrumental in shaping key business areas at AU Small Finance Bank.

In this edition, we dive into Mr. Shekhawat's journey from early career lessons to what drives him today.

Can you share a defining moment in your career that shaped you as a leader?
A defining realization, rather than a single moment, has been understanding the importance of 'ownership of decisions'. We often convince ourselves that our choices were pushed or influenced by external factors like our parents, family, circumstances, or mentors. The true turning point is when you accept that the decision is always yours. This taught me that success is directly proportional to the ownership of decisions. As a leader, it's not about always proving a choice right, but about evaluating, accepting, and improving the outcomes of the choices we make.

How do you stay motivated each day?
My motivation is rooted in the answer to the profound question, 'Why do you wake up each day?' I took time to reflect on this, and for me, it comes down to three core reasons:

To experience the joy of connecting with people, to live every moment fully and truly live in the moments and to give my best at work with sincerity, honesty, and responsibility as we build AU. These reasons evolve but keeping them centered allows me to stay motivated and purpose-driven every single day.

What values do you hold closest in your professional life?

The values I hold closest revolve around a principle that I believe is critical for any successful organization or individual: Value cannot be created without both Purpose and Profitability. It's not either/or it's an AND.

Who has been your biggest influence or mentor, and why?

I've learned that limiting the concept of 'influence' to a single person can be restrictive. Instead of pointing to one mentor, my approach is to view the entire ecosystem around me as a continuous source of inspiration. Every individual I interact with - a colleague, a junior team member, a senior leader, even an individual I meet outside of work, presents a unique lesson. I strive to be a curator of positive qualities, consciously observing and integrating the admirable traits, skills, or mindsets I witness into my own leadership style. This practice has taught me to appreciate diverse perspectives and ensures my learning never truly stops.

What’s a book, podcast, or quote that you keep going back to?
The quote I continually revisit is from an introduction by Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama, and Desmond Tutu: 'Every day is a new opportunity to begin again, every day is your birthday.'
It is a powerful reminder that every morning, we are given a fresh start, an invitation and the chance to apply positive change in our lives.

What skills or mindsets do you believe are essential for future leaders?
Future leaders must embrace clarity of purpose, but equally, they must develop strategic agility that allows the ability to adapt, pivot, and respond to change without losing sight of their core values. In a world that’s constantly evolving, leaders must be both value creators and value connectors, aligning people, purpose, and performance seamlessly.

One word that describes you best?
Relationships

It is to engage, explore, understand, express & trust that keeps me evolving as a professional and as a person.


One message you would like to give to the readers.

Be present, curious and courageous. Strive to live each moment with authenticity. Express yourself freely, let go of what weighs you down and face challenges with integrity.

Mr. Manoj Tibrewal brings over 35 years of rich and diverse experience across Human Resources, Corporate Laws, Business Development, Sales & Distribution, Administration, Infrastructure, and Organizational Transformation. A qualified Company Secretary, he possesses a deep understanding of business dynamics, people leadership, and institution building.

Mr. Tibrewal joined AU in 2009 and has played a pivotal role in the Bank's growth journey. He was instrumental in establishing and scaling AU’s Wheels business across key markets including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Goa, designing robust go-to-market strategies and building high-performing sales teams. His leadership has consistently been marked by an entrepreneurial mindset, customer-centricity, and strong execution capabilities.

Over the years, he has led several strategic business and operational initiatives, including the empanelment of Business Correspondents (BCs) and Business Outlets (BOs), and the expansion of the Merchant Acquiring business encompassing QR, POS, and digital payment ecosystems. He has also driven customer experience excellently through quality enhancement initiatives at the Contact Centre.

Having witnessed and contributed to AU’s transformation from a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) to a Small Finance Bank, Mr. Tibrewal has played a significant role in strengthening the Bank’s culture, people practices, and operational foundations. As Group Head Human Resources, Admin, Infra & Marketing, he is focused on building a purpose-driven, people-centric organization that fosters innovation, inclusivity, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.

Known for his empathetic leadership style and growth mindset, Mr. Tibrewal is passionate about nurturing high-performing teams, driving organizational transformation, and creating an environment where people and businesses thrive together.

Mr. Kapil Gupta is a seasoned treasury professional with over 24 years of experience across treasury management, financial markets, balance sheet optimization, liquidity management, risk management and capital markets. Throughout his distinguished career, he has built deep expertise in navigating complex market environments, driving treasury innovation and delivering sustainable value through disciplined financial stewardship.

Mr. Gupta joined AU Small Finance Bank in March 2025, bringing with him extensive global and domestic banking experience gained through leadership roles at premier financial institutions, including HSBC Bank Malaysia and Standard Chartered Bank, India. His broad exposure across diverse market cycles and geographies has equipped him with a strong understanding of treasury dynamics, market risk, funding strategies and regulatory frameworks.

As Head of Treasury & Financial Markets, Mr. Gupta is responsible for leading the Bank's treasury function, overseeing liquidity and investment strategies, asset-liability management, capital market activities and financial market operations. His strategic approach and deep market insights play a critical role in supporting the Bank's growth objectives, optimizing balance sheet performance and enhancing financial resilience in a dynamic operating environment.

Known for his analytical acumen, market expertise and forward-looking perspective, Mr. Gupta combines prudent risk management with innovative financial strategies to create long-term value for stakeholders. His leadership contributes significantly to strengthening AU Bank's financial foundation while positioning the institution to capitalize on emerging opportunities in an evolving banking landscape.

With a strong commitment to excellence, governance and continuous innovation, Mr. Gupta continues to support AU Bank's vision of becoming a future-ready, customer-centric and sustainably growing financial institution.

Mr. Yogesh Soni is a distinguished banking professional and Chartered Accountant with over two decades of experience across banking operations, customer service, governance, audit, finance, process transformation and operational risk management. Over the course of his career, he has built deep expertise in driving operational excellence, strengthening governance frameworks and delivering customer-centric transformation.

Having been associated with AU for over 15 years, Mr. Soni has played a significant role in the Bank's growth and transformation journey. His extensive institutional knowledge, combined with a strong focus on innovation and execution excellence, has contributed to the development of robust operational capabilities that support the Bank's expanding business footprint and evolving customer expectations.

As Head of Operations & Customer Service, Mr. Soni leads the Bank's centralized operations and customer service functions, driving initiatives focused on operational efficiency, service excellence, regulatory compliance, operational resilience and digital transformation. Under his leadership, the Bank has successfully implemented large-scale transformation programs aimed at automation, process simplification, governance enhancement and customer experience optimization.

Mr. Soni is widely recognized for his ability to combine strategic thinking with disciplined execution. His leadership has been instrumental in fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and customer-centricity while building high-performing teams capable of delivering consistent and scalable outcomes. Through his focus on innovation, operational rigor and service excellence, he continues to strengthen the Bank's operational foundation and reinforce customer trust.

A firm believer in people-led transformation and sustainable growth, Mr. Soni remains committed to enhancing organizational effectiveness while supporting AU Bank's vision of becoming a technology-enabled, future-ready and customer-centric financial institution.

Ankur Tripathi, Chief Information Officer at AU Small Finance Bank, brings over 20 years of diverse experience across industries and has been instrumental in shaping AU’s technology vision. Over the last 12 years with AU, Ankur has led the Bank’s Technology and Digital Initiatives from inception, driving its evolution from a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) to a Small Finance Bank (SFB) and now steering its transition toward becoming a Universal Bank.

He has been instrumental in pioneering app-based banking through AU0101, creating a seamless digital experience for customers and building tech-ready stacks that positioned the Bank as a leader in digital innovation.

Ankur is at the forefront of AI-driven interventions, leveraging advanced analytics and automation to enhance customer engagement, operational efficiency, and risk management setting the foundation for AU’s next phase of growth.

Before joining AU, Ankur co-founded a start-up focused on developing next-generation frameworks and solutions for the Indian logistics market, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit and deep understanding of emerging technologies.

Mr. Bhaskar Karkera brings over 3 decades of experience across OEMs, NBFCs and Banking. He has held leadership roles in renowned organizations such as Mahindra Group and HDFC Bank. Known for his strategic mindset and empathetic leadership style, Mr. Bhaskar has consistently driven growth and managed business in the retail lending space.

At AU Small Finance Bank, he began his journey with the Wheels business, later managing the Mortgages and Gold Loans business. He currently handles the entire gamut of secured Retail Assets business.

Here, we dive into Mr. Karkera’s journey—from his early career lessons to what drives him today. Discover his thoughts on leadership, culture, and how to have a purposeful professional life.

Can you share a defining moment in your career that shaped you as a leader?

At an early stage in my career working with people & leading team was an area of interest that I had, & I continued to build this in my career journey. Leadership for me is about being in Present, Being Approachable, and Being Part of the Journey.

How do you stay motivated each day?

What drives me every day is the pursuit of bringing simplicity in processes and fostering a solution-oriented mindset within our teams. This approach makes the franchise more stable, scalable, and soulful. Knowing that I’m creating clarity and confidence for people gives me a sense of fulfilment—and that’s what sparks my day.

What values do you hold closest in your professional life?

Purpose-Driven Impact: I believe in creating real change—not just numbers, but outcomes that improve lives.

Customer Centricity: Whether it’s a first-time borrower or a seasoned entrepreneur, our solutions must be simple, accessible, and empowering.

Integrity & Consistency: In business, trust is everything. “Do what is right, not what is easy.” That’s the principle I live by.

Who has been your biggest influence or mentor, and why?

“At every stage of life, there are mentors who guide you toward becoming a better version of yourself. I believe there isn’t just one mentor in a career journey—I’ve had many who have shaped my thinking, values, and approach along the way.”

I’m deeply grateful to all the mentors who have guided me along the way, each leaving a unique imprint on my journey.

What’s a book, podcast, or quote that you keep going back to?

“One quote I live by is “मिलो, माँगो, मिलेगा”. It’s simple, but powerful. If you seek with intent, you’ll find what you’re looking for. This quote reminds me daily that initiative and ownership are the real game-changers.

What skills or mindsets do you believe are essential for future leaders?

The world is changing fast, and so must our leadership. Tomorrow’s leaders need to be more than just sharp - they need to be empathetic, digitally fluent, and having a grounded character is important. Yes, technology is important, but it should never replace the human touch. It should support it. Leadership today is less about giving orders and more about building people & making future ready.

Also, it’s important to find your balance. Between ambition and home. Between speed and stillness. Between data and intuition. That balance is what makes leadership sustainable.

One Word that describe you best?

People’s Person – I believe in truly knowing my people, understanding diverse personalities, and connecting with each individual in a way that resonates with them. Every person is unique, and effective leadership lies in understanding & working along.

Message/s you would like to give to the readers.

Stay Healthy, keep moving forward, New Learnings and Build with purpose.

Lead from real experience, real data & real trends.

Listen more, stay curious, and aim for excellence.

Mr. Shah brings in more than three decades of experience into Banking with a stellar contribution in ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Yes Bank. In his previous organisation he has successfully built retail liability franchisee. He brings in a diversified experience of handling Liability & Asset franchisee in Retail & SME Banking space, Transaction Banking & Corporate Finance.

Mr. Shah believes in building ecosystem for employees to help them grow and build sustainable business models. He is constant learner, inquisitive and fast to spot opportunities to make a difference.

Can you share a defining moment in your career that shaped you as a leader?

The day I decided to move to Mumbai, a financial hub to build career in banking. Each organisation I worked, gave me tremendous opportunity to shape me as better individual & professional leader. From learning to adapt to different cultures, embrace ever evolving technology, build long term vision, entrepreneurial mindset to build businesses & navigating polarities.

How do you stay motivated each day?

So much to do..and so little time. I am a continuous learner with inquisitive mind, each interaction with team, colleagues, customers & stakeholders provide an opportunity to learn, improve, innovate and build a scalable, sustainable and profitable business models. What keeps me going is belief in my team, colleagues and organisation, each wanting to contribute.

What values do you hold closest in your professional life?

Empathy, Adaptability, Professionalism, Accountability & Respect

Who has been your biggest influence or mentor, and why?

My grandfather. I owe my foundation of discipline and character building to him.

What’s a book, podcast, or quote that you keep going back to?
“A mind full of conclusions is a dead mind. A living mind is a free mind, learning, never concluding” - J. Krishnamurti

What skills or mindsets do you believe are essential for future leaders?
Change is must. We are living in a fast-changing world full of uncertainty.

Think 5 -10 years ahead when you grow or build businesses. Build for future not for today!

Embrace technology, there is no escaping.

Learn new skills to stay relevant

We are in service industry, and we deal with people all around - their ego, emotions, expectations. Keep people at the centre of decisions, deal with humility

One word that describes you best?

Inquisitive

One message you would like to give to the readers.

Don't be hostage to narrow thinking in professional life. Do not get trapped by your own limited perspectives, biases, and routines. Actively seek out new ideas, consider diverse viewpoints, and challenge your own assumptions to foster innovation, growth, and more effective problem-solving.

With a career span of over 25 years, Mr. Vaman Ramesh Kamat is a Chartered Accountant & Cost Accountant by qualification. He brings a wealth of experience in Credit Underwriting, Retail Policy, Financial Analysis, Portfolio Management, Collections, Research and Analytics.

He holds sound knowledge about prevalent economic reforms, financial markets with practical experience in managing a wide array of retail financial products.

Can you share a defining moment in your career that shaped you as a leader?

One of the most pivotal experiences in my career was being part of the initial team at HDFC Bank that set up the commercial vehicle business. Coming from NBFC background to a bank run by former Citi bankers was a significant cultural shift for the entire team.

However, since we were one of the initial recruits, we got an opportunity to work closely with the existing senior leadership of the bank for setting up the business processes, policies and team structure for our division. This opportunity gave an invaluable experience to shape strategy & execution from ground up.


How do you stay motivated each day?
Starting the day with some exercise acts as my personal cup of optimism & energy. Tackling daily challenges at work with my dedicated AU team-mates keeps me going. Also, the infectious energy of “AU culture” is an automatic motivator. Coming home to my family, including two loving pets, ensures my day ends with a smile.

What values do you hold closest in your professional life?

Strong mentors and leaders who supported me have enabled me to achieve something beyond what I was capable of. I value support and continuous learning and try to give back as much as possible to my team to help them grow in their professional journey.

Who has been your biggest influence or mentor, and why?

I have been fortunate to receive guidance from leaders across different organizations, each helping me shape my career. 
My teams have had a profound impact on me as I have learnt a lot from each one of them. In AU particularly, Uttam Sir & Bhaskar helped me mould into the culture of the Bank.

What’s a book, podcast, or quote that you keep going back to?

“Career is like a test match; every ball cannot be hit for a sixer; sometimes you need to stay on the wicket to make a big score”. This was valuable advice I received when I required it the most!

What skills or mindsets do you believe are essential for future leaders?

Your attitude towards your task is the most valuable skill.

As Harsha Bhogle mentioned, “Skill shines, but attitude delivers – especially when life throws a bouncer at you, instead of a gentle full toss”

“काम उन्नीस चलेगा, आदमी बीस होना चाहिए”

One word that describes you best?

Persistence.

One message you would like to give to the readers.

Family exigency and health should be priority; we are here to support you and manage things in the meantime.

Mr. Vivek Rathi, a Chartered Accountant, brings around 25 years of experience in banking, finance, auditing & accounting. He has held leadership roles in renowned organizations like ICICI Bank & Yes Bank and worked extensively in MSME & Mid corporate segment.

At AU Small Finance Bank, he began his journey in 2017 as National Credit Manager, Business Banking and later entrusted with responsibilities of Head of Credit – Commercial Banking. He carries deep understanding of various markets, businesses, macro and micro developments in Indian and global economies.

Here, we dive into Mr. Rathi’s journey—from his early career lessons to what drives him today. Discover his thoughts on leadership, culture, and how to have a purposeful professional life.

Can you share a defining moment in your career that shaped you as a leader

I would say every moment, experience & interaction I had in my daily personal & professional life made significant impact on my thoughts and actions. What we were yesterday, we are not today, and we will not be in future. It is important how much we learn and imbibe in our conduct and interactions. There are ups and downs in one’s personal & professional life but important is how one handles it and comes out as winner.

How do you stay motivated each day?

Stay on task, do right things & take ownership. We keep looking for motivation from someone else. To me self-motivation is biggest driver, and it comes from love and respect for family, work & organization. Have patience, ignore noise and stay focused. Good things happen albeit late but if you are doing right, people will acknowledge and appreciate

What values do you hold closest in your professional life?

Integrity, ownership & hard work. There is no alternative to these three words

Who has been your biggest influence or mentor and why?

There isn’t a single person whom I would label as my one biggest mentor. Instead, different people at different stages of life have shaped me in what I am today. I have learnt from my parents, family, seniors, colleagues & customers. Sometimes through their direct guidance and sometimes simply observing how they handle and respond in adversities.

What’s a book, podcast or quote that you keep going back to?

Quote from Shrimad Bhagwad Gita

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।  मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥

Meaning – You have a right only to perform your prescribed actions, not to the fruits of those actions. Do not let the results of your actions be your motive and do not become attached to inaction.

What skills or mindsets do you believe are essential for future leaders?

Have patience, keep learning, be accessible & connected with ground. Also in current times, technology is playing very important role in our daily lives. Adapt yourself to changes, develop new skill sets and stay relevant

Words that describe you the best?

Prudence & Compassionate

One message you would like to give to readers

Do hard work, keep learning and upgrade yourself. Another very important for young leaders – Have patience and think long term. There is no short cut to success.