The Payal Nanjiani Leadership Podcast

Naren Narayana| Former CEO & MD of Rakuten Symphony India  Founder and Director at Thellion Ventures

INTRODUCTION :

Naren is the founder and director at Thellion Ventures that specializes in incubating and accelerating innovative start ups. Previously Naren was the CEO & MD of Rakuten Symphony India responsible for building state-of-the-art telco products that is revolutionizing the way we connect. Naren has also built & delivered products and services in the areas of FinTech,E-Commerce, Media, and Mobile as the COO & SVP at Rakuten India. Naren has been an engineer most of his career – Distinguished Engineer at Nokia Siemens & Senior Software Engineer at OpenPeak being his favorite engineering roles.

With over 25+ years of industry experience spanning across multiple technologies, Naren believes that technology for the well-being of society & people is the future.

Jeff Wenninger | Founder & CEO of Law Enforcement Consultants, LLC

Jeff Wenninger is a retired LAPD Lieutenant and Founder & CEO of Law Enforcement-consultants, LLC, brings over 33 years of experience to his work in improving police practices and public trust. As a nationally recognized expert in use of force, crowd management, and school safety, Jeff has testified in numerous criminal and civil cases. His distinguished career includes high-profile dignitary protection with the Secret Service, elite LAPD units, and awards such as the LAPD Medal of Valor. Overcoming dyslexia and a speech impediment, Jeff excelled academically and athletically, earning degrees in sociology, psychology, and criminal justice. He remains committed to community service and is currently working on a book proposing actionable solutions for law enforcement.
Jeff Wenninger is a nationally recognized expert in law enforcement as a retired Lieutenant with over 33 years of experience primarily with the LAPD. As the Founder & CEO of Law Enforcement Consultants, LLC, Jeff draws from his vast experience in the investigation and adjudication of police use of force incidents, crowd management and control, school and campus safety, and the development of police management best practices. His work focuses on aligning police methods with societal expectations and improving public trust by administering comprehensive evaluations and recommendations to police departments, municipalities, and universities aimed at enhancing police training, reducing liability, improving safety, and fostering better community efficacy. Jeff is a recognized court use of force expert with experience testifying in criminal and civil cases as well as administrative hearings.

Jeff's contributions to law enforcement have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the LAPD Medal of Valor, Police Star, and Meritorious Unit Citation. His dedication to excellence is also reflected in his athletic achievements, having served as the captain of the LAPD hockey team and winning multiple medals in police sports competitions at national and international levels. Jeff’s insights and experiences have informed his forthcoming book, which proposes actionable solutions for improving law enforcement practices.

Bryan May | Director of Marketing and Communications,ALP Enterprises

INTRODUCTION :

Bryan May is a highly sought-after Breakthrough Consultant who blends business acumen with spirituality to help individuals break through personal and professional barriers. With a background in real estate, Bryan has sold over 300 homes and facilitated more than $250 million in business transactions, and yet his expertise extends far beyond the world of property.  

Drawing from his personal experiences, Bryan now helps others overcome limiting beliefs, self-doubt, and life's inevitable plateaus. His unique style combines coaching with metaphysical practices to assist clients in becoming the most authentic versions of themselves. He specializes in helping everyday individuals unlock extraordinary potential without relying on extreme and unrealistic habits or rigid "alpha bro" mindsets. Instead, Bryan promotes sustainable, realistic change, guiding his clients through mindset transformations, accountability practices, and practical strategies for personal growth.  

MANIKA AWASTHI | Chief People Officer ,Compass Group India

INTRODUCTION :

Manika Awasthi is a seasoned Human Resources professional with a remarkable career spanning

over two decades. Her wealth of experience has traversed various industries and domains, both on a global and local context. Manika has held pivotal leadership roles in HR across diverse businesses, including a prominent stint as the head of HR for a substantial blue-collar enterprise. Her expertise is grounded in recruitment strategies, sourcing methodologies, and retention best practices.

Manika is adept advocate for gender diversity and is experienced in Leading Women Leadership

Networks for a geography with the agenda of driving gender diversity and for ensuring organizations continue to grow and invest in their women workforce.

In addition to her HR accomplishments, Manika is deeply passionate about driving the Mental

Wellbeing agenda within organizations, recognizing the paramount importance of a healthy and supportive workplace environment.

Her achievements include Women’s Leadership Achievement Award, 2016 from the World Women’s

Leadership Congress, as well as the Leadership award for HR at the HR Intellect Conference organized by CE Worldwide.

She is an avid reader, a curious explorer of historic cities, and a dedicated practitioner of Buddhism. She seeks to inspire and guide individuals in their quest to transform their life states for the better.