The Payal Nanjiani Leadership Podcast

Prof (Dr.) Sanjay Kumar | Group Vice Chancellor, Rayat Bahra University

39 years of experience in academia, research, Defence, VC in universities, Mentor of startups and contributing to cutting-edge technology development. Currently serving as the Group Vice Chancellor of RB University, Former VC of Amity,Symbiosis

Academic & Research Excellence:-

Double PhDs (Engineering - IIT Delhi, Management)
M.Tech & PhD (Engineering) - IIT Delhi | MBA & Multiple PG Diplomas in Management
B.Tech - Electronics & Communications, Aeronautical Engineering, Satellite Communications
MS in Counselling & Psychotherapy | Distinction Holder & Batch Topper

An author of 7 books, widely-referenced 2 popular titles Concepts and Applications of Microwave Engineering and Wave Propagation and Antenna Engineering, my book extensively used in IITs, NITs, and competitive exams across India. Additionally, Contributed numerous research papers to national and international journals.
Military  & Strategic Leardership:-

A proud veteran of the Indian Air Force (IAF), I have served in prestigious roles, including:
Commanding Officer | Station Commander | Air Officer Commanding as Air Commodore 
Led multi-crore projects at DRDO, Amity, ISRO, NIC, Space Applications Centre, DEAL & DARE, 
Spearheaded satellite communication, radar technology, and electronic warfare innovations
Projects handled by the World Bank, DST, ICSSR,DBT, ICAR, and Indo-German Science & 
Technology Centre, JSPS, etc

Awards & Recognitions:- 
Vishisht Seva Medal - Awarded by Former President Shri Pranab Mukherjee on Republic Day 2016
Commendation Medal by the Chief of the Air Staff
Commendation Medal by Air Officer Commanding in Chief
Bihar Gaurav Samman - Awarded by Shri Ram Nath Kovind (Former President Governorof Bihar)
Bharat Vidya Shiromani Award | Lifetime Achievement Award
No.1 Ranking - Swachh Bharat Abhiyan 2018 (Received from Shri Prakash Javadekar)
Recognized for drone technology innovation by Former CM Dr. Raman Singh and Youth Icon Virender Sehwag

  Dr Sue Carter Collins | Author, keynote speaker, and transformational coach.

 Dedicated to helping high-achieving women and conscious leaders rewire their minds, overcome imposter syndrome, and lead with grounded confidence and purpose.

Core Focus: Mind Mastery • Whole-Being Leadership • Organizational Transformation • Self-Empowerment & Spiritual Growth

Her forthcoming book, From Mastering Your Mind to Mastering Your Life, and her signature keynote, The Mind Mastery Solution™, integrate neuroscience, practical psychology, and metaphysics to teach individuals and organizations how to identify limiting beliefs, reprogram thought patterns, and align daily actions with their highest potential.

As the creator of the Self-Empowerment Breakthrough (SEB) Process™, Dr. Sue guides clients through a powerful five-phase framework—Reflect, Reimagine, Release, Reprogram, and Recreate—to create lasting personal and professional transformation. Originally designed for personal mastery, this process now drives leadership and culture development, helping organizations rewire imposter culture and embody Whole-Being Leadership.

Dr. Sue brings a rigorous professional background as an attorney (Florida Bar) and as Emeritus Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Georgia State University, where she taught leadership, organizational management, and change to leaders in high-performance fields. Her work as a police legal trainer and consultant to law enforcement organizations further shaped her evidence-based approach, emphasizing integrity, decision-making, and accountability.

In addition to her professional and academic accomplishments, Dr. Sue is an Ordained Metaphysical Minister, Reiki Master Teacher, energy healer, and certified mindfulness meditation instructor. Her unique integration of science, strategy, and spirit empowers clients and audiences to achieve sustainable transformation in every dimension of their lives.

 Chip Eichelberger Ikillburger | Founder of GetSwitchedOn.com

Chip is a globally recognized keynote speaker and event partner known for creating transformative, high-impact experiences. With nearly three decades of proven success and more than 1,000 presentations delivered across eight countries, every Canadian province, and every U.S. state, he brings unparalleled energy, engagement, and expertise to the stage.

For six years, Chip served as the international point man for Tony Robbins in the USA, Australia, and the UK—an experience that shaped his dynamic, results-driven approach. His impressive client portfolio includes world-class organizations such as Apple Inc., L'Oréal, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Dow Inc., General Motors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bank of Montreal, and more than 100 leading associations.

Specializing in high-energy, interactive, and customized keynotes, Chip is known for opening and closing events with exceptional impact. His programs are designed to inspire participants to elevate their mindset, reignite their vision, and prioritize their most valuable asset—their energy. His signature “Bookending” Experience and Breaking Barriers Board Break session are widely praised for creating powerful momentum that carries beyond the event itself.

More than a speaker, Chip is a strategic partner who invests in understanding each client’s goals, ensuring every presentation is aligned with their vision and business objectives. His commitment to excellence consistently makes him a trusted choice for organizations seeking lasting transformation and extraordinary event outcomes.

Padmashree Balram | Eco Warrior, Bangalore Eco Team

A biochemist turned citizen leader has spent over a decade transforming Bengaluru’s waste systems from the ground up. Her work embodies a hopeful vision for climate action and sustainability, showing how knowledge, determination, and leadership can tackle the global climate challenge.

A TEDx speaker, and  continues to advocate for strong policy implementation and behavioral change. Her resilience, adaptability, and hands-on leadership have made her a recognized force in environmental sustainability—one who tirelessly inspires others to contribute to a greener, more sustainable future

Dr Rima Ghose Chowdhury | President & CHRO, CSR Leader, Datamatics

 Dr. Rima holds a Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Technology and a Ph.D. in Leadership from DY Patil University. Trained in Gallup Strengths Coaching in the UK, she has received numerous HR Excellence Awards, including ‘India's Greatest CHRO 2023-24 by Asia One and '50 Most Influential HR Tech Leaders' at the World HRD Congress.

 As President & Global CHRO, CSR Leader, Dr Rima Ghose Chowdhury leads Datamatics People agenda globally, with operations in the US, India, the Middle East, Europe, and the Philippines. A firm believer in the balance of Hi-Tech and Hi-Touch culture, Dr Rima is an active proponent of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the workplace, and is also a workplace social systems designer focusing on holistic Wellbeing of her staff.

Dr Rima leads various Transformational Leadership Programs at Datamatics, bringing breakthrough performance amongst senior leaders and high performers in the organization. She is also the creator of the Datamatics Diversity Charter (DDC), with initiatives like (Wo)Mentoring, ‘Coffee Cake Candid Chats’, and ‘Welcome Back' to promote dialogue for an inclusive workplace that nurtures differences. 

A seasoned HR leader and Practitioner with over twenty-five years of experience in Corporate and Academia, Dr. Rima has been instrumental in building Technology and Leadership capabilities in enterprises like IBM, Sony Pictures, and Quinnox. In the past, she held the position of Professor and Head of Department – HR, at a reputed B-school in Mumbai, with an additional responsibility of leading and facilitating Management course delivery for the Indian Defence forces. 

Dr. Rima has been an International Mentor for Middlesex University London, and is also a trained Trainer by Sony Pictures, UK on Energy Project, a flagship intervention of Sony Group to promote wellbeing for staff. As a Trainer and Facilitator, she has delivered over 5,000 person-hours of training in Leadership masterclass, HR Analytics, Enhancing Personal Effectiveness & Mentoring.

She has received numerous HR Excellence Awards, including ‘Global Women in Leadership’ Awards by the Global Council for the Promotion of International Trade (GCPIT), Confederation of Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (CIMSME), India's Greatest CHRO 2023-24 list by Asia One, '50 Most Influential HR Tech Leaders', at World HRD Congress.

Jayesh Parekh | Co-Founder,Sony Entertainment Television 

& Managing Partner,Good Protein Fund

Jayesh was a Co-Founder of Sony Entertainment Television, a major multibillion-dollar television network of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

He was a Managing Partner for Jungle Ventures Fund, a pan-Asian venture capital technology fund in Singapore.

Jayesh is a Managing Partner of Good Protein Fund, a VC fund in Singapore that invests worldwide in Alternative Protein deep-technology startups.He is on the Advisory Board of a nonprofit Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital in India which performs over 140,000 cataract eye surgeries every year, 80% of which

are free of charge to the patients. Jayesh spent over 12 years in IBM and was part of the team in Singapore thatbrought IBM back to India.He holds a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from MS University of Baroda and a Master’s in Electrical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin. He completed The University of Texas at Austin’s Tower Fellows program.Jayesh is a published author of a book: ‘What Shall We Do With All This Money? Inspiring Perspectives on Wealth’.

Nidhi Dhanju | HR head at Michelin India 

Nidhi Dhanju holds a 2004 - 2007 PhD in Human Resource and Organization Development at University of Minnesota.

Dipak Sanghavi | CMD, Nilon's Enterprises Private Limited

Mr. Sanghavi - a Polymer Engineer with a Leadership course from IIM-A took the reins of the company at the mere age of 24 yrs. With his vision, dedication, focus and sharp strategies, he along with his team, led the company from Rs.8 Cr to more than Rs.450 Cr within a decade and a half.

Under his guidance, Nilon’s has built itself from a pickle company to a food solution company and is presently placed between Number 1 to 3 on a national scale in almost 8 categories. His passion for food has made him deliver the finest recipes to the consumers not just in India but across the global diaspora. The company now boasts of three large state-of-the-art manufacturing plants on a global scale.

Today, Nilon’s has become a professionally driven, data-centric, global scale business, yet carefully bound by the spirit of entrepreneurship along with its spirit to deliver love and passion along with its products.

He strongly believes that “Don’t enter the business with the thought that you own it. Learn from those around you. You can turn your ambitions into reality only if you take people along. The most important ingredient for a successful business is to put the right people on top. Once you have that, the rest falls into place.”

Sanjay Tripathy | Co-Founder & CEO,BRISKPE- 

Sanjay Tripathy, a distinguished Stanford GSB alumnus, is the Co-Founder and CEO of BRISKPE, a pioneering cross-border payment startup specializing in serving MSMEs. As a seasoned fintech entrepreneur, his core mission revolves around revolutionizing B2B cross-border payments through the strategic deployment of cutting-edge technologies, including AI, and innovative payment pathways. His vision encompasses the delivery of cost-efficient, rapid payment solutions coupled with seamless accessibility, comprehensive payment tracking, and robust compliance mechanisms.

With over 30 years of illustrious experience spanning six diverse industries, Sanjay stands as one of India's most decorated marketers. His expertise spans the realms of Marketing, Sales, E-commerce, Digital, Partnerships, and Strategy, making him a versatile leader. His influence extends across various industry verticals, including FMCG, Consumer goods, Telecom, and financial services, across multiple regions including India, South Asia, and North America.

Sanjay is a renowned thought leader, particularly in the Digital, Marketing, E-commerce, FinTech, and Insurtech domains. He is a frequent keynote speaker at industry gatherings and startup events. Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, he has also thrived as a successful Angel Investor, with investments in over 20 startups.

His contributions extend to nurturing more than 30 startups, aiding them in scaling up and establishing sustainable business models. During his tenure at Agilio, his previous company, he executed disruptive strategies, collaborated with government entities, and ensured 100% regulatory compliance across diverse domains. Moreover, Sanjay has lent his expertise as an InsurTech and FinTech consultant to prominent firms such as McKinsey, BCG, and various analyst and venture capital funds.

 Shailendra  Jain  | Bret Wheat Endowed Professor at Michael G. Foster School of Business,  Mrs.Shalini  Jain  Associate Professor of Management,Director MBA Program Milgard School of Business, University of Washington

INTRODUCTION :

Shailendra Pratap Jain is Bret Wheat Endowed Professor of Marketing and International Business at the Foster School of Business, University of Washington, Seattle. He has held faculty positions at Indiana University’s Kelley School, University of Rochester’s Simon School, Cornell University’s Johnson School, University of Western Ontario’s Ivey School, Cambridge University’s Judge School, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, and BITS School of Management, Mumbai. Well-known for his widely published scholarship in consumer psychology, Dr. Jain has extensive publishing and editorial experience in top marketing journals and has won many executive and graduate (MBA) teaching awards. Prior to his academic career, he worked in corporate sales, brand management, and advertising and is associated with several noted marketing campaigns.

Shalini Sarin Jain is an Associate Professor of Management and the inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Milgard School of Business, University of Washington, Tacoma. Her research on social issues in management examines business’s social, ethical, and stakeholder equity strategies and their implications on financial and social performance. She has published articles on gender representation and compensation parity in top management, corporate response to mandatory CSR regulation, and how system justification beliefs predict observer expectations of transparency, response to and sanction of allegations of sexual misconduct, and choice between sustaining livelihoods or saving lives during COVID. Dr. Jain teaches courses in business and society, ethics, and CSR at the undergraduate and MBA levels and has extensive industry, government, and non-profit experience.