Asia Pacific Future Skills Leadership Summit 2025

Anita Sahu

Head HR & Corporate Services

SNF India

With 25 years of experience in people management, including 17 years at SNF India as Head HR and Corporate Services, I have been instrumental in shaping HR strategies and fostering a people-centric culture across all units in India.My expertise spans talent development, employee engagement, and leadership coaching. I hold a Master’s in Human Resource Management (MHRM) and am currently pursuing a PhD, further strengthening my academic and professional insights.I am passionate about developing people through coaching, mentoring, and structured guidance, ensuring they reach their full potential.As a seasoned speaker, I have conducted numerous classroom lectures at universities, focusing on real-world corporate expectations in MNCs and how young professionals can prepare for the evolving job market. My sessions emphasize career continuity, communication, attitude, and financial independence, particularly for women.Additionally, I am a certified POSH trainer, committed to fostering safe and inclusive workplaces. I actively engage in learning and development initiatives, ensuring employees and students alike are equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in today’s dynamic business environment.In recognition of my contributions to HR excellence, I have been honored with an award for Best HR Practices. My goal is to create a lasting impact by developing future leaders and driving organizational excellence through people-focused strategies.

Danish Shaikh

Head - Human Resources (Centre of Excellence)

ACG CAPSULES

Globally recognized HR leader with 16+ years of experience driving organizational transformation through strategic people initiatives. Proven track record of building inclusive workplaces and implementing award- winning HR frameworks across global organizations. Combines academic expertise (ongoing PhD in DEI) with practical leadership experience to deliver measurable business impact. Known for innovative approaches to talent management, organizational development, and cultural transformation.

Shireen Sultana

Senior Vice President - Marketing

KLAY Preschools and Daycare

Shireen has over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and operations, working with Fortune 50 companies and startups like Coats PLC, Mars, Aircel, and the Indian School of Business. An alumna of IIM Indore, she has spent the last 5 years as an entrepreneur in early childhood development. Her passion is helping every child get the best start in life.
In her role as Senior Vice President of Marketing, Shireen leads all marketing efforts, including digital strategies, design, content creation, strategic partnerships, targeted campaigns, and interactive voice response (IVR) systems. Her leadership ensures the brand effectively reaches and resonates with our audience, fostering meaningful engagement and growth.>When not at work?
Travel, reading, music, and movies are her go-to activities to unwind. She finds sketching and watercolor painting meditative and always tries to make time for them.

Sushma Banthia

ICF-PCC Leadership Coach and Facilitator

Sushma Banthia is an ICF-PCC Leadership Coach and Facilitator. She has been in the area of people development for almost 25 years. Sushma is passionate about helping leaders improve their teams’ performance. She believes that coaching has to have a holistic approach and hence she coaches the person not the problem. Sushma has coached numerous Leaders in India and internationally. Sushma uses various techniques in her coaching practise and has a customized approach. Her clients and coaches talk about the lasting impact she has on their lives and way of thinking.
Sushma is a facilitator for Coaching.com for 4 years. Coaching.com is a platform where Global Thought Leaders in Coaching get together and upskill themselves.
Sushma has been contributing to the growth of the younger generation and coaching students of various Universities – Christ University, Dayanand University, Shoolini University. At Shoolini University, Sushma is a on the Advisory Board of the Center for Leadership Coaching. She has also been actively involved with the V-Empower Coaching program where more than 2000 students have already been coached. The program is in collaboration with ICF ignite.
Certifications apart from coaching – Genos Emotional Intelligence practitioner, MBTI, Thomas Profiling, and Strategic Leadership (FLAME Institute).

V. Padmapriya

Head HR – Products

Neilsoft

With extensive experience in aligning HR strategies with organizational objectives, Padma has successfully spearheaded initiatives in Talent Acquisition, Leadership Development, Employee Engagement, and Change Management. Her career reflects a deep passion, expertise, and a track record of impactful leadership. She crafts strategies that enhance talent attraction, development, and retention—key drivers of organizational success.
Her advanced management credentials from XLRI, along with certifications in coaching, crisis communication, leadership, and organizational design, highlight her dedication to continuous professional growth. Recognized as a Women Independent Director by the MCA, she exemplifies excellence in governance.
Beyond HR, Padma has a strong consulting background in policy formulation, operational optimization, and process improvement across diverse industries. Committed to driving organizational growth, she applies innovative leadership philosophies to empower individuals and foster thriving workplaces.
She champions the role of HR as a coach and guide, serving as a cornerstone for organizational growth. As a Professional Certified Coach, she brings a structured and transformative coaching approach, helping individuals and organizations unlock their full potential.
Her approach reflects her belief in HR as a strategic mission—leveraging People and Culture to drive sustained success.

Dr. Ajay Bakshi

Managing Director

Metamorphosis Unlimited

Ajay Bakshi is a Senior HR thought leader, Ex CHRO, Independent Board Director, Executive Coach at C suite levels and Business Leader with extensive experience in HR, Sales and Business leadership with an experience of 30 plus years in transforming organizations through people. He is also a TEDx Speaker.
He has over 33 years of corporate and consulting experience, as a CHRO and Board Director in various organizations like Vodafone Global Services, Director HR, CHRO Prudential Global Solutions, Head HR & Global Head L&D Sterlite Technologies Limited. He has domain experience across Automotive, Oil and Energy, Metal and mining, in Manufacturing, BFSI, Telecom & FMCG.

KERLIN SARA WILSON

HEAD OF OPERATION

Nice Neotechm Medical Systems Pvt Ltd

Kerlin Wilson is a rising icon in the medical device industry, specializing in neonatal intensive care equipments & hospital relations As the Head of Strategic Operations & Corporate Relations at Nice Neotech Medical Systems Pvt. Ltd., she has played a pivotal role in strengthening industry partnerships, expanding market presence, and driving corporate success.
With a Bachelor’s in Electronics and Communication Engineering and dual Master’s degrees in Communication Systems and Business Administration, Kerlin combines technical expertise with business strategy. Her proficiency in planning, SEO, and brand development has significantly contributed to the company’s visibility. Known for her strong organizational skills and proactive problem-solving, she efficiently manages complex projects and high-level collaborations.
Beyond her corporate role, Kerlin is a recognized public speaker having been featured on TEDx ,various other events organised by SSN, Indian Chamber of Commerce and other prestigious colleges & forums. She is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, actively supporting initiatives that promote professional growth and leadership among women.
She also dedicates time to mentoring students, offering career guidance, interview preparation, and resume-building workshop. With a deep commitment to nurturing future leaders, she inspires individuals to achieve their full potential as she deeply propagates Conscience Social Responsibility (CSR).

Sanjay Gawde

Chief Human Resources Officer

Mahindra logistics

A seasoned Human Resources professional with well rounded experience spanning HR Strategy, Processes, Operations and Consulting across Manufacturing, Banking, Financial Services, IT and ITeS industries. Deep technical expertise in Strategy, Governance, Analytics, Total Rewards, Strategic Workforce Planning, Organization Restructuring, Leadership Development, Employee Engagement, Shared Services and Program Management. Broad based leadership and managerial experience across all aspect Human Resources, Labor Relations, Administration, Business Management and Client Management.