Top 10 Emerging Directors of the Month: Directors’ Institute Highlights

The Most Awaited Prestigious List from the Global Community of Directors, apt for roles in Listed, Unlisted, or Startup Companies.

1.    Ms Divya K. C
Divya K. C., with 2 decades of IT management experience, is currently the Head of Automation project delivery at Nokia. She excels in cloud migration, digital transformation, Automation and global application support. Her leadership spans Europe, Asia and America, and she has successfully reduced costs by decreasing reliance on outsourced partners. Her strategic approach, expertise in SAP ERP and cloud technologies, experience in retail, banking and healthcare and commitment to continuous learning position her as a key driver of technological advancement and operational excellence at the board level.

2.    Mr Vivek Anil Kane
Author of the popular book ‘ESOL’, i.e., ‘Effective Success-Oriented Leadership’, Vivek Anil Kane brings with him an experience of over 35 years. He is presently a coach and mentor to many CEOs on Strategy and Leadership. In his strategic leadership roles with many international organisations, he has crafted long-term visionary plans and has spearheaded profitable business strategies across diverse sectors, including Renewable Energy, Power and Water and Nanotechnology. A technocrat and a sought-after speaker, Vivek has a footprint in over 50 countries in the world. His vision and insight into Business Modelling, Strategy and International Business, make him a transformative leader driving innovation, a quality indispensable for a boardroom role.

3.    Mr Kishore Kumar Ramakrishnan
Kishore Kumar Ramakrishnan holds over 24 years of experience in global finance, specialising in risk, regulation and compliance. As a seasoned global Financial Services Advisory executive, he leads the Global Capital Markets Advisory Business, delivering strategic and transformational change. His career includes significant roles at JP Morgan, UBS, HSBC, PwC and EY, with work across the U.S., the U.K., Europe, Asia and Japan. His proficiency in corporate strategy advisory, risk governance and business process improvements, along with his skill in navigating complex regulatory frameworks, highlights his suitability for board-level roles where global insights are crucial.

4.    Mr Manojkumar Borekar
Manojkumar Borekar, Head of Sustainability at TUV India Private Limited, brings over 20 years of extensive expertise in Business Excellence, Energy Conservation/Management, Process Analysis, ESG/Sustainability Assurance, GHG Accounting, Renewable energy and Life Cycle Assessment. He oversees a diverse portfolio of ESG-based products, demonstrating strong leadership in global carbon neutrality and decarbonisation initiatives. His deep knowledge in energy audits, GHG accounting and compliance with international standards such as ISO 50001 and GRI sets him apart. His active roles in the TIC ESG Subcommittee and BIS Technical Committees, along with his vast international exposure, uniquely qualify him for a Board of Director position, contributing strategic insights on sustainability and governance.

5.    Mr Rajesh Mehrotra
Rajesh Mehrotra, an Automotive Operations and Business Strategy Consultant, has a 33-year career in the automotive industry with transformative roles in after sales service and network development. As the Founder and Principal of RM Consultancy, he provides strategic advisory services that enhance operational efficiency, set business direction, and drive growth. His role as Director-Aftersales at Morris Garage Motor India Private Limited highlighted his success in driving customer satisfaction and operational excellence, as evidenced by top JD Power rankings for 3 consecutive years from the start of MG's Operation in India. His futuristic vision in managing comprehensive after sales strategies and achieving remarkable revenue growth, combined with significant contributions at Toyota & Hyundai in India and Nissan / Renault in Oman, underscores his capability to provide strategic insights and drive transformative change on a board.

6.    Mr Ganesh Panchanathan
Ganesh Panchanathan brings over 35 years of management experience, specialising in transformation, ethical governance, and P&L oversight across 14 Asia-Pacific countries. His roles in multinational firms have covered finance, legal, sales, operations, and HR. With international experience in India, Hong Kong, and Singapore, Ganesh led HP’s pioneering “direct shipment” initiative and enhanced compliance processes. He expanded a $590 million SMB and Channels business in the APJ region. His extensive collaboration with executive leadership and board members, combined with his expertise in financial analysis, talent development, and governance, makes him exceptionally qualified for boardroom roles requiring strategic and ethical oversight.

7.    Mr Ekjyot Singh Chahal
Ekjyot Chahal brings over 30 years of expertise in procurement and supply chain management, specialising in supplier relationship management, process optimisation, and digital transformation. During his tenure at Air India, he played a key role in the merger of procurement operations between Air India and Indian Airlines, streamlining processes and integrating advanced systems like Oracle Apps and SAP ERP. Following Air India’s disinvestment, he led critical digital transformation initiatives, including the implementation of SAP Ariba & Icertis CLM solutions, enhancing procurement efficiency. A certified Project Management Professional and SAFe Agilist, Ekjyot is also skilled in building sustainable, ESG-compliant supply chains. His leadership in driving process-driven digital system implementations and cost-efficiency makes him well-positioned to deliver strategic value in a directorship role.

8.    Mr Sandip Datta
With 24 years in the technology sector, Sandip Datta has excelled in technology leadership, strategy consulting and digital transformation across global markets. As CTO and Co-Founder of Dhi.AI, he has demonstrated his ability to scale startups and lead innovation, notably developing the DHI DTwin360® Platform and achieving significant partnerships. His leadership roles at TCS, IBM and EY highlight his expertise in driving growth, securing major deals and implementing cutting-edge technologies like AI, IoT and blockchain. Sandip’s technical ingenuity and his success in leading digital ventures position him uniquely to guide startups and companies towards leveraging technology for strategic advantage and make Boards of Directors technologically adept.

9.    Mr Sohan Lal Sewlia
Sohan Lal Sewlia’s 43-year career in real estate and infrastructure is marked by significant leadership roles, including his tenure as President of Corporate Affairs at ASR Engineering and Projects in the past. During his tenure as Deputy Director/COO and as a Board member at Saisudhir Infrastructures Limited, he played a key role in developing large-scale water infrastructure projects for central and state governments, including roads, mines and Ministry of Defence projects. His expertise in complex project management, corporate leadership and legal oversight, alongside his commitment to ethical standards, makes him a potential candidate with the strategic insight and governance skills essential for directorship roles.

10.    Mr Manish Tiwari
Manish Tiwari is a seasoned Chartered Engineer with 28 years of experience in engineering and project management, specialising in healthcare infrastructure and complex building projects. As Vice President at Global India Associates-APS, he has demonstrated expertise in managing large-scale projects, including healthcare facilities, residential towers, and institutional projects both domestically and internationally. Throughout his career, Manish has prioritised Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations, ensuring that his projects not only meet but exceed industry standards. His portfolio includes diverse projects such as oncology centres, multispecialty hospitals and medical colleges across India, highlighting his versatility and expertise in complex healthcare infrastructure. His extensive experience and international project exposure equips him to provide strategic guidance and oversight, significantly enhancing organisational governance and driving project success at the board level.

Existing Independent Directors, Whole Time Directors and Aspiring Directors who wish to join this pool of Prestigious Directors are invited to visit https://www.directors-institute.com/

Join Directors’ Institute to access exclusive directorial opportunities.