TEDxPune

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Dr. Anu Raghunathan

  Systems Biologist & Metabolic Engineer

  Dr. Anu Raghunathan is Chief Scientist at CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India where she leads the Metabolic Inquiry and Cellular Engineering (MICE) group. Her research on metabolic engineering, synthetic and systems biology integrates experimental and computational techniques to understand cancer drug resistance, rationally design microbial cell factories, and develop genome-scale models for metabolism. She played a key role in India’s COVID-19 genome surveillance including detecting the first Omicron variant in Pune. Dr. Raghunathan is Associate Editor for international journals, founding member of the Bioengineering Society of India, a columnist for The Indian Express, and recipient of the 2022 FICCI FLO Award (Pune Chapter) for Women Achievers in Science & Technology.

• Dr. Uddhavraj Dudhedia

  Gynaecological Robotic Cancer Surgeon, Medical Innovator, Mentor-entrepreneur

  "Specialised in Gynaecology. ...ventured into learning technology and applying it to Healthcare and changing patients lives for better Innate desire to innovate cost effective healthcare devices to empower patients , reduce healthcare costs, and reduce the economic burden on the society as a whole. Passionate teacher, involved in disseminating right methods of surgical techniques, appropriate use of technology and newer devices, to carry forward the legacy of Medical and surgical education"

• Gurudas Nulkar

  Professor, sustainable development

  "Gurudas is a Professor and Director of Centre for Sustainable Development, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune, and a visiting professor at IIT Kanpur. His work is focused on challenges to India's sustainable development in rural and urban landscapes. His approach is to identify root causes and find levers of change that are culturally and ecologically appropriate. He has published several books, research papers, and articles. He is a recipient of two prestigious literature awards for his books. Gurudas is on the board of Ecological Society, and Advanced Centre for Water resources Development and Management, and a Senior Fellow at the Pune International Centre.

• Jilleen Sheldekar

  Intercultural Practitioner

  Jilleen Sheldekar is a cultural anthropologist with 18 years of experience exploring how culture and personal stories shape identity. Her work spans global organizations, cross-cultural environments, and community-building initiatives. In her TEDx talk, she shares a personal story that challenges how we see ourselves and others, questioning the role of choice and imagination in shifting deeply held beliefs. Beyond her speaking and facilitation work, she is co-creating an eco-village in India’s Western Ghats — an experiment in sustainable living and reimagined community.

• Manoj Patil

  Additional commissioner of police Traffic Pune City

  Manoj Patil is an Indian Police Service officer with over 27 years of experience in crime detection, law and order, and traffic management. His pioneering approach to low-cost, technology-driven traffic management solutions has transformed urban mobility in cities of Maharashtra. Notably, he introduced landmark traffic reforms such as the one-way systems. Changes that were once unthinkable but are now integral to city life. To strengthen traffic enforcement, he spearheaded the Traffic iCop e-Challan System, championed public participation through the PTP app, and promoted the integration of AI-enabled enforcement cameras, including patrol cars equipped with 360° detection systems capable of real-time violation monitoring and challan generation. For his contributions, Manoj has been honored with the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service, the National Award for Best Use of Technology from the Ministry of Urban Development for the Traffic iCop Project.

• Marie-Gon Vos

  Interior designer and color expert

  Marie-Gon, known for her vibrant approach to color and clear communication is a Dutch interior designer, color strategist and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience. She helps interior professionals and creatives build strong, authentic brands through the power of color, clarity, and visual storytelling. As an educator, and creator of the BeeldenBox, a unique tool for smart and quick design decision-making; she inspires others to combine intuition with strategy. She believes design is not just about beauty, but about bold, strategic choices. Her mission: use color with intention, so it starts working for you, not just around you. It can guide mood, behavior, and perception. Whether in a room, a brand, or a conversation, color becomes a silent ally that supports your message, strengthens connection and make creativity more impactful.

• Prashant Girbane

  Director General, MCCIA, an industry association

  Prashant Girbane is the Director General of the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA), one of India’s most influential industry associations. A passionate leader at the intersection of business, policy, and innovation, he drives initiatives that strengthen MSMEs, foster women-entrepreneurship clusters, and promote manufacturing competitiveness. Prashant is deeply engaged with Pune’s innovation ecosystem through roles at Pune International Centre (General Secretary) and Symbiosis International University (Board Member). Known for his data-driven approach, impactful public speaking, and collaborative style, he builds strong academia-industry linkages while shaping policy dialogues on technology, sustainability, and inclusive growth. Prashant studied in ICT Mumbai (Distinguished Alumnus) and IIM Ahmedabad.

• Sagar Babar

  President & Chief AI Officer, Comsense | Chairman – AI & IT, MEDC | Co-founder | Driving AI-First Growth | Top 100 Digital Impact Leader | Author

  Sagar Babar is the Co-Founder, President, and Chief Al Officer at Comsense Technologies, where they are building an Al-first global services company that helps enterprises turn customer data into growth, speed, and competitive edge. He also serves as Chairman of the Al Committee at MEDC (Maharashtra Economic Development Council), working with the Government of Maharashtra to shape India's Al and IT policy roadmap Leading the global Al transformation roadmap Today, he leads the global Al transformation roadmap, with five core focus areas: • Leading Al strategy and execution across Comsense's key geographies • Driving policy innovation as part of MEDC's strategic leadership • Aligning Al innovation with measurable business outcomes in revenue, efficiency, and customer experience Social Innovations - • Leads RECI, a rural entrepreneurship initiative aiming to create ₹10,000 Cr impact in Maharashtra