TEDxSCMSPune

Speakers

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

• Akshaj Sood

  Founder and Managing Director, Richelon

  Akshaj Sood is the founder and managing partner of Richelon, a sustainability-focused skincare brand that he built from the ground up, starting with hand-poured wax products on a terrace to scaling it into a ₹20 crore+ business with over 70 employees. Under his leadership, Richelon has grown into a category leader in salon-grade skincare, driven by Akshaj’s focus on long-term value, operational consistency, and brand trust. Known for his candid and insightful posts on LinkedIn, he shares lessons on KPIs, customer lifetime value, sustainable growth, and the often-overlooked mental health challenges faced by founders. Through Richelon, Akshaj not only champions conscious beauty but also embodies a grounded, execution-first entrepreneurial mindset.

• Dr. Ramakrishnan Raman

  Vice Chancellor at Symbiosis International (Deemed University)

  An accomplished academician and seasoned professional, Dr. Raman's contributions extend beyond the classroom, as he has been instrumental in fostering international collaborations with universities in Japan, Canada, United Kingdom, and the United States. His prolific research in Information Systems, IT Strategy, Entrepreneurship, AI, Big Data, has earned him recognition with national and international academia.

• Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar

  Pro Chancellor, Symbiosis International University (Deemed University)

  Dr. Vidya holds a Post Graduate Degree in Medicine, a Degree in Law and Ph.D. in 'Internationalisation of Higher Education in India’. Having presented papers at various National & International Conferences, she has numerous research publications to her credit and has also authored several books. Ranked No.14 amongst India’s top 25 Powerful Women, Dr. Vidya has been instrumental in bringing in innovative approaches to promote internationalisation of higher education in India.

• Nathan SV

  Country Leader - PwC | Chief Talent Officer - Deloitte

  SV Nathan is a veteran HR leader with over four decades of experience, best known for his role as Chief Talent Officer at Deloitte India, where he led transformative talent and leadership initiatives for nearly 20 years. Renowned for his people-first approach and sharp insights on workplace culture, Nathan is also a storyteller, TEDx speaker, and the voice behind the popular #OfficeTruths series on LinkedIn. In 2024, he transitioned to a new role as Country Leader at PwC Acceleration Centers India, focusing on innovation and business transformation. Widely respected as a mentor and coach, SV Nathan continues to inspire the next generation of professionals through his human-centered leadership and engaging public speaking.

• Pralhad Sonar

  Customer Success Leader | Cloud Native SAAS

  Pralhad Sonar is a seasoned Customer Success professional currently working as a Senior Customer Success Manager at Vercel, where he supports enterprise clients across the APAC region. With over 18 years of experience in IT, SaaS, and open-source technologies, he specializes in client onboarding, post-sales engagement, and driving business outcomes through long-term relationships. His past roles include leadership positions at Acquia and Globant, where he combined technical expertise with a customer-first approach. Pralhad holds an MBA in Corporate Strategy from Quantic School of Business and a strong academic background in computer science from Pune. Known for his empathetic communication and deep product knowledge, he continues to help businesses grow by aligning technology with customer success.

• Ranjit Bajaj

  Owner, Minerva FC Academy

  Ranjit Bajaj is an Indian football administrator, entrepreneur, and co-owner of Minerva Academy, one of the most successful football academies in India. Known for his outspoken personality and passion for the sport, Bajaj has played a major role in developing grassroots football in the country. Under his leadership, Minerva Punjab FC (later Punjab FC) won the 2017–18 I-League, making history as the first club from North India to achieve this feat. Beyond competitive success, Bajaj is widely recognized for nurturing young football talent, with several academy graduates representing India at various levels.