Category: Leaders

Aproven leader with grit, determination, and a strong desire for success, Mr. Sharma is consistently focused on developing and implementing Petrocontracts International’s strategy and future growth. Having grown up as the son of an Army Officer, Mr. Sharma takes inspiration from his father, Mr. Chander Prakash Sharma, whose life experiences inspired him to live a disciplined, honest, and fulfilling life. He learned early in life that the army faces many hardships, but the soldiers remain strong and continue to serve. This lesson has continued to inspire him to this day.

A WELL-ROUNDED LEADER

Mr. Sharma holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) degree and a Diploma in Business Management. Additionally, the well-versed leader holds Fellowships of the Chartered Institute of Management, UK, and the Institution of Engineers.

Prior to establishing Petrocontracts International Limited, Mr. Sharma was the Vice President of Petrofac International Limited. He has also held a variety of management roles at the Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA OPCO), Abu Dhabi, now ADNOC Offshore (2007-2008); Qatar Petroleum, Doha (1995–2007); Colt Engineering, Abu Dhabi, now owned by Worley Parsons (1993-1995); Engineers India Limited, New Delhi (1983-1993), Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co Pvt Ltd, New Delhi (1982-1983); and Electrocom Industries, New Delhi (1981-1983). Among his other experiences, he has held various positions of responsibility at Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA OPCO) and other companies, such as Qatar Petroleum (1995-1997); Colt Engineering (1993-1995); and Engineers India Limited, New Delhi.

The opportunities he achieved and the things he learned about different industry sectors made him feel passionate about passing on his experiences and insights to the younger generation. To this end, Mr. Sharma established Petrocontracts International in London, UK in the year 2017. Using proven grass-roots strategies based on innovative solutions and services.

His mission is also to help multi-billion-dollar companies overcome multifarious challenges. He says, “Our comprehensive service offering comprises of Project Management, Claims Management, Commercial & Proposals Management, Contract & Sub-contract management and resource management, allowing clients to concentrate on their core capabilities while we handle their perennial issues.” As evidence of the company’s success, it has delivered more than 50 projects in consulting across numerous industries in the past four years.

The company, which the ambitious leader founded as a business consultancy firm focused on extending business support to domestic and international companies, now has offices in London, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, as well as in Gurugram, India. Mr. Sharma is now in the process of expanding the company into the Far East and South America, where it can satisfy the individual needs of customers in the Gulf States, Asia, Europe, and Africa, where there are untapped opportunities in the oil and gas industry. The forward-thinking leader’s grasp of modernization and, more crucially, his personal views and ideas have contributed to Petrocontracts’ current global position.

A GOAL-SETTER

Mr. Sharma is known for his strategic thinking and planning skills. A strong business developer with extensive connections within the EPC industry, the visionary leader, has the skills, competence, and experience to handle any leadership role connected to Project, Business, or Commercial Management with utmost ease. In the long run, he wants Petrocontracts to be as multinational as some of the larger corporations, such as the UK’s Wood Group.

His continuous focus is on maintaining the firm’s high profits while reducing costs at the same time. He alleges that in order to realize this vision, the company hires core employees only when necessary. “Because we aren’t providing a product, but service instead, we can optimise our services by lowering overhead. This is how we remain competitive in the industry,” he explains.

ACHIEVING MILESTONES

With Mr. Sharma’s bespoke approach and proven strategies, Petrocontracts International has risen to new heights. The company has demonstrated a long-standing track record of providing high-quality results through world-class practices and modern technology. It’s no wonder that the company’s clients greatly rely on its innovative and customized solutions, whether it be to eliminate financial and operating risks, remove bureaucracy within organizations, optimize costs, or hire the best talent.

Under his outstanding leadership, Petrocontracts International has recently completed three big projects. It is also serving several organizations throughout the region.

The company is currently active in GCC Countries, Asia, Europe and Africa. Since its inception, the leader claims that his company has made significant breakthroughs.

He gladly says, “Even as a startup, we have achieved a lot of milestones by getting orders from customers and have already delivered a few of those orders successfully.” He adds, “That is a significant accomplishment for a young business like ours, as many contractors are approaching us for work.”

Moreover, following the pandemic outbreak, he restructured Petrocontracts’ business strategy to meet the demands of the industry during the lockdown, focusing on creating jobs as quickly as possible. Additionally, with his innovative ideas, he introduced new project management and claims management procedures, causing clients to file fresh COVID claims and maintain working capital, allowing their firms to stay afloat during difficult times.

GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY

Mr. Sharma is passionate about giving back to society. Specially abled individuals hold a special place in his heart, and he does everything in his power to help them. At the same time, the compassionate leader is an advocate of the green movement. He has chalked out Sustainable Development and Environmental policies for Petrocontracts International to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

Chaitra’s curiosity in technology prompted her to choose technology as a career after almost deciding to begin a postgraduate music degree. Though it was a major shift, her love for technology led her to Microsoft, where she worked on billion-dollar ideas, which shaped her thinking and made her aware of the endless possibilities surrounding her. The experience she gained from working with high-powered executives Safra Catz, Jacqueline Woods, and Bronwyn Hastings was unique in that it made her aware that the sky’s the limit in technology. She worked at Microsoft for eight years before moving on in 2013 to co-found and lead marketing at Issaquah-based Meylah, Microsoft gold partner that help companies to transform their marketing and technologies with Cloud Solutions. She founded Women in Cloud in 2018 as an economic development platform to create $1B in economic access for female founders and professionals in the enterprise sector. The platform helps create access to business growth and alliances by partnering with innovative companies, such as Microsoft, Accenture, Hitachi, Insight, Teradata, M12 and much more.

BOOSTING WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN TECHNOLOGY FIELDS

Chaitra has been outspoken about the challenges she has faced in the male-dominated IT industry. There was a clear gender bias that was affecting many women business owners in the tech sector since women were underrepresented. Making decisions or contributing to shaping narratives around equity and access was difficult or impossible. To solve the problem, she founded Women in Cloud, a network of female tech entrepreneurs that aims to stimulate societal impact with the lofty objective to creating access to $1 billion by 2030. Inclusion, Collective Action, and Economic Access serve as the platform’s foundation, contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

POWERING SOCIAL PROGRESS

Chaitra has always believed that giving back to the community has a far-reaching impact. Thus, the solutions and programs offered by Women in Cloud are all designed to foster a sense of community and achieve a broader social impact. The values-driven leader instills her principles and beliefs in the organization by personally conveying them to her employees so that they can grow professionally as well as personally. Collective action and inclusion are her guiding principles. Under her leadership, #EmpowHERaccess, the Women in Cloud team’s pandemic response campaign, successfully reached 1.4M women and focused attention on the disruptions faced by women in the early stages of COVID-19 and sought to offer access and opportunities for recovery. In addition, the Women in Cloud launched the #Fortune100 Initiative to bring together the top 100 Fortune Brands to combat the global crisis of representation and supplier inclusion during the pandemic. What’s more. The compassionate leader also leads #EmpowHERFamily, a cross-sector economic relief initiative to empower 1M women in India to have an effective future by curating actionable digital solutions to provide economic relief.

GLORIOUS ACHIEVEMENTS

Chaitra’s dedication has earned her several prestigious awards, including the Cloud Revolution Awards, Microsoft Supplier Diversity Award, and Q13 Women of Influence Award. The proactive leader also serves on the boards of several corporations and facilitates global discussions with the United Nations and major corporations. The Women in Cloud community has helped Ms. Vedullapalli accomplish ambitious visions and astounding missions that are set to improve the world. The visionary leader seeks to build an industry where everyone has equal opportunity to create a positive economic impact and build sustainable solutions.

Foundedby Mr. Shahdadpuri, 24 years ago, today Nikai Group is one of the top-selling electronics brands in the UAE. Over the course of two decades, the Group of Companies has grown from a modest trading operation into an internationally renowned operation under the stewardship of the ambitious leader. The company currently sells 400 million products across home entertainment, appliances, and whitegoods in over 60 countries, including Asia, the subcontinent, the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and North America. What’s more, it has over 5000 employees and 60 million satisfied customers worldwide.

Over the years, Nikai has successfully managed to maintain its prominence in the market despite cut-throat competition from major Japanese and Korean brands. Mr. Shahdadpuri attributes this success to three main factors: preparation, anticipation, and supply chain competence. The diplomat-turned-entrepreneur says having the ability to offer some of the best prices in the world gives his company an edge over the competitors. Furthermore, the company has its own unique process for determining quality, thus, its products are just as good as any Japanese or Korean brand. The vigilant leader is always ready with a backup plan in case of a crisis and difficulty.

Flexibility and managing a fully integrated supply chain are key components of his business model. He says, the company’s success is directly related to its supply chain as it is a fully integrated process.

CAREER TRANSITION & AN UNCONVENTIONAL START

Mr. Shahdadpuri, wasn’t always bent on a career in business. He began his professional career as a diplomat serving the Indian Foreign Services, but the prospect of a bureaucratic life and imminent retirement at the age of 58 did not appeal to the proactive leader. At the age of 50, he made up his mind to give up his thriving diplomatic career to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. He says that if he had continued in his position as a diplomat, he would have retired at the age of 58. The enthusiastic leader is now 75 years old and works 12 hours every day.

When Mr. Shahdadpuri started his venture, he did not have any idea about revenue growth and profitability. Therefore, when he founded Nikai, he had modest goals and expectations. He only desired a modest start, which he had in abundance. The leader’s entrepreneurial instinct gradually led him to find ways to grow efficiently and strengthen his business. He has labored hard to learn at every stage of his career, from how to overcome hurdles one by one to how to identify and maximize opportunities.

BUILDING A BETTER WORLD

Mr. Shahdadpuri is actively involved in community development programs in India and the UAE. Among the organizations he supports are the Dubai Autism Center, Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs, and Rashid Centre for the Determined.

GARNERING ACCOLADES

Mr. Shahdadpuri’s business acumen has earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the prestigious Bharat Shiromani Award. Moreover, several international awards and accolades have been bestowed upon the Nikai group because of the leader’s commitment to excellence. For instance, the Nikai group gained the ‘Superbrand’ status in 2011, and from 2016 to 2018 by the International Superbrands Organisation.

Omar Al Humaidi is a well-versed leader who holds a BBA degree in Business Administration and Management (General) from Franklin University in Columbus, OH. Additionally, the young leader has recently received a Ph.D. in artificial intelligence from Khalifa University. He is a seasoned business development professional with extensive experience in the education management sector. His proficiency in business planning, business management, business development, staff development, training, management consulting, and strategic planning makes him stand out in the crowd.

He embarked on his career in the year 2011 as a Graduate Manager at Etihad Airways. Soon he joined Abu Dhabi Education Council as a Business Development Specialist.

Before joining the Department of Ministry of Economy as the Director of Anti-Injurious Practices in July 2021, the visionary leader worked for the National Media Council of the United Arab Emirates, an independent federal body that aims to organize and develop an integrated national media sector. He joined the National Media Council in 2017. His first role at the organization was that of the Head of Training and Development, followed by that of the Director of External Communication.

A TECH-SAVVY LEADER

As technology continuously keeps evolving, Omar Al Humaidi believes that leaders should keep up with the latest technological advancements in order to stay relevant. According to him, in today’s world, leaders need a realistic understanding of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the potential of robotics, and natural language processing. Furthermore, they should keep an eye on the newest devices and the latest updates.

In his opinion, without leveraging the latest technology trends, leaders cannot expect their organization to stay ahead of the curve. Thus, staying abreast of the current IT trends is crucial in order to remain a successful leader, he says.

CRACKED 58 CASES OF DUMPING AGAINST UAE EXPORTS

Omar Al Humaidi is constantly developing work mechanisms and services to combat harmful trade practices. Additionally, he is focused on developing smarter ways of automating procedures and investigations and addressing complaints pertaining to harmful practices.

Owing to his unceasing dedication and unwavering focus, he has efficiently enabled the Ministry of Economy in resolving 58 investigations and measures to impose anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on foreign markets. Next, he intends to expand the Ministry’s efforts in this regard, leveraging the dispute settlement mechanism in the World Trade Organization to settle 100% of cases in a way that would make UAE products and services more competitive in the global market.

As a result of his leadership at the local level, the Ministry was able to address dumping and subsidy policies and increase imports in order to gain and maintain fair competition, protect national production, and implement the best commercial practices in the local markets by adopting legal measures to combat dumped or subsidized imports or by increasing imports.

On behalf of the Minister of Economy, Omar Al Humaidi conducted investigations into this matter, which led to the imposition of seven anti-dumping and protection duties on imported goods into the UAE’s markets, most particularly: car batteries, iron plates, cardboard, ceramics, cement, chemical plastics, and aluminum sheets.

Additionally, the forward-thinking leader is also in the process of devising a proactive mechanism that will intelligently monitor imports similar to local industries and notify consumers when imports are dumped or subsidized or when their quantities increase.

Besides being a successful leader, Omar Al Humaidi is also an inspirational role model for aspiring leaders. The unifying vision behind his leadership is one of his strongest attributes.

Amal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering from Higher Colleges of Technology. In 2017, she earned an M. Sc. degree in Project Management from British University in Dubai, followed by a Diploma in Artificial Intelligence from Oxford University in 2019.

She is best known for implementing effective project management strategies at the local and global levels. In fact she has 14 years of experience as a project manager in Dubai, having worked on software projects, programs, portfolio management, executive government portfolio management, and digital wellness. Her greatest strength is her business understanding, which enables her to streamline execution.

In 2021, Amal took over the responsibility of Director of the National Wellbeing Program at the Ministry of Community Development. A core part of her role involves embedding UAE vision for well-being across various core business units, including (Education, Health, Housing, and Residential Communities, Community Development, Economy, Government Services, and Labour).

In addition, she oversees the implementation of the UAE Wellbeing Strategy 2031 and tracks the performance of 49 government entities with local and global KPIs. As the official UAE Government Spokesperson for Wellbeing, she also co-leads the UAE’s National Program for Happiness and Wellbeing Portfolio, besides leading other international wellbeing initiatives. Furthermore, the tech-savvy leader oversees the UAE Digital Wellbeing Program, which lays out the country’s digital initiatives, programs, and policies.

PRESTIGIOUS ASSOCIATIONS

Amal is a member of several prominent institutions in the UAE. She is the member of the UAE Digital Wellbeing Council Secretary (chaired by HH Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior), UAE Wellbeing Council Secretary, and UAE National Mental Health Panel. Besides leading UAE’s Wellbeing Program, she leads the Chief Happiness and Wellbeing Government Network, which involves more than 140 Chief Happiness and Wellbeing Officers from 84 government entities.

A DISTINGUISHED CAREER

As a leader, Amal demonstrates resilience and provides innovative insights that are deeply inspirational for others. She works unstintingly to ensure a sound digital public wellness infrastructure. Among the initiatives that the leader spearheaded are the UAE Digital Wellbeing Program, the Digital Wellbeing Policy, the Digital Wellbeing Knowledge Platform, the Digital Wellbeing Support Line, and the Digital Wellbeing Curriculum. She also developed the UAE Game Classification Platform. Her other accomplishments include successfully establishing the UAE Wellbeing Program, including Wellbeing Local and Global Councils, the Excellence Framework, the Wellbeing Platform, and the Wellbeing Network.

RACKING UP ACCOLADES

Amal has received many honours in recognition of her accomplishments, including the Sharjah Government Media Award for Most Impactful Community Initiative 2021; the UAE Artificial Intelligence Program Award for Most Feasible Project 2019; the Ministry of Interior Award for Child Protection Initiative 2019; Emirates Group Spark Leadership Program Award 2016; and the Emirates Group 14 Najm Awards for exceptional performances 2007 – 2016

Mr. Al Nuaimi joined DNI earlier this year. Before that he has held various roles in his career spanning more than 2 decades in government as well as private sector. These pivotal roles include Director of Operations and International Cooperation at Etihad Credit Insurance. Previously he has worked as the Executive Vice President, Shared Services in Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company for 9 years. Mr. Al Nuaimi is a skilled professional and specializes in ‘end-to-end’ transformation management of organizations to attain profitability targets with minimum cost and maximum ROI.

CLIMBING THE LADDER OF SUCCESS

Mr. Al Nuaimi has graduated from the Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania with an Executive MBA in Leadership & Business Management. He has also earned a higher diploma in Advanced Trade Credit Insurance from Offenburg University of Applied Sciences – Germany. Over the years he has built his expertise in people-focused processes and culture by leading his teams to collaborate and deliver to maximum efficiency.

His efforts have also been recognized by the UAE’s insurance sector. He was recently appointed a Board Member of Emirates Insurance Association for proactively contributing to promote cooperation between member insurance companies and agents, and to study the needs of insurance sector in the Emirates.

In his previous role as the Executive VP – shared services at Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company, he was leading the entire shared services portfolio of the organization including Human Capital Management and Administration, Information Technology, Marketing & Corporate Communication, Quality Assurance and Program Management. He was taking care of many important functions that cumulatively gave him an unmatched experience of the insurance sector.

TRYING HIS BEST TO MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE

He is a strong believer in giving back to society. He is actively involved in various entities that work for the upliftment of society. He is an active Board Member of UAE Genetic Diseases Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the prevalence of common genetic disorders in the UAE through preventative awareness programs and screening based on research studies and knowledge sharing. He also supports Khalifa University’s vision and provides strategic advice to the top management on internal and external communications issues.

STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE AT DNI

Mr. Al Nuaimi was brought on board to DNI after careful consideration of his achievements and professional experience. The Chairman at DNI had shared that Mr. Al Nuaimi was selected basis his vast experience in the insurance sector. His experience was in sync with the strategic goals the management had in mind for DNI.

Under his leadership, DNI has scaled many milestones already. Recently, the company collaborated with Munich Re to takeover of medical portfolio of Generali Global Health (GGH). DNI also partnered with Magnati, a fully owned subsidiary of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), to support customers with a new, easy payment gateway. The solution is offered in collaboration with Payit, the first fully featured digital wallet in the UAE from FAB. At DNI, Mr. Al Nuaimi is leading many similar new initiatives.

His numerous achievements in his decorated career highlight what a stellar professional he is. Mr. Al Nuaimi stands for hard work and perseverance; and his work does the talking. He is truly a leader that all young professionals look up to.

WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITION

Mr. Al Nuaimi was instrumental in attaining Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Excellence Award in 2019 under his leadership and strategic direction.

UNCOMMON RESOLUTE FOR BUSINESS

Vaibhav possesses a rare combination of entrepreneurial skills that makes him stand out. Born in Kolkata and raised in Delhi, he studied in New Delhi and Mumbai before he moved abroad to pursue higher education. Besides earning a PG Diploma in Global Business from Oxford University, the young leader has a Bachelor of Science from Carnegie Mellon University. Vaibhav has been with the Enso Group since 2005. Over the years, he has seen the Group through ups and downs. As a result of his relentless efforts, the company’s valuation and revenues grew significantly, placing it among the top companies in India. This is the best position the company has been in so far. Having seen his organization grow from nothing to become a reliable, collaborative organization is one of the greatest achievements of his career. As a forward-thinking leader, Vaibhav thinks locally yet acts globally. His long-term goal for the Enso Group is to make it a significant force in the global market. While he understands that competing on the global stage will be difficult due to the weak rupee, he is confident he can reach his goal of working internationally with dedication and hard work.

UNIQUE LEADERSHIP STYLE

Vaibhav’s leadership style prioritizes strong teamwork, respect for people, and positive purpose and culture. When a team member is working with him, he ensures they don’t feel inferior or subordinate. He believes in the inner power of every human being and the ability to harness it. In addition to being a value-driven leader, Vaibhav is committed to transparency and above board practices. It is for this reason he founded the Enso Advisory Board (consisting of advisors to the group) that reviews the company annually.

LEADING WITH COMPASSION

Vaibhav is incredibly passionate about the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR). His charitable projects include the Enso Foundation to contribute to charitable causes, and Enso Care, an alumni group of past and current employees. The socially responsible leader plans to set aside ample funding for CSR activities during the next few years. Under his leadership, the Group regularly incorporates sustainability aspects into its operations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Enso Group paid its employees full salaries and allowed them to work from home.

A SUSTAINABILITY ADVOCATE

Additionally, Vaibhav has been dealing with the sustainability aspect of the business of late. He has also enabled significant transformations throughout the organization by introducing best sustainability practices, incorporating diversity, and keeping an eye on sustainability. As the thoughtful leader points out, this planet was bequeathed to us by previous generations; therefore, it should be protected and handed down to the next generation with value addition rather than depleted.

NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS

Vaibhav’s leadership qualities have earned him several awards and accolades. The CEO Insights Magazine selected him as one of the ‘10 Best Leaders in Oil & Gas’ for his unique leadership skills. Additionally, the enthusiastic leader has been honored with the Indian Achievers’ Award for Business Leadership 2021 by the Indian Achievers’ Forum. Aside from his professional duties, Vaibhav is passionate about writing as a hobby. The multi-talented leader has contributed to the BW Business world magazine as a guest author. He has published several articles on issues related to economics, regulation, and business.

Known for his composed demeanor and commitment to excellence, Biren has been the Country Head of Technicolor India for over a decade. This US $5 billion MNC provides services and products for communication, media, and entertainment industries. Biren is a marketing strategist with experience spanning many different industries in India and the Middle East. Biren graduated from the University of Calcutta with a degree in commerce and pursued an Advanced Management Program in Corporate Planning and Management Control at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan School) in the United States. Biren’s leadership skills have been the cornerstone of Technicolor India’s success. He built Technicolor’s India studio from scratch when he joined the company in 2009. The studio he helped establish is now a primary hub for animated content in television, movies, and games. From a small crew to a staff of approx 6,000 artists and technicians, Technicolor India has become the industry’s largest computer graphics company. Biren also manages a team of over 500 engineers who maintain the firm’s competitive edge by constantly inventing new approaches. One of the best characteristics of this inspiring leader is his willingness to take risks. Biren is ecstatic about his achievements, but he also welcomes failure & strives to learn from it. “Failure is part of the learning process, much like falling over when learning to walk,” says the upbeat leader. Biren has spent two decades working in the FMCG and Durables industry in both strategic and operational roles, which has allowed him to gain exposure to both Indian and international markets. During this period, he became involved in many joint ventures and collaborations, allowing him to create new business models. For the past ten years after that, his journey has taken him through some exciting media and entertainment assignments. He has been involved in all forms of content conception, production, and distribution, focusing on kids and family genres.

AN INSPIRING THOUGHT LEADER

Biren is a thought leader and industry pioneer who has been lauded as a mentor and a revolutionary by government and industry leaders alike. The Indian government has recognized him as a leader in policy formulation and advocating educational initiatives. The dynamic leader has also been an advocate of the French industry in India. His studio’s accomplishment has been displayed to several high-level French delegations visiting Bengaluru. Additionally, he has implemented a series of French technology events in Bengaluru and spoken at various government and industry conferences about the strategic roadmap for French companies.

WEARING MULTIPLE HATS

The task of wearing multiple hats is never easy, but Biren doesn’t embrace what is easy for him. Besides being the President of ABAI [the Bangalore-based AVGC association], the animation evangelist is also the Vice Chairman of the CII National Media & Entertainment Committee. He also serves as the Chief Mentor for STPI’s Centers of Excellence for animation and AR and VR in the Northeast of India. Further, the multi-talented leader has been a member of the management committees of NASSCOM, FICCI, and other trade associations. His zeal aids him in juggling various responsibilities.

CAREER HIGHPOINT

When asked to recount the pivotal moment of his career, Biren cites 1987-1989 as a defining point when he gained the responsibility to lead a Joint Venture between a Swedish Biotech firm & UB Group. However, he says his current role in Technicolor India is the most remarkable, as he was hired into a company when the firm was undergoing the process of transitioning to a 100% subsidiary in 2009. Biren is a fantastic team player and believes that teams that work together are more resourceful and add more value to firms than conflict-ridden teams. Through his pacesetting leadership styles, he sets the pace for others to follow. The people-oriented leader firmly believes that the key to fostering teamwork and collaboration is to empower the team members with a clear purpose. He never fails to appreciate his team for their hard work and efforts. He applauds the talent of his team, saying, “The way Technicolor India’s artists have carried out character performances for some of the world’s most iconic characters speaks volumes about their artistry.” The humble leader adds, “We owe our success to our diligent team members who have been pushing the boundaries of innovation by collaborating with the world’s best artists and designers.” Biren aims at creating a positive and inclusive work environment that promotes gender diversity. He asserts, “I believe strongly that every person should be encouraged to be the best version of themselves. Even though 50-60% of animation students are women, hardly 5% of women studio executives are involved in animation/VFX worldwide. Technicolor India has increased the representation of women in its team by 11%. Currently, we have approximately 650 women working for us.” He appreciates differences in individuals and cultures. “Our workforce comprises people of different genders, ethnicity, ages, nationalities, and religions. Thus, we have a clear diversity and inclusion policy in place that benefits our employees,” he says.

DEDICATED TO SOCIAL WELFARE

The compassionate leader is keenly aware of the importance of CSR and participates enthusiastically in giving back to society. His goal is to use visual communications and the arts as a catalyst for community development. In his opinion, the development of talent in skill sets across all spectrums of digital arts can lead to economic growth.

BASKING IN GLORY

He was recently awarded the Ordre National du Mérite by the President of France. The award bestows on Biren the title of “Chevalier,”- a French knighthood. Also, his unstinting involvement has earned Technicolor seven Emmy Awards in Animation from 2016 to 2019. He has also enabled his clients to win a number of world titles such as Oscars, VES, BAFTA, Cannes Lions, and many others for their pioneering work in VFX and animation in films TV, advertising, and games.

Never settling for anything less than the best is Biren’s success mantra. He is extremely passionate about art and music. He loves collecting art and listening to jazz music. His hobbies include playing guitar, tennis, photography, F1 motorsports.

Dr. Pramod Chaudhari started Praj Industries nearly 40 years ago with a humble dream to build something innovative that would contribute to the making of a modern India. What started off as an entrepreneurial venture four decades ago, is today India’s most successful company in the field of bio-based technologies and engineering with presence in more than 100 countries across all five continents over the world. Praj is focused on the environment, energy, and Agriprocess industry.

Bio-MobilityTM and Bio-PrismTM are the mainstays of Praj’s contribution to global Bioeconomy. Bio-MobilityTM platform of technologies envisages utilization of bio-based resources for production of low carbon transportation fuels across all modes of mobility namely Surface, Air and Marine. Bio-PrismTM portfolio comprises of technologies for production of renewable chemicals and materials (RCM).

RCM produced from bio-based feedstock, are sustainable alternatives to products made from fossil resources. Praj Matrix, the state-of-the-art R&D facility, forms the backbone for the company’s endeavors. The zeal of working toward making the world a better place has been at the heart of all his efforts and still continues to fuel the fire.

FIRMLY GROUNDED IN VALUES AND GUIDED BY ETHICS

Dr. Chaudhari is an IIT Bombay alumnus in Mechanical Engineering (1971) and also holds an advanced management degree from Harvard Business School (1995). After graduating from his alma mater, he tried the usual route of working with the MNCs and building a corporate career. But, his dream was bubbling inside so in 1983, he gave his all to his venture – Praj Industries.

The organization started as a supplier of ethanol plants and today it is one of the most renowned socio-economic ventures with a wide range of sustainable solutions for bioenergy, high purity water, critical process equipment, breweries and industrial wastewater treatment. Owing to his foresight of creating a business in ethanol and scaling it to a level that Dr. Chaudhari has, he is often referred to as the ‘Ethanol Man’ in the industry circles.

Dr. Chaudhari had spent some time in his childhood near sugar industries and that is when he developed an interest in agri processing. He founded Praj Industries with a motive to support farming community.

PROUDLY TAKING THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

“Right from the beginning, as a proponent of sustainability I had endeavored to strike a balance between three P’s namely Planet, People and Profit,” said Dr. Chaudhari. His one true belief is that the 3 P’s are a perfect formula for sustainability. As an entrepreneur and a leader, innovation is what drives him. In the early days of Praj, Dr. Chaudhari had adopted the approach that innovation would always be the growth driver. He personally ensured that this culture was kept afloat at Praj in their day-to-day functioning as well. The company has structured programs, innovation awards and competitions to foster a culture of innovation. The company also has a dedicated R&D center called Praj Matrix which is a hub of new ideas. Creative problem solving is another intrinsic part of the culture promoted by Dr. Chaudhari. He also holds problem-solving competitions at renowned colleges, where he tries to identify talent and encourage students to consider careers in industrial biotechnology and green chemistry. This is not just business, Dr. Chaudhari is working to change mindsets about biotechnology as a career and raising awareness about the industry.

LEAVING A TRAIL OF GLORIOUS AND NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS

Dr. Chaudhari is one of the most respected and recognized professional in the industrial biotechnology field. One can’t talk about biofuel and not take his name. His consistent efforts and progressive work have been recognized globally many times. He was recently awarded the prestigious ‘George Washington Carver Award 2020’ by BIO-Impact, Washington DC, USA – he became the first Indian to receive this global honor. He was also bestowed with ‘D.Litt.’ by Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth (TMV) for his exemplary contribution to the Biofuel Industry worldwide, and for establishing & institutionalizing a quality benchmark of Indian products & services at global level. He has previously been named amongst the ‘Globally Top 100 People’ in BioEnergy Industry by USA-based publication, ‘Biofuels Digest.’ Dr. Chaudhari has also been awarded the prestigious BioSpectrum Leadership Award for his extraordinary work in spreading the cause of biofuels in the past three decades. Under his able guidance, Praj Industries has also been the recipient of many industry awards. Last year, Praj Industries was ranked first among the “Best Places to Work in the advanced bioeconomy 2020” by ‘Biofuels Digest’. Biofuels Digest has also ranked Praj 2nd in a list of world’s 50 hottest companies in global bioeconomy for 2021 in low carbon fuels and renewable chemicals category. Besides, Praj secured 3rd ranking in the newly-introduced biodesign and engineering category. It has also been named the ‘Bio-Excellence Award’ by Government of Karnataka in the category of Industrial Bio-tech Sector consecutively for three years. These and many other premier industry awards and global recognition are testimony to the fact that Dr. Chaudhari is not only working tirelessly for a better world, but also ensuring the change begins right at his doorstep with his team and employees.

MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE WORLD

In his journey as an entrepreneur and thought leader, Dr. Chaudhari has also ensured he extends his passion for social causes beyond his core business. He always believes in giving back to the society. In 2004, he established Praj Foundation to give an expression to all the efforts that he and his organization are taking towards social impact activities. Praj Foundation closely works with various NGOs and institutional partners on multiple projects in water conservation, education and preventive healthcare. They also conduct awareness drives to encourage more people to be part of the movement towards sustainability and betterment. ‘‘When you can do the common things in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world,” goes a famous quote by Dr. George Washington Carver. Dr. Chaudhari is testament to this quote. He chose one of the most underrated industries and made a huge impact. He put India on the world map and also became an inspiration to every individual who wanted to work in the biotechnology industry.

Having graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Rajasthan in India and a Master of Science degree from California State University at Northridge, Unmesh brings a wealth of engineering experience to the company. His expertise lies in data-driven automation and technical solutions. Unmesh has also successfully completed the Emerging Leader Program at The Wharton School and the Artificial Intelligence Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

AN IMPRESSIVE CAREER

Before joining P3, the leader-cum-innovator was an Associate Vice President at Optum Care, where he led innovations and business transformation. Also, he oversaw the creation of new management strategies and operating models for UnitedHealth Group, Toyota Financial Services, and Kaiser Permanente in Southern California. Unmesh believes the experience he has gained from his internships and past work has given him a unique perspective on the art of sales and implementation, which is likely one of the reasons for his success. He is well known in his circle for his extensive knowledge and expertise.

A TECHNOLOGY WIZARD

Unmesh loves technology and stays abreast of the latest trends in the industry. With his innovations, healthcare providers have been greatly empowered. Among the technology products, he has delivered include clinical decision support technology for providers, data analytics, and artificial intelligence that enable seamless care delivery to patients, and multiple other innovations that reduce the administrative burden for providers and hospitals. Moreover, P3 Data Fabric—his brainchild, gives intelligent insights to the entire care ecosystem at the point of care. With this platform, partners of P3 Health can manage medical risk, care delivery, and patient experience by using advanced data integration, analytics, and artificial intelligence.

A GREAT TEAM PLAYER

Unmesh enjoys being in charge, just as a good leader should. The technically sound and focused leader is also a team player who strives to bring out the best in those around him. It is his razor-sharp focus on putting together a world-class team that makes him so successful. He deeply values his team’s participation and recognizes the importance of their involvement in the firm’s success. As a true leader, he develops a growth strategy and provides direction to his team to meet the company’s goals. With the help of his dedicated and proactive team, Unmesh has created a digital technology ecosystem and a data ecosystem at P3 that supports the experience of patients and providers. As a focused leader, he ensures that the entire team is aware of the collective goals they are pursuing.

TOWERING ACHIEVEMENTS

Like a true leader, Unmesh constantly looks for the next big challenge. His leadership qualities have earned him several prestigious awards, including the Digital Disruptor Award by Globant Of 2021, the Top 10 Best CTO’s of 2020 by Industry Era, Talend Data Masters Award 2020, and IFAH top 100 Healthcare Leader Award. Yet he doesn’t trust in resting on his laurels, but rather constantly strives to improve himself as an individual and as a leader.