Our Leaders

Mrs. Neerja Birla

Founder & Chairperson

Mrs. Neerja Birla is a distinguished thought leader and social reformer, committed to redefining the mental health and education sectors in India. As the Founder and Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, she spearheads a range of pioneering initiatives aimed at creating inclusive, accessible, and progressive solutions. Her visionary leadership continues to garner international recognition for driving meaningful societal change.

Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla

Trustee

Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla is the Chairman of the venerable Indian multinational Aditya Birla Group.

With a legacy spanning a century, the Aditya Birla Group holds the distinction of being the first Indian business house to venture overseas. Today, the group is present in 41 countries across six continents. The Group’s turnover stands at ~ $67bn, with a combined market capitalisation of its listed entities at over $110bn.  In the 30 years that he has been at the helm of the Group, he has accelerated growth, built meritocracy, and enhanced stakeholder value. In the process he has raised the Group’s turnover by over 30 times. He has been the architect of over 60 acquisitions in India and globally, among the highest by any Indian multinational.

Under his stewardship, the Aditya Birla Group enjoys a position of leadership in all the major sectors in which it operates, from cement to chemicals, metals to textiles, and fashion to financial services. Over the years, Mr. Birla has built a highly successful meritocratic organisation, anchored by an extraordinary force of 227,500 employees.

Beyond the Group, Mr. Birla has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s regulatory and governance frameworks. He served as a Director on the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India. As Chairman of the SEBI Committee on Corporate Governance, he authored India’s first comprehensive governance code—a foundational document that continues to guide corporate governance across the country. Notably, he was also the first industry nominee on the SEBI Board.  He was also a member of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council on Trade and Industry, lending his insights to national policy formulation at a time of rapid economic transformation.

Over the years, Mr. Birla has been the recipient of some of the most prestigious honours, both in India and on the global stage—a testament to his enduring influence, visionary leadership, and contribution to nation-building. 

In 2023, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan, the nation’s third-highest civilian award, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to India’s industrial and economic development. In 2025, the University of London awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Science (Economics), conferred by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal. Mr. Birla also holds the unique distinction of being the only Indian industrialist to be honoured as ‘The Economic Times Business Leader of the Year’ on three separate occasions.

Mr. Birla is deeply engaged with Educational Institutions. Apart from being the Chancellor of BITS Pilani, he has been the Chairman of India’s premier management institute — Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. On the global arena, Mr. Birla serves on the governing board of the London Business School.  

A firm practitioner of the trusteeship concept, Mr. Birla has institutionalised the concept of caring and giving at the Aditya Birla Group. With his mandate, the Group is involved in meaningful welfare driven activities that distinctively impact the quality of lives of millions annually.

Ms. Ananyashree Birla

Trustee

Ananya is a strategic business leader known for building scalable, well-governed institutions with measurable impact. She is the Founder of Svatantra Microfin, India’s second largest and best performing microfinance institution, powering the entrepreneurs from the remotest parts of the country who power the Indian economy. She also leads Birla Cosmetics and has recently announced Birla Studios, reflecting her focus on building high-growth consumer and creative businesses.

A Director at the Aditya Birla Group, she contributes to shaping strategy across the group, with a particular focus on high-growth sectors including real estate and commodities trading. Beyond business, Ananya is one of India’s biggest-selling English-language pop artists, with over 500 million streams and multiple double-platinum singles, and among the few Indian artists to break into the global pop landscape.

She has been recognised among Fortune’s Most Powerful Women, The Economic Times’ 40 Under 40, and Business Today’s Most Powerful Women.

Mr. Aryaman Vikram Birla

Trustee

Aryaman Vikram Birla has held leadership roles across multiple businesses of the Aditya Birla Group, including fashion, paints, and real estate. He serves on the board of the Group’s apex body, Aditya Birla Management Corporation, as well as on the boards of several key Group companies, including Grasim Industries, Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail (ABFRL), Hindalco Industries, and the Group’s digital-first fashion platform, TMRW.

He is the founder of Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality, the Group’s fast-growing hospitality platform, and Aditya Birla Ventures, its venture capital arm focused on investing in high-growth start-ups across emerging sectors.

Aryaman holds an MBA with Honors from Harvard Business School, a Master’s degree in Global Finance from Bayes Business School, and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Mumbai.

Ms. Advaitesha Birla

Trustee

Ms. Advaitesha Birla is a young sociopreneur with a strong vision to give back to the society. As the Founder of Ujaas, she leads transformative efforts to tackle period poverty to mobilize communities across India. 
While pursuing Management in London Business School, Advaitesha continues to inspire action and drive social inclusion.

Dr. Pragnya Ram

Trustee

Dr. Pragnya Ram is the Group Executive President at the Aditya Birla Group and leads CSR, Legacy Documentation, and Archives. She works closely with Mrs. Rajashree Birla to guide community initiatives and rural development efforts, while also overseeing the preservation of the Group’s legacy under Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla. With over five decades of experience, she has played a key role in shaping the Group’s corporate communications, brand reputation, and CSR strategy, contributing to its strong public image and recognition across geographies.

Beyond her executive role, Dr. Ram serves on multiple boards and CSR committees across Group companies and is actively involved with leading industry bodies like CII and FICCI. She has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Aditya Birla Group’s Lifetime Contribution Award and several national and global recognitions in CSR and communications. Beginning her career in academia, she has also contributed extensively to education and thought leadership, with numerous publications and teaching roles across reputed institutions.

Mr. Aashish Sanghi

Trustee

Mr. Aashish Sanghi has 32+ years of rich experience spanning board-level strategy to ground-level execution. His cutting-edge insights and perspectives, gained from working in various sectors and donning multiple hats, ensure that he provides strategic direction to the Aditya Birla Education Trust on a range of issues, challenges, and opportunities, positively impacting individuals from all walks of life. Apart from being a Trustee of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, Mr. Sanghi is also on the board of companies like Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality and Aditya Birla New Age Café & Restaurants.

Ms. Aisha Bharmal

Principal, The Aditya Birla Integrated School

Ms. Aisha Bharmal has two decades of experience working with children with different learning needs. She holds a master’s degree in Psychology and a Special Education degree with a specialisation in Learning Disabilities. She began her journey with TABIS as a member of the teaching faculty and has headed the Junior School before taking on the role of the Principal. Her role has encompassed both teaching, planning and adapting curriculum for children with special needs.

Mr. Amit Gupta

Chief Financial Officer & Head – Legal, Aditya Birla Education Trust

Amit Gupta is a seasoned Chartered Accountant with over two decades of multifaceted experience spanning non-profit organizations, multinational corporations, and high-growth enterprises. Known for his sharp financial acumen and steady leadership, he has steered critical functions across Finance, Legal, Compliance, Fundraising, and CSR throughout his career. His role extends beyond balancing books and drafting contracts—he plays a pivotal role in shaping organizational growth, strengthening sustainability, and enabling ABET’s mission with a disciplined, future-focused approach.

Mr. Anand Deodhar

Vice President, Operations, Aditya Birla World Academy

Mr. Anand M. Deodhar is a distinguished education leader with over 24 years of experience across academic leadership, school administration, institutional development, and operations. He holds an M.Sc. in Electronics, a B.Ed., and a Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Studies from the University of Bath, England, and brings extensive global exposure through participating in international education forums/conferences and driving institutional collaborations worldwide. He has led large international day and residential school campuses that offer globally recognised curriculum, including IB, Cambridge, and ICSE, and brings deep expertise in governance, infrastructure development, and academic administration.

Ms. Akshatha Karangutkar

Head, Human Resources, Aditya Birla Education Trust

Ms. Akshatha Karangutkar has a post-graduate degree in Human Resources Management from Symbiosis Institute. She brings over two decades of experience in HR to ABET, specialising in talent management, organisational development and employee engagement. She is focused on aligning HR practices with the vision, mission and goals of the organisation, and is passionate about nurturing talent and fostering a collaborative work environment. At ABET, she plays an important role in shaping a workplace where employees feel a sense of belonging and are excited to thrive professionally.

Mr. Melwyn Sequeira

Vice President - Fundraising and Partnerships, Aditya Birla Education Trust

Melwyn Sequeira is a seasoned development professional with over 17 years of experience across fundraising, communications, and strategic partnerships in both the non-profit and corporate sectors. At Aditya Birla Education Trust, he leads fundraising efforts, driving partnerships with corporates, philanthropies, and institutional donors to scale sustainable, high-impact initiatives.

Dr. Mukesh Mohode

General Manager, Strategy and Projects, Aditya Birla Education Trust

Dr.Mukesh Mohode brings over 15 years of experience in the field of social welfare, Environment & Livelihood. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Ayurveda Medicine & Surgery and a Master’s degree in Public Health from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

As a seasoned leader, Dr. Mukesh Mohode drives innovation and efficiency and works with cross-functional teams to take projects from concept to execution. He is focused on ensuring seamless execution of strategic initiatives and promoting excellence, and driving impact on the ground.

Ms. Munazza Siddiqui

Principal, Nalanda

Ms. Munazza Siddiqui holds a B.Ed. in Mathematics and Social Studies and a Master’s degree in Marketing Management. With over 18 years of experience in education across diverse academic frameworks, she brings deep expertise in academic leadership and student engagement. Prior to becoming Principal at Nalanda, she spent nearly a decade at The Aditya Birla Integrated School. Known for her student-centric and inclusive approach, she specialises in Mathematics and ICT across IGCSE and NIOS curricula, and is committed to fostering academic excellence through differentiated learning and holistic student development.

Ms. Poonam Patkar

General Manager, Ujaas

Ms Poonam Patkar is a purpose-driven leader with over 19 years of experience spearheading impactful community-based initiatives in the development sector. She has consistently demonstrated visionary leadership in designing, scaling, and institutionalising community development programmes focused on child rights, education, health & nutrition, HIV/AIDS, and adolescent health and empowerment.

From grassroots engagement to policy advocacy, she has led multi-sectoral teams and programmes across diverse communities, building strong networks with government bodies, non-profits, CSR leaders, and civil society organisations. As former Director, Programme, at Toy Bank and CCDT, she has led the design and execution of multi-year strategies, forged strategic partnerships, and ensured high-impact programme delivery.

Ms. Prajakta Gaonkar

General Manager, Communications and Awareness, Aditya Birla Education Trust

Ms. Prajakta Gaonkar brings over 15 years of extensive experience in public relations, communications and brand strategy planning to her role at ABET. She has consistently demonstrated her expertise in creating impactful communication strategies in diverse sectors such as Healthcare, CSR, Corporate and Retail. As a seasoned professional with a bachelor's degree in communication, she strongly believes that well-placed communication can work wonders in amplifying a brand's attributes and enhancing its equity.

Ms. Priyanka Bose

Vice-President, Brand Strategist, Aditya Birla Education Trust

A seasoned brand communications strategist, Ms. Priyanka Bose has over two decades of experience in building reputation, strengthening stakeholder trust, and driving strategic visibility across diverse sectors. With a sharp understanding of business priorities, she blends traditional and digital channels to craft compelling narratives that reinforce brand identity and unlock value. She brings a holistic approach, strategic insights, and a collaborative leadership style to foster meaningful partnerships, and effectively amplifies the Founder’s vision across India and globally.

Mr. Prodipta Hore

Program Director, Aditya Birla Education Academy

Prodipta Hore, Director at Aditya Birla Education Academy, is a seasoned educator with decades of impactful teaching and academic leadership. Renowned for his visionary leadership and empathetic mentoring, he drives large-scale teacher upskilling initiatives nationwide. With deep expertise in pedagogy, curriculum, and assessment, he empowers educators through innovative, tech-integrated training—bridging the gap between policy and classroom practice, and shaping future-ready teaching communities.

Mrs. Radhika Sinha

Director of Academics, Aditya Birla Education Trust

Mrs. Radhika Sinha believes that in all her 42 years as an academician, she has learnt a lot more than she has taught. She continues to be an avid ‘learner’ even in her role as Director, Academics, overseeing the Education verticals of the Trust. She is driven by her passion to give back to society by mentoring and guiding young minds, and leading by example.

Mr. Roshan Wadhwani

Vice-President, Marketing, Aditya Birla Education Trust

Mr. Wadhwani has over 19 years of experience in diverse sectors such as architecture, real estate, logistics, and banking & financial services. At ABET, he manages the marketing teams with a key focus on promoting growth by defining the organisational strategy, raising awareness and advancing education. In addition, his diverse digital experience provides him with the unique advantage of aligning the organisation's needs and driving business transformation for the future.

Mr. Santosh Kumbhar

Head, IT, Aditya Birla Education Trust

Mr. Santosh Kumbhar has spent nearly a decade of his 25 years as an IT professional in senior management roles. As Head of IT at ABET, he plays a key role in bringing about organisation-level digital transformation through IT automation and AI. Mr Kumbhar holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics & Telecommunications from Mumbai University, and has a strong background in ERP implementation, including SAP, LIMS, and HIMS. He specialises in software development and IT product design, and is recognised for delivering leading-edge solutions and managing projects from conception to completion.

Dr. Shabana Khan

Medical Director, Mpower

Dr. Shabana Khan brings over 2 decades of experience in health care and is a perfect blend of vast clinical experience along with insights into management principles. A visionary leader and a strategist, she is an M.D. in Anaesthesia and holds a Masters degree in health sciences and an MBA from the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India. In her role at Mpower, she is instrumental in spearheading clinical care and overseeing the clinical operations of multidisciplinary clinical teams. She plays a pivotal role in strengthening care delivery frameworks, optimizing processes and supporting teams to ensure operational excellence, clinical efficacy and the highest standards of quality care.

Ms. Shalini John

Principal, Aditya Birla World Academy

With over two decades of experience in the education sector, Ms. Shalini John is a passionate and forward-thinking leader who believes that schools must nurture both excellence and empathy. As the Principal of ABWA, she leads with a deep commitment to fostering a culture of curiosity, compassion and continuous growth.

Ms. John has been an integral part of ABWA’s journey for over a decade, having previously led the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme with distinction. Her leadership philosophy centres on empowering teachers, engaging parents as partners in learning, and creating an environment where every student feels seen, valued and inspired to realise their potential.