Winner

Dr. Abhishek Gilara Most Transformational and Dynamic Business Leader of the Year – 2025 Dr. Abhishek Gilara is a fourth-generation luxury jeweller and the Managing Director of Rambhajo’s, where he blends Jaipur’s century-old Kundan, Meena, Polki, and Jadau heritage with modern strategy, technology, and global brand building to serve a discerning clientele across continents. His leadership extends beyond craft into authorship, public speaking, and thoughtful stewardship of a legacy house established in 1921, positioning Rambhajo’s for its second century of excellence without losing the soul of its artisanal roots. A Century-Old House Rambhajo’s traces its origins to 1921, when Late Shri Kishan Gilara, revered as Rambhajo, set up the atelier in Jaipur, rooted in devotion and meticulous workmanship that would define the house’s name and ethos for generations. The brand evolved through successive generations who scaled designer Kundan Jadau and Polki manufacturing, building trust in transparency, artisanal rigor, and value for money while Jaipur emerged as a global hub for gems and jewellery. Today, Rambhajo’s embodies “where heirlooms begin,” combining kundan polki techniques with contemporary aesthetics to craft pieces designed to endure and be passed down the lineage. Fourth-Generation Stewardship As Managing Director, Dr. Abhishek Gilara leads a 100-plus-year enterprise with a clear mandate to protect heritage while modernizing reach, systems, and market relevance across India and overseas. He is part of the fourth-generation leadership alongside siblings who have digitized and systematized the business to scale responsibly while preserving atelier-grade quality. His remit covers high-value bridal and bespoke segments in Kundan, Meena, Polki, and Jadau, with creations that span from lakh-level commissions to crores for discerning patrons. Craft Anchored In Jaipur The Jaipur atelier remains the creative and cultural heart, where gemstone selection, design translation, and finishing are executed with fidelity to the city’s syncretic design vocabulary and craft lineage. The house’s vocabulary integrates Rajputana, Mughal, and Deccan influences in forms that balance heirloom gravitas with modern wearability for bridal and ceremonial contexts. Each piece is approached as a study in proportion, surface, and stone setting that reads elegant at arm’s length and intricate under a loupe, which is why Rambhajo’s has remained a reference name in Kundan and Jadau for a century. Strategy: Heritage With Innovation Dr. Gilara’s strategy pairs traditional making with process discipline and technology integration so the workshop scales without diluting signature quality. Younger generation systems have introduced IT-enabled workflows and contemporary operations that shorten cycles from design to delivery while maintaining artisan-first standards. The result is a house that operates globally yet keeps Jaipur craftsmanship central, serving hundreds of thousands of patrons across five continents with consistent finish and authentic techniques. Global Brand Building Under his leadership, the brand has expanded its footprint, earning industry recognition and editorial features that affirm a positioning at the intersection of heritage and modern luxury. Recognition across platforms such as TradeFlock and AsiaOne chronicles a narrative of revitalizing a legacy label for contemporary markets while staying true to the atelier’s founding values. Media spotlights frame him as a visionary who manages legacy and reinvents it simultaneously, elevating Indian bridal artistry on global stages and within the country’s luxury retail arena. Clientele And Commissions Rambhajo’s caters to bespoke bridal patrons who seek one-of-a-kind sets where design coherence across necklace, earrings, maang tikka, bangles, and rings matters as much as gemstone pedigree and handwork excellence. The house’s work spans 5 lakh to multi crore commissions, a range that reflects both accessibility within luxury and the ability to deliver museum-grade pieces for lineage collections. This barbell approach allows the atelier to nurture lifelong relationships with families who return for weddings and milestones, deepening the house’s role as custodian of memory and ritual. Leadership Philosophy Dr. Gilara articulates leadership as a balance of reverence for tradition and a bias for forward motion, a theme he reinforces in public commentary and personal writing about resilience and growth. He credits pressure, practice, and perspective with turning raw potential into refined output, echoing the carbon to diamond metaphor that mirrors gemology and leadership alike. This philosophy informs how he mentors teams, engages artisans, and frames the brand’s commitment to trust, transparency, and year-on-year excellence. Author And Public Voice Beyond the atelier, he contributes as an author and public speaker, using writing to distill lessons on leadership, simplicity, and craftsmanship learned from the bench and the boardroom. His official site profiles a body of work that includes reflective prose and poetry, which positions craft not only as a product but as a way of seeing and building character over time. This public voice has helped extend the brand narrative beyond jewellery into ideas of heritage stewardship, discipline, and creative purpose. Recognition And Honors Industry and cross-industry platforms have recognized his achievements, including leadership features and awards that spotlight both business growth and cultural contribution. AsiaOne cited him within its India’s Greatest Brands & Leaders program, acknowledging his stewardship of a legacy house and its modern articulation at a national forum in New Delhi. Editorials in business and leadership publications have profiled his approach to marrying legacy and innovation, further cementing his reputation in luxury retail. Advancing Craft Through Systems The modern Rambhajo’s workflow demonstrates how digital tools can support handmade excellence by improving planning, documentation, and customer experience without compromising hand skill. Systematization enables the atelier to uphold uniform standards across collections and bespoke orders, a requirement when serving an international client base with nuanced specifications. The backbone of consistent quality is still the master artisan’s hand, yet the infrastructure around that hand keeps promises on timelines, finish, and after-sales care. Market Positioning Rambhajo’s maintains a clear center in Kundan and Jadau while engaging contemporary tastes through proportion updates, lighter wear, and design modularity suited for multi-occasion use. The brand narrative stresses authenticity, gemstone integrity, and finishing that reads refined in high definition media and in intimate settings alike, which is essential in today’s social and bridal ecosystems. This calibrated positioning keeps the label anchored in heritage while relevant to new age luxury consumers who value

Paul Taylor Most Iconic Leader of the Year 2025 Paul Taylor’s Portfolio of Purpose: Building Value Through Ethics, Curiosity, and Pragmatic Leadership Paul Taylor has built a career defined by breadth, responsibility, and a steady commitment to doing the right thing, evolving from a hands-on technologist in banking to a portfolio leader whose work spans consultancy, governance, education, writing, and mentorship. His journey began in 1988 at a well-known UK private bank in the Information Technology department, where the small size of the institution became an advantage that broadened his exposure to diverse businesses, systems, and stakeholders across financial services. Nearly two decades later, after holding roles culminating in Head of Software Development at a large bank’s European outsourcing subsidiary, he took a decisive turn to freelancing in 2007, converting long-maturing intentions into action and embracing the uncertainty of finding work, rates, and runway on his own terms. That decision ultimately led to a deliberately diversified portfolio career that now includes consultancy and project management, chair and trustee responsibilities, non-executive and board advisory positions, education, public speaking, authorship of five books, and one-to-one mentoring. Early Foundations Taylor’s formative years in a small, full-service banking environment gave him a training ground in complexity and context, where technology was inseparable from business outcomes and client trust. The proximity to product, regulation, and operations built instincts that later informed his project management across outsourcing initiatives, product launches, technology changes, regulatory implementations, and interim assignments in high-stakes environments. Those years also surfaced a recurring question about autonomy and direction, which he eventually answered by stepping into independent work and gradually shaping a multifaceted platform for leadership. The Portfolio Model What began as project leadership in financial services has become an intentional structure designed to compound learning and impact across complementary domains of practice. Consultancy and project delivery keep him close to execution, while chair, trustee, and NED roles position him to shape governance, culture, and longer-term value creation. Education and speaking extend his reach to audiences that benefit from practical clarity, and writing formalizes his thinking, with five books and various articles anchoring a record of ideas that continue to evolve through dialogue and application. The one-to-one mentoring completes the loop, bringing leadership down to the level of individual growth where progress is most tangible. An Ethical First Leadership Style Taylor defines his leadership philosophy as ethical leadership that strives to do the right thing for all stakeholder groups, including customers, staff, suppliers, society, and shareholders, while recognizing that trade-offs are inevitable. He advocates for explicit impact assessments that map benefits and drawbacks across stakeholders, and for management practices grounded in tact, honesty, clear communication, fairness, and trust when steering change. This orientation is not static for him, and he notes a personal evolution from a rigid, plan-driven approach early in his career to a more adaptive model that accepts volatility and centers on people, integrity, and responsiveness. Growth Through Curiosity Asked about leadership inspirations, Taylor resists naming a single model, instead acknowledging a wide and eclectic set of influences from colleagues to public figures encountered through books and media. Two names stand out as enduring guides for his mental posture toward work and life: Leonardo da Vinci and Richard Feynman, both of whom reinforce the joy of learning and the discipline of discovery that Taylor brings to his practice. The theme that emerges is curiosity coupled with rigor, where learning is not just the consumption of information but an active investigation in the service of better decisions and better outcomes. A Disciplined Approach to Crises Taylor’s method for handling high-stakes decisions and crises starts with clarity, which means stripping away noise to define the problem precisely, whether that is a cyber incident that disables a website or another disruption with external touchpoints. He emphasizes inclusive solution design that brings relevant stakeholders into the room so their perspectives and constraints shape the plan, even if not every request can be accommodated. Once a solution path is selected, implementation proceeds with rigorous updates to all parties, especially external stakeholders such as clients, media, and regulators who may be affected by the organization’s operational status and remediation timeline. Motivating for Excellence There is no single script for motivation in Taylor’s view since people and contexts vary, but the core practices are consistent and practical. He keeps teams focused on the primary goal, ensures approachability so difficult truths can surface early, recognizes contributions, and operates with integrity that aligns words and actions. Communication remains constant in his framework, with progress, setbacks, and issues made visible to maintain trust and accountability during delivery. Innovation With Sobriety Taylor’s stance on innovation is supportive yet skeptical of rhetoric, noting that the term is frequently overused to imply improvement that fails to materialize, particularly in public service contexts where promised efficiency gains often remain theoretical. He cautions against change pursued for its own sake, arguing that some systems work well and are best improved incrementally on an evolutionary path rather than through forced novelty that outpaces capability. He identifies several recurring barriers to innovation, including weak cultures, fear of failure, insufficient leadership sponsorship, resistance to change, and resource constraints that undermine execution even when ideas are sound. Staying Ahead For Taylor, staying current in a fast-moving global landscape is an active, continuous process that combines learning by doing, structured learning through courses and content, and learning by observing other practitioners. Practical implementation builds tacit knowledge that cannot be replicated by theory alone, while books, webinars, and articles provide a scaffold that compresses lessons learned across domains. Collaboration and inquiry round out the model, where watching others work and asking questions become a direct line to methods that can be adapted and applied in new settings. Four Challenges Facing Leaders Taylor points to climate change as the primary challenge, citing direct lived experience of hotter summers and colder winters in the UK and calling for meaningful action from global leaders to address environmental risks. He identifies society’s growing reliance on technology

Barbara Maglione Most Iconic Woman Leader of the Year Barbara Maglione: Transforming R&D Leadership With Purpose, Precision, and Humanity A science-first leader with a people-centered compass, Barbara Maglione leads as Head of Research and Development at Farmaceutici Damor S.p.A., where she blends rigorous decision-making with a culture of curiosity, trust, and impact for patients and society. Drawing from a journey that began at the lab bench and advanced through high-stakes restructuring and strategic stewardship, she champions a style that elevates teams, accelerates innovation, and holds integrity as the ultimate north star. Barbara’s path to leadership began with a deep passion for science and a practical conviction that research should improve lives, a belief she strengthened through hands-on work in the scientific and research field early in her career. Seeing the tangible effects of research on patient outcomes anchored her purpose and sharpened her resolve to pursue roles of growing responsibility where scientific rigor meets organizational influence. That momentum culminated in a shift toward management, where she discovered that shaping direction, mentoring colleagues, and orchestrating resources could multiply the impact of research across the enterprise. Turning Points Two inflection points mark her ascent with clarity and consequence, beginning with a decisive move from individual contributor to managerial leadership that unlocked broader stewardship across programs and people. The second was her leadership of a high-stakes restructuring initiative, which demanded strategic redesign, crisp communication, and change navigation under pressure, ultimately preparing her to guide complex portfolios at scale. Those experiences cemented a pattern in her leadership approach, one that combines analytical calm with accountability and clear purpose when the stakes are highest. Decision-Making Under Pressure In high-stakes moments, Barbara relies on calm analysis anchored in data, complemented by expert consultation and transparent communication of risks and pathways forward. Her crisis playbook aligns facts, scenarios, and trade-offs with swift, open dialogue, preserving trust and morale while aligning teams around actionable next steps. This disciplined approach ensures decisions preserve scientific standards and patient relevance while delivering organizational clarity during uncertainty. Barbara inspires excellence by combining clarity of vision with distributed ownership, encouraging teams to take initiative while making space for learning through intelligent risk-taking. She celebrates achievements visibly and ties daily work to meaningful outcomes for patients and communities, which strengthens purpose and elevates day-to-day engagement. Psychological safety is foundational in her teams, where constructive failure is treated as a step toward better design and stronger evidence. Innovation as Practice For Barbara, innovation is not a slogan but disciplined execution across research investment, partnerships, and continuous learning that keeps science responsive to changing realities. Her teams track industry shifts, geopolitics, and emerging technologies to anticipate pivots, while cultivating curiosity as a daily habit that fuels creative hypotheses and better questions. By blending external collaboration with internal capability building, she ensures that knowledge flows across boundaries and accelerates translational outcomes. Farmaceutici Damor’s Heritage and Context Farmaceutici Damor’s heritage as an Italian pharmaceutical company with deep research roots and a commitment to quality provides the institutional framework within which Barbara leads R&D. The company’s focus on research and development, manufacturing excellence, and specialized know-how positions it to translate science into accessible products with rigorous compliance and international standards. From Triticum Vulgare extract expertise to GMP-aligned production in Naples, the organization’s foundations align with Barbara’s approach to evidence and integrity. Barbara navigates the inherent tension between rapid innovation and scientific integrity by aligning cross-functional teams on shared values, open checkpoints, and a clear evidence threshold for advancement. Her approach emphasizes collaboration between R&D and compliance functions, ensuring breakthroughs do not outrun the governance that protects patients and trust. This balance allows Damor’s pipeline to move with agility without compromising reproducibility, quality, or ethical standards. Building Resilient Teams Barbara’s teams reflect the diversity of disciplines and perspectives, which she views as essential for resilience, adaptability, and creative problem-solving in a volatile environment. She equips teams with autonomy, tools, and a supportive environment that values both precision and imagination, creating room for exploration guided by rigorous experimental design. Continuous feedback loops and mentorship strengthen capability while aligning individual growth with portfolio needs. Staying ahead means investing in learning systems that capture insights from experiments, collaborations, and the market, transforming data into decisions and strategy. Barbara and her team actively pursue partnerships that share risk and knowledge, expanding reach while concentrating internal resources where Damor has distinct capabilities. This blended model catalyzes discovery while maintaining focus on therapeutic areas where the company can deliver differentiated value. Managing Crises Barbara’s crisis management emphasizes transparency, decisive action, and morale stewardship, recognizing that people anchor performance in turbulent times. By laying out the challenge, the plan, and the rationale in plain terms, she maintains alignment and fosters the confidence required to execute under pressure. Her method sustains trust, which is the invisible infrastructure that keeps teams cohesive when timelines compress and stakes rise. Technology and Trends She follows global trends and emerging technologies closely to ensure R&D is not only current but anticipatory, integrating tools and methods that accelerate quality and insight. The interplay of data science, advanced analytics, and domain knowledge is a focal point in her outlook, enabling better design and faster iteration across programs. Geopolitical and economic signals also inform scenario planning, so portfolio strategies remain robust in shifting markets. Barbara views corporate social responsibility as a core leadership mandate, not a peripheral initiative, aligning organizational choices with ethical commitments and sustainability. She believes leaders must build adaptable organizations that respond quickly to external pressures while safeguarding long-term trust with patients and communities. That stance translates into practices that prioritize patient centricity, environmental stewardship, and transparent stakeholder engagement. The R&D Mandate Within Damor’s R&D, Barbara emphasizes focused investment, clearer decision gates, and collaboration that shortens the distance between a promising signal and patient benefit. The organization’s specialized research capability and quality systems provide the bedrock for reproducible results that can scale into manufacturing and global partnerships. That continuum from lab to line is central to her mandate to deliver reliable,

Priyanka Das Most Innovative Leader in Robotics and AI-Driven Manufacturing Excellence 2025 The automotive and manufacturing sector is a high-tech and dynamic industry that is at the heart of world economies. It involves the production, design, development, manufacturing, and distribution of vehicles and vehicle components. The industry usually involves intricate supply chains and high-precision engineering. Driven by the high demands for sustainability, efficiency, and innovation, the sector swiftly embraces technologies such as data analytics, robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), and automation. These developments transform production processes, enhance product quality, and fuel the move to electric and self-driving vehicles. In addition, the sector is leading the way in environmental responsibility, adopting lean manufacturing and environmentally friendly approaches to minimize waste and carbon emissions, as well as keeping pace with changing customer and regulatory demands. Priyanka Das is an exceptional presence in controls engineering and advanced manufacturing. With a solid background in robotics, applied know-how in high-risk industrial environments, and a zeal for intelligent automation, she has built a leadership career distinguished by innovation, perseverance, and teamwork. Her remarkable journey from research at academe to spearheading international initiatives at Ford Motor Company demonstrates how curiosity, ongoing learning, and compassion can turn obstacles into possibilities and drive excellence in teams and industries. From Magnetic Maps to Model 3s: How Robotics Research Ignited a Career in Innovative Automotive Technology Priyanka Das’s path to becoming a leader in her field was defined early on by her passion for problem-solving and smart systems. She completed her Master’s in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Robotics from the University of Cincinnati, where she immersed herself in advanced research on localization algorithms for autonomous systems working within GPS-denied environments. One of the most characteristic projects throughout her academic career was creating a magnetic particle filter to position ground robots based on Earth’s magnetic anomaly maps. This project required expertise in Kalman filters, state estimation, and sensor fusion, all of which helped shape her analytical thinking and technical rigor. More significantly, the project ignited her interest in discovering real-world, meaningful applications of robotics and automation. Her scholarly achievements weren’t merely about skill-building; they were about purpose-building. This solid grounding in research and automation provided her with a distinct advantage as she moved into industrial positions, where creativity and accuracy are both important. Having pursued her post-graduate education, Priyanka made a key career decision when she became an Associate Controls Engineer at Tesla. It was an experience that proved to be a defining milestone in her career. As a controls engineer at Tesla, she had a significant part in the automation systems of manufacturing inverters, battery packs, and cells for the Model 3, Model Y, and S Plaid lines of the company. Priyanka’s task was far from passive; she was deeply involved in ordering machines from concept to production readiness, a role that required hands-on experience and coordination at the top level. She was responsible for improving robotic operations by minimizing cycle time, thereby optimizing productivity along the manufacturing lines. Her work entailed resolving intricately complicated control system problems, meeting deadlines, and interacting with mechanical, electrical, and software engineering departments. The high-pressure, high-speed environment at Tesla honed her leadership abilities, particularly in managing cross-functional dynamics and producing results in the face of pressure. Here is where Priyanka started to envision herself not only as a problem-solver but as a leader who can inspire, delegate, and create innovation. From Resolving Engineering Problems to Empowering Teams through Empathy: How Priyanka Das Transformed from a Technical Specialist to a Collaborative, Adaptive, and Mission-Motivated Leader Priyanka defines her style of leadership as collaborative, adaptive, and mission-driven. She believes that one should lead by example by rolling up their sleeves when required, along with empowering others to initiate and own what they do. Her leadership experience has transformed from being highly technical to being highly people-oriented. Early in her career, her attention was directed toward fixing engineering issues, sometimes alone or as part of a small team. As time passed, particularly at Tesla and Ford, she understood that leadership wasn’t so much about knowing all the answers as it was about getting different groups of people pointed in the right direction. If asked what inspired her most about leadership, Priyanka points to a senior manager she had while working at Tesla. This mentor was not only technically genius but also emotionally intelligent, aspects that resonated with Priyanka. How the manager managed to survive under tremendous pressure while mentoring and developing junior engineers had a lasting impression. She managed with empathy, made evidence-based decisions, and motivated her team to be innovative without hesitation. To Priyanka, this illustration drove home an essential truth: leadership is not authority; it’s influence, trust, and about elevating others. This mindset has guided Priyanka’s leadership style to this day. She remains a mentor to junior engineers, fosters fearless ideas, and helps her colleagues develop professionally and personally. Priyanka is staunchly committed to open communication, mutual accountability, and persistent improvement. She makes sure that her teams appreciate themselves and are motivated, knowing that perfection is best attained when each member is heard and empowered. Grace Under Pressure: Crisis Management Mastery, Team Motivation Inspiration, and Calm Leadership in High-Risk Situations Navigating high-stakes crises and situations is a core aspect of Priyanka’s job. Her methodology is rooted in three pillars: problem-solving, open communication, and leadership that remains composed. Confronting serious production problems, whether in the launch of a plant or the fixing of faults in a control system, Priyanka starts by capturing appropriate data, recognizing underlying causes, and establishing explicit priorities. She rallies her team with a common goal and improvises as matters unfold. To motivate her team, she strives to develop an ownership and respect culture. She acknowledges each input, provides helpful feedback, and makes her team members understand the larger implications of their work. By developing a culture of learning and trust, Priyanka keeps her team motivated even when under pressure. She keeps reminding them that failure is a means to learn

Yuri Hirayama Most Transformational and Dynamic Leader in education 2025 The education industry plays a key role in shaping individuals and society. It focuses on teaching knowledge, skills, and values to learners of all ages from young children to adults. This industry includes schools, colleges, training centers, and learning programs, both in physical classrooms and online. Education helps people grow personally and professionally, build confidence, and become responsible citizens. It also supports communities by improving literacy, promoting equal opportunities, and encouraging lifelong learning. In recent years, there has been a stronger focus on sustainability, innovation, and emotional development in education. New methods such as hands-on learning, digital tools, and global exchanges are making education more flexible, inclusive, and connected to real-world challenges. Yuri Hirayama is the Chief Sustainability Officer, School Director, and Principal Educator at the Yuri Education Center. She leads an institution that seamlessly integrates sustainability, cultural heritage, and education, with a special focus on empowering young people and mothers. Through community-centered initiatives and a deep-rooted commitment to experiential learning and cross-cultural dialogue, she nurtures socially conscious and capable leaders. Her work is driven by academic rigor, emotional intelligence, and a profound belief in the power of education to shape the future. From Purpose to Impact: How Yuri Hirayama Turned Her Passion for Education into a Life-Changing Movement for Mothers, Youth, and Sustainability Yuri Hirayama’s professional journey is not just a career story; it is a narrative shaped by purpose, vision, and unwavering dedication to the well-being of society. Her deep-rooted belief that education can transform not only individuals but entire communities led her to create a center that stands as an example of innovation and inclusivity. Her commitment to education began early and grew stronger with each step she took. For Yuri, education has always meant more than academic excellence. She saw it as a powerful tool for empowering people, preserving cultural values, and promoting environmental stewardship. With this vision in mind, she founded the Yuri Education Center, a place that brings together the values of sustainability, cultural awareness, and community support under one roof. One of the most significant moments in Yuri’s career was the creation of “Yuria’s Happy English”, a program designed for mothers and their young children. The intent was not just to teach English but to offer a nurturing environment where emotional connections could thrive alongside environmental awareness. This program became a gateway for introducing sustainability concepts at a foundational level, encouraging families to build relationships grounded in empathy and eco-conscious values. Through this initiative, Yuri came to realize the significant impact that early childhood education can have on fostering social and ecological responsibility. It was a turning point that further validated her mission. Following this success, Yuri developed another transformative initiative: “Waste to Wow!”. The idea was simple yet profound: Take discarded items and transform them into useful or beautiful creations. Through this initiative, Students were encouraged to rethink their perception of waste and learn that what is often seen as useless can, with creativity and effort, become meaningful. This program taught students not only environmental responsibility but also resilience and innovation. The idea of turning something neglected into something valuable resonated deeply with her philosophy of education as a tool for uplifting lives. Her journey continued with the creation of the “You Lead” program, an initiative that reflects her belief in youth leadership. This program empowers young people to explore global issues, develop their voice, and engage meaningfully with their communities. By encouraging learners to step into leadership roles, Yuri helps them become agents of change. Her educational methods are not just confined to books and classrooms; they extend into the real world through inquiry-based, interdisciplinary approaches that blend science, sustainability, and language skills. Students don’t just learn, they inquire, engage, and act. Leading with Heart and Growth: The Transformative Journey of Yuri Hirayama’s Leadership Style Yuri’s leadership is marked by a rare combination of strength, empathy, and inclusivity. Over the years, her leadership style has transformed and matured. In the beginning, she focused heavily on structure, curriculum, and the technical aspects of education. However, through interactions with students, mothers, and educators, she began to recognize that leadership must also be emotionally intelligent and culturally responsive. Today, Yuri’s leadership style is centered on empathy and inclusivity. She creates an environment where every voice matters, whether it belongs to a student, a parent, or a staff member. She understands that people thrive when they feel heard, respected, and supported. That is why collaboration, rather than authority, forms the backbone of her leadership philosophy. Her inspiration stems not from any one person but from the collective strength of the women and youth she works with daily. Their resilience, creativity, and determination have shaped her perspective and refined her leadership. These individuals have shown her that leadership is not about commanding but about uplifting others, being vulnerable, and listening deeply. Yuri also values the contributions of professionals and collaborators who participate in her programs. Sustainability experts, educators, and innovators bring valuable insights that continuously enrich the Yuri Education Center’s work. These diverse voices ensure that her leadership remains dynamic and informed by a broader worldview. Yuri views leadership as a lifelong journey, one shaped by constant learning, reflection, and a willingness to grow. Grace Under Pressure: How Yuri Hirayama Leads with Integrity, Clarity, and Collective Strength in Critical Moments Leading an educational institution that is committed to real-world change comes with its share of challenges. Whether it’s navigating unforeseen circumstances or making impactful decisions, Yuri approaches each situation with clarity, honesty, and a deep grounding in shared values. Her philosophy in high-stakes moments is captured in a guiding principle embraced by her team: “We courageously discuss, actively lead, and collectively act.” This simple yet powerful mantra reflects her belief in transparency, dialogue, and collective ownership. In times of uncertainty, Yuri ensures that every team member feels involved and valued. She fosters a culture where strengths are recognized, contributions are celebrated, and even small achievements

Dr. Carolyn M. Rubin Most Trusted & Iconic Leader in Healthcare – 2025 The healthcare industry focuses on maintaining people’s health and treating them when they fall ill. It includes hospitals, clinics, dental offices, labs, and special care centers. This industry works to prevent illness, diagnose health problems, and provide the right treatments. It also involves creating new medicines, using technology to improve care, and managing healthcare services. As technology grows, the healthcare field is finding better ways to care for patients, store information, and make services faster and more efficient. From simple checkups to serious treatments, this industry covers all areas of health and wellness. It plays a big role in helping people live longer and healthier lives. This industry is an important part of every community and country. Dr. Carolyn M. Rubin is a well-known leader in the healthcare field who believes in creating positive change and focusing on the human side of innovation. As the Senior Vice President of Practice Management Solutions at Beacon Oral Specialists, she combines smart planning with care and understanding. With many years of experience, she continues to guide and inspire future leaders. She believes in being fully present, having a clear purpose, and using storytelling to help people grow, stay strong, and move forward. Leadership from the Heart and with a Purpose: Embodying Presence, Intentionality, and the Authentic Reality of Leading Leadership, for Dr. Carolyn M. Rubin, is so much more than a title or a step up the corporate ladder. It is a vocation, a lifetime of commitment to service, to inspiring others, and to transformation by design. Her entry into healthcare was not one of systems and efficiency, but of people, and making the systems more compassionate, more human, and more effective. From the beginning of her career, she was attracted to the intersection where operational excellence and compassionate service come together. She soon discovered that successful leadership involved something more than command and control; it involved a genuine commitment to improving things not only for patients and practitioners but also for the teams behind these systems. When pressed to articulate her leadership style, Dr. Rubin discusses intentionality. Every relationship, every decision, and every action is established with deliberation and thoughtfulness. She believes in creating significant relationships, fostering innovation, and making sure that everything done serves a larger vision of change. She practices servant leadership with an emphasis on empowerment, collaboration, and the good of her teams. One of the defining pivot points in her life was the point when she became committed to the practice of presence. She learned that leadership is most powerful when experienced with complete awareness, profound listening, and genuine engagement. In each meeting, in each challenge, in each moment of mentoring, her complete attention produced waves of effect. This philosophy formed the basis of her practice, and it was carried forward in her work, ranging from restructuring healthcare systems to mentoring future leaders through their changes. This style has not stood still. Over time, it has been developed into a leadership style infused with emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and a profound respect for flexibility. What has developed from a structured, results-oriented style is now a mature one that combines logic with sensitivity, structure with flexibility. Her ability to transform reflects her highest ideals: leaders who combine courage with authenticity, strategy with humanity, and create a setting where individuals are free to create, contribute, and develop. It is this interplay between making things happen and promoting connection that characterizes Dr. Rubin’s leadership legacy. Leading with Clarity, Presence, and Purpose: Navigating Crises and Global Leadership Challenges in a Complex, Rapidly Changing World Crisis for Dr. Rubin is not only a time of disruption but an opportunity to reaffirm values and demonstrate a clear vision. In high-stress environments such as healthcare, where room for error is minimal, she is calm and centered, inspiring others. She addresses crisis management with deliberate choices, recognizing feelings while prioritizing long-term integrity and influence. Thoughtful evaluation paves the way for decisive action based on common values and strategic insight. As a world leader, she is aware of the nuances of contemporary leadership informed by accelerated technology changes and changing societal values. She holds that authenticity has to be preserved amid change by staying rooted in intrinsic values. Presence and intentionality lead leaders to move through complexity without sacrificing clarity. Dr. Rubin also points to an increasingly pressing problem: the deterioration of rich human connections in a world dominated by digital communication. She promotes designing purposeful spaces that emphasize collaboration, creativity, and emotional connection. For her, regardless of how sophisticated technology may evolve, richness in human interaction is vital. Her unique leadership fosters resilience by inviting teams to find connection with purpose, identify their influence, and adapt willingly. In this way, uncertainty is transformed into momentum and challenges into opportunity. The Dragonfly Symbolism and the Living Legacy of Leadership: How Storytelling Turns Presence into Purpose Another highlight of Dr. Rubin’s life was embracing storytelling not as a tool for communication, but as a means of taking transformation and making it something concrete and personal. Specifically, she was attracted to the dragonfly symbolism, which is a symbol of change, resilience, and adaptability. The dragonfly was her logo, a means to touch others on the emotional plane where real transformation happens. By being open with her tales and inviting others to do so as well, she established a culture in which vulnerability was not frailty, but courage. Her tales became blueprints, guiding others through their changes with courage and clarity. In this, she not only led with strategy, but with soul. Legacy, to Dr. Rubin, is not constructed in boardrooms or quantifiable by metrics alone. It is a living philosophy, a state of being that indelibly marks people, systems, and ideas. She hopes her legacy will cross industries, reminding individuals that leadership is a presence, an intention, and a connection. Her life is a testament to the possibility that strategy and compassion are not opposite sides

Diana Richardson Most Empowering Beauty & Business Coach of the year 2025 The business and beauty coaching world has become an ever-changing and networked ecosystem, where entrepreneurship and artistry intersect in the most creative fashions. Driven by online platforms and customer interest in bespoke experiences, the sector moves beyond conventional salon treatments to encompass whole-person wellness, expert mentorship, and sustainable development frameworks. Beauty therapists weigh technical proficiency in high-end aesthetic treatments against business acumen, leveraging social media, content marketing, and community outreach to grow their reach. Business mentors offer customized insights into brand creation, operational streamlining, and market segmentation, equipping practitioners with to create successful businesses. As the industry keeps diversifying, those who combine creativity, flexibility, and strategy driven by numbers forge its future, leading by example and paving the way for future generations of entrepreneurs. Diana Richardson is a model of resilience and innovation, leveraging early industry exposure to build a decades-long career. From mopping salon floors at age nine to launching her high street business, she combined technical expertise with strategic know-how. A one-time Virgin Atlantic flight attendant turned businesswoman, Diana established several award-winning enterprises, such as Orchids Hideaway, recording exponential success and teaching awards. Awarded hundreds of accolades and inducted into the IAOTP Hall of Fame, she is still an inspirational figure in beauty and business coaching. Blending Beauty and Business: How Creators, Coaches, and Community Leaders Are Redefining Success in the Modern Wellness and Aesthetics Industry The beauty and business coaching industry has transformed into a vibrant, interconnected ecosystem where creativity and commerce work hand in hand. What once revolved around salon services now encompasses a comprehensive experience that blends skincare, aesthetics, wellness, and strategic business mentorship. This evolution is driven by rising consumer demand for personalized services and a growing digital landscape that allows professionals to connect, educate, and inspire at scale. Today’s beauty professionals are not only skilled aestheticians but also content creators, brand builders, and community leaders. They use social media, digital marketing, and real-time engagement to grow loyal audiences and build meaningful businesses. Simultaneously, business coaches have emerged as vital partners in this landscape, providing customized strategies in operations, branding, scalability, and customer experience. Together, these roles converge to form a powerful alliance fueling innovation, empowering independent entrepreneurs, and setting new standards in service delivery. Coaching, once an afterthought, is now a cornerstone for sustainable success in the beauty industry. As the field continues to evolve, the leaders who thrive are those who balance artistic excellence with adaptive strategy and a passion for teaching others. Their impact ripples outward, inspiring a new generation of professionals committed to purpose, prosperity, and transformative leadership. Globally Celebrated Beauty Leader and Serial Entrepreneur With a Decades-Long Track Record of Business Excellence Diana Richardson’s professional development has been fueled by personal and professional moments and points of inflexion that spurred radical growth and enduring innovation. A significant point of inflexion came with the launch of the Glowgetter Mentor brand, which started as a vision for sharing actionable advice and developed into a weekly industry expert podcast. With more than 125 shows, Diana has interviewed top influencers in beauty, wellness, and entrepreneurship, catapulting her to international keynote speaking opportunities and extending her reach across multiple markets. At the same time, her Glowgetter Mentor blog has garnered over one hundred detailed articles, each providing actionable tips for business owners looking to flourish and grow. Building on this momentum, Diana wrote the bestselling Glowgetters Guide to Running a Blooming Business, taking her knowledge and turning it into a thorough guide. Her single-minded enthusiasm for the beauty world and community drove each project’s takeoff and ensured its international success. These achievements highlight her dedication to ongoing innovation, cementing her position as a visionary leader and inspiring mentor in the beauty and coaching industries, where she challenges others to seek transformational achievement. Turning Adversity into Opportunity Through Resilience, Empathy, and a Strategic Vision for Empowering Global Business and Future Leadership Diana’s leadership style has developed over a sequence of transformative tests, each of which offered challenges that she adeptly transmuted into opportunities for development. Early in her career, she experienced staffing shortages and budgetary challenges that required creative solutions to the workforce and careful budgetary management. Later, a serious injury challenged her resilience, making her re-prioritize her needs and invest in wellness habits that strengthened her ability to lead from the inside out. Grasping grit and perseverance, Diana refined her decision-making methodology, dedicating herself to taking firm action with the assurance gained from learned knowledge, even where results were uncertain. Diana accepts that not all decisions don’t result in instant success, but she approaches failures with lessons, which, in retrospect, are more obvious than they were foreseen. Appreciating the need for ongoing reflection, she practices systematic goal setting, meeting monthly and quarterly to keep energy levels up and accountability high. This leadership style of evolution has nurtured a multicultural culture of innovation, personal empowerment, and trust in her worldwide business enterprises. By combining adaptive strategy with empathetic mentoring, Diana creates a climate in which future leaders can flourish, finding both challenges and success as integral to sustaining success. How Visionary Leadership and Empathetic Mentorship Shaped Diana Richardson’s Philosophy in Beauty, Business, and Empowerment Coaching In Diana’s story, the greatest influence came by chance when she met Kit Kemp, a celebrated hotelier and imaginative visionary. Diana opened her initial high street salon when Kit was given a signature treatment that would evolve into more than sixteen years of a relationship. During that period, Kit’s unshakeable commitment to excellence, purpose-driven passion, and investment in the empowerment of others gave Diana a real-life example of leadership based on vision and authenticity. Seeing the way Kit put considered design, genuine legacy, and uncompromising standards into every project inspired Diana to implement something similar in her endeavours. Kit’s capacity to generate revolutionary guest experiences, combined with a culture of empowerment for employees and partners, resonated with Diana’s ethos. Aside from her hospitality success, Kit Kemp is

Richard C. Larson Most Influential Operations Research Leader & Innovator in Education 2025 Richard never dreamed of being a professor. His path to academia was more by accident than intention, driven by an early fascination with concrete systems such as circuitry, signal processing, and hardware logic. But it wasn’t until he stumbled upon Operations Research (OR) that something clicked. “I was fascinated by the applicability of OR to the external world,” he remembers. It wasn’t the modelling or the mathematics; it was that OR might help make tricky problems in society more manageable. And this insight made him pursue a different route.   The turning point in Larson’s career was through Professor Alvin W. Drake, an electrical engineering and OR specialist who recognised in Dr. Richard the potential for something better. Another important person was Dr. Alfred Blumstein, who served on the President’s Crime Commission’s Science and Technology Task Force. This initial exposure to actual applications of OR, specifically in urban policing, had a deep influence on Dr. Richard’s outlook. It not only gave him an academic grounding but also a sense of social obligation. His PhD dissertation, which maximised urban police patrols, became his first book, Urban Police Patrol Analysis, published in 1972. The book was subsequently awarded the Lanchester Prize, establishing Larson as a leading applied systems thinker.   The MIT Lifer and the Enduring Art of Teaching: How Richard C. Larson Turned Classrooms into Catalysts for Lifelong Learning When Professor Alvin W. Drake offered Dr. Richard a position on the MIT faculty as an assistant professor, he was surprised as well as flattered. He seized the opportunity, initiating what would be a lifelong connection with the institution he is proud to call his own. Instead of merely staying at MIT, he contributed significantly to changing the way Operations Research was taught, practised, and enjoyed. In the classroom, he went beyond dry theory and memorisation. He emphasised application to real-life situations, everyday storytelling, and a people-centric approach to high-level sub-areas, emphasising applied probability and queueing theory. Inspired by great teachers like Dr. Amar Bose, he created a learning style based on accessibility and utility. He sought to make certain that students would be able to engage with depth.   “Never really a theorem-proof kind of person,” Dr. Richard says. “Always pragmatic, always from the real world.” This approach appealed to students and faculty members. He was not educating equations or models. He was teaching me to think differently. His most lasting legacy may be the belief that systems modelling, when done with clarity and intention, is accessible to all. By leading students to view challenges as organised and resolvable, he enabled them to make reflective, wise choices in their careers and their lives. Leading with Purpose and Presence: Richard C. Larson’s Timeless Blueprint for Impactful and Compassionate Leadership Dr. Richard’s leadership was quiet but deeply effective, built on the motto of leading by example. In mentoring PhD students or working alongside colleagues, he held the belief that by showing hard work, integrity, and high standards in his behaviour, others would be spurred to emulate him. His quiet confidence and absolute commitment said much, frequently doing more than outright instruction. “Treat students and colleagues with respect and dignity, and they will respond in wonderful ways,” he says. Instead of depending on directives or micromanaging, he put significant value on substantial, face-to-face conversation. These were not just discussions, they were platforms for mutual respect, collective insight, and genuine leadership. He created settings where people felt valued, challenged to think boldly, and inspired to give their best. Numerous individuals who worked with or under Dr. Richard’s leadership went on to become powerful figures in Operations Research and systems science. To him, leadership was not control, it was trust-building through consistency, compassion, and purpose. He believed the best leaders empower others to find and follow their strengths and visions. When things got tough, he stayed calm and reflective, opening up for input and creating clear, logical directions forward. This intentional, collaborative style allowed those around him to act with clarity and confidence. Model Thinking for Everyday Life: Communicating the Invisible Logic That Shapes Smarter Decisions and a More Understandable World  In retirement, most professors fade into the background of academia. Not Dr. Richard. During the lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, while the rest of the world stood still, he wrote MODEL THINKING for Everyday Life, a book that challenged readers to bring systems models and decision-making frameworks to the masses, to convert crisis into contribution, bringing clarity amidst confusion. To him, “model” has a double meaning: as something to aim for and as a mental or mathematical abstraction of how the world works. The book expresses his philosophy for life that anyone can make better, wiser decisions by thinking in models. It’s an effort to democratise intellectual tools, once the exclusive province of classrooms and scholarly papers. He calls this approach “MODEL THINKING”, a way of thinking that enables one to navigate oneself through the chaos of modern life with foresight and purpose. Through stories, practical advice, and humour, the book simplifies complex systems into common sense. He doesn’t merely teach models, he lives them, making abstract models concrete wisdom. He aims to make the invisible reasoning of life visible and accessible to all, irrespective of origin or vocation. The Challenges of a Fractured World and the Role of Human Intelligence: Navigating Global Crises with Wisdom, Compassion, and Ethical Innovation Even from the sidelines of the academic world, Dr. Richard is very much in touch with the problems of the world. His first concern is peace, observing that there will always be some areas where war rules. The answer, in his view, is constant dialogue and active diplomacy, particularly by major powers. Health is another concern. Dr. Richard is convinced that international cooperation and funding are the solutions to health emergencies and providing access to basic care for everyone. He insists that the rich need to invest not only in their

Dr. Mariam Shaikh Most Empowering Woman in Education of the year 2025 Education now blends tradition and technology, responding to local and socioeconomic diversity while promoting inclusive teaching practices. Online learning environments, immersive simulations, and data-based assessment are blended into institutions to tailor learning. Teachers focus on comprehensive development, interweaving social-emotional learning, critical thinking, and global citizenship into the curriculum. Branch campuses and dual-degree programs are supported by international collaborations, taking quality teaching to growth regions. Demographic shifts and economic inequality compel policymakers to advocate for lifelong learning pathways, micro-credentials, and competency-based approaches. Stakeholders balance academic strength with enhanced access through scholarship programs, public-private partnerships, and responsive course design. With this changing landscape, leadership vision and intentional resource distribution are crucial for overcoming equity gaps and preparing all learners for a more interconnected world. Dr. Mariam Shaikh has dedicated over three and a half decades to revolutionizing education in the United Arab Emirates. As Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MS Education Consultants, she has directed thousands of students toward international opportunities through strategic recruitment, counselling, and student-experience planning. Her leadership enabled branch campuses for world-famous foreign universities, while her collaborations with UNHCR provided scholarships for refugee students. Able to serve the world-class recognition for equity and innovation, she reflects a visionary dedication to the access, excellence, and well-being of students. Pioneering Early Childhood Education: Establishing a Innovative, Child-Focused Nursery School Model Through Entrepreneurial Vision in the 1980s Dr. Mariam started in the early 1980s by setting up a boutique nursery school based on her vision of child-centred learning. Inspired by the needs of her children during their developmental years, she created a curriculum that had cognitive milestones integrated with social-emotional learning. She hired educators dedicated to ongoing professional development and collaborated with developmental psychologists to include hands-on learning activities. Classrooms had interactive art, science, language, and play centres that supported exploration and self-expression. Small class sizes meant individualized feedback, and ongoing parent-teacher consultations promoted collaborative goal setting. The philosophy of the school promoted resilience, creativity, and collaboration through projects in groups and community activities, developing empathy and leadership skills early on. Dr. Mariam held parent and teacher workshops on early literacy techniques, behavioural intervention, and universal design for learning strategies. She established collaborations with neighbourhood health providers to provide screenings and support services for children with special needs. With yearly inspections and feedback mechanisms, she constantly improved operations and teaching methods. By the end of its first ten years, the nursery had served hundreds of families, with waiting lists testifying to its reputation for quality. Not only did this early endeavour influence thousands of learners, but it also solidified her dedication to scalable, high-quality education that emphasizes the individual strengths and requirements of each child. Transforming Education Through the Balanced Implementation of Rigorous Academics, Cultural Sensitivity, and Modern Technology in an Asian-Curriculum School Based on her achievements with a nursery school, Dr. Mariam Shaikh became Principal at a well-established Asian-curriculum school chain within the UAE, managing over seven thousand pupils. She adopted a far-reaching approach that effortlessly balanced academic stringency, cultural sensitivity, and technological innovation. Among her defining initiatives was opening a leadership academy for teachers, which provided instructors with data-driven pedagogy and customized learning strategies for a myriad of students. Student support services were greatly enhanced during her tenure, such as counselling, career counselling, and an array of extracurricular clubs ranging from art to robotics to promote students’ overall development. Dr. Mariam collaborated successfully with the regional education authorities to gain official recognition, raising the status of the school and maintaining compliance with high standards. She also fostered strong community relationships, expanding extracurricular programs and providing international exchange visits that expanded students’ international perspectives. Campus facilities doubled in size to meet growth and innovation, with state-of-the-art science laboratories, digital media studios, and wellness centres. Enrollment grew steadily as families looked for an education that honoured cultural heritage and prepared students for international challenges. Dr. Mariam’s leadership through this time cemented her position as a visionary who could lead a multifaceted educational institution while keeping the personalized, high-level learning experience intact. Spearheading Higher Education Partnerships, Facilitated Branch Campuses, Aligning Global Standards with Local Cultural Regulatory Priorities In acknowledging the UAE’s increasing position as a worldwide academic centre, Dr. Mariam Shaikh made efforts to bring elite overseas universities to Dubai Knowledge Village and other innovation precincts. One of her landmark achievements was negotiating the University of New Brunswick’s first Middle East campus, where she effectively reconciled international accreditation requirements with Emirati cultural and regulatory demands. She created strategic roadmaps that covered site selection, regulation compliance, and market positioning, working closely with government bodies to obtain highly attractive incentives. Dr. Mariam worked with university leadership to modify curricula, incorporating regional studies with necessary global competencies to ensure relevance and academic standards. A targeted marketing campaign emphasized the campus’s distinct blend of North American pedagogy and Middle Eastern setting, successfully enrolling students from more than sixty nations. Building on this success, she brokered such collaborations with Heriot-Watt University, the Canadian University of Dubai, and Amity University, each developing programs in areas like sustainable development, engineering, and business leadership. Through strategic project management and coordination with stakeholders, she made the UAE a thriving international hub for higher education, promoting more cross-border academic interactions and collaborative research potential. Driving Student Enrollment Growth at International University Branch Campuses Through Scholarships and Experiential Learning Initiatives Through her senior leadership positions at the Canadian University of Dubai, Heriot-Watt University, and Amity University in Dubai, Dr. Mariam Shaikh led significant growth in both enrollment and academic offerings. She implemented flexible governance approaches that allowed faculty and administration to be agile and quickly adapt to new educational needs, such as hybrid learning modalities and executive education. Understanding the importance of diversity and inclusion, she initiated scholarship initiatives for high-achieving students from underserved areas, supported by strategic partnerships with major industry sponsors who offered mentorship and internship opportunities. To maintain sustained academic excellence, she strengthened quality assurance frameworks through

Bala Sathyanarayanan Most Transformational HR Leader of the year 2025 The industrial packaging business is a vital component of the global supply chain, serving a broad spectrum of markets such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, agriculture, and manufacturing. The business is engaged in the design, manufacturing, and sale of rugged packaging solutions like steel and plastic drums, fiber containers, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), and flexible packaging. These items are critical to the safe handling, storage, and transportation of raw materials and finished products over long distances. With international trade growing and sustainability at the top of the agenda, the industrial packaging sector is increasingly turning to environmentally friendly materials, innovative designs, and intelligent packaging technologies. Firms in this arena, such as Greif, Inc., are taking the lead by aligning packaging solutions with customer requirements and focusing on environmental stewardship, operational effectiveness, and supply chain resilience. With a career spanning continents and industries, Bala V. Sathyanarayanan has established a distinctive niche as a visionary human resources executive. Currently Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Greif, Inc., Bala has spent his career revolutionizing organizational culture, integrating HR initiatives with worldwide business objectives, and advocating for employee wellness. Respected for his collaborative leadership and strategic thinking, Bala is the embodiment of how people-driven innovation can propel global success in the modern business landscape. From Humble Beginnings to Human-Centered Leadership: A Journey Fueled by Passion for People Bala started his professional career in the energetic city of Chennai, India, a city that cultivated his values, drive, and early professional insight. His early days at world giants Coca-Cola, Hewlett-Packard (HP), and Xerox set the stage for his destiny as a worldwide HR leader. Every position honed his mind on one critical factor: people. At Coca-Cola, Bala immersed himself in the core of people development and training systems. This experience was instrumental, giving him a lifelong passion for talent development and the conviction that well-trained people are the foundation of any successful organization. He subsequently moved to Hewlett-Packard, where he helped establish the linkage between HR planning and the company’s global goals. In this part of his career, he learned the significance of balancing human resources with overall business plans, making HR not a support function but a driving force for development. At Xerox, Bala’s purview expanded greatly. He was given charge of leading Human Resources and Business Transformation for 145 countries. This enormous assignment allowed him to refine his skills at managing cross-cultural organizations and dealing with complex worldwide issues. It was also one of the first instances he implemented change management on a massive level a talent that would form the backbone of his leadership philosophy. The Turning Points: Expanding Global Horizons and Redefining Leadership Across Borders Two pivotal leadership positions at Avaya Inc. and United Technologies (Otis Elevator Company) represented turning points in Bala’s career. These roles broadened his technical skill set and his global perspective. At Avaya Inc., Bala transitioned into leadership positions that helped him comprehend the changing dynamics of the tech and telecom industries. He became a change-making leader, spearheading global HR initiatives that transformed Avaya’s talent strategy and operations. He was recognized as someone who could inject clarity and focus in high-stakes settings. At Otis Elevator Company, part of United Technologies, Bala’s experience expanded further. Working in one of the world’s most renowned engineering and industrial companies, he contributed to bridging old-world manufacturing strategies with imaginative, people-centric HR practices. This was another landmark—a chance to infuse human capital strategies into a corporate setup that was famous for engineering prowess. These critical assignments solidified Bala’s global management expertise and strategic vision. They positioned him for his most impactful role yet—at Greif, Inc. Greif, Inc.: Pioneering Global HR Transformation Through Unified Vision and People-First Innovation At Greif, Inc., the industrial packaging industry’s leading global company, as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Bala faced the colossal task of integrating HR systems with Greif’s worldwide vision. His first revolutionary contribution was to bring in HR strategies that not only facilitated business objectives but propelled them. With the awareness of the interdependence between employee experience and customer satisfaction, Bala made it his mission to place people at the heart of all strategy. He spearheaded the development of Greif University,” a centralized learning environment to upskill employees and develop leadership. By investing in ongoing learning and leadership growth, Bala developed a robust internal talent pipeline that was capable of addressing the needs of a fast-changing industry. He also launched the “Lead to Last” program yet another flagship initiative aimed at long-term leadership sustainability. Through initiatives such as these, Bala fostered an environment in which learning, development, and accountability were organizational standards. Most significantly, perhaps, Bala realized global gender pay parity at Greif—an accomplishment that few global companies have yet been able to equal. This historic achievement demonstrated his commitment to equity, transparency, and inclusivity. Adaptive and Inclusive Leadership Rooted in Humanity and Vision Bala’s own leadership style is as diverse as his background. He characterizes it as customer-focused, strategic, and inclusive—but above all, it’s human. Throughout the years, his leadership philosophy has evolved. Shaped by his experience at Coca-Cola, HP, and Xerox, Bala has crafted a style that melds strategic vision with emotional acuity. He values transparency and candor, making sure employees at every level feel heard, seen, and empowered. At the core of his philosophy is the practice of servant leadership—a notion that leaders need to empower their people by making their needs their top priority. Through creating this culture, Bala has developed cultures in which innovation is a driving force and people are encouraged to give their best. His highest inspiration as a leader is Peter Drucker, whose works on management and human capital had the most profound influence on Bala’s mind. Similar to Drucker, Bala also shares the view that the best measurement of leadership is the capacity to grow people so that the organization thrives even when the leader is not there. From