CXO Lanes

Shantanu Naidu has taken on the role of General Manager, Head – Strategic Initiatives at Tata Motors, marking a significant step in the company’s leadership expansion. With a strong background in strategic planning and business innovation, he will be responsible for driving key initiatives that align with Tata Motors’ growth and transformation goals. His appointment reflects the company’s emphasis on integrating innovative strategies to navigate the evolving automotive landscape. Previously, Shantanu served as General Manager in the Office of Ratan N. Tata at TATA SONS LIMITED, where he played a crucial role in shaping corporate initiatives and strategic planning. His experience across Tata Trusts, Tata Elxsi, and Tata Technologies has given him expertise in business strategy, product innovation, and marketing. With this new position, he continues his journey within the Tata ecosystem, contributing to the company’s long-term vision and industry leadership. #ShantanuNaidu #TataMotors #Leadership #StrategicInitiatives #BusinessStrategy #Innovation #AutomotiveIndustry #Growth #CorporateLeadership #TataGroup #cxolanes

Ashaya Kantawala has taken on the role of Chief Underwriting Officer at Berkley Insurance Asia (a Berkley Company) IFSCA Branch GIFT City, bringing vast experience in liability insurance. With a career spanning over decades, he has built expertise in underwriting, portfolio management, product development, and business strategy. His deep understanding of risk assessment and market dynamics has played a crucial role in shaping insurance portfolios and driving profitability. In his new role, he will focus on enhancing underwriting processes, optimizing risk selection, and contributing to the company’s expansion in the evolving insurance landscape. His leadership is expected to strengthen Berkley Insurance’s position in the market by aligning underwriting strategies with business growth objectives. Prior to joining Berkley Insurance, he was associated with TATA AIG General Insurance Company Limited, where he played a key role in managing the casualty lines portfolio at a national level. He has been instrumental in developing innovative insurance solutions, streamlining underwriting frameworks, and fostering strong relationships with stakeholders. His ability to navigate complex liability risks and create sustainable business models has been widely recognized in the industry. As he steps into this new leadership position, his focus will be on ensuring underwriting excellence, fostering business expansion, and adapting to emerging trends in the insurance sector. #AshayaKantawala #BerkleyInsurance #UnderwritingExcellence #InsuranceLeadership #RiskManagement #PortfolioManagement #BusinessStrategy #LiabilityInsurance #InsuranceIndustry #GIFTCity #cxolanes

Geeta Israni has joined Korn Ferry as Director - iRPO, bringing her vast experience in talent acquisition and recruitment leadership. With over 16 years in the field, she has successfully driven hiring strategies, leadership recruitment, and high-volume talent acquisition across global enterprises. Her expertise in data-driven hiring and workforce expansion will play a key role in enhancing Korn Ferry’s recruitment capabilities. Before this, Geeta was Senior Manager - Global Internal Talent Acquisition at Randstad Enterprise, leading talent programs and optimizing recruitment processes. She also held key roles at D. E. Shaw India Private Limited and Resource Solutions, focusing on strategic hiring and talent management. At Korn Ferry, she will leverage her market intelligence and hiring transformation skills to strengthen recruitment operations and drive business growth. #GeetaIsrani #KornFerry #TalentAcquisition #RecruitmentLeadership #HiringStrategies #DiversityRecruitment #WorkforceExpansion #LeadershipHiring #TalentManagement #StrategicHiring #HRLeadership #HiringTransformation #cxolanes

Abhishek Halder has joined Prozo as Chief Revenue Officer, where he will drive revenue growth, enhance client partnerships, and lead strategic initiatives across sales, marketing, and customer success. His vast experience in scaling businesses and digital transformation will be pivotal in achieving Prozo's growth objectives. Before Prozo, Abhishek founded 1K, India’s first chain of tech-enabled modern stores in smaller cities, and held leadership roles at HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and Indian Oil Corp Limited. His deep industry knowledge and entrepreneurial expertise will help Prozo strengthen its supply chain solutions and operational efficiency, contributing to the company’s continued innovation and growth. #AbhishekHalder #Prozo #RevenueGrowth #SupplyChainSolutions #DigitalTransformation #ClientPartnerships #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #OperationalEfficiency #MarketExpansion #TechDriven #cxolanes

Dr. Sudhir Mehta, Founder & Chairman of PPS EKA Mobility, announced a strategic partnership between PPS EKA Mobility and KPIT Technologies to advance electric powertrain technology. This collaboration aims to enhance the efficiency, performance, and sustainability of India's electric commercial vehicle (e-CV) industry. The agreement focuses on developing advanced traction motors, controllers, vehicle control units, and battery management systems to optimize EKA’s electric buses and trucks. With KPIT’s three decades of expertise in mobility solutions, the partnership is set to accelerate India's transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles, reducing total cost of ownership (TCO) and improving the driving experience.  Mr. Kishor Patil , CEO of KPIT Technologies, emphasized the demand for clean and cost-competitive mobility solutions, highlighting KPIT’s commitment to providing high-efficiency electric powertrain solutions. EKA’s focus on Bharat-centric trucks, buses, and logistics fleets aligns with KPIT’s vision of accelerating EV adoption with cutting-edge innovations. The collaboration was formally presented at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025, reinforcing both companies' dedication to sustainable and advanced mobility solutions. This partnership is a significant step toward transforming the electric mobility landscape in India and beyond.  #SustainableMobility #EVRevolution #ElectricVehicles #ZeroEmission #GreenTechnology #SmartTransportation #FutureOfMobility #KPIT #EKAMobility #EVInnovation #cxolanes

Kumar Kanagasabapathy has stepped into the role of APAC Chief Strategy Officer at IPG Mediabrands, bringing two decades of experience in strategic leadership. His expertise in combining data-driven insights with creative innovation has delivered impactful results for global brands like Amazon, adidas, Target, NBCUniversal, and The Walt Disney Company. Previously, he served as Global Chief Strategy Officer for Rufus at Initiative, where he led a global team and strengthened strategic planning for key clients. As he relocates to Singapore, Kumar will focus on driving growth and innovation across the APAC region. His leadership in communications planning, business strategy, and brand-building will play a vital role in shaping IPG Mediabrands’ regional strategy. With deep industry experience and a commitment to fostering talent, he is set to enhance the company’s strategic capabilities in an evolving media landscape. #KumarKanagasabapathy #IPGMediabrands #StrategyLeadership #BrandBuilding #MediaInnovation #APACBusiness #MarketingStrategy #DataDrivenInsights #ConsumerBehavior #BusinessGrowth #MediaIndustry #Leadership #cxolanes

Sudhir Chaturvedi has stepped into the role of Global Chief Growth Officer and North America CEO at NTT DATA, bringing vast experience in business growth, strategic leadership, and technology-driven transformation. His new position will focus on accelerating global expansion, strengthening industry partnerships, and driving innovation in key markets. With nearly three decades of experience, he previously served as President of Global Markets at LTIMindtree, where he played a crucial role in expanding the company’s footprint and enhancing client relationships across industries. His leadership in global sales, business strategy, and operational excellence has positioned him as a key figure in the tech sector. In addition to overseeing growth strategies on a global scale, Sudhir Chaturvedi will lead business operations for North America, a critical market for NTT Data. His past roles include serving as Chief Operating Officer at NIIT Technologies Limited and holding leadership positions at Infosys, EY, and A.F.Ferguson & Co. With a background in mechanical engineering and dual MBAs from the University of Poona and the University of Leeds, he brings a strong mix of technical expertise and strategic business acumen. Recognized as a thought leader, he has contributed insights at prestigious forums, including the French Senate and UK Parliamentary Committees, further cementing his influence in the global technology landscape. #NTTData #Leadership #GrowthStrategy #TechIndustry #ExecutiveLeadership #CloudSolutions #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #BusinessGrowth #SudhirChaturvedi #cxolanes

Kiran Desai has taken on the role of Vice President – India General Counsel at Netflix, building on his six-year journey with the company. He has been instrumental in shaping Netflix’s legal strategies, overseeing business affairs, public policy, and regulatory compliance. Previously serving as Senior Director – India General Counsel, he played a key role in Netflix’s expansion by managing critical legal functions. His expertise in media rights, intellectual property, and corporate governance has been vital in strengthening the company’s operations in India. Before joining Netflix, Kiran Desai founded Desai & Partners, specializing in media, intellectual property, and sports law. He also gained experience at DSK Legal and the Chambers of Shyam Divan, focusing on corporate and regulatory law. A graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Mumbai, he brings a strong legal foundation to her new role. As Netflix navigates India’s evolving regulatory landscape, his leadership will be key in ensuring compliance and operational success. #KiranDesai #Netflix #LegalLeadership #GeneralCounsel #MediaLaw #EntertainmentLaw #CorporateGovernance #IntellectualProperty #RegulatoryCompliance #StreamingIndustry #IndiaBusiness #LegalAffairs #cxolanes

Bengaluru-based Dreamfly Innovations , a battery technology startup, has raised ₹12 crore in a seed funding round led by Avaana Capital, with participation from Sunicon Ventures and existing investors. This follows its earlier ₹4.9 crore angel round in 2023, backed by Rebalance Angel Community and others. Founded in 2022 by Kajal Shah and Dr. Saurabh Markandeya, Dreamfly provides advanced battery solutions for drones, aviation, and aerospace applications, catering to sectors like agriculture, terrain mapping, surveillance, and logistics. Its innovative thermal case design enhances safety by reducing operating temperatures and minimizing fire risks. With the fresh capital, Dreamfly plans to set up a manufacturing unit, expand its team, and accelerate R&D efforts. Its batteries, designed to withstand extreme temperatures from -30°C to 50°C, have gained traction with major clients, including TATA Advanced Systems Limited, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), and General Aeronautics Pvt Ltd. #DreamflyInnovations #BatteryTech #Aerospace #DroneTechnology #AvaanaCapital #Startups #Funding #Innovation #Manufacturing #TechInvestments #cxolanes

K Sudarshan has joined the Board of Directors at the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), bringing his expertise in executive search, leadership consulting, and board advisory. As a seasoned professional in talent acquisition and C-suite hiring, he has played a significant role in shaping leadership strategies for multinational and Indian corporations. In his current role as Managing Director - India & Regional Chairman - Asia at EMA Partners, he has successfully led high-profile executive search assignments across industries such as financial services, private equity, technology, telecom, industrial, and retail. His leadership at EMA Partners has positioned the firm as a key player in the global executive search industry. With a career spanning over two decades, K Sudarshan has built a strong reputation for advising organizations on leadership hiring and talent strategy. His contributions extend beyond corporate search assignments, as he actively engages in industry discussions on emerging trends, digital transformation in hiring, and evolving best practices in executive search. His appointment to the AESC Board of Directors comes at a crucial time, as the industry undergoes rapid transformation. His role will focus on strengthening global industry standards, advocating for ethical hiring practices, and fostering innovation in leadership consulting. His academic background, including his education at Harvard Business School and the National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, Haryana, further enhances his strategic leadership capabilities. #ExecutiveSearch #LeadershipConsulting #TalentAcquisition #BoardAdvisory #CLevelHiring #AESC #EMAPartners #LeadershipExcellence #IndustryStandards #StrategicHiring #cxolanes