Technical Advisory Board

A.S. Viswanathan

Industry veteran with four decades experience in various leadership roles, Board positions and global responsibilities
Founded Team ASV Consultants in 2012, a Management and IT Consulting firm, focusing on Management Advisory services, Business transformation, Manufacturing Intelligence, Industry 4.0 and Leadership development. Experience spans various functions like Industrial Engineering, Strategic Planning, Corporate Re-engineering, Information Technology at Siemens. He expanded the footprint of Siemens Information Systems Limited in India and globally, particularly in the areas of enterprise systems and services. He headed the global Transportation & Logistics vertical at Siemens IT Solutions and Services and worked extensively in the Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Pharmaceutical and Airport sectors. He is on the Boards of many companies both Indian and MNC, and also serves as Advisor to Boards, CEOs and Executive Management teams on business transformation and shareholder value optimisation strategies. He is a mentor and advisor to multiple entrepreneurs and a frequent speaker at numerous industry events. He has held important industry body positions like Chairman, SAP Partner Advisory Board, and is an active member of the Indo German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC).

Svetlana Pinto

Professional with >35 years of Corporate Communications, CSR, Human Resources and POSH experience
Svetlana Pinto is recognised for her communications expertise in the Healthcare industry and well regarded by both her peers and the media. In a career spanning 35+ years, she was associated with global majors like Novartis, Bayer and non-profit World Wildlife Fund – India (WWF). As Country Head Communications & CSR for the Novartis Group of Companies in India, she played a pivotal and decisive role in formulating and implementing communication strategy, change management, issues management, media relations and CSR. She was Chair of the Internal Committee for Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) for three years. As a member of the Communications Committee of the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) for several years, Svetlana played an active role in developing and implementing communication strategy to ensure a balanced perspective of “Patient Rights vs Patent Rights’. During her stint with Novartis she led Corporate HR for a year. As CSR Head, she played a key role in growing several CSR initiatives in the areas of leprosy and healthcare access. She was the lead in organising the Novartis Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp) that drew top talent from across the country closer to the pharmaceutical industry. She has been visiting faculty at Xavier Institute of Communications (XIC) as well as Lala Lajpatrai College of Commerce & Economics teaching PR.

Vikas Verma

Industry veteran with rich cross-industry experience turned Entrepreneur & Advisor
Managing Partner Beneffect Consultants, Partner X-PM {leading player in Interim Management Services}, Founding Member WIL & Charter of TiE, Mumbai. Certified Executive Coach who also Mentors Young Entrepreneurs. Serves as Jury member on Concurs SAI & is Member of Outstanding Speakers Bureau. He has been associated with various companies like SCI, Asian Paints, Marico, Benckiser India, Network 18, Bharti BT Internet, Barista Coffee and Birdy’s. He was instrumental in successfully setting up CNBC India’s operations and launch of Mantra Online Internet Services. His astute business sense set him on his entrepreneurial journey resulting in setting up of www.khuljasimsim.com, an e-commerce website and Cafe Networks, an ICICI Venture funded company. Subsequently, he also founded a unique leisure activity retail business - The Colour Factory™. He now advises SMEs in India on developing and executing business & brand strategy, scaling up operations and developing systems and processes to manage growth.