Hon'ble Shri. Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu
Honorary Patron
Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu is a veteran politician and diplomat who has held key positions such as India's Minister for Civil Aviation, Railways, Environment, Commerce & Industry, and Power. He has also served as India’s Sherpa to the G7 and G20. He is a Chartered Accountant by profession and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
He has been a Member of the Indian Parliament for 6 consecutive terms. He has held several government and semi-government positions, including the Chairmanship of the Maharashtra State Finance Commission, Saraswat Co-operative Bank, and Member of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Board. He is a part of various global organizations and strategic dialogues including the Global Water Partnership, World Economic Forum, United Nations Development Program, Asia Energy Forum, and the United Nations Committee of Biodiversity.
Shri Suresh Prabhu has constantly featured in the list of top five ministers in India in terms of both performance and accessibility in nationwide surveys conducted by various institutions. He was the 2nd best performing Minister in India Today’s report on the performance of key ministers of the Government of India; was awarded ‘Indian of the Year in 2017; and was declared “Best Member of Parliament in 13th Lok Sabha” by Aaj Tak. He was also featured amongst the top three Indian leaders of the future in the cover story of the Hong Kong-based Asiaweek Magazine.
Hon'ble Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi
Honorary Patron
Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi is an award-winning parliamentarian and an eminent lawyer. Known for her intellectual depth and articulate advocacy, she has made substantial contributions to India’s legal and political landscape.
Smt. Lekhi served as India’s Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, where she played a pivotal role in strengthening India’s global relations and promoting Indian culture worldwide.
Since 2014, Smt. Lekhi has represented New Delhi, the capital of India, as a Member of Parliament. Her tenure has been marked by her commitment to critical issues such as women’s rights, social justice, and national security, earning her numerous awards and recognition as a parliamentarian.
In addition to her ministerial duties, she served as the Chairperson of the historic Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Personal Data Protection Bill, where she led discussions on India’s data protection framework, reflecting her influence on issues at the intersection of technology, privacy, and governance.
Her personal life is steeped in a legacy of legal excellence. She is married to Mr. Aman Lekhi, India’s Additional Solicitor General, and is the daughter-in-law of Mr. P.N. Lekhi, a doyen of the Indian legal system. This heritage has profoundly influenced her commitment to justice and public service, making her a leader and an advocate for India’s future.
H.E Freddy Svane
Honorary Patron
His Excellency Mr. Freddy Svane, a veteran and celebrated Danish diplomat who until recently served as Denmark’s Ambassador to India, is venerated not only in Europe but across the world for his outstanding contributions to global diplomacy and international relations. Born on July 31, 1957, he has served in the Danish Foreign Service since 1982, playing a pivotal role in advancing Denmark’s global engagement. A graduate in History from the University of Copenhagen (1981), Mr. Svane has held notable positions such as Secretary of Embassy at the Permanent Mission to the EC in Brussels, Counsellor (Economic Affairs) in Paris, and Under-Secretary at the Trade Council. His ambassadorial appointments include terms in Japan and South Asia, where he served as Ambassador to India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, strengthening bilateral relations and elevating Denmark’s trade and cultural diplomacy.
Mr. Svane also brings valuable experience from the private sector, having served as General Manager at A.P. Møller and CEO of the Danish Agricultural Council. He is married to Lise Frederiksen, a law graduate from the University of Copenhagen, and they are proud parents of four children. With his profound dedication to diplomacy and economic policy, Mr. Svane has established himself as a distinguished figure in Denmark’s international outreach, earning admiration and acclaim across continents.
Shri Sameep Shastri
Chairman
Shri Sameep Shastri is a prominent social entrepreneur, education administrator, and President of the Confederation of Young Leaders of India. Carrying forward the celebrated legacy of his grandfather, Bharat Ratna Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of India, Shri Sameep has been deeply involved in public service for several decades. Known for his charismatic leadership, versatility, and performance-driven approach, he brings a renewed sense of vigor and energy.
As one of the Trustees of the Lal Bahadur Shastri Education Trust, Shri Sameep plays a pivotal role in overseeing the operations of more than 150 educational institutions across India. Through his work with the Indian Institute of Governance and Leadership, he is committed to fostering a skilled cadre of public leaders across all sectors. Shri Shastri also serves as the Vice Chairman of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a leading institution for BRICS nations.
Being the youngest grandson of Bharat Ratna Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, he was introduced to the values of integrity and hard work from an early age. He is a regular participant in panels and discussions hosted by media outlets, government bodies, and universities worldwide.
Shri Sameep holds a postgraduate degree from Oxford University, United Kingdom, and completed his undergraduate studies with honors in Business at Western International University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Shri Himadrish Suwan
Director General
Shri Himadrish Suwan is a globally renowned and award-winning institution builder and a leader whose words and work in the field of public service are inspiring a generation. He is currently serving as Chairperson of the Confederation of Young Leaders of India and Director General at the Indian Institute of Governance and Leadership. He is also a noted contributor to several reputed dailies and magazines.
Shri Himadrish Suwan served as one of the Working Group National Coordinators for the Civil 20 India (C20 India 2023) – Official Engagement Group under India’s Presidency of G-20. Being a firm believer in the traditional Indian ethos of “Vasudev Kutumbakam” (World is one Family) and youth-led public diplomacy Shri Suwan’s leadership saw the Confederation of Young Leaders forge cooperation to foster people-to-people, cultural, academic, and youth exchange mechanisms with over 50 friendly nations; right from Argentina to the United States of America.
Shri Suwan, recently recognized among the ’30 Under 30,’ brings a wealth of experience and vision to the confederation. Powering his vision of creating 21st-century leadership to fight 21st-century challenges, he has led several public projects on issues of urgent public importance. He is a regular special invitee at various international governmental conferences, seminars, and international and national events. He regularly appears on the panel organized by All India Radio, Niti Central and National Institute of Open Schooling, Ministry of Education, Government of India. His numerous suggestions were implemented by various public authorities and responses to his petitions and writings are prominently highlighted in the mainstream international media.
During his college years, Shri Suwan was also appointed as the Media President of Delhi University Students Union (DUSU). Delhi University Students Union is the umbrella student union of one of the premier universities of the country-University of Delhi. In addition, he also serves on the Advisory boards of several prominent organizations and institutions across the globe. ShriSuwan also served as the convener of the first National Youth Parliament organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, and Sports, Government of India in 2018.
In addition, Shri Suwan serves as Officer on Special Duty at the National Institute of Cleanliness Education & Research (NICER), Senior Advisor at the Confederation of Indian Universities (CIU) and the Indian Institute of Photography (IIP) to name a few. As the Senior Advisor of the Confederation of Indian Universities (CIU) created during the NDA regime in the year 2004, ShriSuwan has tried to unite all the 753 universities in the country for optimizing the available resources in the country with a view to stopping the duplication of effort s in the area of higher and tertiary education. He has successfully led several projects under the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India) in association with several Members of Parliament, the Government of India. Acknowledging his efforts towards Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan (Clean India Mission) BJYM, the youth wing of Bhartiya Janata Party; India’s largest political party in terms of representation in the national parliament and state assemblies nominated him to lead the Prime Minister’s ambitious Clean India project in the national capital among the youth citizenry.
He has co-edited several books and has written widely for professional journals including “Foreign Policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi” and “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission): Transforming Lives, Building New India” which was released by Union Cabinet Minister of India, Shri Suresh Prabhu and Shri Hardeep Singh Puri respectively.
Shri Himadrish Suwan is listed among India’s most influential youth with a lot of Indian and International Awards honoring him for his work including the “Global Young Achievers Award” constituted by IAEWP – Affiliated to the United Nations: ECOSOC, UNICEF, UNESCO, and DPI; Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Award; India’s Top 20 Young Leaders Award; World Cleanliness Education Promotion and Development Award and the illustrious Alumni of Amity International School and the University of Delhi to name a few.
Shri Himadrish Suwan introduced the “Mission-E-Safai”, a youth-led public campaign inspired by the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on 2nd October 2015 by associating more than 51 Universities of our country and the religious places for ensuring to maintain a cleaner and greener India. The campaign drew wide attention from the political and academic circles of India including from the Office of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri. Narendra Modi.
Shri Suwan has a Masters Degree in Public Administration and Bachelors in Political Science and International Relations securing First Division.
Shri Vansh Saluja
Director, Projects
Shri Vansh Saluja is a noted social entrepreneur based in New Delhi, India, with extensive national and international experience in the development and government sectors. He was a distinguished WISE Learner’s Fellow with the Qatar Foundation from 2017–18 and has established himself as a thought leader in education, governance, and public policy. He has delivered guest lectures and conducted workshops at prestigious international and national conferences and institutions on topics ranging from education, elections, governance, polity, and policy.
With over eight years of hands-on experience, Shri Saluja has worked with various levels of government, ministries, bureaucrats, and policymakers. He has led numerous impactful projects that have contributed to macro-level social transformation. His expertise in governance and administration is complemented by his deep involvement in the education sector. He has been at the forefront of initiatives focused on high school education, university collaborations, and skill development. Shri Saluja is currently serving as a member of the Governing Body of Maitreyi College, Delhi University, and has held key roles in School Management Committees under the Department of Education, Government of Delhi, contributing significantly to improving the quality of education in government schools.
Shri Saluja is frequently invited as a keynote speaker to colleges, schools, conferences, and panels to address issues concerning education, youth employment, entrepreneurship, and public policy. Internationally, he has represented India in panel discussions and forums in Africa, Indonesia, and Europe, sharing insights on sustainable development and policy innovation.
In 2018, he served as the convener and a speaker at the inaugural National Youth Parliament organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, where he played a pivotal role in fostering youth engagement in policy discourse. Additionally, he has contributed to capacity-building programs for educators and administrators, emphasizing holistic education reforms and empowering youth to become active participants in nation-building.
Shri Saluja’s commitment to bridging gaps in education and governance, coupled with his ability to drive impactful initiatives, positions him as a leader dedicated to fostering innovation, inclusion, and sustainable development.
Smt Malvika Shastri
Director, Communications
Smt. Malvika Shastri, hailing from the family of Bharat Ratna Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, the Second Prime Minister of India, serves as the Director of Communications at the Indian Institute of Governance and Leadership (IIGL). With a rich heritage of leadership and public service, she has dedicated her career to the field of media and communications. Smt. Shastri brings a wealth of experience as a content writer and social media marketer.
Smt. Shastri has worked with prominent organizations such as The Aga Khan Foundation, Dalmia Group, CCL India, ITS Education Group, DLF Group, Jaypee Group, Vatika Group, BPTP, Ramprastha, and Supertech Developers, providing valuable writing services to enhance their communications. She also demonstrated her leadership abilities by heading a 5-member delegation to Ufa, Russia, for the inaugural BRICS and SCO Youth Forum in July 2015.
Her previous roles include significant contributions to renowned national dailies like The Indian Express and Daily News and Analysis (DNA), as well as a tenure as a media specialist with a development organization. In this role, she focused on writing development-centered stories and ensuring their coverage across various media platforms. Smt. Shastri’s contributions to the media industry were acknowledged when she was nominated for the CNN Aspiring Journalist Award in 2007.
Shri Ezeugo Nnamdi
Director, African Affairs
Shri Ezeugo Nnamdi is a distinguished Pan-African leader from Nigeria, renowned for his unwavering commitment to diversity, gender balance, and the promotion of Pan-African values. A secular traditionalist and a champion of global cooperation, Ezeugo has played a pivotal role in fostering dialogue and collaboration among youth from Africa and Asia.
In 2017, he convened the constitutional amendment of the Association of African Students in India (AASI), showcasing his dedication to strengthening institutional frameworks. Since 2016, he has served as the National University Coordinator of AASI and continues to hold the position of Secretary General. His leadership extends to the Africa-Asia Youth Foundation (AAYFO), where he was elected Secretary General. In this capacity, he has tirelessly advocated for mutual cooperation between African and Asian youth, aiming to build a dynamic network of leaders from the Global South.
Ezeugo’s activism transcends governance and diplomacy. His commitment to biodiversity preservation and environmental sustainability led to his role as a founding member of the India-Africa Youth Energy Forum (IA-YEF). He is also an integral part of the Progressive African Youths for Change (PAY-C), where he actively works to empower young leaders and promote sustainable development initiatives. A global thinker, Ezeugo Nnamdi embodies the spirit of unity and progress.
Prof. Dr. Satish Chandra
Consultant
Prof. Dr. Satish Chandra is a veteran in the fields of public administration, diplomacy, and governance, with a career spanning over three decades. He is the former Provident Fund Commissioner with the Government of India and served as a Senior Advisor to the Government of Afghanistan. In addition to his extensive national experience, Dr. Chandra is also a top United Nations official, having contributed significantly to international governance and development initiatives. His expertise lies in Public Management and Development Administration, and he has made notable contributions to various sectors of public policy, governance, and development.
Dr. Chandra holds an MS in Public and Nonprofit Management from the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, NYU, USA, and a PhD from the Department of Management Studies, IIT Delhi, India. He also holds numerous other academic credentials across various disciplines, further enhancing his multidisciplinary approach to governance and management.
As a thought leader, Dr. Chandra serves as a member of several prestigious organizations, including the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), All India Management Association (AIMA), and the Indian Association on Social Security (IASS).
His professional journey includes roles with international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Afghanistan, USAID, and various multilateral programs. Throughout these roles, he has contributed to governance, policy formulation, budgeting, institutional development, auditing, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and treasury and investment management functions across India, the USA, and Afghanistan. His diverse experience in public administration has played a crucial role in shaping key policies and initiatives, strengthening governance frameworks, and improving public sector operations on a global scale.