Board of Governors

Prof. (Dr.) Devi Singh is a distinguished academician and institution builder with vast experience in management education. He has served as the Director of IIM Lucknow and Vice Chancellor of FLAME University. His leadership has significantly contributed to shaping business education in India. He continues to mentor universities and management institutions.

Prof. (Dr.) Devi Singh is a veteran in management education, known for his transformative leadership. He served as the Director of IIM Lucknow for eight years, playing a crucial role in elevating the institute’s global standing. Later, he took on the role of Vice Chancellor at FLAME University, strengthening academic programs and international collaborations (Source).

With an extensive career spanning over three decades, Dr. Singh has been instrumental in driving innovation in business education. His expertise lies in strategic management, leadership development, and governance. He has collaborated with multiple global business schools on research and academic excellence.

Dr. Singh has also contributed significantly to policy-making in management education, serving on the boards of several reputed institutions. His visionary approach continues to shape business schools in India.

Dr. Amit Saxena is a seasoned academic leader and corporate strategist with extensive experience in education management, leadership, and industry-academia collaboration. As the CEO of Education at Sparsh Group, he plays a pivotal role in developing academic programs, corporate partnerships, and innovative learning initiatives to enhance student success.

Dr. Amit Saxena is an accomplished academic administrator and industry leader, currently serving as the CEO of Education at Sparsh Group. With vast experience in academic program development, faculty leadership, and corporate mentorship, he has been instrumental in shaping education strategies that align with industry needs.

His expertise spans curriculum design, digital learning integration, and student skill development, ensuring that Sparsh Global Business School (SGBS) remains at the forefront of modern education trends. Dr. Saxena has actively collaborated with business leaders, government bodies, and international institutions to foster industry-academia partnerships that benefit students and faculty alike.

He is known for his thought leadership in education innovation, including corporate mentorship programs, startup incubation, and executive education. Under his leadership, Sparsh Group has launched several initiatives aimed at bridging the skills gap between academia and industry.

Dr. Saxena’s commitment to academic excellence, leadership development, and institutional growth makes him a key member of the Board of Governors at SGBS, where he contributes to policy-making, strategic planning, and institutional governance.

Dr. Antonio Giangreco is a Full Professor in HRM, Organizational Behavior, and Change Management at IÉSEG School of Management. He has vast experience in IT-driven change management, worker well-being, and performance-pay relationships. His research has been published in leading international journals, making him a key influencer in HRM and strategic management.

Born in Lecce, Italy, Dr. Antonio Giangreco pursued his B.Sc. in Business Administration from Mercy College (USA), an MBA from SDA Bocconi (Italy), an M.Sc. from the University of Trento, and a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics (UK). Since 2006, he has been a Full Professor at IÉSEG School of Management, specializing in Human Resource Management, Organizational Behavior, and Change Management.

His research focuses on IT-driven change management, worker well-being, and the impact of performance-based pay systems. He has published in British Journal of Industrial Relations, European Journal of Information Systems, and Human Resource Management. Additionally, he has contributed to Personnel Review, The International Journal of HRM, and European Management Journal.

Beyond academia, Dr. Giangreco is passionate about sports, history, and solving complex business challenges. His expertise in organizational transformation and strategic HR has been widely recognized across business schools and corporate sectors.

Dr. Dennis Vink is a Full Professor of Finance and Investment at Nyenrode Business Universiteit in the Netherlands. He has served as President of the European Financial Management Association and has advised various financial institutions and corporations on financial engineering, investment strategies, and risk management.

Dr. Dennis Vink is an internationally renowned finance expert, currently serving as a Full Professor at Nyenrode Business Universiteit. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School (GMP21, 2019) and has been a visiting professor at the Technical University of Denmark and Antwerp Management School.

His research focuses on financial markets, investment strategies, and risk assessment. He has authored numerous papers published by Yale School of Management, the European Central Bank, and Princeton University. Dr. Vink has also served as President of the European Financial Management Association (2015-2016).

He provides advisory services to governmental departments, family offices, and hedge funds, shaping financial regulations and policies globally. In addition, he is the Chairman of the Investment Committee of a philanthropic organization with approximately €100 million in assets under management. His research is frequently presented at the American Finance Association and leading financial conferences worldwide.

Debarshi Nandy is the Barbara and Richard M. Rosenberg Professor of Global Finance at the International Business School of Brandeis University and an affiliated faculty member of the Department of Economics. His primary research focus is on fintech, applied AI and entrepreneurial finance and innovation. His research has been published in several leading journals in financial economics. He has received multiple research grants, both from the National Science Foundation in the U.S. and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

He currently serves as the Senior Associate Dean of the Brandeis International Business School; as the Co-Director of the Rosenberg Institute for Global Finance and as the Director of the India Initiative at Brandeis International Business School. Prior to joining Brandeis, he was an Assistant and Associate Professor at the Schulich School of Business of York University in Canada. He was also a visiting Professor at the Sloan School of Management at MIT in 2018 and 2019.

Outside of Brandeis, Professor Nandy co-founded and serves as a Director of the Financial Innovation Research Center (FIRC) and FIRC-Labs in collaboration with the Massachusetts High Technology Council. Prior to this, he was part of the founding team involved in establishing the Massachusetts Fintech Hub and was the co-lead of the Fintech Exchange, a public-private partnership between academia, the state government and the financial services industry. He is also a mentor and advisor to several start-ups in the greater Boston area and in India. He holds a B.Sc (Hons) and M.Sc. in Economics from the University of Calcutta, India and a Ph.D. in Finance from Boston College.

Ms. Geeta Tolia is a seasoned finance and strategy expert with over 34 years of experience in corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, risk management, and entrepreneurship. She has held leadership roles at Ambit-RSM, KPMG, Grant Thornton, and SEPAM and currently serves as an Independent Director on multiple boards.

Geeta Tolia is a Sloan Fellow with an MSc in Leadership & Strategy from London Business School (2012-2013). She is also a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (1989) and holds a B.Com from Gujarat University (1987). With an extensive career spanning multiple geographies, Ms. Tolia has worked in set-up strategy, fundraising, financial & risk management, and cross-functional team leadership. She has played significant strategic roles in Ambit-RSM, KPMG, Grant Thornton, and SEPAM. She was previously Global CFO of SEPAM, a leading engineering & construction services firm with operations in China, the Middle East, the UK, and North America.

After returning to India in 2018, she resumed her entrepreneurial journey, actively mentoring startups and founders. She is deeply involved in corporate governance, financial discipline, and capital-raising strategies for high-growth startups.

She currently serves as an Independent Director on the boards of Divgi TorqTransfer Systems Ltd and REConnect Energy Solutions Ltd. Additionally, she supports financial literacy programs and is developing a social impact fund for small businesses with a mission-driven approach.

Kaustav Majumdar is an expert in entrepreneurship, leadership, and strategy, serving as a Mentor in Residence at IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. With nearly three decades of experience, he has guided startups, mentored entrepreneurs, and contributed to academia as a faculty member at IMI Kolkata, MICA Ahmedabad, and IIM Kozhikode.

Kaustav Majumdar holds an advanced degree in Leadership, Strategy & Social Psychology from London Business School and a Computer Science degree from the University of Southampton, UK. He has pursued further studies in Psychometrics at the University of Cambridge and Entrepreneurial Education at Babson College, USA.

Currently, he is an advisor and entrepreneur in residence at IIM Calcutta Innovation Park and serves on the Investment Committee of IIM Lucknow's Incubator. He also mentors entrepreneurs across India’s top business schools and teaches at SPJIMR Mumbai, IMT Ghaziabad, Nirma University, and IIIT Lucknow.

His expertise includes Marketing, Communications, and Entrepreneurship, with a focus on behavior, negotiation, storytelling, and startup investment strategies. Over the years, he has mentored over 150,000 learners across multiple countries.

Beyond academia, Kaustav is a behavioral and communication consultant, advising corporate organizations and startups. He is also involved in strategic and financial investments across various technology and innovation-based businesses.

Dr. Mita Dixit is a leading expert in family business consulting, corporate governance, and succession planning. She is a certified Family Business Advisor (FFI-USA) and has advised numerous family-owned enterprises on strategy, leadership transition, and conflict resolution. She serves as an Independent Director and Mentor to emerging businesses.

Dr. Mita Dixit is a recognized leader in family business consulting, offering expertise in corporate governance, business strategy, and succession planning. She is a certified Family Business Advisor (FFI-USA) and has mentored and advised multiple family-owned businesses to ensure their smooth leadership transitions and conflict management.

She has worked extensively with entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and academic institutions, shaping the next generation of business leaders. Her work focuses on helping family-owned enterprises professionalize their operations, establish governance structures, and navigate intergenerational leadership transitions.

Dr. Dixit is an author, educator, and corporate mentor, delivering executive education programs and speaking at international conferences on business succession, leadership development, and governance best practices. She actively collaborates with corporate boards, business schools, and professional associations to improve strategic decision-making and governance models.

Her expertise makes her a valuable asset to Sparsh Global Business School’s Board of Governors, contributing to business sustainability, leadership transformation, and family enterprise governance.

Dr. Marjo-Riitta Diehl is an Associate Professor at Aalto University School of Business. She specializes in organizational behavior, leadership, and human resource management. Her research focuses on employee motivation, work relationships, and leadership strategies in global organizations, making her a highly regarded academic and expert in workplace dynamics.

Dr. Marjo-Riitta Diehl is a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of organizational behavior and human resource management. She serves as an Associate Professor at Aalto University School of Business (Finland) and has contributed extensively to research on employee motivation, workplace relationships, and leadership practices in international organizations.

Her research has been published in leading academic journals, covering topics such as psychological contracts, leadership behavior, and organizational well-being. Dr. Diehl actively collaborates with global research institutions and industry leaders to develop strategies for enhancing employee engagement and organizational effectiveness.

She has also been involved in executive education and corporate training, working with business leaders and HR professionals to implement evidence-based leadership strategies. Through her academic career, she has been a key speaker at international conferences on management, leadership, and human capital development.

Her work has significantly influenced modern HRM and leadership practices, making her a valuable member of Sparsh Global Business School's Board of Governors.

Dr. Pankaj Gupta is a globally recognized academic leader with over 25 years of experience as a professor, researcher, and institution builder. Currently, he is Professor at JGLS and Dean, OCS at O.P. Jindal Global University. He has held top leadership roles in institutions like IIHMR University, IIM Kozhikode, IMT Ghaziabad, and Symbiosis.

Dr. Pankaj Gupta is a distinguished educationist, institution builder, and strategic leader, currently serving as Professor at JGLS and Dean, OCS at O.P. Jindal Global University. He previously held prestigious leadership positions, including President (Vice Chancellor) of IIHMR University, Vice Chancellor of Apeejay Stya University, Director General of Jaipuria Group, and Director of Symbiosis Bangalore.

Dr. Gupta is a Ph.D., Fulbright Fellow, CMA, GCPCL (Harvard), and Fellow of ICAI. An alumnus of Lucknow University and IIM Ahmedabad, he has played a pivotal role in shaping top business schools in India, Dubai, Singapore, and the U.S.. His expertise lies in management education, transformative leadership, finance, and academic quality assurance.

A thought leader in education policy, Dr. Gupta has served as Co-Chairman of the Education Committee at PHDCCI, held board positions across national and international institutions, and advised NITI Aayog, AICTE, ICAI, and The British Council. He is also a pioneer in mindfulness-based leadership education, founding the Centre for Mindfulness, Wellness, and Ethics (CMWE).

Dr. Gupta has trained top corporates, government bodies, and institutions worldwide, including Maruti, Dabur, GE Capital, NTPC, and the Indian Navy. Recipient of multiple prestigious awards, he continues to shape global management education.

Prof. Prem Chandrani is a renowned academician and corporate strategist with over 50 years of experience across industry, consulting, and academia. He specializes in Business Strategy, Financial & Management Accounting, and Corporate Finance and has advised leading business schools and global organizations in governance, risk management, and corporate finance.

Prof. Prem Chandrani is a Professor of Strategy & Finance at S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR). He holds multiple professional certifications, including ACA (India), FICWA (India), ACMA (UK), CISA (USA), CIA (USA), and an MBA from London Business School and Wharton (USA).

He has been an advisor to the boards of top business schools such as Audencia Business School (France) and the Management Faculty at the University of Warsaw (Poland). Additionally, he is a global assessor for AMBA’s Peer Review Team, evaluating business schools worldwide.

Prof. Chandrani has taught at Michigan State University (USA), Schulich Business School (Canada), and various institutions in France, Germany, Poland, Dubai, Singapore, and Australia. His teaching excellence has been recognized with multiple awards, including Best Business School Professor from the University of Warsaw (2019) and the National Award for Best Educator by ICAI (2020).

He has served as Director of Strategy Consulting at PwC, providing expertise in corporate governance, risk management, and financial strategy. Additionally, he is on the Board of Directors of Mukand Ltd, a Bajaj Group company.

Dr. Puneet Gupta has close to three decades of experience in finance, technology, and entrepreneurship. He serves on multiple boards, including UTI Pension, Fusion Finance, and NCDEX eMarkets. His expertise spans private equity, venture capital, corporate strategy, and sustainable investment (Source.


Dr. Puneet Gupta has worked extensively in private equity, investment management, and corporate governance. He has chaired various board committees and provided strategic advice to family offices and startups. Dr. Gupta co-founded SimpliLend, leveraging AI for credit sourcing and risk evaluation. His academic contributions include lectures at IMT Ghaziabad, S.P. Jain, and India School of Business.

Dr. Gupta’s work extends to corporate venture capital, financial technologies, and impact investment, supporting alternative energy and green technology startups. His PhD from IIT Delhi, MBA from Kellogg School of Management, and experience with Ernst & Young underscore his expertise. His thought leadership influences corporate governance and financial transformation globally.

A seasoned media professional, Ms. Vanita Keswani is the CEO of Madison Media Sigma. She has been consistently ranked among the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Media in India by IMPACT Magazine. With nearly three decades of experience, she has led media strategy for top brands across industries (Source.

Ms. Vanita Keswani is a highly respected leader in the media industry, currently serving as CEO of Madison Media Sigma, a unit of Madison Communications Pvt Ltd. With a career spanning over 30 years, she has played a crucial role in shaping the advertising and media landscape in India.

She has been recognized among the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Media by IMPACT Magazine and is also part of THE LIST 2024 by Jombay’s 1000 Women Leaders Movement. Her expertise spans strategic media planning, brand communication, and digital transformation.

Throughout her career, Ms. Keswani has worked with a diverse portfolio of brands, including CEAT, McDonald’s, Indian Oil, Blue Star, and Shaadi.com. She is known for her ability to drive innovative media strategies that align with evolving consumer behaviors. Beyond her corporate role, she actively participates in industry forums and mentorship initiatives to empower young professionals in media and marketing.

Dr. Debasis Mallik is a distinguished academic leader and economist with extensive experience in business education, strategic leadership, and institutional development. He is currently the Director of Sparsh Global Business School and serves as the Member Secretary of the Board of Governors. Prior to this, he was Director and Dean at the Institute of Management, Nirma University. He has also held senior leadership roles at SPJIMR, PIMR, and ISB, and specializes in corporate governance, strategy, and global academic partnerships.

Dr. Debasis Mallik has a distinguished career spanning over two decades in management education, institutional leadership, and research. During his tenure at Nirma University, he focused on enhancing academic rankings, forging global collaborations, and improving student placements and alumni engagement.

Before that, he was Senior Director at Prestige Institute of Management and Research (PIMR), Indore, where he led postgraduate and undergraduate programs, introduced multiple PGDM specializations, and strengthened international academic alliances with Brandeis University, IESEG, and Loughborough University. His leadership resulted in a 48% increase in placement offers.

Dr. Mallik spent nearly two decades at SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai, where he served as Professor of Economics, Head of Global Management Program (GMP), and Head of International Relations. He played a key role in establishing global partnerships, international student exchanges, and faculty collaborations.

Additionally, he has held faculty and research positions at Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, and ICFAI University, contributing significantly to business research, corporate governance, and institutional development. Dr. Mallik holds a PhD in Environmental Economics from the University of Burdwan and remains actively engaged in academic policy-making, research, and mentorship.

As Director and Member Secretary of the Board of Governors at Sparsh Global Business School (SGBS), he provides strategic guidance on curriculum design, industry partnerships, and institutional growth.