Alumni | SDMIMD

Alumni Day 2025 – Insights from the SDMIMD Alumni Network

As part of the Orientation Program for the PGDM 2025–27 batch, SDMIMD organized Alumni Day on July 5, 2025. The event brought together distinguished alumni who shared their experiences, insights, and guidance with the incoming students to help them make the most of their MBA journey.

The day featured a series of impactful invited talks:

Mr. N. Ravi Shankar (Batch 1997–99), CEO, Aim High Consulting, delivered a thought-provoking talk titled “MBA Na Milegi Dobara”. He set the context for how students can proactively embrace the next two years by adopting a multifaceted learning approach and preparing to become future-ready leaders.

Mr. Sandesh Murchy (Batch 2004–06), Human Resources Director at Oracle, addressed the audience with his session titled “Snakes & Ladders”. He spoke about career building strategies, staying relevant, and navigating the ups and downs of a professional journey.

Mrs. Namita Rajnikant (Batch 1995–97), Co-founder of Third Eye Advisory, presented “Picture Abhi Baaki Hain”, offering students a glimpse into life beyond campus. She emphasized adaptability, resilience, and the essential skills needed to thrive in high-pressure work environments.

The invited talks were followed by a panel discussion on the topic “How to Prepare for the New VUCA World with AI”.

The panel discussion featured Dr. Mohamed Minhaj, Dean – Academics, SDMIMD; Mr. Vijay Mane, President – SDMIMD Alumni Association, Serial Entrepreneur, Startup Catalyst & Investor; Mr. Praveen M.G., Chief Operating Officer, DigitalSprint AI Solutions; Mrs. Namita Rajnikant, Co-founder, Third Eye Advisory; and Mr. Sandesh Murchy, Human Resources Director, Oracle.

The engaging discussion explored the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the future of work, the need for continuous upskilling, and strategies to remain agile in a fast-changing world. The session provided students with a powerful blend of personal narratives and forward-looking advice from industry leaders.

Talk on Generative AI and marketing

Mr. Kiran Sathyanarayana, Lead Data Scientist at Tiger Analytics (NLP and Generative AI), and an alumnus of SDMIMD, delivered a talk on "Generative AI and Marketing" on June 8, 2024. The talk was organized as part of the Business Landscape course. Kiran Sathyanarayana emphasized the importance of setting clear personal and professional goals. He highlighted the transformative impact of generative AI on marketing, including content creation and customer segmentation. Kiran introduced tools like Pecan AI, showcased career opportunities in generative AI marketing, and stressed the importance of continuous learning and adaptation to technological changes for career success.

Talk on AI in changing times and Use cases

Mr. Jacob Thomas, Delivery Manager at TCS and an alumnus of SDMIMD, delivered a talk on "AI in Changing Times and Use Cases" on June 7, 2024. The talk was organized as part of the Business Landscape course. Jacob Thomas discussed "AI for Managers," highlighting AI's evolution and impact on industries. He explained AI's role in rational decision-making, predicting trends, and streamlining processes. Jacob stressed the responsible use of AI, addressed common project failures, and emphasized the importance of a strategic mindset for future managers.

Talk on AI enabled HR practices for Performance excellence

Mrs. Deepti N. Rao, Total Rewards Leader with hands-on experience in M&A, Compensation & Benefits, HR Compliance, Business Partner HR, and Talent Acquisition, and an alumna of SDMIMD, delivered a talk on "HR Practices for Performance Excellence" on June 6, 2024. The talk was organized as part of the Business Landscape course. Deepti Rao explored how AI is transforming HR practices, emphasizing performance excellence and talent branding. She highlighted AI's role in streamlining operations, enhancing efficiency, and improving employee experiences through analytics and task automation. Deepti stressed the importance of continuous learning and adapting to AI advancements to stay competitive in the evolving job market.

Talk on Marketing in the age of AI

Mrs. Monisha Devaiah, Marketing Manager - APAC at AVIXA and an alumna of SDMIMD, delivered a talk on "Marketing in the Age of AI" on June 5, 2024. The talk was organized as part of the Business Landscape course. Monisha Devaiah's session focused on AI's transformative impact in marketing. She emphasized AI's potential to drive personalization, productivity, and growth, highlighting tools like ChatGPT and Canva. While AI offers substantial benefits, she stressed the importance of responsible use and human judgment in decision-making. Monisha urged the audience to embrace AI technology, balancing its benefits with human-centric values.

Talk on Consulting in AI Driven Processes – the changing Paradigm

Mrs. Kunjal Thakkar, Director at PwC and an alumna of SDMIMD, delivered a talk on "Consulting in AI-Driven Processes – The Changing Paradigm" on June 3, 2024. The talk was organized as part of the Business Landscape course. Kunjal Thakkar delved into the latest trends shaping the financial services sector, with a strong focus on digital transformation, cybersecurity, and enhancing customer experience. She underscored the vital role of Human Resources in consulting firms, particularly in managing change and acquiring top talent to maintain a competitive edge.

Invited talk by Mr. Srihari Gopinath

The interaction session with Mr. Srihari Gopinath, Senior Director of Marketing at HPE Aruba Networking, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Singapore & a distinguished alumnus, aimed to provide students with insights into future opportunities, artificial intelligence (AI), marketing trends, and his experiences, especially within Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), held on November 3, 2023.

The key discussion points of the talk are as follows Introduction: Srihari highlighted tech's role in enterprise. AI Impact: Discussion on AI's influence across industries. Marketing Trends: Insights into digital marketing strategies. Experience Share: Practical insights from 24 years in sales. HPE Strategies: Global strategies and digital marketing. Student Engagement: Active participation and career queries.

Invited talk on Entrepreneurship by Mr. Bipin Bopanna

Mr. Bipin Bopanna, an SDMIMD alumnus (PGDM 2017–19 batch), delivered a speech to first-year PGDM students of the 2023–25 batch on October 17, 2023. He provided insights on launching a digital marketing company in less than ten months and growing it to six figures.

Session on Real Estate Consulting and Real Estate Sales

The Consulate Committee of the Students' Club at SDMIMD organized a thought-provoking Speaker Session with the theme "Real Estate Consulting and Real Estate Sales" on October 12, 2023. The keynote speaker for the event was Mr. Karthik H.S, Founder and Director of Dupam Consulting, who shared insightful remarks about the real estate sector and the various career opportunities it presents.

Mr. Karthik H.S. initiated the discussion by emphasizing the value of pursuing a career in sales within the real estate industry. He delved into the details of the field, highlighting its potential for both financial success and personal development. In addition to underscoring the dynamic nature of the industry, the speaker offered a comprehensive overview of real estate consulting, emphasizing its crucial role in facilitating investments and property transfers.

Alumnus on Campus – Mr Rohit Agarwal

Mr Rohit Agarwal, alumnus of PGDM Batch 2007-2009 and the Regional Business Head South India at Havells India, delivered an inspiring talk to the PGDM 2022-24 pursuing 2nd Year of the Program on “Opportunities in Sales Domain”, held on July 17, 2023. The session aimed to shed light on the significance of pursuing an MBA, the key attributes of a successful salesperson, and the essential skills required to excel in the sales profession. The highly insightful talk provided valuable insights into the sales world and the qualities defining a successful salesperson.

Mr Rohit called upon the students on campus to be passionate, committed, and eager to continuously learn, to grow in their careers in the sales domain. The talk was an excellent platform for the students to gain valuable industry knowledge and prepare for a successful sales career.