Lakshmi Pratury

Lakshmi Pratury is a multi-faceted entrepreneur, public speaker, master interviewer, and writer. She is the founder and CEO of INKTalks, a transformative platform and community launched in 2010, where she curates stories and a community of global thought-leaders and game-changers.

Lakshmi is a sought-after public speaker and curator – addressing a wide range of leadership topics, including redefining success, future technologies and their role in shaping the workforce, women’s roles in the workplace, and the transformative power of storytelling in business. Alongside her speaking engagements, Lakshmi writes on a range of topics spanning business and life, and has contributed to several leading publications. She is on the board of several startups and initiatives, shaping and guiding teams on scaling globally and building communities. 

With over two decades of experience in the United States, Lakshmi held pivotal roles at Intel, where she helped shape the tech giant’s foray into end user marketing and business development. She worked in venture capital with Global Catalyst Partners and drove impactful projects in leadership roles for the non-profit American India Foundation.

Lakshmi is credited for co-hosting TED’s first and only conference in India in 2009 and bringing Singularity University’s international summit to India in 2015. Continuing her mission with INK and the non-profit INK Global Foundation (IGF), Lakshmi is committed to amplifying India’s narrative on the global stage, bringing the best of the world to India, and vice versa. She champions the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and storytelling to ignite innovation, foster resilience, and shape our collective destiny. Her journey from mathematics gold medalist to business and theater graduate underscores her multifaceted expertise and passion for driving change.

Vidya Shah

Vidya Shah is the Executive Chairperson of EdelGive Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Edelweiss Group, a leading financial services company in India. After a successful career in investment banking, Vidya transitioned into philanthropy, driven by a passion to address India’s most pressing development challenges. She founded EdelGive Foundation in 2008 and, over the years, has transformed it into a strategic platform that supports grassroots NGOs across India. The foundation has provided both financial and non-financial resources to over 150 organizations, significantly scaling their impact.

Under Vidya’s leadership, EdelGive has emerged as a trusted philanthropic fund manager and advisor, connecting Indian and international funders with credible NGOs. Her innovative approach to grant-making focuses on placing NGOs at the center of funding decisions, allowing them to access sustainable support from various institutional and corporate partners. This model has established EdelGive as a go-to resource for those looking to engage with India’s development sector.

In addition to her role at EdelGive, Vidya Shah serves on the boards of several prominent civil society organizations such as Akshaya Patra Foundation, Janaagraha, and Mann Deshi Foundation. She also holds positions with international organizations like WINGS and Empower Families for Innovative Philanthropy, and recently joined the Asia Gender Network. Vidya holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and previously worked in investment banking with firms such as ICICI and NM Rothschild before becoming CFO of Edelweiss.

Suzannah Muthoot

Suzannah Muthoot is a dedicated professional with over 7 years of experience in the financial services industry. Currently, she serves as the Head of Strategy for Muthoot Housing Finance Company Ltd. Suzannah holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Economics from the University of Notre Dame and a Master’s in Management from IE Business School.

Suzannah is passionate about the powerful impact of storytelling. She has witnessed firsthand the inspiring journeys of many customers, particularly women, whose stories often remain untold. Her goal is to bring these narratives to light, empowering women by sharing their experiences and journeys.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Suzannah is a mother to 8-month-old twin girls. She finds peace and calm through singing and drawing and enjoys a good workout. She also cherishes time spent with her lovable cocker spaniel, Cola. Suzannah’s blend of professional acumen, dedication to storytelling, and personal interests make her a dynamic and influential leader in her field.

Dao Jensen

Dao Jensen has carved out a prominent space in the technology industry as a trailblazer and visionary leader. Graduating from the Harvard Business School’s OPM Executive program, she founded Oak Rocket, Inc. in 2013. Oak Rocket stands as the first 100% female minority-owned company on the West Coast born in the cloud, which has positioned itself among the fastest-growing women-owned companies in the United States. The company’s mission is to lead in cloud enablement, offering strategic and optimized solutions for public cloud platforms.

Throughout her career, Dao has faced profound personal and professional challenges, including being a refugee and enduring the loss of close family members. These experiences have shaped her resilience and commitment to transformation, both personally and within her enterprise. She is also a dedicated board member of the YPO Pacific West Integrated Chapter and actively engages in global discussions on leadership and technology at platforms like AWS, GEN AI Days, and WBENC.

Jensen’s work extends beyond business; she is passionate about empowering others, evident in her talks at prestigious venues including the INK Talks and the Harvard Club. Her journey and insights have inspired many, proving that adversity can be a powerful catalyst for innovation and leadership.