Alayna Van Dervort, the visionary founder of The Big Wild, is at the forefront of merging technology and environmental stewardship to drive sustainability within global climate initiatives. Armed with a Harvard education and a background as a Marine Mammal Medic, Alayna brings a unique blend of expertise to her role as an Amazon AWS professional, where she pioneers collaborative technological solutions aimed at addressing critical issues in climate, environment, and society.
With a deep commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Alayna empowers individuals and organizations on the front lines of environmental advocacy and Indigenous community support. Through her innovative approach, she facilitates access to cutting-edge technologies such as AI, Machine Learning, and GIS tools, enabling stakeholders to tackle global challenges effectively.
Alayna’s transformative work extends beyond mere advocacy; she actively propels the missions of organizations dedicated to making a positive impact on the planet. Her holistic approach underscores her dedication to fostering meaningful change and driving progress towards a more sustainable future.
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.
View profile detailsAs CEO of INK Women, Archana Dutta leads a dynamic platform dedicated to empowering women leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. INK Women fosters mentorship, networking, and knowledge-sharing, creating a thriving ecosystem where women can connect, collaborate, and thrive. Under Archana’s leadership, the platform champions visibility, inclusion, and growth, ensuring more women have access to opportunities that help them excel.
Before INK Women, Archana spent 28 years in leadership roles at Hyatt Hotels and Lufthansa German Airlines. She then founded SecondAct, a platform for personal and professional transformation, and hosts the Discover Your SecondAct podcast, featuring over 150 inspiring stories. Her social impact initiative, Pedal On, focuses on skill-building and sustainable livelihoods for underprivileged women, creating over 10,000 eco-friendly products. Across all her ventures, Archana remains committed to driving meaningful change, empowering individuals to embrace reinvention and step into their next act with purpose.
View profile detailsVidya 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.
View profile detailsSuzannah 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.
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