Where Visionary Leaders Meet: Bengaluru Again Welcomes The Board Stewardship Huddle
After successful editions across India’s major business hubs—and following an overwhelming response during its last Bengaluru gathering—Board Stewardship is proud to bring back its flagship event, the Board Stewardship Huddle, to the city. Scheduled for 9th May 2025 at the iconic Taj West End, this exclusive, invite-only evening will convene Board Members, Independent Directors, and corporate leaders for a rich exchange of ideas through interactive learning and networking. Anchored on the theme of Enabling Future Boards and reinforcing Stewardship Values, the Huddle is designed to strengthen purposeful board leadership in a rapidly shifting business landscape.
This edition of the Huddle will feature an esteemed lineup of speakers who bring deep boardroom experience and thought leadership across industries. The speakers include Shailesh Haribhakti, Non-Executive Chairman and Independent Director on multiple Boards, renowned for his work in corporate governance, sustainability, and risk management; Ajay Nanavati, former Chairman of Syndicate Bank and former Managing Director of 3M India, currently serving as Chairman of Quantum Advisors and Alicon Castalloy Ltd.; Shriram Subramanian, Founder and Managing Director of InGovern Research Services, a pioneer in proxy advisory and corporate governance research in India; Jyotsna Belliappa, Founder & Director, BlueSky Sustainable Business, Independent Director; and Madhwesh Kulkarni, Executive Partner at Gartner Executive Programs, who advises CXOs and Boards on digital transformation and emerging technologies. The event will be steered by Vikesh Wallia, Managing Director & Editor at Board Stewardship, who will ensure a dynamic flow of ideas and actionable perspectives.
The evening will begin with a Welcome Address by Vikesh Wallia, who will outline the vision behind the Huddle series and set the context for the conversations to follow. This will be followed by the Inaugural Address by Ajay Nanavati, who will share his perspectives on navigating boardroom complexity, the importance of resilience, and how Boards can maintain relevance in a disruptive world.
A compelling session will follow on Lessons in Corporate Governance from the Gensol Engineering Case Fireside Chat between Shriram Subramanian and Jyotsna Belliappa. This fireside chat will examine a high-profile case in India’s corporate landscape, highlighting how governance lapses emerge and what proactive oversight mechanisms Boards can adopt to prevent reputational and operational risks. The session will encourage reflection on real-world governance challenges and their implications for Independent Directors.
Next, the audience will hear a Special Address by Shailesh Haribhakti, one of India’s most respected authorities on corporate governance and sustainability. Drawing from decades of experience across multiple Boards, Haribhakti will explore the importance of values-based leadership, the future of responsible capitalism, and the stewardship mindset required in today’s boardrooms.
The evening will then move into a forward-looking session titled the Future with Agentic AI – Role of Boards Governing the Transformation Journey, presented by Madhwesh Kulkarni, Executive Partner, Gartner Executive Programs. In this insightful talk, Kulkarni will discuss how AI is not just a technology issue but a board-level imperative. He will highlight the emerging concept of Agentic AI—AI that acts with a degree of autonomy—and the strategic, ethical, and governance questions it raises for Boards as they lead companies through rapid digital transformation.
Followed by a Fireside Chat between Shailesh Haribhakti and Madhwesh Kulkarni, exploring How AI is Changing Boardroom Stewardship. In this candid and engaging dialogue, the two leaders will share their perspectives on how artificial intelligence is influencing boardroom dynamics, decision-making processes, and risk governance. The conversation will address how Boards can stay informed, vigilant, and strategic in steering AI adoption while ensuring alignment with long-term purpose and values.
To wrap up the evening, Vikesh Wallia will lead an interactive and insightful session on Master the Art of Network. In a world where leadership is as much about influence as it is about insight, networking is a vital tool for Board effectiveness. This session will move beyond traditional views of networking, offering strategies for building meaningful, trust-based professional relationships that fuel long-term collaboration, mentorship, and mutual growth among leaders.
In an era of heightened governance expectations and rapid business transformation, platforms like the Board Stewardship Huddle continue to play a critical role in fostering ethical leadership, strategic foresight, and long-term value creation. This edition is proudly supported by BoardPAC, the Knowledge Partner for the Board Stewardship Huddle.
Mark your calendar – 9th May 2025, Taj West End, Bengaluru. We look forward to welcoming you!
