15th India Investment Conference | Mumbai

Alessia Berardi is the Head of Emerging Macro and Strategy Research at Amundi Investment Institute, and she is based in London. Her team is responsible for the EM Macro and Financial analysis for the company and she is member of the EM Cross Assets Strategy Committee as well as the Multi Assets Global and EM Strategy Committees. She coordinates the EM contents for the Amundi Investment Institute publications. She began her career covering the main Developed Markets economies and since 2013, she has been leading the London Research branch (formerly in Pioneer then in Amundi) with specific focus on Global Emerging Markets. Her team covers EMs across the different geographies from Macroeconomics to Asset Classes. The approach is model driven, aimed at identifying the fundamental factors that eventually influence investment decisions. The team monitors and forecasts economic factors, policies, trends and risks impacting the economic/business cycle and the financial markets. Alessia is responsible for the development of the Global Economic Outlook for Amundi Asset Management discussed at the Global Investments Committee. She is also involved in advisory activity with external clients across the different distribution channels. Alessia has industry experience since 1998. She graduated in Econometrics from the University of Pavia in 1998. Alessia published pieces as part of the Economic Research Papers at the Bank of Italy on BVAR Techniques for the construction of quarterly and monthly forecasting models in 1997. She is lecturer at University of Genoa.

Dr. Mark Mobius is seen by many as the father of the emerging markets asset class. He has a reputation as one of the most successful and influential managers over the past 30 years. He is Chairman of the Mobius Emerging Opportunities Fund. Prior to this, Dr. Mobius spent more than 30 years at Franklin Templeton Investments, where he was most recently Executive Chairman of the Templeton Emerging Markets Group. During his tenure, the group grew its AUM from USD 100 million to over USD 50 billion and launched a number of emerging market and frontier funds. He has also authored a number of books including “The Inflation Myth and the Wonderful World of Deflation” and “The Book of Wealth”. His career and influence have earned him numerous industry awards. He received his Ph.D. from MIT and master’s and bachelor’s degrees at Boston University.

Lakshminarayana R Kollengode (Lan) is the Chief Endowment Officer overseeing investments of the Endowment Fund set up by Azim Premji with a mandate to manage investments for the benefit of philanthropic activities of its principal and would rank within top 10 Endowment Funds globally. Lan has been associated with the Endowment right from its inception in 2011. Additionally, he is actively engaged with the activities of the Azim Premji Foundation and is part of the Board of the Foundation. He is also a member of the Group Executive Council of the Wipro Group.Prior to moving to this role in 2011, Lan spent 17 years in Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT) in various roles including that of the Chief Strategy Officer, CFO of IT business and Corporate Treasurer & Head of Investor Relations. His experience in various functions including Quality, Resource management and Management Assurance, has provided him with an in-depth understanding of various business issues. He is also a certified Six Sigma Black Belt. During his tenure in Wipro, Lan was responsible for many key milestones including investment of over $1.2 billion in strategic M&A deals, incubating new business units, establishment of structured Treasury processes and setting up the Investor Relations (IR) function. Lan was ranked the No 1 IR representative among Tech companies in Asia in surveys conducted by Institutional Investor between 2003 and 2005.A Cost & Management Accountant by training, Lan also has an MBA and PhD from the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow. He is passionate about technology, teaching, quizzing and financial research. He also volunteers as a Partner with The/Nudge Centre for Social Innovation, an incubator for nonprofits, where he mentors your entrepreneurs in the social sector. He is on the Investment Committee/ Advisory Committee of several Public Market and Private Equity Funds in India.

I’m Manish Bhandari, the Founder, CEO, and Portfolio Manager of Vallum Capital Advisors, a Mumbai-based investment management firm I established in 2010. Vallum delivers long-term investment solutions for Family Offices and HNIs, with our flagship strategy, Vallum India Discovery, identifying high-potential opportunities in India’s evolving markets. With over 25 years of experience in Indian capital markets, I’ve specialized in equity investments and asset allocation, navigating diverse market cycles. Prior to Vallum, I served as Vice President and Portfolio Manager at ING Investment Management, managing large portfolios and gaining expertise in global equity markets. My career reflects a deep commitment to research-driven, disciplined investment strategies. Recognized as one of the "Wizards of Dalal Street," I’m known for innovative approaches that deliver value even in challenging conditions. My insights on market trends, investment strategies, and the Indian economy are regularly featured on platforms like CNBC and ET NOW, as well as leading financial publications. I also serve as a Director on the Board of the Association of Portfolio Managers in India (APMI), shaping the future of portfolio management. Academically, I hold the CIIA designation from Switzerland and a PGDBA in Finance & IT.

Olivia is a Senior Managing Director of State Street Global Advisors and Head of Strategy and Operations for Investments. Olivia leads the strategy, planning, and operations for the investment team, in close collaboration with the Global Chief Investment Officer. In this role, Olivia represents the investment team in driving the overall operating platform and is responsible for spearheading new platform initiatives to drive growth. Prior to her appointment to this role in April of 2023, Olivia was the Chief Investment Officer for the Active Quantitative Equity (AQE) team for six years, where she had global oversight of the broader AQE research agenda, investment process, portfolio management, and product innovation. Olivia joined State Street Global Advisors in 2011 to lead the AQE team in Asia-Pacific. Prior to joining State Street Global Advisors, she spent eight years at GMO as a Senior Portfolio Manager and has been working in the investment industry since 1997 in roles across research, portfolio management, and trading. Olivia has a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Commerce from the Australian National University. She has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, is a member of the CFA Institute, and is a Past President of the CFA Society of Sydney.

Rahul Chadha is Shikhara’s Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and Portfolio Manager based in New York. Rahul holds a distinguished track record from Mirae Asset Global Investments (Hong Kong), where he was the CIO overseeing a team of 15 people and managing assets of US$6 billion. He managed Mirae’s industry-leading Asia Sector Leader and India Sector Leader funds since their inception in 2012 and 2011, respectively, until his departure in September 2023. With nearly 24 years of experience in Asian markets as a buy-side professional, Rahul’s career includes roles at Standard Chartered Mutual Fund and Aviva Life Insurance, prior to his 17 years with Mirae Asset Global Investments. Rahul holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Finance & Control from the University of Delhi, India, and is also an alumnus of the Wharton School. Rahul is frequently sought after for his views on Asian markets by several leading global financial media outlets, including Bloomberg, CNBC, Wall Street Journal, and Financial Times.

Mr. Rajesh Kothari is the Founder & Managing Director of AlfAccurate Advisors (AAA), one of India’s most respected investment firms, managing INR 3,200 crores as of November 2024. With 29 years of expertise in Indian capital markets, Rajesh has established AAA’s Radically Resilient investment ethos and 3M philosophy, achieving consistent superior returns. AAA’s flagship PMS, AAA India Opportunity, delivered a 19.2% CAGR, outperforming the BSE500 TR Index’s 13.1% CAGR (from November 23, 2009, to December 31, 2024). AAA’s exceptional performance has been widely recognized, including the Best PMS Provider in India award from APAC-Insider (2021) and the Best 10 Years Performance Award four times in last five years (Rank 3-2024, Rank 2-2023, Rank 3 – 2021, Rank 2-2020) for delivering superior risk adjusted returns across categories from PMS-AIF World (data analysed by IIM Ahmedabad). Rajesh’s insights are trusted nationwide, with frequent appearances on CNBC TV18 and Bloomberg. He has also spoken at leading forums like the Maharashtra Economic Summit and World Council for Corporate Governance. Before founding AAA, Rajesh was a Fund Manager at DSP Merrill Lynch, growing AUM from USD 100 million to USD 1.5 billion. His performance earned him accolades such as Economic Times’ “Platinum Fund Manager” and CNBC TV18’s Mutual Fund of the Year Award (2006). A committed philanthropist, Rajesh actively supports youth initiatives through the Arham Yuva Seva Group, driving positive societal impact.

Mr. Sandeep Daga has over 32 years of rich mid -market experience in private & public equities. Under his leadership as MD & CIO, the small cap PMS of Nine Rivers Capital has delivered top-decile performance since its inception over last 12 years. As a seasoned investment professional, Mr. Daga has consistently demonstrated his ability to identify investment trends early and build robust themes for long term investing. Prior to founding Nine Rivers Capital in late 2007, Mr. Daga was a Partner at Frontline Ventures, an India centric private equity firm and before that he was the Head of B2B Investments at ICICI Ventures. Mr. Daga has also had a stint in corporate finance with a leading NBFC and a large Conglomerate in the early years of his professional career. He holds a MBA in Finance from NMIMS and is an Electronics Engineer from Amravati University.

Srini Sriniwasan (Srini) heads Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Limited (“KAAML”). He is also a part of the Group Management Council that drives Kotak Mahindra Group’s growth charter.
Srini has played a crucial role in setting up and building the different asset classes in KAAML including Real Estate, Infrastructure, Special Situations & Credit, Private Equity and Investment Advisory. Overall, KAAML has raised / advised ~USD 22 billion in funds across these asset classes. As one of the earliest fund managers to raise and invest capital in India, Srini has introduced significant financing, financial structuring and negotiating skills in the alternate assets industry. Srini joined the Kotak Mahindra Group in 1993.
Prior to KAAML, he was a part of Kotak’s investment banking joint venture with Goldman Sachs from inception in 1995, and was co-head of Kotak Investment Banking until 2005. At Kotak Investment Banking, Srini advised leading domestic and international companies on capital raising, M&A and strategic divestitures.
Srini is Vice Chairperson of Indian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (IVCA). He is a member of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) subcommittee on Capital Markets. He is also a Board member of Asia Pacific Real Estate Association Limited (APREA) India Chapter and a member of the Governing Council of Global Real Estate Institute (GRI) – India Chapter. He is a Member of the Private Credit Council at Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (“EMPEA”).
Srini holds a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Delhi University and an MBA from the Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad.

Vaibhav has been a pioneer in the Indian Alternative Investment Funds industry and is instrumental in developing the Category III, AIF market in India. He has been investing in Indian equities for more than 22 years across various organizations. He has his core expertise in generating risk adjusted returns on investments across various market cycles. He has consistently outperformed respective benchmarks, whilst innovating and managing various strategies. He has been on various industry forums, andis a regular invitee as a speaker at various conferences and on media. He has helped contribute to the development and representations for Cat III AIF’s

Chris Wiese, CFA, leads a dedicated and talented team to develop current and future investment management professionals by overseeing all credentials, certificates, and other professional learning products. Previously Chriswas SeniorHead, Learning Experience& Assessment Development (LEAD), and oversaw the development of curriculum and exams for all CFA Institute programs and levels. Additionally, Chris spent several years leading the Curriculum and Learning Experience department, followed by two years leading Exam Development before these groups merged to form LEAD,to assure a more seamless, integrated candidate experience. Prior to joining CFA Institute, Chris held various roles at Strong Investments. He holds an MBA from Marquette University,a degree in Finance from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and is a CFA charterholder.

Shamit joined ICICI Prudential AMC in February 2016, and oversees ~USD 4.4billion of assets advised for international investors. He brings 17+ years of asset management experience across investing, manager selection, products, global asset raising, and strategy. He has set up and advised several India equity and FI funds across Asia (incl Japan) and Europe, selected international manager strategies, and is also helping implement ESG frameworks at the firm. Previously he worked with Nippon Life India Asset Management in Mumbai and Nippon Life Insurance in Tokyo, with past experience across firms in New York, Boston, Tokyo and Mumbai. He holds a MBA from Boston College, M.Com and B.Com degrees from University of Mumbai. He is a CFA Charterholder, Board Member and Chairperson for Professional Learning at the CFA Society India

Rajesh is a results-driven investor with nearly three decades of experience, specializing in early-stage investments, emerging markets, private equity, and public equity. With a proven track record of identifying high-growth opportunities in emerging markets, he has successfully guided startups to exits. An alumnus of Wharton and XLRI, he holds a CFA charter and a postgraduate diploma in Securities Law from GLC, Mumbai. He currently serves as the Chairperson of CFA Society India and CRUF (Corporate Reporting Users Forum) India, a global network of investors and analysts focused on accounting, governance, and regulatory issues. His unique blend of finance, marketing, and physics expertise allows him to uncover disruptive trends and apply a scientific approach to make data-driven investment decisions. Passionate about fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in emerging economies, he also mentors entrepreneurs to help them make a positive impact on the world. Based in Mumbai with his wife and two children, he enjoys playing chess, golf, and mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs.

Shreenivas Kunte, CFA, Ph.D., leads the content and automation aspects at HDFC AMC. He codes in Python and has built AI use cases for investment decision-making. Prior to joining HDFC AMC, Shreenivas was Director of Professional Learning and Advocacy at CFA Institute. Before that Shreenivas worked as the country trading strategist and has led quantitative research work for Citi in Japan. Shreenivas has a professional work experience of over two decades in the investment industry. He has worked closely with key stakeholders, both in Japan and in India's topmost institutions, including regulatory bodies. Shreenivas is a computer engineer and has a Ph.D from IIT Bombay.

Mr. Ghelani has been working for the DSP Group since 2003. The DSP Group has a legacy of more than 150 years, making it one of the oldest and most respected financial services firms in India. He is currently head of passive investments and products. Previously, he served as the business head and chief investment officer at DSP BlackRock Pension Fund Managers. Earlier in his career at DSP, he led the risk and quantitative analysis team, providing quantitative research inputs and buy-side credit research on companies across various sectors. Mr. Ghelani has also worked at IL&FS Mutual Fund and at S. R. Batliboi, a member firm of EY. He has been a volunteer with the CFA Society India for more than a decade. Mr. Ghelani is a CFA charterholder, Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree.

Sunil Singhania, CFA, is the Founder of Abakkus Asset Management, LLP, an India-focused Asset Management Company he established in 2018. Prior to this, in his role as Global Head – Equities at Reliance Capital Ltd., he oversaw equity assets and provided strategic inputs across Reliance Capital Group of companies including asset management, insurance, AIF and offshore assets. And as CIO – Equities, Singhania led Reliance Mutual Fund equity schemes to be rated amongst the best. Reliance Growth Fund grew over 100 times in less than 22 years under Singhania’s leadership. Furthermore, he led Reliance Nippon Life Asset Management Ltd.’s international efforts and was instrumental in launching India funds in Japan, South Korea, and the UK, besides managing mandates from institutional investors based in the US, Singapore, and other countries. Singhania was the Promoter of The Association of NSE Members of India; a body of stockbrokers. He is also the first individual from India to be elected as a member of the CFA Institute Board of Governors and currently serves as the Chair of the Investment Committee and as a member of the Nominating Committee. He also sat on CFA Institute’s Standards of Practice Council for six years and was the Founder of the Indian Association of Investment Professionals (now CFA Society India) and served as its President for eight years. Singhania graduated in commerce from the Bombay University and completed his Chartered Accountancy from the ICAI, Delhi with an all India rank. He has also earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, conferred by CFA Institute. Having travelled extensively across the world, Singhania has also attended many global investment conferences and seminars.

Kishor brings rich and extensive experience of more than 28 years across multiple industries and functions including 21 years in capital markets. With an MBA and CFA he has meticulously developed his expertise in all aspects of equity investments & platform solutions. He has flair across the investment chain including research, portfolio management, Wealth Management and investment sales. He was a Portfolio Manager with ING Investment Management as Sr. VP & Portfolio Manager managing INR 2000 cr of AUM including INR 400 cr of offshore assets. During his 9 year stint in ING he has worked across investment styles – fundamental, Quantitative etc. He also managed fund of funds and Multi Manager portfolios which were later subsumed in the quantitative strategies – the focus area of the business. His capital market stint began with Dimensional Securities Pvt. Ltd. where he was a Research Analyst, involved in bottom up equity research across sectors, investment strategy, opportunistic and event based trading ideas etc. He has also worked in Institutional Sales and headed Corporate Access functions in leading brokerage houses. Kishor has also worked in various roles and functions including Sales, Business Development in financial services, FMCG and Telecom industry. Passion for Teaching and Training – Undertakes multiple training across training institutions including BSE and other Private Training institutions covering a wide gamut of areas and also Faculty in MBA and Professional curriculum. He completed his CFA from the CFA Institute – Charlottesville, VA, USA in 2006 and is a member of the Board of Director in the Indian Association of Investment Professional (IAIP) - CFA society of India.

Amit Khurana, a seasoned Financial Markets Industry Expert, currently serves as the Head of Equities and a member of Dolat Capital's Board of Directors. With over two decades of experience, he specializes in multi-asset and multi-sector investment strategies. Mr Khurana's primary focus is research on the driving sector and sales efforts for domestic and foreign institutional investors. He plays a crucial role in shaping Dolat Capital's business strategy. His career has spanned both the buy and sell sides of the financial spectrum, with significant roles at ILFS and PNB Mutual Fund on the buy side, as well as Collins Stewart UK and Birla Sun Life on the sell side. Amit has also been actively involved in fostering corporate and non-corporate relationships, contributing to his extensive industry knowledge. In his leadership capacity at Dolat Capital, he is deeply engaged in strategic initiatives, including Asset Management and Wealth Advisory.

Kunal Sabnis CFA is a Portfolio Manager with Nine Rivers Capital where he has spent 4 years investing across the market cap spectrum. Prior to this, Kunal spent 8 years at VEC investments, a CAT 3 AIF fund and was focused on small cap investing. Kunal is a MBA Finance from University of Mumbai and a CFA Charter Holder. 

Aanchal Almal, CFA, has over 9 years of diverse experience in the Indian financial markets, specializing in buy-side analysis and family office management. Her expertise encompasses equity research, product development, and advisory services. Previously, Aanchal was part of the passive investments team at DSP Mutual Fund, where she effectively managed equity passive funds and launched innovative products driven by market insights. Her professional journey also includes significant roles at Pi Square Investments, where she focused on equity research and financial modeling. In her current position as Associate Vice President – Products at TrustPlutus Wealth, Aanchal is dedicated to product research and development, ensuring alignment with both client needs and business objectives. She holds the CFA Charter from the CFA Institute and is actively involved in the CFA Society, India, where she serves as the co-chair of the Mumbai chapter of the PL Committee. Aanchal's commitment to the finance community is evident through her volunteer work and leadership roles within professional organizations.

Vijayanand Venkataraman, CFA, has more than 20 years of experience investing in global markets and is the co-founder of Wealth Yantra Technologies Private Limited, an SEBI-Registered Investment Adviser. Until 2012, he was based out of Hong Kong SAR, managing a multiasset portfolio for global investment firms (hedge funds). His expertise spans asset classes that include equities, convertible bonds, and high-yield credit. In addition to managing his portfolio, he also assisted the chief investment officer in hedging the global macro and tail risks of the fund investments using derivative structures. In the early part of his professional career, he was part of the teams that advised the government of India on various policy implementation matters in energy, mining, and financial services. Venkataraman is a board member of CFA Society India. He is also a member of the Alumni Schools Committee (Undergraduate Admissions) at the University of Chicago. A mechanical engineer by training, he holds masters of business administration from BIM, Trichy and a MS in Financial Mathematics from University of Chicago, IL, USA.