Driving Impact: 25 Corporate CSR Leaders Transforming Communities.

In Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), several remarkable individuals stand out for their expertise, dedication, and contributions to societal development. Here are some of the notable figures making waves in the corporate social responsibility arena:

1. Pragnya Ram (Group Executive President; Group Head – CSR, Legacy Documentation & Archives, Aditya Birla Group): With 47 years of corporate communications and CSR experience, Dr. Ram as Group Executive President, has transformed Aditya Birla Group’s global perception. Spearheading impactful CSR strategies, Dr. Ram’s leadership fosters sustainable initiatives across various sectors, marking a significant stride towards corporate social responsibility and community engagement.

2. Abida Aneez (Vice President – CSR & Sustainability, Group Legrand India): Abida Aneez, hailing from Tamil Nadu, India, brings over 28 years of diverse experience in CSR, ESG, and human resources. Recognized for her visionary leadership, Abida spearheads impactful CSR projects, driving sustainable strategies and community empowerment, notably leading Legrand India’s award-winning initiatives.

3. Pooja Garg Khan (Head Corporate Communications & CSR – Panasonic Life Solutions India): Based in Gurgaon, India, Pooja Garg Khan is a veteran communications specialist with over 25 years of experience. With a strategic focus on corporate communications and CSR, she has spearheaded impactful initiatives, fostering meaningful engagement with stakeholders. Her expertise lies in building brand value and driving social change.

4. Rekha Pillai (Head – CSR, BP India): Rekha Pillai boasts over two decades of expertise in CSR and leads transformative initiatives at BP India. Her tenure at Castrol and Nomura reflects a commitment to sustainable corporate citizenship and social impact. Rekha’s strategic vision and dedication to community empowerment drive meaningful change, making her a key figure in fostering sustainable development and social responsibility.

5. Navdeep Singh Mehram (VP CSR & Sustainability, DIAGEO India): Navdeep, based in India, brings 24 years of experience in CSR and sustainability across diverse sectors. Instrumental in creating shared value partnerships, he excels in ESG compliance and stakeholder management. His leadership at DIAGEO India fosters impactful CSR initiatives, driving positive social and environmental change.

6. Akhilesh Dimri (Head CSR, Mankind Pharma Ltd.): With over two decades of experience, Akhilesh Dimri brings a wealth of knowledge in CSR, community participation, and rural development. His specialization in project management and capacity building has led to impactful initiatives in health, sanitation, and livelihood programs.

7. Gayatri Divecha (Head – Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility, Godrej): Gayatri’s passion for rural and tribal development fuels her role at Godrej India. With a focus on data-driven decision-making and stakeholder engagement, she drives significant CSR projects, embodying the fusion of purpose-driven leadership and impactful storytelling.

8. Sakina Baker (Head – CSR, Bosch India): With over 20 years of experience, Sakina Baker leads CSR efforts at Bosch Limited and Bosch India Foundation. Her leadership at Philips and Fortis Healthcare showcases a commitment to sustainable community development. Sakina’s strategic approach to corporate citizenship ensures lasting impact, creating shared value for communities and organizations.

9. Yogesh Kapse (Head of CSR, Schaeffler India): Based in Pune, India, Yogesh Kapse leverages nearly two decades of experience to bridge corporate and community interests. With a track record of leading CSR and sustainability efforts, Yogesh drives strategic initiatives at Schaeffler India, focusing on holistic development and social impact.

10. Chitra A (Head CSR, Indus Towers Limited): Chitra, based in Gurugram, India, leads CSR initiatives aligned with the company’s vision. With over 19 years of experience, she has successfully managed multiple CSR programs, emphasizing education, healthcare, and community development.

11. Ashish Sahay (Head CSR & Strategic, HP Inc. India): Based in Gurgaon, India, Ashish Sahay is a seasoned CSR expert with nearly 18 years of experience. As the Head of CSR and Strategic Initiatives at HP Inc. India, he has led transformative community outreach programs, positioning HP as a responsible corporate citizen. Sahay holds an MDP certification in CSR from IIFT and is recognized globally for his impactful leadership in sustainability.

12. Archana Sahay (CSR Head – APJ, Dell Technologies): Archana Sahay, located in Bengaluru, Karnataka, boasts over 18 years of experience in CSR. As the CSR – APJ Head at Dell Technologies, she champions sustainable impact initiatives, leveraging her expertise in CSR strategy and execution. Sahay’s visionary approach and commitment to social responsibility have earned her recognition as a leader in the field.

13. Ayodhya Prasad Gaur (Head of CSR – Cairn Oil and Gas): Ayodhya Prasad Gaur, stationed in Rajasthan, India, brings over 18 years of diverse experience, blending corporate communication and CSR. As the Head of CSR at Cairn Oil and Gas, he has been instrumental in driving social impact initiatives, embodying a unique blend of corporate leadership and community engagement.

14. Bishnupriya Narayan (Head—Corporate Communications and CSR, Akasa Air): Based in Mumbai, Bishnupriya leverages 18 years of communications expertise to enhance Akasa Air’s reputation and ESG strategy. Her innovative campaigns and leadership have facilitated successful launches and stakeholder engagement. Bishnupriya’s dedication to diversity and inclusion drives Akasa Air’s commitment to social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

15. Dr Vikas Yadvendu (Group Head CSR, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India): Dr Vikas Yadvendu brings over 16 years of experience and a PhD in Rural Management to his role at ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India. His leadership drives sustainable development and community empowerment in organizations, as evident from his tenure at Essar Foundation. Dr Vikas’s expertise in social communication and partnership fosters impactful change, marking him as a pioneer in corporate social responsibility.

16. Abhishek Sahay (Head – Public & Government Affairs and CSR, Mondelēz International): Abhishek Sahay brings over 15 years of experience to his role, leading advocacy initiatives and CSR mandates at Mondelēz International. His background includes leading government affairs at GSK Pharmaceuticals Ltd and driving public affairs at Novozymes South Asia Pvt Ltd. Abhishek’s expertise lies in policy advocacy, crisis management, and stakeholder engagement, making him a key figure in shaping corporate governance and social responsibility strategies.

17. Nishant Sinha ( Head CSR, Exide Industries Limited): With over 15 years of experience, Nishant Sinha heads Exide Industries Limited’s CSR efforts. His tenure at Mahanagar Gas Limited showcased his dedication to sustainable community development. Nishant’s recognition with the Rastra Vibhushan Award underscores his influential role in driving CSR initiatives that create meaningful impact and foster inclusive growth.

18. Ankita Sharma (Head – Sustainability and CSR, Orkla Group): Ankita Sharma, based in Bengaluru, India, boasts over a decade of experience in global sustainability practices. With expertise in sustainability reporting, carbon management, and CSR compliance, Ankita leads transformative initiatives driving sustainable business models and stakeholder engagement.

19. Gaurav Sharma (CSR Head, PNB Housing Finance Ltd): Based in New Delhi, Gaurav boasts 15 years of experience in CSR and sustainable development. His leadership at PNB Housing Finance drives impactful programs that align with global sustainability goals and empower communities. Gaurav’s expertise in climate change and ESG initiatives strengthens PNB Housing Finance’s commitment to responsible business practices.

20. Sumit Kumar (Head—Corporate Social Responsibility, Team Computers): With around 15 years of diverse experience, Sumit Kumar is a seasoned leader in providing strategic direction to government departments and businesses. His focus on CSR and sustainability initiatives and his academic background in Social Work and Law underscores his commitment to holistic development.

21. Ritesh Sinha (Head CSR, HDFC Bank): Ritesh’s extensive experience spans over two decades in corporate communications, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement. Embarked as a National Resource Person with the Ministry of Rural Development, his policy formulation and strategic planning expertise contribute to impactful CSR initiatives.

22. Sourabh Anand (Head – CSR, J.P. Morgan): Sourabh’s multifaceted experience in consulting and program management underscores his commitment to mobilizing capital for social development. Leading CSR programs for J.P. Morgan in India, his innovative approach to financing and collaborative partnerships amplifies impact on a large scale.

23. Shefali Hasija (Head—Corporate Social Responsibility, Angel One): Based in Mumbai, Shefali has 12 years of experience and excels in CSR strategy and implementation. At Angel One, she drove impactful projects, secured substantial grants, and forged strong partnerships. Her dedication to social development contributes significantly to Angel One’s corporate citizenship and reputation.

24. Bijay Chowdhury (Group Head—CSR and Philanthropy, Synopsys Inc.): Bijay, based in Delhi, specializes in CSR strategy and compliance. With over nine years of experience, he leads CSR initiatives across the Asia Pacific, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and global standards. His strategic approach drives Synopsys Inc.’s commitment to corporate philanthropy and sustainable development.

25. Chetana Kumar (Head of CSR, Fractal): Chetana Kumar, Head of CSR & Special Projects at Fractal, spearheads transformative initiatives aligned with Fractal’s CSR philosophy. With a focus on leveraging AI & Analytics for social good, she champions universal access to education and women’s empowerment. Committed to climate action and public healthcare enhancement, Chetana advocates collaborative efforts for a sustainable future.

Each of these CSR leaders brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the field, contributing significantly to advancing corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

Disclaimer: The selection process for candidates in this news article involves rigorous evaluation by researchers, considering parameters such as industry influence, online reputation, experience, contributions, education, accolades, and followership. However, subjective criteria may lead to outcome variations, and assessments may not capture every aspect of candidates’ profiles. Selection as winners does not imply endorsement or guaranteeing future performance. Feedback is welcomed for process enhancement as we continuously strive to improve our evaluation methods.