Alumni News
IIMB establishes Tony James PEVC Centre with visionary support from alumnus Mathew Cyriac
IIM Bangalore unveiled the Tony James Centre for Private Equity and Venture Capital (PEVC), the country’s first Centre of Excellence dedicated to research, talent development, and industry collaboration in alternative investments. The initiative was made possible through a generous endowment from alumnus Mathew Cyriac, Chairman of Florintree Advisors and recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award.
Named after global investment veteran Tony James, the Centre will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research, policy engagement, and partnerships with industry leaders. At the launch, IIMB faculty and industry stalwarts highlighted the growing importance of PE and VC in fueling India’s economic growth and entrepreneurship.
The Centre also honours the legacy of IIMB faculty who shaped generations of finance professionals, with classrooms named after four eminent professors. By bridging academia, industry, and policymakers, the Tony James Centre aspires to shape the future of private capital in India and beyond.
IIMB exchange alum Philipp Navratil named CEO of Nestlé
IIM Bangalore takes pride in celebrating the appointment of Philipp Navratil as the Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé. Philipp was part of IIMB’s student exchange programme with the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, during 1999–2000. His achievement reflects the Institute’s mission of nurturing leaders who go on to shape business, government, and society at a global level.
The exchange partnership between IIMB and St. Gallen has stood strong for decades, offering transformative experiences to students from both institutions. It continues to serve as a powerful platform for cross-cultural learning, leadership development, and global networking.
Carrying this tradition forward, students of IIMB’s PGP Class of 2026 will travel to 54 universities across 25 countries this year, including St. Gallen, for their international immersion. The Institute’s growing network of global collaborations underscores its commitment to creating leaders who thrive in an interconnected world.
IIMB Alumna Anuradha Aggarwal to Lead Marketing and Growth at Amazon India
IIM Bangalore takes pride in celebrating the achievements of its alumna, Anuradha Aggarwal (PGP 1997), who has recently been appointed Director of Marketing and Growth at Amazon India.
A seasoned leader with over two decades of experience, Anuradha has built a stellar career across global consumer brands including Unilever, Vodafone, Marico, Mondelēz International, Disney Star, and most recently Amazon Pay, where she drove user growth and brand marketing through innovation.
In her new role at Amazon India, she will focus on shaping brand strategy, deepening customer engagement, and advancing growth initiatives across the country.
Beyond her professional milestones, Anuradha has remained closely connected with IIMB. She has inspired students and peers alike through her mentorship, her advocacy for women in leadership, and her thought leadership at events like the Women Leadership Summit.
Her journey stands as a powerful example of resilience, creativity, and purposeful leadership.
IIMB Alumna Nischala Murthy Kaushik (PGSEM 2007) Joins Opus Technologies as CMO
IIMB alumna Nischala Murthy Kaushik (PGSEM 2007) has been appointed Chief Marketing Officer at Opus Technologies, a global engineering partner to banks, fintechs, and payment providers.
With nearly 25 years of experience across strategy, technology, and marketing, Nischala has held senior leadership roles, including CMO at Fresh Gravity and HFS Research, where she built and scaled marketing functions. Her expertise spans brand transformation, corporate storytelling, LinkedIn influence, demand generation, ABM, thought leadership, and analyst engagement.
She began her career as a technologist, delivering solutions for clients such as HSBC, MasterCard, Charles Schwab, and Credit Suisse, before moving into strategic marketing and innovation initiatives. Beyond corporate roles, she is a prolific thought leader with over 5,000 published articles, 50+ global speaking sessions, and recognition as one of LinkedIn’s Top 20 Voices in India.
IIMB Alumnus Rajkumar Upadhyay (PGPPM 2006) Featured in MIT Sloan Policy 50
We are proud to share that Rajkumar Upadhyay, alumnus of IIMB’s PGPPM 2006 batch, has been recognized in MIT Sloan Management Review India’s “Policy 50: Mapping the Minds Behind India’s Digital Rise.”
The Policy 50 list highlights 50 leaders who are driving India’s digital transformation through innovation, policy, and governance. Rajkumar’s inclusion celebrates his contributions to shaping India’s digital landscape, reflecting both his leadership and impact in the sector.
This recognition underscores the growing influence of IIMB alumni in steering strategic initiatives and policy frameworks that are defining the nation’s digital future.
Read more about Policy 50 here: MIT Sloan India
PGP 2005 Alumni Anuj & Paras Singhal Achieve Ironman 140.6 Milestone
On August 24, 2025, Anuj Singhal and Paras Singhal, alumni of IIM Bangalore’s PGP 2005 batch, achieved an extraordinary milestone by successfully completing the Ironman 140.6 in Tallinn, Estonia. Widely regarded as one of the world’s most demanding endurance events, the Ironman challenges participants to a 3.8 km open-water swim in Stroomi Bay, a 180 km cycling route across Tallinn’s scenic roads and countryside, and finally, a 42.2 km marathon run along the capital city’s waterfront.
Known for its fast, athlete-friendly course and inspiring atmosphere, Ironman Tallinn draws participants from across the globe. Covering a staggering 226 km in total, the race tests the limits of human endurance, resilience, and determination.
By crossing this finish line, Anuj and Paras not only celebrated a personal triumph but also exemplified the grit and perseverance that define the IIMB community’s spirit of leadership and excellence.
Dhritiman Mallick (IIMB PGP 2016) Leads Vyuhaa Med Data to K-Startup Grand Challenge Win in Korea
We are proud to share that Dhritiman Mallick, a 2016 PGP graduate of IIM Bangalore, has led Vyuhaa Med Data to be selected as one of the winners of the K-Startup Grand Challenge in Korea.
During the challenge, the team experienced a transformative journey, exploring Korea’s world-class start-up ecosystem. From the ease of sourcing R&D components to a thriving hardware design ecosystem, the environment is designed to nurture innovation. What stood out most was the people—a community that genuinely values technology, encourages deep collaboration, and expects excellence.
This recognition and exposure have strengthened Vyuhaa Med Data’s resolve to build impactful technology. The team looks forward to setting up its on-device software and hardware prototyping lab in Seoul, continuing its mission to innovate and make a difference in healthcare technology.
Vikrant Pande (PGP 1992) Receives Review for “Akashvani: A Century of Stories from All India Radio”
We are delighted to share that Vikrant Pande (PGP 1992), co-author of Akashvani: A Century of Stories from All India Radio along with Neelesh Kulkarni, has received a thoughtful review in The Hindu Business Line by author Vinay Kamath.
The book chronicles a century of storytelling from All India Radio, capturing iconic moments and voices that have shaped India’s audio landscape. The review highlights the depth of research, engaging narrative, and the cultural significance of preserving these stories.
This recognition celebrates Vikrant’s contribution to documenting India’s rich broadcasting heritage, and underscores the diverse accomplishments of IIMB alumni beyond the corporate world.
Read the full review here: The Hindu Business Line
