Celebrating Excellence, Inspiring the Future: Distinguished Alumni Awards 2026

“Success is rarely defined by a single milestone. It is shaped by the lives we touch, the communities we strengthen, and the legacy we leave behind.”

What does success look like after IIM Bangalore? At the reorientation ceremony for the incoming PGP and PGPBA Class of 2026-28, that question found five compelling answers as the institute honoured its Distinguished Alumni Award (DAA) 2026 recipients—leaders whose journeys have created lasting impact across business, technology, entrepreneurship, finance, and civic life.

Instituted in 2007, the Distinguished Alumni Awards are among IIM Bangalore’s highest honours, recognising alumni whose achievements and service exemplify excellence, integrity, and leadership. With this year’s recipients, the Distinguished Alumni community has grown to 47 individuals whose names are etched on the Institute’s Wall of Fame.

Welcoming the gathering, Prof. U. Dinesh Kumar, Director-in-charge, reminded students that IIM Bangalore exists to transform society, encouraging them to view leadership not merely as professional success but as the ability to create meaningful impact. Setting the tone for the evening, Prof. Vasanthi Srinivasan, Dean – Alumni Relations & Development, reflected on the remarkable diversity of the Distinguished Alumni fraternity, united not by profession but by purpose.

As each awardee shared their journey, it became clear that this was more than an awards ceremony. Their stories offered the newest members of the IIMB community five distinct yet complementary lessons in leadership—rooted in ownership, resilience, ambition, humility, gratitude, and the courage to create positive change.

Arun Pai (PGP 1993): Leadership Begins with Ownership

For Arun Pai, meaningful change begins with taking ownership.

Drawing on his work through Bangalore Walks, India Rising Trust, and The Ugly Indian movement, he recalled spending 24 hours observing a notorious garbage dump on Bengaluru’s Church Street before attempting to solve the problem. Rather than assigning blame, his team chose to understand the issue first—a simple approach that transformed a civic problem that had persisted for nearly two decades.

That philosophy grew into a citizen-led movement that has inspired communities across the country to reclaim neglected public spaces through collective action and personal responsibility.

His advice to students was simple yet profound: “If you want to change the world, start with your own street.” Leadership, he reminded the audience, begins not with authority, but with ownership.

Rashmi Mohanty (PGP 1995): Run Your Own Race

Three decades after graduating from IIM Bangalore, Rashmi Mohanty, Chief Financial Officer of SBI Cards, returned to campus to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award with a message that resonated deeply with students: “You cannot run anybody else’s race. You can only run your own.”

Drawing on her experiences as both a finance leader and an accomplished ultramarathon runner, Rashmi compared careers to endurance races rather than sprints. She encouraged students not to measure their progress against others, reminding them that success comes from staying true to one’s own aspirations and persevering through setbacks.

Equally compelling was her reflection on building an identity beyond professional titles. While many know her today as a CFO, others recognise her as an ultramarathon runner—a distinction she values just as much. She also acknowledged the mentors, colleagues, family members, and caregivers who supported her journey, reminding the audience that success is never achieved alone.

Her advice to the incoming class was simple yet enduring: Don’t compare. Don’t give up. Define yourself.

Dipesh Shah (PGSEM 2002): Ambition, Humility and Gratitude

For Dipesh Shah, Executive President and Chief Technology Officer of Havells India, leadership can be distilled into three enduring values—ambition, humility, and gratitude.

Reflecting on his journey from a Gujarati-medium school to leading global technology teams, he shared how IIM Bangalore changed not his profession but the way he viewed it. The Institute broadened his perspective, enabling him to see opportunities beyond immediate circumstances.

Drawing inspiration from South Korea’s relentless pursuit of excellence, he encouraged students to dream bigger than their current realities. At the same time, he reminded them that ambition must be balanced with humility—the ability to accept life’s inevitable curveballs—and gratitude, shifting one’s focus from what one deserves to what one can contribute.

His message was clear: true leadership is built as much on character as on competence.

Manish Tiwary (PGP 1995): Education Beyond the Classroom

Joining the ceremony virtually, Manish Tiwary, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé India and Market Head, Nestlé South Asia Region, reflected on the enduring influence of his years at IIM Bangalore. Looking back nearly three decades after graduating, he observed that the Institute had shaped him not only into a better professional but also into a better person.

Recalling his journey over the past thirty years, he spoke about the importance of staying curious, embracing change, and continually learning from every experience. While careers evolve and industries transform, he noted that the values, friendships, and perspective gained during one’s time at IIM Bangalore remain constant anchors throughout life.

Reflecting on his own career, he acknowledged that professional success is often built over decades through a series of experiences, decisions, and relationships rather than a single defining moment. The lessons learnt inside and outside the classroom, he said, continue to influence how he approaches leadership, navigates change, and works with people.

His message to the incoming students was a reminder that management education extends far beyond classrooms and careers. The true measure of success lies not only in professional accomplishments but in the character one builds, the relationships one nurtures, and the positive impact one leaves behind.

Karthik B. Reddy (PGP 1996): Success is Shared

Joining virtually from France, where he was attending the Bharat Innovate Summit, Karthik B. Reddy, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Blume Ventures, reflected on entrepreneurship as both a privilege and a responsibility.

Receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award exactly thirty years after graduating from IIM Bangalore, he spoke about the privilege of supporting entrepreneurs who create businesses, generate employment, and solve meaningful problems. Returning to campus as a teacher had also given him an opportunity to contribute to the next generation of innovators.

Reflecting on his years at IIM Bangalore, Karthik described the Institute as a “preview of the world”—a place where he first encountered people from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and aspirations. Those early experiences, he said, shaped not only his outlook but also the relationships and values that have stayed with him throughout his professional journey.

Accepting the honour, he dedicated the award to his family, friends, classmates, colleagues, and partners, reminding students that no meaningful journey is ever accomplished alone. While the award bore his name, he noted, it truly belonged to everyone who had supported and believed in him over the past three decades.

The ceremony also recognised academic excellence through the presentation of the Director’s Merit List, Director’s Honours List, Section Topper awards, and admission scholarships, celebrating the achievements of the current student community while inspiring the incoming batch to pursue the highest standards of learning and leadership.

As the evening drew to a close, the Distinguished Alumni Awards stood as more than a celebration of exceptional careers. They became a conversation across generations – one in which five alumni, through five very different journeys, offered a shared philosophy of leadership.

Own the problem. Run your own race. Dream boldly, remain humble, give back generously, and remember that success is measured not only by personal achievement, but by the positive impact one leaves on others.

For the Class of 2026-28, it was a fitting welcome to a lifelong journey of leadership, learning, and purpose.