IIMB Announces 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards

IIM Bangalore Celebrates Four Visionary Alumni with 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards

The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) is proud to announce the recipients of its prestigious Distinguished Alumni Awards (DAA) for 2025. This year, the Institute recognizes four exceptional alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and excellence across diverse fields: Sandhya Shekhar (PGP 1984), Prashant Jain (PGP 1991), Mathew Cyriac (PGP 1994), and Vineet Saraiwala (PGP 2015).

Instituted in 2007, the DAA celebrates alumni who have made significant contributions in industry, management, entrepreneurship, research, academia, or social service. Each awardee receives a formal citation, and their name is prominently engraved on the Institute’s revered Wall of Fame. The awards will be formally presented on June 15, 2025, during the reorientation of the Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP), a moment that will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of leaders. IIMB Director Professor Rishikesha T Krishnan, along with the Deans and faculty, extended their heartfelt congratulations to the DAA 2025 recipients.

Honoring the 2025 Distinguished Alumni

Sandhya Shekhar (PGP 1984): A Pioneer Bridging Industry, Academia, and Innovation

Sandhya Shekhar is a dynamic force, advising and consulting across industry, academia, and the vibrant startup ecosystem. As an Advisor and Strategy Consultant, she guides corporations on business strategy and digital transformation, while also serving as an Independent Director on the governing boards of several prominent companies including Uno Minda Ltd. and UCAL Ltd. Her earlier tenure on the boards of multiple Amalgamations Group companies, coupled with her role in BIRAC BIoNEST committees, underscores her dedication to scaling India’s biotech incubators. Sandhya’s unique ability to cross-pollinate ideas and triangulate learnings from these distinct fraternities allows her to uncover and leverage immense synergies for organizations and institutions.

Before her current roles, Sandhya held numerous CXO positions, notably as the first CEO of IIT Madras Research Park, spearheading the nation’s inaugural university research park. Her extensive industry experience includes leadership roles at Gartner Inc., BconnectB.com, Aptech, and NIIT, spanning multiple domains. An alumna of both IIM Bangalore and IIT Madras, she earned her PhD from IIT Madras, with her dissertation receiving a global award from the European Foundation for Management Development and Emerald. A recipient of numerous accolades and a TEDx speaker, Sandhya is also a prolific author. Her co-authored book on Knowledge Management was the first of its kind in India, and her acclaimed work, ‘Managing the Reality of Virtual Organizations’, published by Springer, has garnered worldwide recognition.

“I am deeply humbled by the magnanimity of numerous people involved in the process, who thought me worthy of this award,” says Sandhya. “I joined IIM Bangalore as a clueless youngster. This wonderful institution gave me the confidence to navigate my professional journey, besides a deep sense of well-being by making me a part of a caring fraternity. Most importantly, it has given me invaluable friends.”

Prashant Jain (PGP 1991): A Titan of Indian Investment Management

Prashant Jain, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of 3P Investment Managers, is a legendary figure in Indian investment management with 31 years of experience. He previously served as Chief Investment Officer at HDFC Mutual Fund, where he achieved the remarkable distinction of being the only fund manager in India, and one of the few globally, to continuously manage a single scheme for over 28 years (the HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund, formerly HDFC Prudence Fund). Beyond being India’s most awarded fund manager, he was also the first to manage a staggering Rs 1 lac crore in equity funds.

Prashant’s illustrious career includes stints at SBI Mutual Fund and Zurich India Mutual Fund before he joined HDFC Mutual Fund in 2003. In 2022, he co-founded 3P Investment Managers, a firm dedicated to long-term investing, whose name embodies its core principles: Prudence, Patience, and Performance. Their flagship 3P Indian Equity Fund, an open-end AIF for HNIs, has seen a robust start, currently managing approximately Rs 17,500 crores for nearly 970 families.

A proud alumnus of IIM Bangalore (PGDM 1991) and IIT Kanpur (Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering), Prashant is also a recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from IIT Kanpur. He credits IIMB and its faculty for shaping his success. “The education and learning at IIMB have played a key role in shaping my career, equipping me with the tools to keep on learning and the confidence to face challenges,” he states, expressing his profound honor at receiving the DAA.

Mathew Cyriac (PGP 1994): A Visionary Leader in Private Equity and Impact Investing

Mathew Cyriac, the Executive Chairman of PE firm Florintree Advisors and Co-founder at deep tech fund Yali Capital, is a trailblazer in the investment world. A founding member and PE Co-head of Blackstone India, his 30-year career is marked by numerous “firsts” in investing across India and the US. Mathew’s journey from an IIMB gold medallist to a global investment professional perfectly embodies excellence, innovation, and purpose-driven inclusive leadership.

After graduating in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy, Mathew began his career at Tata Motors before venturing into finance with Bank of America, followed by Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. He held pivotal roles at Credit Suisse and Quintant/iGATE before returning to India to join Blackstone. At Blackstone India (2006-2017), he revolutionized the Indian PE industry by pioneering control-oriented investing – acquiring majority stakes to drive operational turnarounds. His leadership transformed companies like Gokaldas Exports, MTAR Technologies, CMS Infosystems, and Data Patterns, setting new benchmarks for value creation.

At Florintree Advisors, Mathew has built a reputation for actively investing time and capital in growth-stage companies, leading to stellar IPOs for firms like Data Patterns, ideaForge, and MTAR. With Yali Capital, he has partnered with seasoned tech investors and operators to fund cutting-edge startups such as C2i Semiconductors and 4baseCare, fueling India’s deep-tech innovation in critical sectors like semiconductors, AI, and genomics. Mathew’s commitment to operational excellence extends to his board roles, including Data Patterns, MTAR, ideaForge, and CMS IT, as well as independent board memberships for Tata Capital and Tata Play, and his Chairmanship at Gokaldas Exports.

Beyond his financial acumen, Mathew is deeply committed to inclusive growth. Under his stewardship, companies like Gokaldas Exports employ over 45,000 women, providing sustainable livelihoods that uplift entire communities. He actively supports various social causes, including trauma care at CMC Vellore and the EKAM Foundation’s efforts to improve child health and education. His profound bond with IIMB is evident through his mentorship of students, investment in IIMB alumni ventures, and hiring of IIMB talent. Mathew’s transformative experience at IIMB also inspired his investment in the Tony James Centre for Private Equity & Venture Capital on campus, fostering academia-industry synergy through scholarships, research, and faculty chairs, solidifying IIMB’s role as a global hub for investment education.

“Receiving the news for this award, I experienced the same excitement that I felt, when I received the admission letter from IIMB, 33 years back,” Mathew shares, expressing his humility and honor. “The two years at IIMB built a very different level of confidence in me which became a guiding force in my life. I cherish equally the friendship with my batchmates and the mentorship I received from my professors. On this occasion, I would like to remember my beloved parents and thank my two brothers, wife Elizabeth and my daughters Anna and Angela for always standing by me.”

Vineet Saraiwala (PGP 2015): Championing Disability Inclusion through Atypical Advantage

Vineet Saraiwala, Founder and CEO of Atypical Advantage, is a beacon of social entrepreneurship. His platform stands as India’s largest livelihood platform for persons with disabilities, currently supporting over 30,000 individuals and partnering with more than 400 corporates across India. Through Atypical Advantage, Vineet has successfully enabled over 5,000 dignified livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities, fundamentally transforming corporate India’s approach to disability inclusion as a business imperative. He has forged meaningful job opportunities across a wide array of sectors, including FMCG, semiconductors, automobiles, IT, and manufacturing.

Beyond employment, Vineet has built extensive networks, partnering with over 550 NGOs and various state and union government bodies to conduct crucial sensitization workshops and skill development programs. His work has significantly contributed to systemic changes in workplace accessibility and inclusion practices nationwide. Vineet is driven by a profound belief that generating compassion is key to creating a better world, and he is passionately dedicated to closing the inequality gap for persons with disabilities within his lifetime.

After completing his MBA from IIM Bangalore in 2015, Vineet joined Big Bazaar, where he spearheaded initiatives to make shopping accessible and facilitated the hiring of over 500 persons with disabilities across its stores. Vineet’s pioneering efforts have garnered significant national and international recognition. In 2024, Atypical Advantage received both the National Startup Award for Social Impact and the National Award for Best Placement Organisation, presented by the President of India. His impactful pitch on Shark Tank India was widely lauded for mainstreaming inclusion across the nation, bringing vital conversations to a broader audience.

When not tirelessly working on this pressing social challenge, Vineet finds solace and strength in trekking, cycling, and running. He has cycled over 5,000 kilometers on his tandem bike and completed more than nine half marathons, showcasing his remarkable resilience and spirit.

“IIM Bangalore gave me the wings to dream beyond limitation and the foundation to build a movement for inclusion,” Vineet shares. “This recognition is not just mine – it belongs to every person with a disability who dared to dream, every ally who believed in the cause, and every organization that opened its doors to diverse talent. I hope this award inspires many more to build a world that truly belongs to everyone.” He further emphasizes, “I also hope that this award inspires the creation of more social entrepreneurs alongside founders and CXOs, ensuring that the wisdom of the nation’s brightest minds is channeled into solving its toughest problems. Without IIM Bangalore, the dream of building Atypical Advantage would not have existed. I am here only because the Institute gave a visually impaired boy a chance – a ticket to empower others like him.”