AI, Technology, & Sustainability Awards Judging Committee

Salil Godika is a seasoned executive with more than 31 years of leadership experience across the enterprise software and IT services sectors. Over the past five years at Synoptek, he has played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s global service delivery capabilities and advancing its mission to deliver exceptional client outcomes.

Throughout his career, Salil has consistently helped organizations build and scale robust enterprise and technology services businesses. Beyond managing delivery operations, he has been deeply involved in corporate strategy, service development, and go-to-market execution. Prior to joining Synoptek, Salil held leadership roles at several prominent technology firms.

He co-founded Happiest Minds Technologies, a global IT services company, where he served as President and CEO of the Digital Business Unit. Earlier, he was Chief Strategy Officer at Mindtree, where he helped define the company’s strategic direction, led corporate planning and M&A initiatives, and incubated new business lines. Earlier in his career, Salil spent more than a decade in the U.S. with enterprise software product companies such as Dassault Systèmes, GenuOne, Documentum, and i2 Technologies, holding leadership roles across sales, market development, product management, and engineering. Salil holds a Master of Science degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Boston University and a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee.

As a renowned sales influencer, Mario teaches marketing and sales professionals how to develop an engaging personal brand to attract today’s modern buyers using the digital sales ecosystem. Mario is the host of the popular The Modern Selling Podcast. He’s been featured in Forbes, INC., Entrepreneur and was formerly a contributor to the Huffington Post. He’s a highly sought-after Keynote Speaker with brands such as LinkedIn, Cisco, and many more. He is also known to open a speech with a Salsa dance. Follow him on YouTube, LinkedIn, on Twitter, or view his website at https://vengreso.com.

Engr. Oyeniyi Richard Ajao is an industrial strategist, operations and project expert with two decades of experience delivering critical infrastructure across Africa in the data centers, oil and gas, and CPG sectors. As Director of Operations at Karbak Ventures Limited, he spearheads the company's regional project management and operations.

Ignazio Arces is a senior industrial executive with 25+ years of experience in energy, refining, and chemicals. His expertise includes operational excellence, industrial transformation, and the energy transition. He is the author of Navigating the Energy Transition, where he explores the human and leadership dimensions of industrial transformation.

Senior Director with 15+ years in pharma and technology analytics. Expert in AI-based analytics solutions, forecasting, machine learning, experimental design, and go-to-market strategy. Leads cross-functional teams solving complex business problems. Peer-reviewed author and industry speaker with deep expertise evaluating real-world technology impact. PGDBM, Great Lakes Institute of Management, India.

Founder & CEO of CinEmon Consulting, a brand strategy and purpose-driven communications firm. With 15 years of experience in corporate leadership and entrepreneurship, she is an international speaker, IIM Bangalore Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women alumna, and member of Global Purpose Collaborative. She advises organizations on branding, culture, communication, & business transformation.

Altug helps companies grow and transform through AI, cloud technology, and smart process design. With 26+ years across telecommunications, tech, and cloud computing, Altug currently leads INFERCOM in Luxembourg and advises startups like ShareOn and Informasive. Previously, Altug drove international expansion at ICT Cloud and shaped AI strategy at Bulutistan.

As Q.C. Innovations (R&D), Khaled works with Parsons and is a jury member on the Committee for International Engineering Innovation Exhibitions. He is a Co-founder (Vice President) of The Egyptian Society for Women & Youth Inventor and Head of Delegation for Young Inventors in Egypt and UAE.

Omer Fein is an MIT Sloan Fellows MBA candidate and former Chief Economic Consul of Israel to the U.S. West Coast. He led Israel's economic engagement across 17 U.S. states, working with startups, Fortune 500 companies, investors, and public-sector leaders. He brings expertise in innovation, venture capital, international business, and organizational leadership.

Co-founder of EFFX AI. Creative executive, brand architect, and AI design leader with two decades of experience building award-winning creative, product, marketing, and technology systems across fintech, healthcare, beauty, consumer, entertainment, fashion, and international markets.

Swechcha is a data expert with more than 18 years of professional experience in the government, financial services, technology, healthcare, and energy sectors. She has a strong background in data visualization, predictive analysis, statistical analysis, machine learning, AI and is skilled in ETL processes, reporting, data modeling, data migration and data engineering.

A seasoned AI, Data, and Analytics Leader with 16+ years of experience delivering enterprise-scale SAP, data, and digital transformation solutions. Ravi has expertise in Generative AI, AI solution architecture, data engineering, business intelligence, cloud technologies, and enterprise analytics.

Mohneil is a data science leader with 18+ years of experience in quantitative analysis, statistical modeling & business intelligence. As Head of Data Science at Google Fi & Google Store, he leads teams driving clear, data-driven business, engineering, and product decisions through strong partnerships with stakeholders and leaders.

He is a sustainability expert with 10+ years of experience driving climate-smart solutions, green innovation, SME development, and sustainable finance initiatives across Africa and the EU. He leads projects focused on food security, sustainable international trade, finance and supply chain management, ESG integration and reporting, Earth Observation, A.I for development, and Agric-Tech.

SAP Certified Associate with S/4 HANA and mobility implementation experience. Over 20 years of total SAP technical and functional experience with more than 10 years of Manufacturing industry experience in design, development, and implementation of large-scale business applications. Experience in integrating and implementing SAP PP, SCM, EAM, VC, ETM, SD, QM.

Galina Pauncheva, CEO of d:istinkt, is a seasoned PR, brand strategy, and marketing consultant. With over 20 years of experience in Public Relations and Corporate Communications, she is also the author of "How to Launch a Successful Brand: A Step-by-Step Guide for Building a Powerful Brand."

Dr. Joerg Pirron is a Managing Partner at PROTEMA Consulting Services in Stuttgart. He supports SMEs in digital and sustainability transformation and develops smart factory solutions, agile and resilient supply networks, and innovative after-sales services. He holds a PhD from the University of Stuttgart and serves on several boards.

Founder & CEO of Belkins and Folderly. A Forbes 30U30 founder, serial entrepreneur, and investor with a decade of experience in building and growing service companies and SaaS startups in Sales- and MarTech. Recognized for expertise in creating successful businesses from scratch and building top-notch teams that propel all ventures to the forefront of their industries.

Syed is a C-level strategist with 20+ years across academia and corporate leadership. He is the Registrar and Director at ILMA University and Managing Director roles at Rapido and Tarbiyat. Advisor, Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, Judge, The Stevie Awards and QS Reimagine Education. Syed is an AMA Mentor.

Dr. Ali Shahami is a legal tech entrepreneur and the founder of MyVisa.ai, a U.S.-based legal tech startup; an immigration law specialist; and an industry speaker with extensive experience in global immigration. He holds a PhD, a Master of Laws (LLM) and a Graduate Degree.

Kathryn Sing is a Body Corporate Manager based in Brisbane, Australia, with 20+ years' experience in customer service, operations, administration, retail management, and community engagement across real estate, hospitality, finance, agriculture, and the not-for-profit sector. She is also the founder of Veliarra, a property technology company focused on improving property owner decision-making.

Nitin Singh, serving as the Managing Principal and Practice Leader at SAP America, is a seasoned digital transformation leader. His proven track record spans the enterprise application Industry, where he has spearheaded digital transformation initiatives for numerous Fortune 500 companies. Recognized as a thought leader in his field, Singh boasts multiple publications.

Gabriel is a communications leader with 20 years of experience across corporate communications, media relations, and public affairs in Asia. Gabriel has worked both in-house and within global PR consultancies, advising multinational companies, listed entities, and foundations on M&A, brand transformation, ESG positioning, crisis response, and stakeholder engagement.

Zaid Thanawala is a Senior Sustainability Scientist at Amazon with 10+ years of experience. He leads Life Cycle Assessments and carbon forecasting for Amazon Devices, supporting Net-Zero by 2040. Previously at Salesforce, O-I, and Heineken. He holds degrees in Chemical Engineering, Sustainable Energy Technologies (TU Delft), and Sustainable Systems (RIT).

Thangam is a seasoned technology leader and Data/AI architect with over 20 years of experience in the Banking and Financial Services industry. His expertise spans Investment Banking, Consumer and Retail Banking, and Wealth Management. He serves as a Resident Solutions Architect at Databricks Inc., specializing in Big Data, Real-Time Data Analytics.

Sathya is a Business Systems Architect with experience in digital transformation, PLM, Quality, and AI-driven solutions. He focuses on solving complex business problems through technology, process optimization, and automation. Passionate about innovation and emerging technologies, he enjoys evaluating ideas that deliver measurable business impact.