School of Innovation and Management
Advisory Board Members
MEET OUR EXPERTS, DEDICATED TO INSPIRE AND EMPOWER OUR FUTURE LEADERS


Siri Terjesen
Professor & Associate Dean
Dr. Siri A. Terjesen is Associate Dean, Research & External Relations, founding Executive Director of the Madden Center for Value Creation, and Phil Smith Professor of Entrepreneurship at FAU, and Professor .2 at the Norwegian School of Economics (Norges Handelshøyskole: NHH) in Bergen, Norway. Dr. Terjesen is an affiliated researcher with Catalyst (New York), Indiana University’s Institute for Development Strategies, and the Ratio Institute (Stockholm).
She was nominated by the U.S. President to serve as one of 15 voting directors to the National Board for Education Sciences (NBES) which advises the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute for Education Sciences. Dr. Terjesen is a Strata board member and an advisory board member of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA)'s Fund for Academic Renewal.


Dr. Sundar Narsimhan
Senior Vice President
- Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai
- PG Diploma in Financial Management, IFMR, Chennai
- Ph.D. in Business Management with a focus on negotiation as a social exchange
- Senior Executive, Greaves Cotton Limited and AVT McCormick Ingredients
- Senior Engineer, Brakes India Limited
- Sourcing and logistics leadership roles at Parryware and TI Cycles (Murugappa Group)
- Senior Vice President and Head of Supply Chain Management
- Chief Procurement Officer
- Best Young Manager, Madras Management Association (MMA)
- Best Supply Chain Manager of the Year, IIMM, Chennai
- Theory of Constraints and Supply Chain Management
- Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.), Institute of Supply Management (ISM), USA
- End-to-end supply chain optimization
- Strategic procurement and negotiations
- Lean methodologies implementation in manufacturing and logistics
- Mentorship in value co-creation and operational excellence


Prof. Pushkala Raman
Professor
- Ph.D. in Marketing or a related field
- Extensive teaching experience at university-level business schools, focusing on marketing principles, strategy, and consumer insights
- Published articles in peer-reviewed journals on topics like consumer decision-making, marketing communication, and sustainable business practices
- Research interests include the influence of cultural, psychological, and economic factors on consumer behavior
- Engages in interdisciplinary research, bridging gaps between marketing and societal challenges
- Recognized for connecting theoretical concepts with practical business applications
- Mentors students in academic pursuits and career development in marketing and management
- Held leadership positions in academic committees or professional organizations related to marketing and business education
- Actively involved in shaping curriculum and pedagogical approaches to align with contemporary industry trends


Prof. B Raja Shekar
Professor
Prof. Raja Shekhar Bellamkonda is a Senior Professor in the School of Management Studies at the University of Hyderabad. He has a commendable track record as an academician and higher education administrator over the last 30 years. Prof. Shekhar has been associated with the School of Management Studies since its inception (1999) and is also coordinating a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management offered by the Center for Distance Education and Virtual Learning, University of Hyderabad. He was also associated with the Telangana State Public Service Commission as one of the committee members responsible for formulating the scheme and syllabus. As the Dean of the School of Management Studies, University of Hyderabad, Prof. Shekhar has played a significant role in launching a unique MBA program in Business Analytics at the University of Hyderabad.
Education and EmploymentProf. Shekhar holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Civil Engineering from Acharya Nagarjuna University. He possesses three Master’s degrees in Business Administration (Osmania University), Psychology (Sri Venkateswara University), and Education (Indira Gandhi National Open University). He received three Doctorate degrees in Management from Kakatiya University (2002), Psychology from Sri Venkateswara University (2014), and Education from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University (2023). In addition, Prof. Shekhar received two Post-Graduate Diplomas in Personnel Management & Industrial Relations from Kakatiya University and Computer Science from the University of Hyderabad. Prof. Shekhar also participated in an FDP (Faculty Development Programme) at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. Before his affiliation with the University of Hyderabad, he taught at Kakatiya University (1993–99) and Kamala Nehru Polytechnic for Women (1994).
ResearchProf. Raja Shekhar authored and co-edited Consumer Protection, Supply Chain Management, Food Security, and Quality Management books. He has published 66 research papers in reputed journals and contributed 30 articles to Conference proceedings and Books. Prof. Shekhar successfully guided 22 Doctoral research scholars, and eight more are working under his supervision. Prof. Shekhar is a specialist in Service Quality and has been doing extensive research on various service quality issues. He has been running a career counseling column in a leading Telugu daily newspaper, Eenadu, titled ‘Q & A‘ under the Chaduvu category.
Academic AdministrationBesides his academic activities, Prof. Shekhar served in various administrative positions at the University of Hyderabad, including Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Dean of the School of Management Studies, Head of the Department of Education and Educational Technology, Director of Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Dean of Students’ Welfare, Registrar, Chief Warden, Deputy Chief Warden, Warden, etc.
Teaching and Research InterestsProf. Shekhar’s primary areas of interest include Service Quality, Quantitative Techniques, Operations Management, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Higher Education, and Research Methodology.


Prof. A Vinay Kumar
Professor
- Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai
- PG Diploma in Financial Management, IFMR, Chennai
- Ph.D. in Business Management with a focus on negotiation as a social exchange
- Senior Executive, Greaves Cotton Limited and AVT McCormick Ingredients
- Senior Engineer, Brakes India Limited
- Sourcing and logistics leadership roles at Parryware and TI Cycles (Murugappa Group)
- Senior Vice President and Head of Supply Chain Management
- Chief Procurement Officer
- Best Young Manager, Madras Management Association (MMA)
- Best Supply Chain Manager of the Year, IIMM, Chennai
- Theory of Constraints and Supply Chain Management
- Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.), Institute of Supply Management (ISM), USA
- End-to-end supply chain optimization
- Strategic procurement and negotiations
- Lean methodologies implementation in manufacturing and logistics
- Mentorship in value co-creation and operational excellence


Prof. Neharika Vohra
Professor
A specialist in behavioral science, she currently serves as a Professor of Organizational Behavior at IIM Ahmedabad. With two postgraduate degrees and a Ph.D. from the University of Manitoba, Canada, she was a top rank holder in both her undergraduate and postgraduate studies in India. Renowned for her extensive experience in the corporate sector as an independent director, consultant, coach, and mentor, she has been associated with numerous top companies in executive education. She has held significant roles at IIM Ahmedabad, including Chairperson of the Doctoral Program and Editor of Vikalpa. Her academic contributions include over 70 peer-reviewed research papers in top-tier international and national journals, along with 3 authored books. She has guided over 15 Ph.D. students at IIMA and actively contributed to the Centre for Innovation and Incubation in Entrepreneurship. Beyond academia, she served as the founding Vice Chancellor of Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University and has been a member of the board of IIMA and academic councils of various national institutions.
Education- Ph.D., Social Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada, 1992 - 1995
- M.A., Social Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada, 1989 - 1992
- M.A., Developmental and Educational Psychology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, India, 1986 - 1988 - (Ranked 1st)
- B.A.(Hons.), Psychology and Minor in Economics, Sambalpur University, S.K.D.A.V. College, Rourkela, India, 1982 - 1986 - (Ranked 1st)
- Visiting Professor, University of Manitoba, Canada, 1996, 2000, 2002
- Visiting Professor, University of Erlangen, 2017
- Visiting Professor, University of Erlangen, Nuremberg, Germany, 2014, 2015
- Vice Chancellor, Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University, 2020-Present
- Professor, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad , 2008-Present
- Associate Professor , Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad , 2002-2007
- Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad , 1995-1999
- Assistant Professor , Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar , 1995-1999


Prof. Vidyanand jha
Professor
I was born on Buddha Purnima (May 15), 1965, in the Kaithinia village in the then Darbhanga (now Madhubani) district of Bihar. I spent my first 21 years in Bihar, followed by 11 years in Gujarat and the last almost 3 years in Joka. I currently reside at NF 3/3 in the IIM Campus, Joka, with my wife Namita, daughter Ira, and mother Smt. Chitrarrekha Jha.
As a teacher, researcher, and author, I specialize in Organizational Behavior. I hold the position of Assistant Professor in the Behavioral Sciences Group. In 1998, I was honored with the Young Case Writer Award from the Association of Indian Management Schools. Beyond my academic pursuits, I have been involved in teaching various programs, including PGP, PGDBM, MDP, and numerous in-company programs for organizations such as Hindustan Lever Limited, L&T Ltd., Exide, Bharat Aluminium Co., Selvel Vantage Group, Hindustan Zinc Limited, and Indian Oil Limited.
Parallel to my academic career, I have a passion for creative writing. I am a poet and fiction writer in Maithili, an East Indian language. My poems have been translated into Hindi, English, Bangla, and Telugu. I have also contributed to translation work between Maithili and other Indian languages, including English. In 1999, I received the Katha award for translation.
Academic Background- Fellow (IIMA)
- PGDRM (IRMA)
- B.Sc. (Patna University)
- Behavioral Sciences
- Organization Behavior and Organization Structure and Administration
- Management of Change
- Management of Creativity
- National Dairy Development Board, Anand
- Review of Chappell, Duncan and Di Martino, Vittorio, Violence at Work, Geneva : ILL, 1998 in Management and Change, January-June 1999.
- Chapter titled "Quality Circles Beyond the Numbers - A View from Below" in Sahay, B. S. (Editor), Supply Chain Management for Global Competitiveness, Delhi: Macmillan, 1999.
- Working Paper number 345/98 titled Quality Circle Implementation in India : An Alternative Viewpoint, IIM Calcutta, November, 1998.
- Review of S. Ramnarayan, T. V. Rao and Kuldeep Singh (Editors). Organisational Development: Interventions and Strategies, New Delhi: Sage, 1998 in Alumnus, IIM Ahmedabad, Volume 30, Number 3, September 1998.
- Review of V. Nilakant and S. Ramnarayan. Managing Organisational Change, New Delhi : Response Books, 1998 in Management and Change, Volume 2, Number 2, July - December 1998.
- Quality Circle Implementation in India: An Alternative Viewpoint. Decision, Volume 24, Numbers 1-4, January-December 1997.
- Empirical and non-revivalist Indian theory of organizations
- Organizational Change
- Conception of Time in managing organizations
- Management of arts institutions
- Organizational policies towards older employees


Mrs. Anandi Iyer
Head
Anandi Iyer is the Director of the Fraunhofer Office in India, a position she has held for over 16 years. With more than 20 years of experience in the fields of innovation and technology, she has played a key role in strengthening Indo-German collaboration, particularly in areas like smart cities, renewable energy, and digital transformation. Her leadership has been instrumental in building strategic partnerships between Indian and European organizations. Under her guidance, Fraunhofer has secured significant contract research from India and contributed to various research initiatives that foster technological advancements in both nations.
Iyer has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including the prestigious Bundesverdienstkreuz (Federal Cross of Merit) from the German government in recognition of her contributions to science and technology cooperation between India and Germany. She has also been honored with the "Outstanding Woman Achiever Award" and named one of the "51 Most Innovative Smart Cities Global Leaders" by the World CSR Congress.
In addition to her role at Fraunhofer, Iyer is an active advocate for women in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). She serves as the Chairperson for the Women in Science and Entrepreneurship Council (WISE) at FICCI and has been nominated as a Core Member of the G20 Empower initiative.


Lieutenant General K R Rao
Director General
Lieutenant General K.V. Krishna Rao is a highly regarded figure in the Indian Army, known for his distinguished service during several pivotal moments in Indian military history. Born in 1923, he joined the army in 1942 during World War II, quickly rising through the ranks. He is especially celebrated for his leadership during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, where his division played a key role in liberating Bangladesh. His exceptional service was recognized with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
He also held significant strategic positions such as the Chief of Army Staff from 1981 to 1983. Under his leadership, he helped modernize the army and introduced the "Cold Start" military doctrine, which emphasized rapid, multiple strikes to prevent delays in political decision-making during conflicts with neighboring countries like Pakistan.