Chief Guest/ Keynote Speakers
Dr. Rajendra Singh
Dr. Rajendra Singh, widely recognized as the “Jal Purush” or “Waterman of India,” is a distinguished river rejuvenator and environmentalist. His efforts have earned him numerous international accolades, including the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 2001, the Jamnalal Bajaj Award for utilizing science and technology in rural development in 2005, and the Stockholm Water Award, often referred to as the Nobel Prize for water, in 2015.
In 2008, The Guardian included him in its list of the world’s 50 individuals capable of saving the planet. Further honors include the Ahimsa Award from the House of Commons in the United Kingdom in 2018, the Earth Repair Award in 2019 from Seattle, and the Prithvi Bhushan Award, also in 2019.
[Source: https://indiacsr.in/rajendrasingh/]
Venu Madhav
Senior Vice President, Fidelity Information Services
Venu Madhav is a financial technology leader and the Senior Vice President at Fidelity Information Services (FIS), a global leader in banking and payment solutions. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, he has been instrumental in driving innovation, operational excellence, and strategic growth in the fintech sector. At FIS, Venu plays a pivotal role in shaping digital transformation strategies, optimizing financial services, and leading high-performing teams to deliver cutting-edge technology solutions. His expertise includes banking technology, payment systems, risk management, and digital transformation, making him a key driver of industry advancements. A thought leader in financial services, Venu is known for his ability to blend technology with business strategy, fostering growth and efficiency. His leadership has contributed significantly to enhancing customer experiences, streamlining financial operations, and ensuring regulatory compliance in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
Dr. Badri Narayanan Gopalakrishnan, Professor
Oregoan State University, and Boston College, USA
Mr. Søren Nørrelund Kannik-Marquardsen
Minister Counsellor – Trade, Commercial & Economic Affairs,
Director – Trade Council South Asia
Mr. Søren Nørrelund Kannik-Marquardsen serves as the Minister Counsellor and Director of the Trade Council South Asia. In this capacity, he oversees trade, economic, and commercial affairs across South Asia. Additionally, he holds the position of Executive Secretary for the Indo-Danish Business Association (IDBA), working alongside the Danish Ambassador to India to foster bilateral trade relations. Mr. Kannik-Marquardsen actively engages in initiatives promoting environmental sustainability.
Mr. Christopher Michael Garroway
Christopher Michael Garroway serves as the United Nations Country Economist for India, based in the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator. He also coordinates the UN in India country analytical function and supports inter-agency and intergovernmental processes. Previously, he worked with UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) as an Economic Affairs Officer (2013–2021), where he served as a special assistant to the UNCTAD Secretary-General, focusing on development finance and the 2030 Agenda. He also played a key role in UN development system reform and intergovernmental coordination. Before joining UNCTAD, he held various roles at the United Nations ESCAP, OECD, and The World Bank, working on areas such as poverty, inequality, gender discrimination, and development finance. With extensive experience in global economic policy and development finance, he continues to play a key role in shaping India's economic and development strategies within the UN system.
Christopher holds an M.Phil. in Economic Policy and Analysis from Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (Paris School of Economics) and a B.A. in Linguistics and Russian & Slavic Studies from McGill University.
