IILM University, Gurugram, hosted the much-anticipated Behavioral Science and HR Summit, LEAD 2024, on December 6-7, 2024. Focusing on Leadership, Engagement, Advocacy, and Development, the two-day event brought together a dynamic blend of thought leaders, industry experts, and academicians to explore transformative ideas shaping the future of leadership and human resources.
Inauguration and Setting the Stage
The summit commenced with an inspiring inaugural session that set the tone for two days of learning and collaboration. The ceremonial lamp lighting was followed by addresses from notable dignitaries, including P. Dwarakanath, Chancellor of IILM University, and Prof. (Dr.) Padmakali Banerjee, Vice Chancellor.
Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar, who shared insights from his diplomatic career, and Govind Singh Negi, who emphasized the evolving role of HR in the global landscape, added a unique perspective to the session. The highlight of the session was the launch of the book “Say Yes—Unleash Your Potential” by Shalil Agarwal, which sparked conversations on personal growth and leadership.
DAY 1: BRIDGING ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRY
The first day was rich with intellectual engagement and practical insights through panel discussions and workshops.
Panel 1: Talent Management
This session explored innovative strategies to attract, retain, and manage talent in an ever-evolving market. Experts from leading organizations, including Flipkart, HCLTech, and Red FM, shared their experiences and solutions for talent acquisition and development.
Speakers:
- Sumit Premi, Director of Talent Acquisition, Flipkart
- Harshraj Jain, Talent Acquisition Head APAC & India Campus Lead, Ebix
- Anirban Das, Senior Director – Human Capital, Price Waterhouse and Co LLP
- Aanchal Tandon, India Campus Lead B-School Campus, HCLTech
- Shipra Arora, DGM HR, Red FM
Moderator: Neeraj Mehra, VP Human Resources – APAC + ME + UK, Infogain
Panel 2: AI and the Future of Work
The transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in reshaping workplaces was at the heart of this discussion. Panelists discussed how organizations could leverage AI to enhance productivity and create future-ready work environments.
Speakers:
- Naveen Kaushik, Global Head of Architect and Data Science, 3Pillar Global
- Rajesh Sabapathy, AI/ML Leader, UnitedHealth Group
- Swarnapreet Singh, GM – Campus & University Relations, Niva Bupa
Moderator: Alvin David, Head- Campus Engagement, Newgen Software
Panel 3: Entrepreneurship – From Ideation to Execution
Entrepreneurs shared their journeys of turning ideas into impactful businesses. The session offered practical insights into navigating the challenges of starting and scaling ventures.
Speakers:
- Karan Jindal, Entrepreneur and India Lead, Content Marketing, Meta
- Gaurav Sabharwal, Co-Founder & CEO, Get JOP
- Shashikant Chaudhary, Co-Founder & TEDx Speaker, Happyeaters.club & Babyverse.app
- Rajesh Tripathi, CEO, Prajjo – Kenbox Technologies
Moderator: Dr. Sangeeta Maini, Director, School of Management, IILM University
Panel 4: ESG – Environmental, Social & Governance
This discussion highlighted the growing importance of ESG frameworks in driving sustainable business practices. Leaders shared their experiences in integrating ESG into organizational strategies.
Speakers:
- CS Sanjay Gupta, Vice President, CS & Regulatory Compliances, Indigo Airlines
- CS Rakesh Kumar Sharma, ESG Professional, Lumax World
- Ms Vidhi Thukral, Sr. Manager ESG, Max Life Insurance
- Sameet Gambhir, Sr. VP & Group Head, Uflex Ltd.
Moderator: CS Deepak Jain, Chairperson, DMA ESG Committee
Panel 5: Mediation and Negotiation
This session explored alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and their role in modern corporate frameworks. Legal experts provided valuable insights into negotiation techniques and effective mediation practices.
Speakers:
- Amar Sundram, General Counsel & Sr. VP (Legal), NEC Corporation India
- Ms. Simran Brar, Partner, ADR Practice, Karanjawala & Co.
- Nihit Nagpal, Associate Partner, S.S Rana & Co.
Moderator: Dr. Sujata Bali, Dean, School of Law, IILM University
The day also featured research papers and case study presentations, showcasing academic contributions to behavioural science and HR management.
DAY 2: BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
Day two continued the momentum with discussions on innovation, inclusion, and ethics.
Panel 1: Organization Culture Promoting Innovation
Speakers discussed the importance of fostering a culture of innovation within organizations and its role in driving creativity and business success.
Speakers:
- Dr. Chandrasekhar Buddha, Chief Coordinating Officer, AICTE
- Amit Andre, CEO, The DataTech Labs Inc.
- Talees Rizvi, Founder & MD, Indian Conventions & Tackyon IT Consulting
- Piyush Govil, Associate Director-HR, Infozech Software Pvt. Ltd.
Moderator: Anand Dwivedi, Leadership Development Specialist, Takeda Pharma
Panel 2: Leveraging Emotional Intelligence for Organizational Performance
This panel highlighted the significance of emotional intelligence in enhancing organizational performance and employee engagement.
Speakers:
- Ms. Arshiya Singh, Director Global Compensation, BCG
- Sumit Bhatia, People Leader, Mercer
- Ms Preeti Jain, VP HR, Airtel
- Dr. Padmakali Banerjee, Vice Chancellor, IILM University
Moderator: Prof. (Dr.) Sakshi Kaul, HOD, Department of Psychology, IILM University
Panel 3: Ethical Leadership
The discussion revolved around the importance of ethical practices in leadership and their impact on organizational integrity and success.
Speakers:
- Dr. Pradyumna Pandey, HR Head (Manufacturing), Hero MotoCorp
- Atul Tiwari, CHRO, Spice Money Limited
- Ms Sangita Garg, Chief Architect, Tata Consultancy Services
- Bhavesh Sharma, CEO, Better.com
Moderator: Prof. Aunindyo Chakravarty, Dean, School of Management, IILM University
Panel 4: Diversity and Inclusion in the Era of Globalization
This session delved into strategies for fostering inclusive workplaces in a globalized business environment.
Speakers:
- Vipul Sharma, Head HR, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries India
- Krishna Kumar, GM – HR, Maruti Suzuki India
- Sougata Sen, Lead TA, Lloyds Technology
- Vishal Makkar, Head-Talent Acquisition & Management, Zydus Wellness
Moderator: Dr. Deboshruti Roychowdhury
Panel 5: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Thought leaders discussed the evolving role of CSR in modern businesses and its potential to create lasting social impact.
Speakers:
- Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, Former Secretary, Govt. of India
- Ms Simi Suri, CSR Head, HCLTech
- Ms. Sudha Jhijaria, Head-CSR, Apollo Hospitals
- Dr. Y. Suresh Reddy, Director, SRF Foundation
Moderator: Rohan Sarma, Professor of Practice CSR, IILM University
The panel discussions at LEAD 2024 were a testament to the power of collaboration between academia and industry. Each session provided attendees with actionable insights, inspiring them to think innovatively, act ethically, and embrace diversity. These discussions will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on leadership and HR practices in the years to come. Workshops on emotional intelligence and AI tools further enriched participants’ experiences, equipping them with practical skills for their professional journeys.
Key Takeaways and Impact
LEAD 2024 was a resounding success, attracting over 500 participants and 30 distinguished speakers. The event bridged the gap between academia and industry, providing actionable insights and fostering meaningful connections.
Participants appreciated the summit’s focus on critical issues such as AI integration, emotional intelligence, ethical leadership, and ESG principles. The interactive format and networking opportunities were particularly praised, with over 90% of attendees rating the event as highly impactful.
Looking Ahead
The Behavioral Science and HR Summit, LEAD 2024, reaffirmed IILM University’s commitment to promoting thought leadership and innovation. As the summit concluded, the energy and ideas it generated promised to ripple across industries and institutions, driving meaningful change in the years to come. 
~By Sudeepa Ghosh