Powerhouse jury of e4m PR & Corp Comm 30 Under 30 Awards 2025

The 5th edition of e4m PR & Corp Comm 30 Under 30 Awards 2025 celebrates the achievements of young professionals under the age of 30, who are making a significant mark in the PR & communications field.  Through this initiative, we will honour the brightest professionals, entrepreneurs, game changers and achievers of the industry. 

Steering this year’s selection process is a distinguished jury panel comprising some of the most respected leaders, strategists, and innovators in the media, PR and corporate communications industry. These accomplished professionals bring with them unmatched experience, diverse perspectives, and a shared vision to recognise emerging talent that’s driving the future of the industry. Together, they will identify and honour the next generation of communication leaders who are setting new benchmarks of creativity, impact, and integrity. 

If you wish to nominate someone who deserve to be a part of e4m PR & Corp Comm 30 under 30 winners renowned list, here’s how you can nominate them - https://e4mevents.com/pr-and-corp-comm-30-under-30-2025/ 

Introducing this edition’s jury chair:

• Nitin Mantri, Group CEO, Avian WE

Nitin Mantri is the Group CEO of Avian WE, a leading communications consultancy in India. With over two decades in the public relations industry, he has been instrumental in transforming Avian WE from a Delhi-based start-up into one of India's top PR firms. Under his leadership, the firm expanded its presence nationwide and grew its workforce forty-fold. As a trailblazer in the PR industry, Nitin has achieved significant milestones, including becoming the first Asian to serve as President of the International Communications Consultancy Organization (ICCO) and the first Indian to win the ‘Global PR Leader of the Year’ award at the ICCO Global Awards in 2015. He currently serves as the Chair of the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) Global Advisory Board and as the Co-Chair of PRCA Asia Pacific. 

This year, our co-jury chair is:

• Atul Sharma, CEO, Ruder Finn India and Head – Middle East

Atul Sharma is a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience, revolutionizing the art of reputation management. His distinguished career spans across diverse industries, where he has served as a trusted advisor to C-suite executives, guiding them through the complexities of today’s competitive landscape. Sharma believes in leveraging the power of technology to elevate client experiences and drive growth, grounded in the belief that people and ideas are the catalysts for transformative success. He joined Ruder Finn Asia in 2018 as Managing Director and Vice President of Ruder Finn India, where he has been responsible for overall management and operations.

Other respected jury members of this edition are:

• Abhay Dange, Communications and Public Policy Professional

Abhay Dange is a seasoned communications and public policy professional with over two decades of experience. He concluded his tenure as Director of Press and Corporate Affairs at BMW Group India in June 2025, marking the end of an era in the company's communications leadership. During his 18.5-year journey with BMW India, he established and led the company's functions for Corporate Communications, Public Policy, and Sustainability & Social Impact. As a spokesperson and member of the Executive Committee, he played a crucial role in building the brand's voice and reputation and broadening BMW Group India's engagement with policymakers, industry bodies, and society. 

• Amandeep Singh, Senior Vice President, Indraprastha Gas Limited

Amandeep Singh is the Senior Vice President at Indraprastha Gas Limited, a leading player in India's energy sector. He is responsible for PNG Marketing and Corporate Communications, overseeing go-to-market strategies, brand development, public relations, and crisis communications. Amandeep has been recognized for his leadership in the energy sector, receiving the Top Rankers Excellence award for CMO Leadership during the 2024 Indian Energy Week. His strategic approach has been instrumental in enhancing IGL's brand presence and stakeholder engagement.

• Aman Dhall, Founder, CommsCredible

Aman Dhall is the founder of CommsCredible, an award-winning communications consultancy dedicated to storytelling for start-ups, financial services, sports, and family businesses. With a background in journalism, Aman transitioned into entrepreneurship to reshape modern-day communications. As an athlete, he represented India at the 2024 ITTF World Masters Table Tennis Championship and has played at both national and international levels. 

• Anya Geraldine D'Souza, Global Fractional Marketing Strategist

Anya Geraldine D'Souza is a global fractional marketing strategist with over 22 years of experience in strategic marketing leadership. She has held high-impact roles in performance-driven marketing across various sectors. Anya specializes in brand development, customer acquisition, and product go-to-market planning. She has been featured in industry publications for her contributions to marketing strategies and leadership in the engineering world. 

• Bhaskar Majumdar, Head - Communication & CSR, Egis, South Asia

He is a multifaceted communications expert with around 25 years of experience in strategic planning and reputation management for leading Indian and international brands. Over the years, he has managed multiple high-impact projects and campaigns, and has worked with organizations such as Reliance Industries, ESPN Star Sports, APCO Worldwide, Genesis PR, Vaishnavi PR, and Adfactors PR.

• Chhavi Leekha, Independent Consultant

Chhavi Leekha is an independent communications consultant with a flair for integrated corporate affairs, communications, and brand strategy. In her two decades of journey, she has worked with top market research networks and led strategic planning functions in advertising agencies such as Nokia, Uber, Indigo, GE India, Rolls Royce and more. She has a proven track record of over 20+ years in managing leadership roles in Fortune 500 companies spanning across B2B and B2C verticals and also act as a trusted advisor to corporate leaders and CXOs; mentor and coach to high-performing teams.

• Gaurav Bhagowati, Public Policy & Corporate Reputation Advisor

Gaurav Bhagowati is a public policy and corporate reputation advisor with a career spanning over a decade in journalism and leadership roles at top communications firms. He has managed the CXO consulting firm Pharos Strategic Partners and held senior consulting positions at the IFC-World Bank Group and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative in India. His work spans policy communication, corporate reputation, leadership messaging, and campaigns that bridge the gap between business, government, and public trust.

• Gunjan Bagga, Communications Consultant

Gunjan Bagga is a communications consultant with deep expertise in corporate communications, media relations, and brand positioning. She has contributed to high-impact campaigns across multiple sectors, enhancing organizational visibility and credibility. Her key areas of expertise are Corporate and Brand Reputation management, Product communication, KOL engagement, Issue management and media relations - Traditional & social.

• Manjira Sharma, Head of Communications and CSR, Roche

Manjira Sharma leads corporate communications at Roche, driving internal and external communications strategies. She holds over 18 years’ relevant experience in journalism, corporate and digital communications, with special expertise in leadership communication, brand communication, communication channel design & development, and employee communication & engagement.

• Namita Narula, Head - Corporate Communications, Cloudnine Hospitals

Namita Narula heads corporate communications at Cloudnine Hospitals, leveraging over a decade of experience in healthcare PR. She has been instrumental in shaping brand perception and leading impactful health awareness campaigns. Her strategic communications initiatives have played a key role in enhancing Cloudnine's reputation as a leading healthcare provider. 

• Pooja Basu, Head-Corporate Communications, Exide

Pooja Basu is the Head of Corporate Communications at Exide, bringing years of experience in strategic corporate storytelling, media management, and brand reputation. She has successfully steered communications across multiple industry verticals. Her efforts have been crucial in maintaining Exide's position as a trusted brand in the automotive and energy sectors.

• Pradeep Wadhwa. Founder, KriticalEdge

Pradeep Wadhwa is the founder of KriticalEdge, a communications and strategic advisory firm. With extensive expertise in corporate communications, crisis management, and brand building, he has guided multiple organizations toward enhanced visibility and credibility. He is an accomplished storyteller with extensive experience of providing strategic consulting to CXOs.

• Professor (Dr.) Vartika Nanda, Indian Prison Reformer, Media Educator & Media Commentator

Professor (Dr.) Vartika Nanda is a renowned media educator, commentator, and prison reform advocate. With years of academic and practical experience, she has contributed to policy discourse, media ethics, and rehabilitation initiatives across India. Dr. Nanda's work has been pivotal in raising awareness about prison reforms and advocating for the rights of incarcerated individuals. Currently, she is the Head of Department of Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College.

• Puja Sethi, Managing Editor, Timed Network

Puja Sethi is the Managing Editor at Timed Network, with rich experience in journalism, editorial leadership, and content strategy. She has driven high-impact editorial projects and played a pivotal role in shaping the network’s voice and credibility. Her leadership and passion of bringing to light the latest stories, and sharing knowledge with the public allowed her to make her mark in this competitive field.

• Ronald Jabaraj, Bureau Chief, ANI

Ronald Jabaraj is an experienced journalist with 20 years across state and national media. An alumnus of Madras University in M.Sc. in Electronic Media and B.Sc. in Visual Communication, he has reported from Delhi as a special correspondent covering Parliament and the Supreme Court. He has interviewed Tamil Nadu’s former and current Chief Ministers, state ministers, and covered elections and major events across Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Puducherry.

• Rachit Verma, Founder, The Publicist

Rachit Verma is the founder of The Publicist, a strategic communications firm known for innovative brand and PR solutions. He has been instrumental in transforming client narratives and building impactful media strategies. His expertise in public relations has helped numerous brands enhance their visibility and reputation in competitive markets.

• Rahul Mehta, Chief Executive Officer, Media Mantra

Rahul Mehta is the CEO of Media Mantra, a leader in media and public relations solutions. He has over 15 years of experience in senior leadership roles at leading international and Indian PR firms, managing P&L, business expansion via new client acquisitions & launching specialist practice areas, and strategic client counsel.

• Richa Gopal Shrotriya, Partner, First Partner

Richa Gopal Shrotriya is a partner at First Partner, with vast experience in corporate communications, public affairs, and strategic consultancy. She has led multiple campaigns that enhance brand credibility and stakeholder engagement. Richa's strategic insights have been crucial in navigating complex communication landscapes for her clients.

• Rinu Jha, Senior Vice President, Kommune Brand Communications

Rinu Jha is Senior Vice President at Kommune Brand Communications, specializing in integrated communications and brand storytelling. She has over two decades of experience in crafting compelling narratives for diverse clients. Rinu's expertise in brand communications has been instrumental in elevating her clients' market presence and reputation.

• Sayantan Das Adhikari, Director, Pinnacle Candid Communication

Sayantan Das Adhikari is the Founder and Director of Candid Communication India and UK. Established in 2003, Candid has emerged as a leading Public Relations and Marketing organization in Eastern India, headquartered in Kolkata with an overseas office in London.

• Shashank Verma, Deputy Manager, Kia

Shashank Verma serves as Deputy Manager at Kia, contributing to brand communications and marketing initiatives. His work focuses on driving customer engagement and strengthening brand visibility in competitive markets. Shashank's efforts have been key in enhancing Kia's brand presence in the automotive sector.

• Shruti Mishra, Founder & CEO, Image Stereo

Shruti Mishra, Founder & CEO of Image Stereo, is a rising entrepreneur offering top-notch branding, marketing, event management, and media services. With over 18 years of experience, she has become the trusted advisor of several brands, orchestrating brand's narrative on a global stage.

• Tehseen Zaidi, Communications Specialist, Syngenta Group IT & Digital

Tehseen Zaidi is a Strategic Communications & Public Affairs Leader with over 20+ years of experience Corporate Reputation, DEI, CSR & Sustainability. She wore many hats—journalist, communications strategist, public affairs expert, DEI advocate. Currently, she is the External Communications leader at Syngenta where she leads Syngenta India’s communications strategy, transforming the function from reactive PR to a proactive, reputation-driven approach.

• Yuvraj Mehta, Founder & CEO, StrateRise
  

Yuvraj Mehta is an acclaimed communication strategist and media expert with over 25 years of experience in Branding, Reputation management, Crisis communication and ESG. His perception management work is developed as a case study by Harvard Business School & Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

• Yatin Padia, Group Head Corporate Communication, Arvind Ltd.

Yatin Padia is a communication professional with more than 16 years of qualitative experience in Public Relations, Brand Communication & Investor Relations. Currently, he is the Group Head of Corporate Communications, Arvind Ltd.

• Nida Paloba, Lead of corporate communications & CSR, Sanofi Consumer Healthcare India Limited

Nida Paloba is a distinguished corporate Communications specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the media & service industry. She is skilled in Brand Reputation Management, Corporate Social Responsibility, Crisis Communications, Event Management, Internal & External Comms and Media Relations.