The Payal Nanjiani Leadership Podcast

ARE YOU TOO RELIABLE EP 406

THE IMPORTANCE OF DISCIPLINE EP 405

Wg Cdr Vandana Chaudhary | (Retd) Indian Air Force Officer  Wing Commander Vandana(Retd) is a veteran with 15 years of cross-functional leadership in the Indian Air Force as a Meteorological Officer. She has earned a wealth of multifaceted experience where she championed key functions, mainly Public Relations, Administration, and Program Management, infusing each endeavor with unwavering passion and commitment.Through her contributions in the social sector, she has strived for almost a decade to empower women, children with disabilities, and people below the poverty line, promoting overall well-being and stability in society.She has been committed to inclusivity, empathy & empowerment long before they became trendy terms in the market. By enabling a culture of collaboration and mutual respect, she built cohesive cross-functional teams capable of navigating uncertainty with resilience and grace. Whether managing significant budgets or directing complex projects, she has always approached her responsibilities with a blend of strategic foresight and hands-on leadership.Beyond work hours, she is an explorer who enjoys traveling and reading, deeply attuned to the tranquility of nature. With a penchant for observation, she explores the intricacies of human behavior, reflecting on life's purpose beyond mere existence. She also enjoys acquiring new skills that enrich her personal and professional life.As she moves on to the next chapter of her career, she is excited to leverage her military experience to make a difference by steering organizational growth and driving transformative change wherever she works.

THINKING AT THE SPEED OF CHANGE EP 404

Gunjan Shah | MD & CEO at Bata India Limited Gunjan is an accomplished leader with extensive experience across geographies and diverse industries, including paints, telecom, and food. Prior to joining Bata India Limited, he served as the Chief Commercial Officer at Britannia Industries.Over the course of his professional journey, he has worked across multiple functions encompassing sales, marketing, and supply chain. He has played a key role in both turnaround and growth initiatives. At Britannia, he also led the International Business and was instrumental in architecting one of the company’s most impactful strategy and business transformation initiatives.Gunjan holds a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Engineering from VJTI, Mumbai, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kolkata.

ARE YOU AN ADAPTIVE LEADER EP 403

Ramkumar Narayanan | EVP, Head of India and Philippines,AI technology Enablement,FIS  Ramkumar Narayanan is a global leader focusing on data driven, digital product innovation spanning consumer and enterprise markets. He brings a vast experience in product development, product management and product marketing having led both new market entry and turnaround of existing business areas. He has been an advisor to Enterprises, large and small, in the arena of digital transformation, product strategy and product marketing. Ram is currently EVP Technology & Services at FIS India and Philippines. Prior to joining FIS, he served in global leadership positions at VMware, eBay, Yahoo! and Microsoft. He started his career in the auto industry in US developing software solutions for design and packaging of automotive suspension and powertrain systems. Ram formerly served on the Executive Council of NASSCOM and was Chairperson NASSCOM Product/Deep Tech Council.Ramkumar Narayanan holds a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Anna University, Chennai, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering & MBA from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

LEAD BEYOND YOURSELF EP 402

Sarika Naik | Group Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer and Member of the Group Executive Committee at Capgemini Group Sarika is the Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer and a member of the Executive Committee at Capgemini Group. She leads the company’s global strategy for diversity and inclusion, as well as social and environmental sustainability.With more than 20 years of experience in the technology industry, Sarika brings deep expertise in strategic management, brand evolution, and client engagement. She previously served as Capgemini India’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Chairperson for Diversity & Inclusion, roles in which she strengthened the company’s brand, built high-performing teams, and drove impactful, data-driven initiatives.Sarika is passionate about using technology to create a more inclusive and sustainable future. She firmly believes that business success and societal well-being go hand-in-hand, and she is committed to advancing Capgemini’s agenda for people, the planet, and society.

HOW TO BE IN A FLOW STATE EP 401

Steven Puri | Founder & CEO,The Sukha Company Steven Puri — a rare blend of Hollywood storyteller, tech entrepreneur, and remote work pioneer. From producing blockbusters like Independence Day and Star Trek to building platforms that help people focus and connect in the digital age, Steven’s journey spans visual effects, studio leadership, and startups like Centered and The Sukha Company. He’s spent his life at the intersection of creativity and productivity

Mind Behind Execution EP 400

Mentoring That Moves You Forward EP 399

Piya Haldar | Chief Compliance Officer, Honeywell IndiaPiya  is a seasoned compliance and governance leader with over 25 years of experience across banking, oil & gas, aerospace, and IT/OT automation. A recognized expert in anti-corruption, fraud detection, third-party risk, and high-risk market oversight, Piya has led enterprise-wide monitoring systems, complex investigations, and compliance integration during M&As.Beyond her corporate role, Piya is committed to empowering women in leadership. She actively mentors emerging leaders on executive presence, personal branding, and career growth, and contributes to corporate boards and advisory committees shaping the future of compliance and governance.

THE NEW RETIREMENT EP 398

Dr. Corinne Auman | President, Choice Care Navigators Dr. Corinne Auman is a recognized gerontologist with over 20 years of experience working directly with older adults and their families and the author of Keenagers: Telling a New Story about Aging.She is a Nationally Certified Guardian, Certified Senior Advisor, and an Advanced Professional member of the Aging LifeCare Association. She received her Ph.D. from NC State University, where she studied developmental psychology with a specialty in adulthood and aging.Dr. Auman speaks to audiences about aging in America the real world impact of age bias.As a gerontologist with a profound commitment to making a difference, Dr. Auman continues to champion the cause of older adults and their families. Her multifaceted approach, encompassing caregiving, education, activism, and authorship, positions her as a true advocate for a new narrative around aging.

Brand or Be Branded EP 397

Ambi Parameswaran | Founder.brand-building.comAmbi is a  Brand Strategist and Founder Brand-Building.com a Brand Advisory. He has authored twelve books  with the latest one titled'All The World's A Stage - A Personal Branding Story' and 'Marketing Mixology' [June 2025]. Ambi served as the President of AAAI [2014-16] and President of Ad Club Bombay [2003–05]. He served on the Board of Governors of IIMC