XLRI PGDM(GM)’s Communication Club, Auracia, proudly announces the successful conclusion of the AVENSIS International CEO Conclave, a comprehensive day-long event held on November 25th, 2023. This gathering brought together a cohort of some of the world’s most accomplished business leaders who generously shared invaluable insights, experiences, and visions for the future of the industry.
In the face of an ever-evolving business landscape, the theme for this year’s conclave, “Beyond Boundaries: Sustain, Innovate & Transform,” emphasized the critical need for global leaders to adapt to new challenges and seize emerging opportunities. Distinguished speakers provided unique perspectives on navigating disruptions and emerging stronger on the other side. Organized by XLRI PGDM(GM)’s Auracia – The Communication Club, AVENSIS served as a beacon to identify and celebrate exceptional leaders, the “Visionaries” actively shaping the future of global business. The event included fireside chats and panel discussions, delving deeper into the success stories of these visionaries and providing valuable insights into the art of crafting success and the imperative need for organizations to embrace future readiness.
AVENSIS 2023 featured back-to-back interactive panel discussions, networking opportunities, and a dedicated Q&A session with esteemed speakers. Attendees had the unique opportunity to engage with both speakers and peers, fostering an environment of shared learning and collaboration. AVENSIS proved to be a landmark event, showcasing the brilliance of our industry’s trailblazers and inspiring the next generation of leaders.
The day commenced with a grand inauguration, graced by Fr. Donald, Director Finance and Dean Academics at Xavier Institute of Management. The first panel, focusing on the USMCA region, dissected the critical juncture of Climate Policy and Corporate Leadership. Guided by the insightful moderation of Fr Kuruvilla Joseph Pandikattu SJ, a professor at XLRI in Jamshedpur, India, the panel boasted luminaries such as Michael Rodyniuk, President & CEO of Canadian Aviation Partners; Michael Koh, Founder & CEO of BuySellBA; and Sumeet Salwan, Co-Founder of CEO.Works from New York. Together, they unraveled the intricate dance between CEOs and sustainability initiatives in an era of carbon pricing and green finance, promising a thought-provoking discourse that explored the role of business leaders in shaping a sustainable future.
Moving into the subsequent session focusing on the APAC region, the second panel explored the Evolving Regulatory Landscape in APAC: CEO Compliance and Governance. An illustrious lineup, including Charles Manuel, CEO of FreshIdeas in Singapore; Ajit Stephen, CEO of Centelon in the Greater Melbourne Area, Australia; Anant Sahay, CEO of Lexx Technologies in the Greater Sydney Area, Australia; and Abhishek Singh, CEO of Sawitpro in Jakarta, Indonesia, dissected the intricacies of navigating compliance challenges in the dynamic APAC business environment.
Charles Manuel emphasized the critical link between sustainability-driven regulations and the pivotal role of data in maintaining competitiveness. Ajit Stephen highlighted the increasing complexity of compliance and the challenge of being fully compliant in a rapidly changing regulatory landscape. Abhishek Singh shed light on the importance of data in compliance, calling it both a friend and an enemy, and shared insights from SAWIT Pro’s experience in capturing information about plantations using data.
Transitioning to the EMEA panel, the theme of Navigating Global Shifts: Sustainability, Innovation, and Economic Power in the EMEA Region unfolded. An eminent moderator guided discussions with distinguished panelists, including Dan LeClair, CEO of the Global Business School Network (GBSN) in Washington D.C., United States; Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra Group in Johannesburg, South Africa; Shybu Padmanabhan, CEO of Infomap Global; Rajiv Warrier, CEO of Choithrams in Dubai, UAE; and Dr. Kumarshankaran Aiyar, Founder CEO of PLETHORA MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS FZ, LLE. Dan LeClair emphasized the role of people in driving meaningful change and development, highlighting that development knows no borders and has a global outreach. Rajesh Gupta focused on Mahindra’s core idea toward sustainability in Africa, emphasizing inclusivity and the imperative to keep sustainability at the core of organizational business models. Rajiv Warrier highlighted the importance of sustainability as a business imperative, showcasing practical steps organizations can take, such as reducing plastics and powering warehouses with renewable sources.
Concluding the day in the global session, the focus shifted to Paper to Pixels: Digital Transformation Adoption. Renowned panelists; Craig Fernandes, CEO of Securemyscholarship; Ritesh Patel, Founder & CEO of Chrysaliis; Sanjeev Dasgupta, CEO of CapitaLand Investment India; and Rishi Mehta, President and CEO of WAISL Limited, illuminated the virtual stage. They unravelled the nuances of digital transformation, providing insights into how businesses transition from traditional paper processes to a digital future. Panellists discussed the paramount importance of Customer Experience, data mining in education, the ‘E’ in Return on Experience signifying energy, and the expansive growth of generative AI in the real estate industry.
With this, the impressive 3rd edition of the international CEO Conclave, Avensis 2023, themed ‘Beyond Boundaries – Sustain, Innovate, and Transform,’ concluded. The event was a resounding success, due to the valuable insights shared by the distinguished speakers. Their wisdom shaped discussions, encouraging participants to push past limits, foster innovation, and transform.
