Best Wishes To The New Forum
B Swaminathan
Mumbai: – A significant milestone for India’s technology ecosystem was achieved today with the official launch of Emerging Tech Leaders (ETL), an exclusive, not-for-profit platform dedicated to fostering the country’s next wave of enterprise technology executives. A Collective of Seasoned CIOs and Industry Veterans Commits to Nurturing the Next Generation of CIOs, CDOs, and CISOs to Drive India’s Digital Future . The organization, formally established as the TechEd DigiMentor Leaders Forum , is Registered Under Section 8 MCA , emphasizing its purely societal impact mission over financial returns. It is founded on a simple, powerful principle: Giving back.
The launch addresses a critical and widening leadership gap fueled by India’s rapid digital transformation. This transformation demands strong tech leadership, but the industry is simultaneously facing a knowledge and experience vacuum created by retiring leaders. This scenario necessitates a dedicated, structured effort to cultivate industry-ready CIOs, CDOs, and CISOs who can balance innovation, security, and ethics. Emerging Tech Leaders is designed to meet this urgent need by providing the nation’s first platform built by tech leaders, for tech leaders.
The platform’s core mission is to empower the next generation of leadership, ensuring they are prepared for the complex challenges of modern enterprise technology. ETL is backed and guided by a collective of seasoned CIOs and industry veterans , making it a truly Experience-Driven organization with a Mentorship Core.
Vision and Six Core Pillars for Comprehensive Development
ETL’s vision is centered on creating a comprehensive ecosystem designed to cultivate well-rounded, ethical, and innovative tech leaders. The strategy is built upon six equally dedicated core pillars:
- Empower and Mentor Future IT Leaders: Providing guidance from seasoned CIOs and tech strategists.
- Promote Best Practices and Ethical Leadership: Cultivating a strong foundation in responsible governance and industry standards.
- Build Talent Pool for Enterprise Digitalization: Preparing leaders with access to crucial programs focused on cybersecurity, AI adoption, and digital transformation.
- Encourage Mental Fitness and Wellness: Recognizing the importance of holistic well-being for sustainable leadership.
- Encourage Innovation, Diversity, and Inclusion (D&I): Fostering a forward-thinking and inclusive environment.
- Foster Industry Connections: Building a platform for cross-industry networking and collaboration with partners, startups, and academia.
Esteemed Leadership and Advisory Guidance
The initiative is steered by an influential Governing Board comprised of distinguished technology veterans:
- Tejas Shah (CTO Carnelian Asset Management & Advisors Pvt Ltd., Ex Office Bearer CIOKLUB Mumbai Chapter).
- Dharmesh Anjaria (Executive Director, Dynacon Systems Ltd)
- Rajesh Panchal (Head -IT, Inox Air Ltd, Ex Office Bearer CIOKLUB Mumbai Chapter).
- Also supported by Radhakrishna Pillai (Former CIO, SRL Diagnostics, Founder Member CIO KLUB) and Raghunath Reddy (UTI Mutual Fund, EX Governing Body Member CIO KLUB).
The Advisory Board serves as the “Strategic engine” of the forum. Their expertise will directly shape ETL’s initiatives, ensuring they are relevant, impactful, and aligned with global standards. The Advisory Board will guide Strategic Direction, Mentorship Programs, and Industry Collaboration. Key members include:
- Kersi Tavadia (Former CIO, BSE Ltd).
- Pradeep Pendse (InCharge Director University Program, Weschool)
- Vikas Gadre (Visting faculty at SBM NMIMS, and independent director/consultant, Former CIO TATA Chemicals and Founding Member of CIO KLUB).
Membership:
Membership is now open for Primary Membership and is structured on an annual renewal basis with flexible participation. ETL seeks to attract:
- Aspiring and emerging IT leaders.
- Heads of digital, data, or cybersecurity functions.
- Entrepreneurs and technology professionals passionate about leadership development.
The benefits of joining this exclusive, values-driven leadership community are extensive:
- Belong: Join an exclusive community focused on shared values and impact.
- Network: Connect with top industry professionals and national emerging tech leaders.
- Grow: Access invaluable mentorship and career development guidance.
- Learn: Attend curated leadership workshops and sessions, gaining critical industry insights.
- Contribute: Share experiences and actively shape the development of upcoming leaders.
- Leadership Opportunities: Members have the opportunity to Lead Chapters based on their location.
“Emerging Tech Leaders is more than just a forum; it is a collaborative movement to secure India’s digital future,” stated one of the founding members. “We are addressing a critical need by formalizing the process of ‘Giving Back,’ ensuring that the institutional knowledge and experience of today’s leaders are effectively transferred to the change-makers of tomorrow. This platform is a call to action for every leader passionate about contributing to a robust, ethical, and innovation-driven technology landscape in India. We are empowering leaders, enabling collaboration, and building the future of Enterprise Technology Leadership—together.”
The launch of Emerging Tech Leaders marks a pivotal moment in preparing India’s technological leadership to navigate the complexities of the digital age. Professionals passionate about making a difference are invited to Join us and be part of this transformative journey.
Need for giving back to society:
“When a CIO and their teams dedicate time and technology expertise to community service—whether it’s digital literacy for seniors or pro bono tech strategy for a non-profit—they don’t just help the public good; they fundamentally improve their own organization. This ‘social IT’ serves as an unparalleled lab for leadership. It builds emotional intelligence, sharpens team-building skills, and fosters the cross-functional collaboration that a dynamic business demands.”, says G Radhakrishna Pillai, one of the key leaders in the forum who further added that the ultimate motive behind this initiative is peer collaboration to help organizations digital transformation initiatives.
He also added “Furthermore, this commitment to social responsibility is a powerful magnet for top talent—especially the purpose-driven, next-generation workforce. It enhances brand reputation, mitigates risk, and transforms a technical leader into a true, well-rounded business executive. In today’s landscape, a CIO’s community engagement is not philanthropy; it’s a strategic pillar for long-term corporate and personal success.”
