He commanded a MiG-21 squadron in the North East and played a pivotal role during the Kargil Conflict in 1999 by coordinating aircraft upgrades that proved instrumental to the success of the air campaign.

His diplomatic tenure included a three-year deputation to Paris, where he was responsible for defence cooperation with France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Upon returning to India as Air Vice Marshal, he led Air Force Intelligence, further strengthening ties with air forces around the world. He was subsequently entrusted with overseeing the Air Force Modernisation Programme and Long-Term Planning at Air Headquarters, New Delhi.

On promotion to Air Marshal, he was appointed Senior Air Staff Officer, overseeing air operations of the strategic Central Air Command. Later, he was elevated to Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command during a crucial phase of India’s “Look East Policy.” This command, covering 12 states, plays a vital role in national security.

In recognition of his exceptional service, the President of India awarded him the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), the highest military peacetime honour. He has also been conferred the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Vayu Sena Medal (VM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).

The Government of France honoured him with the Aeronautical Medal (Médaille de l’Aéronautique) for his outstanding contributions to the field of aeronautics.

He is a postgraduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He is married to Dr. Shobha, a specialist in anesthesia, and the couple has a son and a daughter.

Air Marshal S Varthaman retired from the Indian Air Force in December 2012 and currently resides in Chennai.

A TEDx speaker, best-selling author, and columnist, Anand is known for delivering engaging, empowering, and thought-provoking sessions. His expertise covers Leadership, Innovation, Sales Effectiveness, and Customer Centricity, especially in navigating the challenges of the VUCA world (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity). He has conducted hundreds of sessions across India, Australia, Singapore, Dubai, and Hong Kong, impacting industries like IT, Banking, Manufacturing, Education, and Pharma.

Anand’s unique approach blends disruptive leadership, design thinking, and critical thinking to foster a progressive mindset. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology and regularly contributes to leading publications, reaching over 20 million readers daily. Whether coaching CXOs or mentoring students, Anand Munshi inspires transformation, innovation, and meaningful success.

A recipient of the Nari Shakti Puraskar, India’s highest civilian honor for women’s empowerment, Dr. Iyer has delivered standing-ovation keynotes at prestigious platforms including the United Nations, World Economic Forum, and global corporations such as Microsoft and Unilever. Her talks inspire audiences to embrace adversity, foster empathy, and lead with purpose.

Dr. Iyer’s work focuses on inclusive leadership, mental health awareness, and empowering marginalized communities. Through her storytelling, she challenges societal norms and encourages individuals to turn personal setbacks into platforms for impact. Her journey continues to motivate millions worldwide, reminding us that true leadership begins when we rise beyond our limits.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Commission on the Status of Women 61 (United Nations, New York) • Building Disability- Inclusive Post COVID 19 World (World Bank) • India Economic Summit (World Economic Forum) • Microsoft • PNNL (US Dept. Of Energy) • Unilever (UK) • 23rd Youth Assembly (New York University) • Sustainable Valley Festival (Norway) • WE Movement (Canada) • Macy’s (USA) • Quantum Way Summit (France) • 3rd Regional Dialogue on Accessible Elections (Indonesia) • CIVICUS World Assembly (South Africa) • ICAI (Doha) • Boston Scientific (USA) • Austin Inclusion Summit (USA) • Marvell Semiconductor (USA) • Women Entrepreneurship Program (NITI Aayog & United Nations India) • Zscaler (USA) • Africa Women I&E Forum (South Africa) • Critical River (Dubai) • NASSCOM • Phillips 66 (USA) • Ford (USA) • Morgan Stanley • CGI • VFS Global • Gerson Lehrman Group • Indiaspora (New York) • Avantor Sciences • General Electric • Confederation of Indian Industry • John Deere • AXA Business Service • TEDxIIMKozhikode • TEDxYouthChennai

Siva has inspired thousands of professionals across industries and continents, helping CXOs, entrepreneurs, and teams navigate change, master execution, and unlock breakthrough success. His high-energy storytelling, actionable strategies, and deep emotional resonance make him a favorite among business leaders and conference organizers alike.

At Sangamam 2025, Mr. Siva will deliver a powerful keynote that will challenge you to:

• • Reimagine leadership beyond deliverables
  • Transform challenges into growth opportunities
  • Ignite purpose-driven performance

Join us as Mr. Sivakumar Palaniappan helps us Lead Bold. Beyond Deliver.

His storytelling workshops and leadership programs have made a meaningful impact across a wide spectrum of organizations — from global enterprises like Cisco, Walmart, and Latecoere, to startups, universities, and non-profits — helping them build stronger cultures and more authentic communication.

Vinod’s professional journey spans over three decades, beginning in the advertising industry, and evolving through leadership roles at Motorola, WebEx, and Cisco. He played a pioneering role in establishing India’s first conferencing company, catalyzing the teleconferencing revolution in the country. His rich experience includes leading global projects, developing leaders, and driving impactful communication strategies.

Academically, Vinod holds an MBA in Human Resources Management, is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®), and has been a certified NLP Master Practitioner for over 25 years — blending analytical thinking with emotional insight in his work.

Outside the boardroom, Vinod is an avid trekker and a barefoot ultra-runner, expressing his storytelling philosophy through documentary-style photography and theatre acting. His multifaceted interests reflect a deep commitment to authenticity, creativity, and human connection.

For more details: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinodkkrishna/

As a mentor to early-stage startups, Kuppu empowers founders with practical guidance in pitching, design thinking, and the application of emotional intelligence to build resilient teams and nurturing company cultures. She is a certified emotional intelligence expert, and integrates these principles into both her mentorship and leadership practices.

A seasoned speaker, Kuppu has taken the stage at TEDx, JoshTalks, and various international platforms, sharing insights on future skills, emotional intelligence, and the human side of technology. Her talks resonate with audiences seeking to understand how empathy and innovation can coexist in the digital age.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Kuppu is an avid non-fiction reader, a passionate home cook, and a committed advocate of sustainable living — embodying the values she promotes both in and outside the workplace.

Kuppu on social media: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kuppulakshmi (@Kuppulakshmi)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kuppukrish/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kklakshmi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kuppoo/