Associate Director

deepti_soni@isb.edu

Deepti Soni has over two decades of professional experience in the field of communications, media and external and internal stakeholder management. With a PG in Advertising and Public Relations from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi, she is presently working as the Associate Director at the Bharti Institute of Public Policy at the Indian School of Business. Previously she has worked as a Spokesperson and Head of Communications at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) regional delegation covering India, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives; Head of Digital Diplomacy and Media & Communications Adviser at the British High Commission in New Delhi; and The Times India. As an outreach specialist she has trained multiple groups on digital communications and using data & visualisations.

She has worked extensively in the field of diversity and inclusion, education of girl child, prevention of maternal mortality and respectful maternal care, inclusive and progressive agriculture, climate change, new and renewable energy to name a few. She is also an experienced crisis communicator.

Senior Manager - Grants

srikanta_naik@isb.edu

Srikanta holds an MBA (with specialisation in Finance) from Sambalpur University, Odisha and is a Commerce Graduate from Utkal University of Odisha. He has over 18 years of extensive hands-on experience in the field of finance, compliance, and grants management in the not-for-profit sector in India. Before joining Bharti Institute, Srikanta was working as Assistant Manager – Grants Management with Save the Children, in Gurgaon. His hobbies are playing cricket, cooking, and reading spiritual books.

Manager - Research

nimisha_jain@isb.edu

Nimisha Jain is currently pursuing her PhD in Economics from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Skilled in Quantitative research methods, she is passionate about Development and Environmental Economics. She is a recipient of University Gold Medals for securing first position in graduation and post-graduation from Panjab University. Before joining as Manager-Research, Nimisha worked as a Teaching Assistant cum Analyst with the Bharti Institute of Public Policy for over a year. Previously, she worked as an Assistant Professor of Economics at Rayat Bahra University, Mohali. An ardent believer of hard work and self-belief, she is an awardee of Shri Chander Prakash Memorial Gold Medal, Gadgil Gold Medal, and Attar Chand Kapur Silver Medal for her outstanding academic performance. Nimisha is passionate about exploring new cultures through travel and finds both yoga and strength training great ways to stay healthy. Alongside her hobbies, she treasures spending valuable time with her family.

Assistant Manager

himani_gupta@isb.edu

Himani completed her B.Tech in Information & Technology from Kurukshetra University. Before joining the ISB, she worked with Shri Guru Gorakhnath Polytechnic College, Ambala, Haryana, as a lecturer of Computer Science for two years. Prior to that, she worked as a Team Leader at Franciscan Solutions Pvt Ltd, where she was also involved in the maintenance of IT and AV Infra at school sites and working on ERP Solutions. She loves to face challenges and always strives for more. During her free time, she loves to play badminton and spend time with her family.

Sr Content Developer

avantika_sharma@isb.edu

Avantika holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Jambeshwar University and is a graduate in English from Panjab University, Chandigarh. She studied film and television direction from New York Film Academy, London, and Whistling Woods International, Mumbai, she learnt screenwriting from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London, and Cinematography from the Asian Academy of Film and T.V., Noida. Prior to joining Bharti Institute, she worked as a filmmaker with Rediffusion and was a Creative Director in a media education institute. She has worked as a content developer for a Canadian firm and as Language Learning Specialist creating blended learning softwares for government and private stakeholders. She had also been associated with several Punjabi and Hindi feature films as an Assistant Director. Avantika enjoys travelling and singing and has a keen interest in psychology.

Project Lead

amrita_chakraborty@isb.edu

Amrita is an MBA in Finance from the School of Management, KIIT University. She interned at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, which introduced and equipped her to research areas in finance and accounting. Before joining the Bharti Institute, Amrita was working as a Senior Academic Associate (Teaching Assistant) for the Management and Executive Programmes at Indian School of Business. She has a keen interest in the areas of corporate governance, IPOs, financial modelling and investment research, financial analysis and valuation. In her free time, she likes to play tunes on her Sitar, and is an avid photographer, capturing wildlife and nature.

Research Associate

ayushii_balutia@isb.edu

Ayushii Balutia holds a M.Sc degree in Public Policy and Management from the University of Glasgow. She works as a Research Associate at the Bharti Institute and actively volunteers with Women’s Enterprise Scotland, focusing on policy and research initiatives. A passionate advocate for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, Ayushii loves to read the works of roman philosophers, enjoys creative writing and dancing.

Principal Data Scientist

gursharan_singh@isb.edu

Gursharan holds a Master's degree in Information Technology and is an experienced programmer and data professional. Prior to joining Bharti Institute, he worked as a Team Lead and Manager, AI at NetSmartz, Chandigarh. He has worked in various capacities in software development, healthcare, and taxation. His work in previous roles revolved around developing data-oriented solutions with involvement in the application's full-stack (front-end & back-end). He is adept at data modeling, architecting python backends, data management (ETL), data wrangling, planning & execution of AI solutions. The specific fields of AI in which he works include predictive analytics, forecasting, computer vision, and natural language processing. His hobbies include wildlife photography.

Data Scientist

karan_khatke@isb.edu

Karan holds a Bachelors in Technology degree (Mechanical) and Masters in Technology (Thermal) Engineering from RGPV University. Previously, he worked at the Prestige Institute of Engineering Management and Research, Indore, as an Assistant Professor for seven years. Prior to that, he was associated with FDS Global as a Design Consultant reviewing engineering/design changes & resolving quality-related problems. Karan is enthusiastic and always ready to learn something new. During his free time, he loves to spend time with his family.

TA cum Analyst

nikhat_khalid@isb.edu

Nikhat Khalid has submitted her Ph.D. thesis at the Department of Economics, Jamia Millia Islamia Central University, New Delhi. Her doctoral research work is at the intersection of trade, technology and regional economic integration. She completed her Masters in Economics and Bachelors in Economics (Honours) from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Her primary areas of research include international economics, macroeconomics and development economics. She is passionate about researching key public policy and developmental issues in South Asia. She is skilled in the application of quantitative and econometric techniques through statistical softwares. A keen researcher, she has published more than 10 research papers in several prestigious international and national journals/edited book volumes, including journals/book volumes indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, and has presented research work at numerous conferences. She is a member of The Econometric Society, New York; the Indian Economic Association and the Society of Economics and Development. In her free time, she likes to listen to music and read. She is also passionate about traveling and exploring diverse cuisines.

Teaching Assistant cum Analyst

sagnik_banerjee@isb.edu

Sagnik holds a Masters degree in Political Theory, focusing primarily on Continental Philosophy and Psychoanalysis, from the University of Essex, U.K. He also holds MPhil degree in Political Science from the University of Delhi. He is aspiring to be a serious academic, with his inter-disciplinary training in Humanities and Social Sciences. His research interests include policy, politics, structuralism, philosophy of language, metaphysics and film theory. Sagnik is an amateur photographer and a passionate schismatic.

Lead - Communications and Content

smriti_sharma@isb.edu

Smriti holds a Masters degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Punjabi University and a Bachelors in Science (Computer Applications) from Panjab University, Chandigarh. She has also done a short-term course in television production at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. A trained journalist, Smriti brings with her an experience of reportage, extensive writing and editing in four national newspapers: The Tribune, The Indian Express, Deccan Herald and The Statesman, across three different cities over a period of 13 years. She has also worked with a multi-national strategic communications firm as a Consulting Associate, besides freelancing for India Today, Tehelka and Dinamalar. Prior to joining Bharti Institute of Public Policy (BIPP), Smriti worked with the Centre for Learning and Management Practice (CLMP) at ISB as a Senior Content Writer. Smriti is passionate about fitness, traveling and reading fiction.

Sr. Content Developer

shahid_mohammed@isb.edu

Shahid holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Master’s degree in Economics from C.C.S. University, Meerut (UP). Prior to joining Bharti Institute, he has worked as head, post-production and creative communications of various films, documentaries, promos for television, and digital media productions. Shahid is an avid photographer.

Senior Manager - Grants

srikanta_naik@isb.edu

Srikanta Naik holds an MBA in Finance from Sambalpur University, Odisha and is a Commerce Graduate from Utkal University of Odisha. He comes with 18+ years of extensive hands-on experience in the field of finance, compliance and grants management in the not-for-profit sector in India. Before joining Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Srikanta was working as Assistant Manager – Grants Management with Save the Children, Gurgaon. His hobbies are playing cricket, cooking, and reading spiritual books.

Data Engineer

vijay_kumar@isb.edu

Vijay Kumar is Commerce graduate from Panjab University and a highly skilled data engineer with experience in designing and implementing decentralised web applications that utilise private blockchain networks like Ethereum and Polygon. He has a background in building real-time, fault-tolerant distributed applications using Elixir. Additionally, Vijay has experience in creating serverless web applications using infrastructure as code and has a strong interest in computer architecture and systems programming. His curiosity in digital computers led him to pursue a career as a software engineer. In his free time, Vijay delves into the world of philosophy, with a particular focus on epistemology and cognitive psychology.