Chrys Poulain

I graduated engineer in 1998 and MBA in 2004. I have been working for several types of companies (start ups, middle and large companies). I am used to work in international environments (APAC and EUROPE). I am married and have 4 children from 20 to 27 years old. I love sports and discovering new cultures. I look forward to sharing my experience with you.

MENTEE: Stefanie Putri

Eileen Lim

With 25 years of experience in the broadcast and media industry, Eileen has developed deep expertise in project and people management. She specialises in creative solutions, production management, and operational strategies, and has a proven track record of leading high-performing creative production teams. Recognised for her commitment to the precise execution of complex projects, Eileen excels at navigating cross-functional environments. At the heart of her professional ethos are operational excellence and empowering teams to succeed.

MENTEE: Cecilia Ang

Elliot Renton

Elliot is currently the Senior Vice President for Magnifi in the APAC region. He is tasked with building the business across key markets including China, Australia, Japan, Korea and SE Asia. Magnifi is an award-winning AI business powering video creation and automated highlights technology for the Media, Entertainment and Sports industries. Over 22 years experience in Asia, Elliot is a senior Media, Entertainment, Sports and Technology executive with a track record of successfully building, scaling, transforming and commercialising businesses in Asia-Pacific across the Media and Sport industries working for some of the world's leading industry names including AWS (Amazon Web Services), Grabyo, DAZN (formerly PERFORM Group), Discovery, Nokia and Getty Images. A highly motivated and results-driven leader, commercially focused with extensive expertise in sales, strategy, business development and partner-management across mature and emerging markets in Asia-Pacific including China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and India. Skilled in building high-performance teams, able to identify growth opportunities and driven by a strong sense of purpose, resourcefulness and self-Development. Passionate about media, sports, content and technology, emerging trends and the impact this has on the wider industry.

MENTEE: Apple Joyce So

Paul Shutt

Results-driven leader with 14 years of experience at Vizrt, specialising in customer success, operational excellence, partnerships and team leadership. Proven track record of optimising operations, driving growth, and building high-performing teams. Currently Head of Channel Sales for APAC, with a passion for delivering exceptional partner experiences and contributing to the company's strategic goals.

MENTEE: Andrhea May Castillo

Peter Bruce

Peter Bruce has extensive experience in Broadcast Tech’. After gaining an HND in Broadcast and Communications at Ravensbourne University London. He has worked for leading companies such as Ampex, Sony, and GV. He established the IABM APAC office and now is the Snr Manager Channel Sales APAC for Harmonic Inc.

MENTEE: Marjory Sy

Bonnie Tan

I am a passionate, energetic and result-driven work advocate with over 25 years of track record in delivering business growth and market leadership across APAC region with strong sense of ownership and responsibility. A strong executor, taking strategies and ideas into action and delivering the ultimate outcome. I am a people person and always love to meet people around me. I am married with two sons and UK, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore are home to me where my family stays!

MENTEE: Ira Chelsea Asuncion

Sangeeta Mahawar

Media executive with over 20 years of APAC experience in Live Sports, Digital Media & Broadcast Tech excelling in business development (rights acquisitions & tech Sales), strategic partnerships, and operational excellence at leading media MNCs. My expertise includes negotiating high-value deals, optimizing workflows, and leading cross-functional teams to deliver innovative media solutions that drive revenue growth and stakeholder engagement.

MENTEE: Dunya Munassar

Akash Mittal

Seasoned Product Manager with 10 years of experience in Product Lifecycle Management, Strategy, Growth, UX, Market Research, Benchmarking, Vendor Management, and end-to-end New Product Development. Passionate about innovation, mentorship, and shaping the evolving media and technology landscape

MENTEE: Vibha Panjwania

Ankita Verma

I'm Ankita Anil Verma, a passionate and results-driven professional with a diverse background in Cloud, technology, security, presales, delivery & project management;passionate about innovation, driving business-tech alignment in CU west CSS MOAI Ericsson.

MENTEE: Prajakta Apte

Asha Kulkarni

With over 20 years of experience in this industry, I have a deep understanding of the market dynamics, customer needs, and emerging technologies that shape the OTT/D2C landscape.My core competencies include launching and scaling OTT/D2C products and solutions, winning and retaining multiyear contracts, and forging strong partnerships and alliances with various C-suite stakeholders in the media value chain. Some of my notable achievements include launching the world's first Android STB with Airtel, working with Hotstar, Zee5, Sonyliv from incubation to launch, and receiving an award from Mr. N Chandrasekhar for building OTT at Tata. I am also valued as a pioneering woman in media by the M&E association. I am passionate about driving growth and innovation in the OTT/D2C space, and leveraging emerging technologies to create value for customers and consumers.

MENTEE: Harini C

Jai Daga

As a seasoned technology leader of over 26 years of experience with a proven track record across the USA, Norway, and India, My experience spans multiple geographies and industries, with extensive experience in Media broadcasting, streaming, and digital television. Have also gained expertise across supply chain of technology portfolio i.e., Enterprise applications, Digital Brand Services, IT Infra and Operations as well as Cyber security. This have helped me cultivate a deep understanding of diverse technological landscapes and business environments, enabling me to consistently drive large-scale digital transformations that have had a lasting impact on organizations. In my recently concluded role as the Vice President of Technology at Sony Pictures Networks Limited, I have been at the forefront of innovation, operations, budgeting, and agile development. One of my most significant achievements was executing a multi-million-dollar digital transformation program and leading the automation, RPA and AI COE. Before joining Sony, I spent over a decade at Viacom 18 Media Private Limited in several key leadership roles. Also drove the digital transformation and user engagement agenda by integrating innovative technologies such as Google Assistant, AR, 360-degree views, gamification, etc enhancing user engagement and brand interaction across digital platforms. My professional journey has also included pivotal roles at Syntel India Limited, Oracle India and Oracle USA, Satyam Computer Services Ltd, Zenith Limited, and Venus Wire Ltd. Across these positions, I have consistently optimized processes, implemented innovative solutions, and led high-performing teams.

MENTEE: Poonam Patil

Jyothi Nayak

"Jyothi Nayak is the Executive VP at Prime Focus Technologies (PFT). Jyothi is an accomplished and visionary leader having a distinguished and remarkable career spanning 25 years in managing business and operations, in Media, IT, ITES Healthcare and Hospitality industries. Currently based out of Singapore, Jyothi is the Business Unit head for two of the fastest growing verticals, Digital Media and Localization services at PFT. She is very high performing, strategic thinking, passionate and self‐motivated leader managing multiple global large-scale operations, providing internal employee development, team effectiveness and customer delight, with a very strong focus on P&L. Yyothi’s inclusive leadership ensures diverse voices are valued, cultivating loyalty and empowerment within her team. With a strong understanding of supply chain ecosystem and digital media her strategic initiatives have expanded the company’s global footprint, increased client satisfaction, and set new industry standards for business at PFT. She leads by example and is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives."

MENTEE: Samritee B Verma

K Yegneshwara Iyer

Technology leader with over 37 years in technology strategy, implementation,team building, crises management, innovation.

MENTEE: Swati Jain

Neeraj Jha

A results-driven media and entertainment leader with 24+ years of experience shaping the sports and entertainment landscape. I specialise in orchestrating large-scale LIVE operations, maximising profitability, and delivering immersive content experiences that engage global audiences. With proven expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder management, and P&L leadership, I excel at optimising resources, building high-performing teams, and crafting media strategies that set industry benchmarks. My passion lies in elevating the sports fan experience by leveraging cutting-edge post-production, digital transformation, and innovative content monetisation models. I am committed to operational excellence, creative innovation, and staying ahead of the curve in a constantly evolving media ecosystem.Core Expertise - Strategic Planning & Execution | Rights Acquisition & Management | Commercial Partnerships | EBITDA Optimization - Digital & OTT Strategy | Brand Development | Contract Negotiation | Production Planning & Execution - Communication & PR | IP Creation & Management | Licensing & Syndication | Media Operations Leadership - Team Building & Leadership | Budgeting & Forecasting | Cross-Functional Collaboration I am driven by a bold vision: to redefine audience engagement through transformative media experiences that inspire, entertain, and innovate. Whether through compelling content, strategic alliances, or breakthrough operational models, I thrive on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sports, media, and entertainment.

MENTEE: Jaya Myneni

Neha Donald

I am a seasoned business leader with 15+ years of experience in digital transformation, strategy, and program governance. Passionate about mentorship, leadership development, and business growth, I've led global teams across APAC, EMEA, and SEA, helping individuals and organizations navigate change, drive impact, and unlock their full potential.

MENTEE: Manjit Kaur

Nirmala Gambhir

A results-driven technocrat, I am the Director at Ovyo, leading complex multi-vendor integrations and offshore teams with a strong focus on quality assurance. With global experience in video, satellite, and IoT, I specialize in QA strategy, automation, and software delivery, previously serving as Director at InnoWave GDU India. Passionate about innovation and leadership.

MENTEE: Renita Magdalene

Nupur Srivastava

With over two decades of expertise in media marketing and audience engagement, Nupur Srivastava has carved a dynamic career spanning digital and broadcast ecosystems. Currently leading growth and innovation at JetSynthesys, she drives cutting-edge strategies in entertainment and sports, harnessing emerging technologies. Previously, as Vice President at Sony Pictures Networks India, she spearheaded revenue and partnerships for SonyLiv for businesses in emerging markets, following a successful tenure at Viacom18 (now JioHotstar), where she pioneered monetization initiatives for global content verticals and iconic youth IPs for MTV & Nickelodeon. Her leadership extends across premier media brands such as Sahara India, Hindustan Times, Radio City, and Midday. Recognized as IndianTelevision’s Wonder Women 2023 Super Achiever, Nupur is a passionate mentor in the RISE initiative, championing gender equality and empowering women in media and broadcast technology.

MENTEE: Jaswinder Arora

Pooja Subbaiah

With 13 years of dynamic experience in the realm of marketing, I have consistently honed my expertise across various facets of the discipline. As a seasoned marketing strategist, I've navigated the ever-evolving landscape by devising innovative campaigns, leveraging data-driven insights, and fostering impactful brand narratives. My strategic acumen lies in crafting comprehensive marketing blueprints that fuse traditional and digital methodologies, maximizing brand exposure and driving targeted engagement. Over the years, I've adeptly led cross- functional teams, identified market trends, and orchestrated successful product launches, consistently delivering measurable results aligned with overarching business objectives. My tenure encompasses a rich tapestry of roles, affording me a comprehensive understanding of consumer behaviour, competitive landscapes, and the agility to adapt strategies for optimal market positioning and sustained growth.

MENTEE: Priyanka Kushte

Rajal Bhatt

Rajal Bhatt is the Director at Techseria, specializing in AI, ERPNext, and OTT solutions. With 15+ years in technology, she leads innovative projects and mentors aspiring professionals. A former Rise mentee, Rajal is passionate about career growth, leadership, and empowering others through mentorship and industry expertise.

MENTEE: Ankita Mishra

Rakhi Sundar

An inspirational leader with over 20 years of Localization Operations experience. Rakhi has led teams across India, Europe, and the US, with their multi-cultural areas being an advocate for excellence and with a track record of running end-to-end project delivery of new innovations. She comes from the world of languages where she's even Mastered in the Spanish language. Her entrepreneurial spirit reflects in her professional career spanning decades. She is extremely passionate about girls' rights, and empowerment of women where she's a Trustee at an NGO, Baale Mane.

MENTEE: Gouri Deshpande

Ritu Sharma

From Corporate Leadership to Startup Ecosystem Builder Having led an inspiring journey from a successful corporate career to the nonprofit sector, I transitioned to better understand and serve the startup ecosystem. Currently, I serve as the Executive Director of TiE Bangalore, where I am dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, fostering innovation, and building a thriving startup community. With extensive experience across technology, telecom, media, and broadcasting services, I have witnessed firsthand how advancements in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital networks are reshaping industries. Throughout my career, I have held senior leadership positions at renowned organizations such as Vodafone, Encompass, Proficio, and Amagi, successfully leading teams across sales, marketing, deal structuring, operations, and general management— demonstrating versatility and leadership in both global multinationals and startups alike. Beyond my corporate achievements, I am deeply passionate about mentoring, innovation, and enabling the next generation of entrepreneurs. With expertise in business strategy, enterprise sales, key account management, and stakeholder relations, I strive to drive meaningful impact in the startup and technology ecosystem. I see my role as an opportunity to continuously learn, build strong relationships, and serve entrepreneurs. Outside of work, I am equally passionate about fitness, fashion, and nutrition, interests that reflect my love for balance and well-being.

MENTEE: Sangeetha V

Sai Srikanth S

As a Startup Founder/Co-Founder and CTO, Angel Investor, shouldered many Product Developments from scratch to MVP (0 to 1) and scaled them (1 to 100). Converted different ideas as multiple tech companies and fully tech enabled enterprises.

MENTEE: Sagarika Sahoo

Sapna Gopinath

MENTEE: Roopa Naveen

Selvam M

Founder, CEO of shortfundly - OTT Marketplace Published a book for career guidance to AD TECH industry have 2 patents. Seed investor of 3 startups(marketing automation, D2C(food), Ad tech)

MENTEE:

Shikha Sharma

Experienced marketing strategist with over 20 years of expertise and comprehensive involvement in field marketing, digital and content marketing, marketing communications, campaign management, and brand development across APJ, UK, India, and South Asia. Specializing in the IT sector with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco, Microsoft, and British Telecom (TechM-BT). Demonstrated ability to formulate and implement strategies and B2B initiatives for Public Sector, Education, Nonprofits, Startups, and Service Providers, catering to both business and technical audiences. Dedicated to establishing and enhancing marketing functions and cultivating efficient marketing teams by introducing and expanding business strategies.

MENTEE: Dilashi Hemnani

Shivani Kochhar

Shivani Kochhar is a seasoned media technology professional with over 20 years of experience in enterprise applications across the Media and Broadcast industry. Currently serving as Senior Manager, Sales Systems at Warner Bros. Discovery, APAC, she has led the implementation of transformative systems across Asia, New Zealand, and Latin Americas. A strong advocate for gender equality, she mentors with RISE, supporting women in broadcast technology. Shivani has been recognized with several honors, including Wonder Women 2023 – Super Achiever and Pioneer Women in M&E 2023

MENTEE: Bhuvaneshwari J

Shree Lakshmi

A result-oriented Marketing, Communications & Business leader with over 20 years of experience across India and Asia Pacific region in FMCG, Telecom, Entertainment, Automotive and Engineering industries, with a track record of crafting and integrating marketing strategies. Work well both within and leading a team, with dedication to a collaborative approach, yet able to take tough decisions when needed. Talent for hiring, training, and mentoring team members, Meticulous project manager, balancing multiple deadlines, while maintaining an organized yet creative approach. Diplomatic and tactful in interpersonal communication and decision making with an ability to work in multi-cultural teams to achieve a common goal. Passion : Building brands & experiences, Design thinking, Strategic marketing, Creation, Change management, Mentoring/Coaching, Building teams An active member of many NGOs working with children in slums and villages of Chennai. Obsession : Dancing (Trained in four forms of Indian classical dance). Teaching dance to the underprivileged children whose smiles provide the motivation to continue serving.

MENTEE: Rachan Achappa

Shuvayu Bhattacharya

Integrated media led leader with experience across categories and markets with Global and Local collaborations. Mentor and speaker.

MENTEE: Vaibhavi Gupta

Shweta Jain

With 26 years of extensive work experience including 15 years of team management in roles across software development, cloud computing and business development, Shweta has a deep understanding of the challenges as well as the innovation that media businesses thrive on, which in turn has helped her earn the trust of many senior executives across APAC. In her prior role at AWS and current role as VP of Sales working with To The New in Singapore, Shweta works with enterprise as well as digital native media organisations on their strategic initiatives to leverage cloud and AI solutions to transform and grow their businesses.

MENTEE: Megha Sachdeva

Sonam Dave

Sonam is a brand and marketing expert with a passion for bringing brands to life via powerful storytelling, and integrated marketing. Her expertise lies in designing integrated branding and marketing strategies with execution at the core of it, developing, and implementing processes and performance metrics, building, and leading high-performance teams, and contributing to bottom-line growth. In her 15-year career span, she has worked with enterprises to achieve 1.5x growth by driving multi-locational teams, and an integrated B2B marketing strategy. Her experience spans across Not for profit, B2B SaaS, IT Solutions, Outsourcing, Recruitment, and financial industries.

MENTEE: Meghna Vidyasagar

Sulina Menon

Sulina is a senior professional with nearly 4 decades of work experience in the advertising and communication industry. She has held leadership positions at top ad companies where she shepherded renowned global & domestic brands.Endowed with a growth mindset and a result-oriented approach, Sulina has made a significant impact on the businesses she has worked with, driving their growth and success. Her ability to adapt, learn, and continuously upskill herself has allowed her to pioneer innovative solutions for brands and stay ahead of the evolving media landscape. Sulina has a passion for helping individuals succeed and has led and mentored many teams to deliver on their organisational and personal goals. The same is done via coaching and mentoring. She has a deep understanding of the complexities faced in today's corporate world.

MENTEE: Shilpy Rawal