Dr. Blaise Aguirre MD is a psychiatrist specializing in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, with expertise in the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and related disorders using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). He is seeking promotion to Associate Professor of Psychiatry, with a focus on Clinical Expertise and Innovation.

Dr. Aguirre has dedicated 60% of his time to clinical practice, overseeing the 3East continuum of care at McLean Hospital, where he also serves as Medical Director. He pioneered a specialized DBT residential program for adolescents with BPD, now a global model. His clinical and research efforts have significantly advanced the understanding and treatment of self-destructive behaviours, with applications extending to adolescents with OCD, PTSD, and substance use disorders.

Dr. Aguirre is also an esteemed educator, training clinicians worldwide in DBT and contributing extensively to mental health education through books, lectures, and webinars.

Dr. Shekhar Seshadri is a child psychiatrist with over 35 years of experience in child mental health. As a former Senior Professor at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NIMHANS, his work has impacted children and child care institutions across India and South Asia. His areas of expertise include childhood trauma, gender and sexuality issues, and life skill education.

An artist and musician, Dr. Seshadri incorporates creative methodologies, such as theatre, into his mental health interventions. He believes that psychosocial interventions must be grounded in child rights, which has led him to engage in various legal and policy initiatives. He contributed to the drafting of the POCSO Act 2012 and actively participated in debates on the Juvenile Justice Act 2015.

Dr. Seshadri’s initiatives include the NIMHANS Community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Project, which has now extended into SAMVAD, supported by the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India.

Dr. Claire Kelly is the Senior Advisor in Research Translation and Impact at Mental Health First Aid International. She has been involved with Mental Health First Aid since attending one of the first MHFA courses in 2001 and knew right away that the program was something she wanted to dedicate her life to. Dr. Claire is a researcher, curriculum developer, and educator who values evidence, relationships, and centering the voices of lived experience in all aspects of her work in the mental health sphere. She draws from both an academic and lived experience perspective, having a history of depression and anxiety.

Dr. Shyam Bishen is a senior healthcare executive with over 25 years of global experience in the healthcare sector. He became the Head of the Centre for Health and Healthcare and a member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum in 2022. Prior to joining WEF, Dr. Bishen was a Regional Director at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where he led efforts to develop healthcare solutions including vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics, and worked to discover new, affordable, and reliable healthcare tools.

Dr. Bishen has also held leadership roles, including Vice President and General Manager at Merck (MSD), where he spearheaded emerging markets strategy, innovation, and biosimilars. At WEF, he collaborates with global leaders to shape the healthcare agenda and develop models of public-private collaboration for resilient, efficient, and equitable healthcare systems. Dr. Bishen holds a Doctorate, an MBA, and has received leadership training from Harvard University.

Dr. Indu Shahani is the Founding President & Chancellor of ATLAS SkillTech University. An academician with over four decades of experience, she has played a pivotal role in nurturing students into professionals with a compassionate approach. Dr. Shahani was the first Indian to be appointed Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors of the International Baccalaureate and has significantly contributed to strengthening Academia-Industry Collaboration.

Dr. Shahani has served on the boards of leading corporate organizations, including HSBC Asset Management, Diageo, Lighthouse Learning Group, and The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). She has previously held directorships at Indian Oil Corporation, Bajaj Electricals, and Colgate Palmolive (India) Limited.

Her contributions to education and society have earned her numerous accolades, including the FICCI FLO Excellence in Education Award, the Citizen of Mumbai Award by Rotary Club, and recognition as one of Asia’s 100 Powerful & Rising Women Leaders in 2023.

Trainer and Professional Speaker; Doctor of Medicine, holds a Master’s degree in Psychiatry, Philosophy & Society, and is a BACP accredited Counsellor and Psychotherapist; internationally recognized expert in the field of quality enhancement measures in workplace health and return on investment models.

Dr. Ajit V. Bhide, born in Delhi (1955), completed his education in Bangalore, earning his MBBS (1979) and MD in Psychological Medicine (1982) from NIMHANS. An accomplished psychiatrist, he served on the faculty at St. John’s Medical College and NIMHANS before joining St. Martha’s Hospital in 1987, where he headed the psychiatry department until 2021 and remains Emeritus Consultant.

Dr. Bhide’s expertise spans child and youth mental health, family psychiatry, anxiety and personality disorders, psychotherapy, and preventive psychiatry. He has presented numerous workshops nationwide, authored publications, and been a popular speaker and quiz master. As President of the Indian Psychiatric Society (2018–19), he played a pivotal role in the decriminalization of homosexuality and establishing ethical norms for psychiatrists. An avid reader, actor, and award-winning dramatist, Dr. Bhide resides in Bangalore with his wife, a teacher, and their daughter, a microbiologist and consultant.

Dr. Anju Kish is a Certified Sexuality Educator and POCSO Trainer, dedicated to empowering individuals with knowledge about sexual health and safety. An award-winning author of the bestselling children’s book How I Got My Belly Button, she simplifies complex topics like puberty and growing up. As a Global Ambassador of Parenting 2.0 (USA), Dr. Kish is committed to destigmatizing sex education, advocating for change through four TEDx talks and as a stand-up comic. She’s the producer of Growing Up, a musical play focused on puberty and safety, and the creator of India’s first gamified sex education platform. A regular expert columnist for Tweak India, Dr. Kish has also spoken at over 100 events nationwide, empowering parents and children alike. Honored with awards like SheFest and the TOI Woman of Substance, she believes that open conversations foster responsibility and create lasting change in society.

T. Mark Fernandes is an Executive Vice President at Kotak Life, leading Organisation Development (OD), Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), and Employee Experience. With a deep commitment to people-centered transformation, Mark has been instrumental in driving Kotak Life’s cultural shift, embedding mental health and well-being as key performance pillars.

As a Wipro OD Fellow, he collaborates with social impact organizations to tackle behavioural and structural challenges, fostering sustainable change. He is also an adjunct faculty member at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), where he teaches leadership and mental health counselling.

A trained psychotherapist, he integrates therapeutic techniques into his work, helping individuals and organizations build resilience. Mark’s impact extends to his contributions as a journalist, where he writes on mental health, leadership, and organizational change. Recognized as a leading mentor, he has been honoured with multiple awards, including India’s Top Mental Health Leaders 2024.

Dr. Sanjay R. Kumawat is a renowned psychiatrist with extensive experience in mental health. He serves as the Director of Insight Mind Care Center in Thane and is a Consultant Psychiatrist at multiple leading hospitals, including Hiranandani Hospital, Jupiter Hospital, and Fortis Hospital in Mulund. Dr. Kumawat has been deeply involved in shaping mental health policies, serving as the Former Deputy Director of Mental Health for the Government of Maharashtra and the Member Secretary of the State Mental Health Authority.

He has also held significant roles in various health initiatives, including being a Member of the Maharashtra Rural Health Unit and the Anti-Narcotic Authority of Maharashtra. Dr. Kumawat’s leadership experience extends to his tenure as the Medical Superintendent at the Regional Mental Hospital in Thane. His dedication to improving mental health services has positively impacted numerous individuals and communities.

Dr. Ananth Prabhu G, born on October 3, 1985, is an accomplished academic and expert in the field of Cyber Security and Digital Forensics. With a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science, an MBA in Information Science, and a Doctorate in Computer Engineering, Dr. Prabhu has further extended his expertise with a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Computer Science and Technology.

A passionate advocate for cyber law, he has conducted over 3000 workshops, training professionals from prestigious organizations like the Karnataka Judicial Academy, National Academy for Customs, and the Central Detective Training Institute. His research contributions include 25+ international journal articles and three published patents.

Dr. Prabhu is also an author of multiple books, including Little Black Book for Parents, Cyber Safe Girl V6.1, and The Samurai Who Sold His Suzuki.

Currently, he serves as a Professor and Principal Investigator at the Cyber Security and Digital Forensics Centre of Excellence at Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management.

Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil is a trailblazer in diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and mental health advocacy, standing as an emblem of courage and systemic change. Renowned as the world’s first openly gay royal, he has redefined societal norms, becoming a global advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and equality.

Founder and Champion of DEI Initiatives As the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Search Ends Inclusion Impact, Prince Manvendra has built a platform dedicated to uplifting marginalized communities. The organization’s initiatives focus on creating inclusive workplaces and societies, addressing challenges such as:

LGBTQ+ Rights: Driving policies that ensure safe and supportive environments, free from discrimination. Women’s Empowerment: Promoting gender equity by removing barriers to leadership and fostering fair opportunities. Veterans’ Reintegration: Assisting navy veterans with career training and social support for seamless transitions to civilian life.

Advocate for Mental Health and Social Justice Recognizing the deep ties between mental health and social justice, Prince Manvendra actively engages in destigmatizing mental health issues. His workshops, training programs, and peer support networks provide tools for marginalized individuals to access mental health resources and overcome systemic challenges.

Global Recognition and Leadership A widely recognized figure, Prince Manvendra’s work has been celebrated through platforms like Oprah, BBC, and TED Talks. His advocacy resonates with millions, emphasizing the power of inclusivity and equality.

Mr. Nathan Spiteri is a versatile actor and writer, known for his roles in both film and theater. With a SAG/AFTRA membership and dual citizenship (Australian and Maltese), He has worked across multiple continents. His television credits include Asunder the Series (Amazon Prime) and How to Say Goodbye, while his film roles include lead and supporting parts in Paranormal Asylum, Echo, Plato’s Reality Machine, and Martyr, among others. He has also starred in several web series and theater productions, with notable performances in Angels In America, Barefoot In The Park, and Perfect Weather at the Soho Playhouse, New York.

Nathan’s training spans prestigious acting schools in New York and Australia, including the Matthew Corozine Studio, HB Studio, and the National Acting School. His diverse skills also include boxing, rugby, soccer, and athletics, alongside his proficiency in various accents such as Australian, British, American, and Irish.