Where Culture, Knowledge, and Leadership Converge
Where Culture, Knowledge, and Leadership Converge
Symposium is a curated community of thinkers, leaders, and lifelong learners who believe that meaningful conversations shape the future. Inspired by the classical idea of the symposium, we bring together culture, knowledge, and leadership under one platform.
Symposium is a curated community of thinkers, leaders, and lifelong learners who believe that meaningful conversations shape the future. Inspired by the classical idea of the symposium, we bring together culture, knowledge, and leadership under one platform.
Founder's Note
Founder's Note
MR. GIRISH MALLPANI
MR. GIRISH MALLPANI
Chairperson & Trustee
Chairperson & Trustee
“Maybe it’s time we party over knowledge and make knowledge our new dope.”
Great conversations have the power to change how we think and sometimes even how we live. Symposium was born from the belief that we need more such conversations.
A few years ago, a thought kept coming to my mind how much can we keep socialising only around music, food and drinks?
What began as a small gathering at my office under the name Altis Knowledge Club (AKC) was really just an experiment a few curious minds coming together to listen, discuss and learn something new.
The inspiration for this also came from my time during the Master’s Program at ISB, where I rediscovered how enjoyable learning can be when you are surrounded by interesting people and diverse perspectives. Even after the program ended, I stayed connected with a few friends from ISB, and that spirit of learning stayed with me.
Over time the thought became stronger that learning should not stop with a course, a degree, or a phase of life. It should remain a lifelong process.
What started as AKC among a small circle has today evolved into Symposium, with the hope of taking that same joy of learning to a much wider community.
The vision is simple to create a forum where friends, leaders, professionals and curious minds can come together regularly to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and have thoughtful conversations about the world around us. I sincerely hope Symposium becomes a place where people come not just to connect, but also to think, question, learn and grow together.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
“Maybe it’s time we party over knowledge and make knowledge our new dope.”
Great conversations have the power to change how we think and sometimes even how we live. Symposium was born from the belief that we need more such conversations.
A few years ago, a thought kept coming to my mind how much can we keep socialising only around music, food and drinks?
What began as a small gathering at my office under the name Altis Knowledge Club (AKC) was really just an experiment a few curious minds coming together to listen, discuss and learn something new.
The inspiration for this also came from my time during the Master’s Program at ISB, where I rediscovered how enjoyable learning can be when you are surrounded by interesting people and diverse perspectives. Even after the program ended, I stayed connected with a few friends from ISB, and that spirit of learning stayed with me.
Over time the thought became stronger that learning should not stop with a course, a degree, or a phase of life. It should remain a lifelong process.
What started as AKC among a small circle has today evolved into Symposium, with the hope of taking that same joy of learning to a much wider community.
The vision is simple to create a forum where friends, leaders, professionals and curious minds can come together regularly to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and have thoughtful conversations about the world around us. I sincerely hope Symposium becomes a place where people come not just to connect, but also to think, question, learn and grow together.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Trustees
Trustees
JAYESH RANJAN IAS
Spl Chief Secretary for Metropolitan and Urban Development Dept & Youth Advancement, Tourism, Culture & Sports Development, Government of Telangana, Hyderabad.
A 1992-batch IAS officer, is a driver of Telangana’s industrial and technological growth. As Special Chief Secretary, he oversees the Industry and Investment Cell in the Chief Minister’s Office. An All-India topper, he studied at IIM Calcutta, Delhi University, and NUS Singapore.
He has received the Royal Order of the Polar Star and an honorary doctorate from the University of Bolton, while contributing to entrepreneurship, mentoring, and social causes.
GIRISH MALLPANI
CMD MPM Group
A visionary entrepreneur and real estate pioneer who has led the MPM Group since 1995. He is known for landmark projects including South India’s first shopping mall, MPM Mall, and Andhra Pradesh’s first ISO-certified star hotel, Hotel Quality Inn Residency.
An alumnus of the Indian School of Business (ISB), he is also an active contributor to industry forums like FICCI and CII, while mentoring startups and supporting social initiatives.
prof. ASHWINI CHHATRE
Associate Professor, Economics and Public Policy , ISB
Associate Professor of Economics and Public Policy and Executive Director of BIPP at ISB, Hyderabad. His interdisciplinary research explores governance, economic development, and environmental protection.
He holds a PhD from Duke University and was a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard, later teaching at the University of Illinois. With over a decade as a community organiser working on land, forests, and water, he brings strong grassroots insight to policy and public discourse.
Dr. SAMEER SHARMA
Thought leader, theory based policy & action research in cities, CSR, building capacity of independent directors and civil servants.
A 1985-batch IAS officer, is a noted scholar-administrator in urban policy and governance. He served as Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh and led India’s Smart Cities Mission. With 37+ years of experience, he uniquely served as Municipal Commissioner of Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Hyderabad.
An author of Smart Cities Unbundled and Hourglass Management Paradigm, he holds advanced degrees in Community Planning and contributes to policy research, CSR, and leadership development.
SRIKANTH PORIKA
Founder Virinchi AI
Founder & CEO of Cerrado Consulting Services, an AI-driven technology and consulting firm. With over two decades of experience, he has led digital transformation, cloud, AI, and automation initiatives at Kyndryl and IBM. An award-winning leader, he specializes in driving business growth and innovation.
He holds an Executive MBA from ISB and has academic associations with global institutions, while actively contributing as a speaker, author, and visiting professor.
KK MAHESHWARI
Managing Director, CIL Securities Limited, Sr. Vice President of Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry-FTCCI , Former President and Director of Association of National Exchanges Members of India-ANMI (All India Body)
A seasoned fintech entrepreneur and Chairman & Managing Director of CIL Securities Ltd, a BSE-listed financial services firm and member of NSE, BSE, and MCX.
He serves as Senior Vice President of FTCCI and has held leadership roles at ANMI. Beyond business, he is Managing Trustee of the Chunnilal Jajoo Charitable Trust and supports tribal education and community development initiatives across Telangana.
SHRUTI MALLPANI
Executive Director, MPM Group
As Executive Director and key stakeholder, Mrs. Shruti Mallpani drives strategic leadership in project execution, human resources, partnerships and design innovation at MPM Group.
A certified Life Coach and Soft Skills expert, she is actively engaged with FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) Hyderabad and FTCCI, championing women's empowerment and leadership development. Her blend of governance, mentorship and social impact continues to inspire purposeful leadership and lasting legacies.
TANISQ MALLPANI
Director, MPM | CEO, Wellwork
A Computer Science graduate from Boston University, he brings a global outlook and a technology-driven approach to real estate.
At MPM Group, Tanish drives brand strategy, marketing innovation, and customer engagement while implementing advanced technologies and ERP systems to modernize operations. He is also spearheading the growth of sustainable, flexible, and community-focused workspaces, blending innovation with the Group's legacy. With a next-gen vision, he brings technology, marketing and real estate together to shape MPM Group into a future-ready enterprise.
JAYESH RANJAN IAS
Spl Chief Secretary for Metropolitan and Urban Development Dept & Youth Advancement, Tourism, Culture & Sports Development, Government of Telangana, Hyderabad.
A 1992-batch IAS officer, is a driver of Telangana’s industrial and technological growth. As Special Chief Secretary, he oversees the Industry and Investment Cell in the Chief Minister’s Office. An All-India topper, he studied at IIM Calcutta, Delhi University, and NUS Singapore.
He has received the Royal Order of the Polar Star and an honorary doctorate from the University of Bolton, while contributing to entrepreneurship, mentoring, and social causes.
GIRISH MALLPANI
CMD, MPM Group
A visionary entrepreneur and real estate pioneer who has led the MPM Group since 1995. He is known for landmark projects including South India’s first shopping mall, MPM Mall, and Andhra Pradesh’s first ISO-certified star hotel, Hotel Quality Inn Residency.
An alumnus of the Indian School of Business (ISB), he is also an active contributor to industry forums like FICCI and CII, while mentoring startups and supporting social initiatives.
prof. ASHWINI CHHATRE
Associate Professor, Economics and Public Policy , ISB
Associate Professor of Economics and Public Policy and Executive Director of BIPP at ISB, Hyderabad. His interdisciplinary research explores governance, economic development, and environmental protection.
He holds a PhD from Duke University and was a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard, later teaching at the University of Illinois. With over a decade as a community organiser working on land, forests, and water, he brings strong grassroots insight to policy and public discourse.
Dr. SAMEER SHARMA
Thought leader, theory based policy & action research in cities, CSR, building capacity of independent directors and civil servants.
A 1985-batch IAS officer, is a noted scholar-administrator in urban policy and governance. He served as Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh and led India’s Smart Cities Mission. With 37+ years of experience, he uniquely served as Municipal Commissioner of Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Hyderabad.
An author of Smart Cities Unbundled and Hourglass Management Paradigm, he holds advanced degrees in Community Planning and contributes to policy research, CSR, and leadership development.
SRIKANTH PORIKA
Founder, Virinchi AI
Founder & CEO of Cerrado Consulting Services, an AI-driven technology and consulting firm. With over two decades of experience, he has led digital transformation, cloud, AI, and automation initiatives at Kyndryl and IBM. An award-winning leader, he specializes in driving business growth and innovation.
He holds an Executive MBA from ISB and has academic associations with global institutions, while actively contributing as a speaker, author, and visiting professor.
KK MAHESHWARI
Managing Director, CIL Securities Limited.
Sr. Vice President of FTCCI.
Former President and Director of ANMI (All India Body)
A seasoned fintech entrepreneur and Chairman & Managing Director of CIL Securities Ltd, a BSE-listed financial services firm and member of NSE, BSE, and MCX.
He serves as Senior Vice President of FTCCI and has held leadership roles at ANMI. Beyond business, he is Managing Trustee of the Chunnilal Jajoo Charitable Trust and supports tribal education and community development initiatives across Telangana.
SHRUTI MALLPANI
Executive Director, MPM Group
As Executive Director and key stakeholder, Mrs. Shruti Mallpani drives strategic leadership in project execution, human resources, partnerships and design innovation at MPM Group.
A certified Life Coach and Soft Skills expert, she is actively engaged with FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) Hyderabad and FTCCI, championing women's empowerment and leadership development. Her blend of governance, mentorship and social impact continues to inspire purposeful leadership and lasting legacies.
TANISQ MALLPANI
Director, MPM | CEO, Wellwork
A Computer Science graduate from Boston University, he brings a global outlook and a technology-driven approach to real estate.
At MPM Group, Tanish drives brand strategy, marketing innovation, and customer engagement while implementing advanced technologies and ERP systems to modernize operations. He is also spearheading the growth of sustainable, flexible, and community-focused workspaces, blending innovation with the Group's legacy. With a next-gen vision, he brings technology, marketing and real estate together to shape MPM Group into a future-ready enterprise.
©2026 Symposium
©2026 Symposium
©2026 Symposium