A responsible brand begins with an empowering work environment

Industry leaders shared insights on change, leadership, and the vision for the future at the NBT Changemaker Summit1. Where Pharmaceutical Innovation Meets Global Purpose: ZIM Labs

Founded in 1989, ZIM Laboratories Limited (ZIM Labs) transforms how medicines reach patients through advanced drug delivery systems. At its core are two visionary leaders. Chairman & Managing Director Dr. Anwar Daud pioneered ZIM’s proprietary Thinoral® Oral Thin Film (OTF) technology.

These rapidly disintegrating, taste-masked films improve adherence for patients who struggle with traditional pills.

Under his leadership, the New Innovative Products (NIP) portfolio of complex generics continues to expand, built on in-house proprietary platforms.Director Finance Mr. Zulfiquar Kamal, has been associated with ZIM Labs for over 35 years, ensures financial stability through strategic planning, risk management, and cost control.

His stewardship supported ZIM’s BSE and NSE listing and international growth.Mr. Kamal has championed ZIM's foray into the Middle East, enabling the localisation of its proprietary ODF technology in the UAE , , strengthening the company’s global growth strategy.Today, ZIM Labs operates in 50+ countries, expanding into nutraceuticals with a patient-centric focus. ZIM demonstrates that scientific rigour and financial discipline can deliver global health impact.Where innovation, capital, and purpose align.2. Gruner Renewable Energy Pvt. Ltd.

Launched in 2023 by CEO Utkarsh Gupta, Gruner Renewable Energy has posted positive EBITDA from day one. Skipping the VC treadmill, Gruner has built a ₹4,500 crore bioenergy pipeline across India, powered by a 1,000-strong workforce. Gruner isn’t just building plants. It’s building independence. Gruner New Inergie Deutschland fuses German engineering precision with Indian scale, led by Mehmet Önal’s global expertise.

Meanwhile, Astute Synergies drives aggressive indigenization of critical components, cutting India’s import reliance at the root.To power this machine, Kisani Urjaa — co-led by Damini Bisht — mobilizes rural women and farmers to lock in sustainable feedstock. Gruner AI Matrix then optimizes that grassroots network with predictive intelligence.Heavy infra combined with local manufacturing and rural empowerment - that’s how Gruner is driving India’s self-reliant green future.3. Kisani Urjaa: From Stubble to Shakti

Crop burning chokes North India every winter. Gruner Renewable Energy’s Kisani Urjaa offers a better answer: turn stubble into money.In year one, 30,000+ farmers joined. 20,000+ tonnes of paddy straw were diverted from fields to biomass plants. No smoke. New income. That’s the swap.The model is grassroots, not top-down. Agri-tech collects residue at farm-gate. Farmers get cash plus training on soil health and yields.

Waste becomes fuel for clean energy, land gets healthier and a circular rural economy is born.Women drive it. 500+ Kisani Didis spread awareness village to village, build trust, and unlock financial independence for other women. Digital tools and skill training follow, making self-reliance real, not slogans. “Waste becomes wealth. Villages power India’s energy security,” says Utkarsh Gupta. Damini Bisht adds: “This restores farmer dignity while uplifting women.”

Kisani Urjaa isn’t a pilot. It’s a blueprint for sustainable farming and inclusive rural growth that scales.The crop that choked us can now charge us. Kisani Urjaa proves rural India doesn’t need charity — it needs a market for its waste.4. Dr. Satya Vadlamani: Advancing Global Healthcare Through Innovation

Dr. Satya Vadlamani, Chairperson & Managing Director of Murli Krishna Pharma Pvt. Ltd., exemplifies visionary leadership in pharmaceuticals.

For nearly three decades, she has combined scientific insight with entrepreneurial foresight to transform drug delivery worldwide.Her journey began at Armour Chemicals Ltd. in 1992, followed by Biochem Synergy Ltd. As General Manager – International Marketing at Ajanta Pharma, she became one of the industry’s youngest women leaders. In 1997, she founded Murlikrishna Exports, evolving it into a successful API trading enterprise.Co-founding MKPPL in 2004 with Dr. Vijay K. Shastri, Dr. Vadlamani focused on innovative drug delivery systems. Under her stewardship, MKPPL earned EU, WHO-GMP, GCC, and Jordanian FDA accreditations, pioneering nanoparticle and liposomal technologies.Breakthroughs like the Transdermal Liposomal Lotion for anemia support national initiatives such as Anemia Mukt Bharat. Serving 200+ companies globally with turnover exceeding USD 25 million, MKPPL is expanding to Dubai, the US, Netherlands, and Germany.Dr. Vadlamani’s leadership proves: “Innovation is not simply about creating something new—it is about solving real problems that improve patient outcomes worldwide.”5. Jacques Lemans: Austrian Luxury Watches Debut in India

Founded in 1975 by the Alfred Riedl family, Jacques Lemans is Austria’s leading watch brand, now present in 120+ countries with a portfolio of over 800 watch models and fine jewellery. Built on the philosophy “I Define My Luxury,” the brand delivers European design, precision movements, and accessible luxury to a global audience.Beyond horology, the Jacques Lemans Group has evolved into a diversified lifestyle enterprise. Its ecosystem includes Burg Taggenbrunn, a historic castle and cultural venue in Austria; Taggenbrunn Winery & Hospitality Estate; Jacques Lemans Golf Club; and the Jacques Lemans Arena football stadium. These ventures reflect the brand’s commitment to experiential luxury and cultural heritage.Internationally, Jacques Lemans has gained recognition through collaborations with Hollywood icons Kevin Costner and Clint Eastwood, and partnerships with Formula 1, European football, and Olympic champions Anna Gasser and Darja Varfolomeev.India Launch 2026: Jacques Lemans enters the Indian market this September with collections designed for GT retail . The focus is on young professionals and watch enthusiasts seeking Austrian craftsmanship at attainable price points. With 50 years of heritage, the brand aims to redefine accessible luxury in India’s fast-growing watch segment through strategic retail partnerships and brand-building initiatives6. Harshita Jain: India’s Metro Lady Transforming Infrastructure

Harshita Jain, Director of Consulting Engineers Group Limited (CEG), is one of India’s most dynamic infrastructure entrepreneurs.

A UK-trained civil engineering graduate, she has transformed CEG into a global powerhouse with 1,500+ employees, 52 offices, and operations across 14 countries, including subsidiaries in London and Dubai.Under her leadership, CEG delivers advisory services for projects worth INR 2.5 lakh crore, generating annual revenues of ~INR 200 crore. The firm leads India’s metro revolution, associated with 270 km of metro lines—including Mumbai Lines 2B, 5, 6, 7, 9, Surat, Nagpur, Pune, and Nashik’s Neo Metro—plus India’s first high-speed bullet train, Navi Mumbai International Airport, Dwarka Expressway, and Eastern Peripheral Expressway.Recognised by Forbes India, Fortune India, and Times of India Women Icon 2022, Harshita also represents India as a Young Future Leader in FIDIC-Asia Pacific. Her vision is putting Indian cities on the world metro map.7. Sanjana Bhajanka: Weaving Purpose Into Every Wall

Sanjana Bhajanka is a Kolkata-based mother, entrepreneur, author, speaker, and changemaker redefining luxury interiors with purpose. As founder of Kasa Privé Wallpapers, she transforms walls into bespoke, storytelling-led art that embodies elegance, individuality, and refined design.

Her work has earned national acclaim, including The Times Icon Awards with Good Homes for excellence in bespoke wallpaper design and recognition among Women Icons of India 2025.A Barrister-at-Law from Lincoln’s Inn, Sanjana merges academic rigor with creative vision. She’s also India’s first certified baby planner, author of Parenting Unplugged: The Hilarious Evolution of Raising Kids, and a TEDx speaker on raising emotionally strong children.Beyond business, she champions philanthropy through the Livestrong Foundation, supporting children battling cancer.Creative, ambitious, and compassionate, Sanjana represents the modern Indian woman—building impactful brands, advocating mindful parenting, and inspiring through substance, style, and meaningful impact.8. Aarvi Encon: Powering Global Energy and Infrastructure Through Engineering Talent

For nearly four decades, Aarvi Encon has supported the world’s most demanding energy and infrastructure projects.

Founded in 1987 with three engineers, it is now one of India’s leading technical staffing firms, deploying 8,000+ engineers annually and facilitating 50,000+ placements globally.Headquartered in Mumbai, Aarvi operates across India and internationally in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the UK. Its 150+ clients include Indian Oil, Reliance, L&T, Technip Energies, Saipem, and Vedanta Cairn.Aarvi provides specialised manpower across project management, design, construction, inspection, commissioning, HSE, shutdowns, and O&M for oil & gas, refineries, LNG, pipelines, renewables, and power.Recognised by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and holding a CRISIL SME1 rating since 2008, Aarvi delivers precision talent exactly when needed. Under Jaydev Sanghavi’s leadership, it has grown into a trusted global partner for high-value, safety-critical projects.Disclaimer - Content produced by NBT Trailblazer