Leadership & Institutional Mentors
Experienced leaders, mentors, and ecosystem experts guiding India's professional services transformation.
01. Leadership Philosophy
A collaborative and ecosystem-oriented model.
CAFE is guided by a collaborative leadership model that brings together leaders from professional services, academia, governance, policy, technology, and institutional ecosystems.
The institution follows a rotational and ecosystem-oriented leadership structure to ensure diversity of thought, neutrality, and long-term institutional continuity.
Institutional Continuity
Section 5
Pillar Mentors & Domain Experts
Each strategic pillar within CAFE is guided by experienced mentors, advisors, and domain specialists who contribute strategic direction, institutional expertise, and ecosystem guidance.
Praveen Tiwari
Dr. Praveen Tiwari is a highly experienced financial sector regulator and auditor with a 40-year career spanning high-level government service in India and significant international roles. Key Highlights: Senior Government Roles: A former Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General (IAAS), he has held top positions including Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-India), Member of the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA), and Executive Director at the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). Major Projects: He served on the Oversight Committee for the prestigious Central Vista Project (2021-22) and previously represented India on international audit bodies like INTOSAI and ASOSAI. International Expertise: Dr. Tiwari served as a Financial Adviser for the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), leading mutual evaluation missions for several countries including the Cayman Islands, and represented India on the Executive Committee of the Egmont Group of FIUs. Qualifications & Focus: He holds a PhD in Finance and is a highly certified professional, with credentials such as PhD in Business Administration (Finance) and a master’s degree in economics. His professional qualifications include Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) from India, Certified Financial Sector Auditor (USA), Certified Internal Auditor (USA) and Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialist (USA).
Anil Trigunayat
Amb. Anil Trigunayat is a retired Indian diplomat with over three decades of service. Before his retirement in 2016, he served as India's Ambassador to Jordan, Libya, and Malta, representing Indian interests across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Currently, he is a distinguished expert, serving as a Distinguished Fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation (where he heads the West Asia Experts Group) and the United Services Institute of India. He also serves as an Independent Director on the boards of major government companies like NTPC Ltd. and WAPCOS. His key areas of expertise include geopolitics, geoeconomics, and conflict resolution in West Asia, Africa, and Russia. A prolific writer and commentator, Dr. Trigunayat has authored several acclaimed books on security dynamics and foreign policy and regularly contributes articles to leading publications. He holds a research fellowship from Oxford University and is actively involved with various think tanks, Chambers of Commerce, and youth-focused initiatives, also serving as a Peace Ambassador and Rotarian.
Dr. Santanu Mukherjee
Dr. Santanu Mukherjee is a highly experienced Indian lawyer specializing in intellectual property, international trade, and technology law. After a distinguished career with the Calcutta High Court, Qualcomm, and Luthra and Luthra, he founded his own firm, Ex Lege Chambers, in 2017. He is an internationally recognized expert, advisory with organizations like the WTO, and a passionate academic who teaches and mentors young lawyers globally. Role: Advocate and founder of Ex Lege Chambers. Experience: 30+ years in law, including senior roles at Qualcomm and Luthra & Luthra. Expertise: Intellectual Property (IP), International Trade (WTO), Technology Law, and Commercial Law. Global Involvement: Works with multilateral bodies like WIPO and WTO, and serves on the India Executive Committee of the International Chambers of Commerce. Academic & Teaching: Visiting faculty at the University of Geneva, published author, and mentor to young professionals. Education: Holds a Masters and Doctorate from the World Trade Institute, Bern, Switzerland.
Rajesh Chaplot
Mr. Rajesh Chaplot is a distinguished Chartered Accountant with over 30 years of international leadership experience across finance, manufacturing, packaging, IT, real estate, and business advisory sectors in Uganda, Congo, Tanzania, and India. Originally from Udaipur, Rajasthan, he has served as CEO, Director, and Board Member for several reputed organisations across Africa. He is a recipient of the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (2019) by the President of India and Uganda’s Golden Jubilee Award (2020), recognising his exceptional global and business contributions. Mr. Chaplot has held key advisory and leadership roles, including Chairman of the Business Advisory Committee to the President of Uganda and Chairman of ISBAT University, Uganda. He is also actively associated with leading business, social, and international organisations across India and Africa. An author and thought leader, his articles have appeared in reputed publications, and he has authored the book Wheel and Compass of Life.
Vandana Ahuja
Ms. Vandana Ahuja is a seasoned Executive Director, CFO, and International Business Leader with 33+ years of leadership experience across healthcare, mining, manufacturing, media, and international trade. She has worked across 18 countries including India, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, UAE, Germany, and China, and held senior roles including Executive Director, CEO, CFO, and General Manager. Key Mentorship Areas: 1. Policy Advisory — Governance frameworks, Regulatory compliance, Institutional process development 2. Resource Development — Project feasibility, Fund mobilization, Vendor development, Enterprise setup and scaling Major Career Highlights: 1. CFO at Mayo Institute of Medical Sciences & JNU (2022–Present) — Improved TPA recovery to 70–80%, increased medical fee collection to 90–100%, implemented cost and revenue control systems across a 1,140-bed hospital and medical college 2. Sr. General Manager at Rajasthan Patrika (2018–2022) — Increased advertising recovery from 40% to 90%, achieved 10% annual market share growth, recognized as a COVID Warrior 3. Whole-Time Director at R.K. Marble International, Turkey (2010–2014) — Established marble mining operations from scratch, acquired 5 mines, achieved profitability from Year 2, annual production reached 25,000 MT 4. Executive Director at Golcha Chemintac, Thailand (2006–2009) — Built talc processing plant from zero, secured 8-year BOI tax exemption, grew sales to approximately ₹100 Crore 5. GM International Marketing at Golcha Group (1996–2006) — Increased exports from 2,000 MT to 17,500 MT, won three consecutive national export awards, led ERP implementation across 8 locations Core Expertise: Finance & Budgeting, International Business & JV Setup, Healthcare Administration, ERP & Digital Systems, Regulatory Compliance, Contract Negotiation, Mining Operations, Marketing & PR Leadership, Human Resource Development, Strategic Planning Awards & Recognition: 1. Certificate of Achievement — Utsav Trust (2025) 2. Three-time Export Performance Awards from Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India 3. CAPEXIL/CHEMEXIL Export Merit Awards 4. COVID-19 Warrior Recognition 5. Conference paper presenter on Indian Industrial Minerals (1998) Qualifications: 1. Pursuing LLB 2. MBA (Marketing) — Sikkim Manipal University 3. Master's in Accountancy & Business Statistics — University of Rajasthan 4. CA Intermediate — ICAI