Ar. Sayali Andhare
Architect
Sayali Andhare is a trained architect from Visvesvaraiyya National Institute of Technology (VNIT). Later she had the privilege of working with architect Mr. Nilkanth Chhaya on various architectural projects. There she first experienced working with sustainable methods like bamboo construction and earth construction. This early influence triggered a passion towards working with traditional building materials such as bamboo and mud. To inculcate these dying principles into the younger generation, she teaches the pivotal subjects of architectural design and building construction at B.N.C.A. Pune. She also runs her own practice in her firm aptly named Shoonya. Shoonya is an architectural firm which believes in contextually rooted design solutions and appropriate building construction methods. The ideology of the firm has developed around the concept of sustainability and the buildings act as a medium to take this thought further.
Dr. Janak Palta McGilligan
Social worker, Environmentalist
Dr. Janak Palta McGilligan has been awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India. She is an environmentalist who has represented India in the UN for High-Level Forum on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She's also a member of Solar Cookers International. Along with being recognized as a "Green Hero" by TERI, she is a member of the Advisory Board of Solar Cookers International (SCI, Sacramento), and the Co-founder of Jaivik Setu in Indore. Dr. Janak Palta McGilligan is also a former founder-director of the Barli Development Institute for Rural Women. She is an Honorary Secretary of the Sangini Cancer Care Society dedicated to breast cancer patients.
Greg Ellis
Hollywood Percussionist, Composer, Producer
Greg Ellis is recognized as one of the more innovative and versatile drummers in the world. He has performed around the world and recorded with musical artists from over 30 countries. He has released many critically acclaimed albums with his groups Vas and Biomusique, as well as his solo album Kala Rupa. His drumming can be heard on more than 150 film, television and video game scores, including 300, Argo, The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions, Iron Man, Body of Lies, Transformers: Age of Extinction and many more. He has also composed full scores for numerous international film and television projects. Being a self-taught drummer and percussionist, his performances are completely improvised allowing him to not rely on what he’s learned but on what he feels. He has developed his own technique and unique set up which draws upon his influences from the many music cultures he has worked within.
Sid Thatham
Energy Engineer
Sid Thatham works as an Energy Engineer at the University of Cincinnati. He was born in Chennai and grew up in New Delhi. After finishing his Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, US, to go to graduate school. After his Master's in Chemical Engineering and an MBA at the university, he now works at the university's power plant. He is passionate about working with new people on new ideas & concepts. Sid enjoys talking about leadership, personal branding, social media and is passionate about photography.
Vivek Gurav
Founder, Pune Ploggers
Vivek Gurav is a Global Youth Ambassador for Theirworld, a Social Entrepreneur and Founder of various youth-led community movements & initiatives impacting thousands of lives across the globe. Environment, education and empowerment are his pillars of activism.
Featured by national media for his feat of cleaning Pune and being the torch bearer of "Plastic Free Pune" mission, he has mobilized more than 1 lakh Punekars last year to volunteer on ground. He has actively contributed to UN Sustainable Development Goals through his active advocacy with UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub as an Asia-Pacific Field Advocate. Recently, Vivek was also awarded the Indian Youth Award and REX Karmaveer Chakra by the United Nations & iCONGO.