Kiran Pasricha
Executive Director & CEO, Ananta Centre
India

Kiran Pasricha is the Executive Director & CEO of Ananta Centre (formerly part of Aspen Institute India). The Centre focuses on leadership development and encourages frank and open dialogue on the most important challenges facing society at large and to foster the transformation of Indian society. Previously, Kiran was the Deputy Director General of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Her association with CII exceeded twenty-five years wherein she held a number of positions including Head of Department of Membership Services and the President’s Office. She took over the responsibility of the North America Desk in 1993 and moved to Washington, DC in 1995 to establish the CII U.S. office. As Head of CII USA, she was instrumental in initiating key programmes such as the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue, CII’s Congressional Program, the India Business Forum (IBF) and the Indian American Council (IAC). Kiran is a graduate from Kolkata University and also has the experience of working in the private sector in Kolkata. Kiran is the first Indian recipient of the Peace Through Commerce Medal Award from the Department of Commerce, United States.