Introduction

Foreword by Founding Dean, Dr Pramath Raj Sinha We had a dream with the Indian School of Business: of setting a new standard for higher education in India. We started living that dream before we knew it. And we were awakened to a reality far exciting than the dream—as our 17,000+ alumni went on to become exemplars of business professionals across the globe. ISB alums have reached the top of the most admired corporations in the world. They have also created thriving enterprises of their own, with many more founders in India from ISB relative to other B-schools. To have achieved this within a little over two decades is a remarkable feat. The ISB alumni community is the embodiment of a whole new generation of benchmark professionals who are leaders in management and business. The belief that nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come is what made ISB a reality. This book captures a sliver of that power. And there is a lot to come. --- From the ISB Governing Board’s Chair, Harish Manwani As I pen this foreword, I am filled with pride and nostalgia for the past two decades of the Indian School of Business (ISB). The inception of ISB was not just the birth of a new educational institution, but the dawn of a vision to redefine the larger landscape of management education in India and beyond. The cornerstone of ISB's philosophy has always been our educational model which goes beyond imparting knowledge, to create leaders, visionaries, and change-makers. We built an institution that didn't just teach management but practiced it; where learning was not confined to classrooms but extended to real-world experiences. This book is a testament to the success of that philosophy. As you turn these pages, you will encounter stories of 21 extraordinary alumni from our first 21 batches. Each story is unique—a tapestry of dreams, challenges, and success through perseverance. Let this book be a reminder of how far we have come and an inspiration for the heights that are yet to be conquered. --- Note from Co-author, Abhinav Gupta (ISB Co23) As I embarked on my journey at the Indian School of Business (ISB), one question burned brightly in my mind: What sets this institution apart in just two decades, propelling it to stand proudly among older and more established business schools worldwide? It was a question that demanded exploration, an inquiry that led me down a path of candid conversations with esteemed alumni and professors. In the midst of these discussions, I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Pramath Sinha, the visionary founder and founding dean of ISB. His words resonated deeply within me as he spoke of his ambition to create a beacon of excellence akin to Harvard, right here in India. It was then that I began to realize the profound impact ISB has had on shaping the trajectories of countless individuals, many of whom I admired as idols in their respective fields—individuals like Ankur Warikoo, Mayank Kumar, and so many more. Inspired by these encounters, I found myself drawn to the idea of chronicling the remarkable journeys of ISB's alumni. During the same time, I saw my father write a similar book about IIT and I got inspired. With the guidance and support of buddy mentors like Pranav Obhrai and Nihal Aggarwal, and the invaluable perspective brought by talented alumna Juhee Bhandarkar, the seed of an idea took root—a book that would celebrate the inspiring success stories emerging from ISB. With the blessings of Dean Madan Pillutla, founding Dean Pramath Raj Sinha, and Chairman of the board Harish Manwani, our journey began. And now, as we unveil this collection of just twenty-six of the many illustrious alums, I can't help but feel a sense of pride and anticipation. This is merely the first chapter in a series of collective narratives, a testament to the transformative power of just one year at ISB. Although we could feature twenty-six individuals in this volume, I assure you, dear reader, that this is merely the beginning. We are poised to return with even more exciting stories, because at ISB, we know that all it takes is one year to ignite a lifetime of achievement.