Pramod Kumar Pandey is a seasoned leader in aerospace engineering with 36 years of diverse experience at ISRO. He is a strong proponent of sustainability in aerospace systems and processes. He holds an M.Tech. in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Kanpur and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. from IIM Mumbai focusing on space mission project performance measurement.
His career highlights include directing the development of the Advanced Technology Vehicle for scramjet propulsion using ISRO sounding rockets, establishing state-of-the-art hypersonic wind tunnel facilities, and leading R&D efforts in launch vehicle aerodynamics.
Executive Profile Dynamic leader with proven expertise in sustainable aerospace R&D, project management, and facility establishment. Well-suited for Managing Director roles in high-tech aerospace and defence sustainability organizations. A visionary focused on transforming organizations into sustainable entities through innovation, quality and safety management, and human resource development.
Key strengths include multi-disciplinary engineering leadership, risk mitigation in complex projects, and aerospace technology commercialization.
Career Highlights
Associate Project Director (2012–2023): Led scramjet rocket development at ISRO, enabling future air-breathing propulsion technologies.
Head of Program Planning (2006–2012): Established a Centre of Excellence for aeronautics structures, enhancing computational and experimental capabilities.
Project Manager (1998–2005): Delivered 1m Hypersonic Wind Tunnel and Shock Tunnel for high-speed aerodynamics research.
Earlier Roles: Aerodynamic design and analysis for rockets and launch vehicles, along with software development for subsonic and supersonic flows.
Ph.D. in Project Management – IIM Mumbai (Ongoing; research includes space debris)
Research Associate – IIT Kanpur (1986–1988), specializing in aircraft wing-body aerodynamics
Key Skills for MD Role This profile positions him strongly for Managing Director roles in aerospace and defence sustainability firms, space technology startups, and green technology organizations, with a focus on leadership in sustainability.
Dr. Virendra Kumar Verma is a seasoned professional in Operations and Supply Chain Management, currently serving as Director – Operations at SustainPlanet India Private Limited. He leads end-to-end operations, strategic sourcing, and supply chain optimization, with a strong focus on sustainability, efficiency, and high-reliability systems.
Professional Experience Dr. Verma possesses over 17 years of diverse professional experience across manufacturing industries, supply chain management, business consulting, and academia. He has held key roles in purchase management, supply chain leadership, consulting, and academia in reputed institutions.
At SustainPlanet, he is responsible for managing operations for both reusable and disposable product lines, ensuring cost efficiency, process excellence, and alignment with sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.
Education
Ph.D. – Operations and Supply Chain Management, Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Mumbai, India
MBA – Operations and Supply Chain Management, Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Mumbai, India
M.Tech – Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology (NIT), Jamshedpur, India
B.Tech – Mechanical Engineering, I.E.T., Bareilly, India
Core Expertise
Operations Management
Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain Analytics
Production Planning and Control
Materials and Logistics Management
Global Sourcing
Technical & Innovation Interests
New Product Development
Machine Learning Applications in Operations
Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing)
Operational & Industry Strengths Dr. Verma has significant experience in managing complex and critical supply chains involving vendor development, procurement strategies, and quality compliance. His expertise supports high-reliability environments requiring precision, traceability, and adherence to stringent regulatory and safety standards, making his work highly relevant for defence and government-linked projects.
Approach His professional approach integrates industry execution with analytical and research-driven insights, contributing to scalable, sustainable, and impactful operational solutions.
Maneesh Gupta is a finance academician and quantitative researcher with over 14 years of experience in teaching, research, and applied financial analytics. He holds a PhD from IIM Mumbai, specializing in ESG investing, Bayesian econometrics, and portfolio diversification. He brings a unique blend of financial theory, data science, and sustainability-focused research, positioning him to drive SustainPlanet’s vision at the intersection of climate finance, risk analytics, and sustainable systems design.
His work integrates advanced statistical modelling, machine learning, and macro-financial linkages to address real-world sustainability and financial risk challenges.
Executive Profile A quantitatively driven leader with deep expertise in financial analytics, ESG research, and risk management, Maneesh is well-suited to lead SustainPlanet’s strategy in sustainable finance and data-driven decision systems.
His leadership approach emphasizes:
Evidence-based sustainability frameworks
Integration of finance with environmental and social risk analytics
Scalable research-driven solutions for policy, industry, and capital markets
Career Highlights
Durgadevi Saraf Institute of Management Studies – Assistant Professor (2015–Present)
Delivered postgraduate courses in Financial Analytics, Derivatives, and Econometrics
Designed hands-on analytics modules using R, Python, and industry datasets
Mentored 50+ student research projects; multiple award-winning papers
K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies – Assistant Professor (2012–2014)
Developed financial modeling frameworks and simulation-based pedagogy
Taught derivatives, financial modeling, and cost accounting
Earlier Academic Roles (2008–2012)
Sasmira Institute of Management Studies
N L Dalmia Institute of Management Studies
Built foundational expertise in statistics, fixed income, and financial markets
Industry Experience
Edelweiss Securities
Worked on proprietary trading strategies involving equity derivatives arbitrage
Exposure to real-world trading, risk, and market microstructure
Research & Thought Leadership
ESG and climate risk integration in asset pricing
Bayesian spillover networks and systemic risk
Green bonds and sustainable portfolio construction
Sentiment analytics and financial market behaviour
Publications
Published in journals such as Asia-Pacific Financial Markets and Journal of Asset Management
Ongoing work in top-tier journals including Energy Economics
Conference Recognition
Multiple Best Paper Awards at national and international conferences
Research presented at premier institutions including IIM Bangalore
Education & Research
PhD (Finance & Sustainability) – IIM Mumbai (2018–2026) Thesis: “Causality, Bayesian Spillover Networks, and Portfolio Diversification: A Cross-Country Analysis of Sustainability Indices”
MMS (Finance) – N L Dalmia Institute of Management Studies (2006–2008)
BE (Computers) – Shivajirao Jhondhale Institute of Engineering (1998–2003)
Key Expertise & Contributions
Waste management financing models
Climate-tech and sustainability analytics
ESG-driven project evaluation
Data-backed decision systems for environmental infrastructure
Sustainable finance and ESG analytics
Climate risk modeling and portfolio strategy
Advanced econometrics and machine learning
Research-driven policy and industry advisory
Building analytics platforms for sustainability decision-making
Maneesh brings the ability to translate complex financial and sustainability data into actionable strategy, enabling SustainPlanet to operate at the intersection of technology, finance, and environmental impact.
Dr. Rajan Kumar G is a distinguished professional specializing in operations management, occupational safety, and industrial engineering. He currently serves as a Director at SustainPlanet India Private Limited, where he provides strategic leadership and technical expertise in sustainability and safety-driven industrial practices.
Educational Background
Ph.D. in Operations Management – Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Mumbai (Specialization: Hazardous and Petroleum Industries)
M.Tech in Industrial Engineering – Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Hyderabad
B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering – Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Hyderabad
Diploma in Industrial Safety
Postgraduate Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development
Professional Experience With over four years of professional experience, Dr. Rajan Kumar G has worked extensively in manufacturing operations and occupational health and safety within the heavy machinery sector. He has conducted and audited multiple risk assessment projects across India and the United Arab Emirates, demonstrating strong practical expertise in industrial safety management.
Certifications
ISO 45001:2015 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (Internal Auditor)
ISO/TS 16949:2009 – Automotive Quality Management Systems
ISO 17020:2012 – Inspection Bodies
Professional Memberships
Associate Member – The Institution of Engineers (India) (IEI)
Life Member – National Safety Council (India) (NSC)
Member – American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Student Member – Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
Member – International Association of Engineers (IAENG)
Academic & Mentorship Contributions Dr. Rajan Kumar G also serves as an Assistant Professor at premier business schools in India, where he mentors students and aspiring entrepreneurs, guides startup initiatives from ideation to execution, and promotes practical learning, innovation, and industry-relevant skills.
Research & Thought Leadership An active researcher, his key focus areas include occupational safety, worker well-being, and the application of machine learning in industrial environments. His work bridges the gap between academic research and real-world implementation, contributing to the development of safer and more sustainable industrial systems.
