Independent Director & Board Advisory Services
Bringing Technology, AI, Risk & Business Strategy to the Boardroom
With 30+ years of experience across IT, telecom, cybersecurity and digital transformation, I combine enterprise technology leadership with hands-on experience in digital payments, security and privacy frameworks, technology product innovation and startup advisory.
From working on Tata Docomo’s mRUPEE mobile payments platform and contributing to the Data Security and Data Privacy Frameworks to building AR-based products through PurpleApple, my experience spans technology innovation, regulatory engagement and business execution.
I bring this combined perspective to help boards connect business strategy with technology choices, challenge assumptions and navigate decisions where innovation, risk and growth intersect.e...
My Boardroom Value Proposition
My combination of enterprise technology, risk and security experience, AI awareness, product innovation and startup ecosystem engagement enables me to bring a practical, business-focused perspective to board discussions.
Stakeholder Navigation
Technology choices, innovation and emerging opportunities.
Risks & Governance
Innovation & Enterprenuership
AI & Technology
Business priorities, transformation and sustainable growth.
Product development, startup ecosystems and commercialisation.
Cybersecurity, data protection and responsible technology adoption.
Where I Add Board Value
1. Strategy & Growth
Help boards evaluate Growth priorities, Market opportunities, Business models and strategic choices. In 2016, my experience with AR projects such as JewelTryStudio, Virtual Humsafar and PurplePAGES when AR was an emerging technology, demonstrates my ability to identify emerging technologies and recognise their potential for strategy and growth.
Startup mentoring frameworks such as CCC, CLARITY and ADAPT bring a structured approach to diagnosis, prioritisation and execution planning.
3. AI & Technology Strategy
Help leadership assess technology investments, AI readiness, architecture, scalability and digital transformation, connecting emerging technology choices with business objectives and execution realities.
My experience includes multiple greenfield projects, such as the MyWipro portal for Wipro employees in 2001; digital transformation projects for ICEGATE in 2003 & MNYL in 2004; Airtel Retailer Menu for prepaid cards in 2006; AR products from 2016; and AI implementation in 2022. These initiatives involved emerging technologies that I used to create products and solutions for enterprises and customers.
My AI and ML certification from MIT, Boston, and my experience as a Fractional CTO for an enterprise further validate my technology expertise.
7. Go-to-Market & Revenue
My experience in startup mentoring and technology product development enables me to guide strategic discussions on market positioning, customer acquisition, channel strategy, pricing and the pathways to sustainable, scalable growth.
2. Product & Customer
Bring a product builder’s perspective to customer needs, product-market fit, product strategy, innovation priorities and commercial viability, informed by experience in developing and launching mRupee (mobile payment instrument), mHealth and IoT solutions, smart live-tracking systems, and multiple enterprise solutions across different customer experiences.
4. Cybersecurity, Data & Risk
Bring security, privacy, regulatory and resilience considerations into technology and business decisions. My experience includes defining the Data Security Framework (DSF) and Data Privacy Framework (DPF) for the Data Security Council of India (DSCI). I was instrumental in security audits and obtaining the RBI licence to launch mRupee at Tata Docomo.
For Airtel Retailer Menu, I worked on the complete PKI framework, including coordination with SIM vendors to burn keys and establishing policies to keep the keys secure for both mRupee and Airtel Retailer Menu.
As a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM, ISACA), I defined non-repudiation models for Airtel and Reliance mobile payments and was involved in ISO 27001 and PCI DSS audits.
5. End-to-End Technology & Stakeholder Management
Having worked on both the client and vendor sides, I bring a 360-degree understanding of the technology lifecycle—from product conceptualisation and development to technical pre-sales, handling RFPs and Tenders, Vendor management and Client management.
This dual perspective helps me assess technology proposals, align business requirements with technical capabilities, evaluate vendor commitments and bridge the gap between strategy, delivery and business outcomes.
6. Founder & Leadership
Being part of the startup ecosystem through incubators and accelerators, I bring the perspective of both a technology entrepreneur and a startup mentor to discussions on leadership priorities, organisational readiness, execution challenges and the transition towards scalable growth.
Selected Projects That Shape My Boardroom Perspective
A cross-industry portfolio spanning digital transformation, cybersecurity, enterprise technology and emerging innovations—demonstrating how technology strategy translates into business outcomes.
1. Digital Transformation & Automation Projects
MyWipro Employee Portal (2001)
Role: Development Lead
Led development of a unified employee portal for medical claims, travel, laptop and cash requests, and IT services, centralising employee service delivery.
ICEGATE (2003)
Role: Digital Transformation & Stakeholder Lead
Led the digitisation of Indian Customs’ export and import workflows, coordinating multiple stakeholders to automate manual request and approval processes.
MNYL (2004)
Role: Application Development & Integration Lead
Led the integration of 11 main and satellite applications for insurance policy requests, approvals and payments, and automated policy printing to streamline end-to-end processing.
2.CyberSecurity, Data & Risk Assessments
Airtel Retailer Menu (2006)
Role: Technology & Security Integration Lead
Led the rollout of prepaid mobile top-up by coordinating SIM vendors, payment gateways and the prepaid top-up server, with PKI enabling end-to-end transaction security.
mRUPEE (2012)
Role: Technology, Development, Security Lead
Led the development of the greenfield mobile payments platform, coordinating security audits with E&Y and engaging with RBI for licensing.
DSF® & DPF® (2010)
Role: Framework & Assessment Methodology Contributor
Contributed to defining NASSCOM/DSCI’s Data Security and Data Privacy Frameworks (DSF® & DPF® ) and their assessment methodologies when structured security and privacy practices were still evolving.
3.Emerging Technology & Innovations
PurpleApple Infosystems (2016)
Role: Founder & CEO | Product Innovation & Technology Lead
Developed and launched AR-based products and immersive digital experiences from 2016, when AR technology was still in its nascent stages, translating emerging technology into practical customer and business applications.
This entrepreneurial experience brings a practical perspective on product differentiation, customer experience, technology adoption and the commercial realities of innovation.
Experience & Credentials
Corporate Technology Leadership: Over 15 years across Wipro Technologies and Tata Docomo / Tata Teleservices, spanning enterprise technology, telecom, digital initiatives and transformation programmes.
Entrepreneurship : 10+ years as Founder & CEO of PurpleApple Infosystems, with hands-on experience in technology products, innovation and startup strategy. Advisory experience spans AI strategy, technology readiness, product development and digital transformation.
Startup Ecosystem & Strategic Advisory : Mentoring and engagement with platforms including Amrita TBI, Amity Innovation Incubator, Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society, UPES Runway, TiE Delhi and Womennovator.
Board Advisory ( AIWoW™ Council Leadership ) :
Contributing to the advancement of responsible AI governance, ethical AI practices and human-centric AI frameworks, bringing an emerging-technology perspective to board-level discussions.
Professional Credentials
IICA Independent Director Examination — cleared
CISM — Certified Information Security Manager
TOGAF — Certified Enterprise Architect
AI/ML certification — MIT, Boston
MCA Gold Medalist
Executive MBA
Let’s Discuss Your Board’s Strategic Priorities
Open to relevant conversations on independent directorship opportunities, Board advisory, Technology strategy, AI, Cybersecurity and Governance.