Prabhakar Kore is a prominent educationist, industrialist, and seasoned politician known for his enduring contributions to public service and institution-building. As the long-time Chairman of the KLE Society, one of India’s largest educational and healthcare organizations, he has played a pivotal role in expanding access to quality education and medical care across Karnataka and beyond. A Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha representing Karnataka, Kore has also held leadership roles in the cooperative and agricultural sectors, advocating for rural development and social welfare. His work reflects a strong commitment to empowering communities through education, healthcare, and sustainable development.
Murugesh Nirani is an entrepreneur-turned-politician and the founder of the MRN Group of Companies, with a diverse background as an industrialist, engineer, and social advocate. A former MLA and Minister for Mines and Geology in the Karnataka government, he has successfully bridged business and public service. His work spans industry, agriculture, and environmental initiatives, reflecting a commitment to both economic growth and community development.
Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar is a visionary social entrepreneur and disability rights advocate, best known as the founder of the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled. Born visually impaired, he transformed personal adversity into a lifelong mission to empower others through education, sports, and livelihood initiatives. As the founder of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) and former President of World Blind Cricket Ltd, he has played a pivotal role in promoting blind cricket on national and global stages. His work bridges grassroots social impact and international sports leadership, reflecting a deep commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and equal opportunity for all.
Ravishankar Bhoopalapur has served as President of Xavier University School of Medicine in Aruba for 16 years, leading transformative growth including securing accreditation, launching an expansive residential campus, and initiating a $70 million expansion project for a new academic complex. Under his leadership, the university has also deepened community engagement—partnering with the Aruba government and IOM to operate a free health clinic for migrants, and sponsoring youth initiatives like local soccer tournaments.
Prabhu Patil is the CEO and founder of PROLIM Corporation, a global leader in PLM and IoT solutions, with over 30 years of experience across sectors like defense, IBM, and Siemens. With a background in mechanical engineering and a passion for innovation, he has grown PROLIM from a one-person startup to a company with over 700 employees and 15 global offices. He is also actively involved in mentoring entrepreneurs, supporting MBA alumni through the Dallas Business Club, and exploring the transformative impact of AI on industry.
RK Patil is the co-founder of Vayavya Labs, with over 18 years of leadership in embedded software, particularly in the semiconductor, telecommunications, and automotive industries. A computer science expert and serial entrepreneur, he is passionate about the evolving role of software in hardware systems and sees AI as a transformative but still emerging force in semiconductors. He also actively supports regional tech talent through initiatives like Beyond Bengaluru, promoting innovation in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
Chinmay Deshpande is the founder of Troy, Michigan–based C4D Mortgage Co. and one of only 10 wholesale brokers honored with the Rocket Pro TPO Rocket Award for top performance in 2023. Drawing on his upbringing in India and previous experience as a loan processor, he’s built a referral-driven business, focusing on helping Indian-American clients realize homeownership with low down-payment options and simplifying the mortgage process. He attributes his success to a strong work ethic instilled by his father and a commitment to consistent, service‑first dedication.
Suresh Patil is the founder and CEO of SkandySys Technologies (est. 2017), a Bangalore-based engineering services firm specializing in VLSI, ASIC design, verification, physical design, embedded software, and system bring‑up. Under his leadership, the company grew rapidly—scaling to over 170 engineers within two years and delivering services to major semiconductor firms including Intel, Samsung, NXP, Micron, and Cypress.
Jyoti Shirahatti is a licensed financial professional with over seven years of experience, dedicated to educating and guiding families and business owners across the U.S. on key areas of personal finance. With a passion for financial literacy, they has educated over 5,000 families and directly assisted more than 500 in making informed decisions to protect their futures. Offering one-on-one support, Jyoti provides practical solutions in areas such as wills and trusts, long-term care, retirement planning, life insurance, Medicare, and health insurance—empowering clients to secure their financial well-being with clarity and confidence.