Chief Mentor
AI, Cybersecurity, Data Center Migration, Cloud Infrastructure, Digital Transformation and Technology Governance.
Group Captain Sameer Vasant Kulkarni (Retd.) is a distinguished technology and cybersecurity leader with 27+ years of experience in the Indian Air Force, combining defence leadership with expertise in AI, Cybersecurity, Cloud Infrastructure, Digital Transformation and Technology Governance.
Ex-Indian Air Force — 27+ years of leadership in mission-critical communication, IT infrastructure and cybersecurity.
M.Tech — ISRO, BITS Pilani and DIAT, Pune, covering space technology, software systems and technology management.
Public Interest Director – India ICC, GIFT City, Gujarat — Board-level experience in technology oversight and governance within India's emerging financial infrastructure.
AI & Cyber Resilience Expert — Specialisation in AI governance, cybersecurity, cloud technologies, privacy, GRC and emerging technologies.
At PFA Institute, he brings together defence-grade discipline, advanced technology expertise, board-level governance and strategic foresight to mentor the next generation of professionals navigating the rapidly evolving AI and cybersecurity landscape.
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sameer-vasant-kulkarni/
Data Quality & Transformation Leader
S&P Global | Financial Data & Investment Research | AI & Business Transformation
Sudhakar is a seasoned financial-data and transformation professional with extensive experience across financial information, investment research, data quality, process transformation, AI adoption and project leadership, including significant experience with S&P Global and other leading financial-information organisations.
S&P Global Experience — Extensive experience with S&P Global, one of the world's leading providers of financial intelligence, data and analytics, with expertise spanning financial information, data processes, quality and research-oriented workflows.
Financial Data & Investment Research — Deep experience in financial information, investment research and data-driven decision-making, with a strong understanding of the role of high-quality financial data in investment and business decisions.
AI & Business Transformation — Focus on applying AI and emerging technologies to transform financial-data processes, research workflows and enterprise operations.
Data Quality & Governance — Expertise in data accuracy, validation, quality management and governance, with emphasis on ensuring that technology-driven processes produce reliable and decision-useful information.
Process & Project Leadership — Experience in process improvement, operational excellence, stakeholder management and leading complex transformation initiatives across technology and financial-data environments.
At PFA Institute, Sudhakar brings together global financial-data experience, S&P Global expertise, AI transformation, data governance and investment research to mentor the next generation of professionals navigating the rapidly evolving intersection of Finance, Technology, Data and Artificial Intelligence.
Chief Mentor - Social Impact
CSR & Social Impact | Skill Development | Free Training Initiatives | Nation Building
Ansar B. Khan is associated with initiatives focused on social impact, skill development, accessible education and community-oriented training, with a strong interest in using education and professional skills as instruments for inclusive development.
CSR & Social Impact — Advises on developing meaningful CSR initiatives that create measurable social and educational impact.
Free & Accessible Training — Supports initiatives aimed at making quality professional and financial education accessible to students, young professionals and underserved communities.
Skill Development & Employability — Focuses on connecting training and practical skills with opportunities for career development and economic participation.
Community Development — Brings a people-centric perspective to initiatives designed to expand access to education, knowledge and professional development.
Nation Building — Supports the broader objective of strengthening human capital through education, skills, opportunity creation and socially responsible initiatives.
At PFA Institute, Ansar B. Khan mentors on CSR initiatives, free-training initiatives, pro-bono skill-development programmes and community-focused educational projects, helping the Institute expand its social-impact footprint and contribute to education, employability and nation-building.
His contribution reflects PFA Institute's belief that education should not be limited by ability to pay, and that professional knowledge can become a powerful instrument for social and economic development.
National Youth Champion - Knowledge & Innovation
Dr. Hrishikesh Soman brings to the Board of Advisors an extraordinary blend of academic depth, institution-building experience, and visionary leadership shaped over nearly four decades in higher education. As the long-serving Principal of Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce, Pune, he was instrumental in transforming the institution into one of India’s most respected autonomous colleges, driving NAAC A+ accreditation, securing significant national grants, and pioneering the introduction of liberal arts education well ahead of its time in India. His work has consistently stood at the intersection of academic innovation and administrative excellence—designing future-ready curricula, integrating global professional qualifications like ACCA, CIMA, and CMA into mainstream education, and embedding technology into academic ecosystems.
Beyond institutional leadership, Dr. Soman is widely regarded as a thought architect in higher education reform and internationalization. He has forged collaborations with leading universities across the US, Europe, and Asia, while advising multiple premier institutions on autonomy, quality enhancement, and strategic growth. His deep involvement with academic councils, accreditation bodies, and policy frameworks reflects a rare ability to translate vision into scalable academic models. At PFA Institute, his presence on the Board adds not just credibility, but a powerful strategic lens—anchored in experience, yet sharply aligned with the evolving demands of global education and skill ecosystems.
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrishikesh-soman-61a06636/?originalSubdomain=in
Chief Strategist - AI & Cyber Resilience
Vivaan Prashant Karulkar is a young author and knowledge advocate whose work spans Sanatan thought, science, technology and entrepreneurship. His books have received national and international recognition, with editions launched by senior public leaders in India.
The Marathi edition of Vivaan’s 2nd book was launched by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, while the Gujarati edition was launched by the Union Minister of Jal Shakti of India and President of BJP Gujarat State Unit, Shri C.R. Patil.
Vivaan is honoured with an Honorary Doctorate by the prestigious World Records University, in Record Breaking (Honoris Causa) for being the youngest author to write a book on Sanatan Dharam and also a youngest author to write a book on Elon Musk.
Vivaan Prashant Karulkar was a special invitee at the United Nations, where he presented his book and briefed its concepts to the respective UN Members. The book was ceremoniously re-launched at the Security Council Hall of the United Nations by Mr. Gautam Damri, a senior UN diplomat with 38 years of service. The Royal Family of London honoured Vivaan with a prestigious Badge and a Royal Coin from Buckingham Palace, making him a member of the Royal Family. The United Kingdom’s newly elected Prime Minister, Mr. Keir Starmer, and highlighted Vivaan’s book at a rally and visited the Swaminarayan Mandir for darshan. He also invited Vivaan to 10 Downing Street
At PFA, Vivaan contributes a young, interdisciplinary and global perspective to knowledge initiatives, innovation, youth engagement and nation-building.