Strategic partnerships and alliances are the backbone of modern business growth, enabling companies to expand their reach, enhance customer engagement, and drive innovation. In India, industry leaders across sectors—ranging from e-commerce and OTT to healthcare and D2C—are leveraging collaborations to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape. This list of the top 34 leaders in Partnerships & Alliances highlights the key professionals who are driving impactful collaborations, shaping industry trends, and creating value-driven synergies for their brands.

Lokendra Saini (Vice President, Paytm): A seasoned leader in the fintech space, Lokendra Saini plays a pivotal role in driving strategic partnerships at Paytm. With a keen eye for innovation and business growth, he has been instrumental in forging high-impact alliances that enhance digital payments and financial services in India. His expertise in scaling collaborations has positioned Paytm as a dominant force in the fintech ecosystem.

Anurag Aileen Iyer (Mentor, Ambimed Healthcare Pvt ltd): A veteran in healthcare and strategic alliances, Anurag Aileen Iyer brings invaluable mentorship to Ambimed Healthcare. His deep understanding of business development, partnerships, and operational efficiencies has helped healthcare startups navigate the complexities of the industry. With a track record of fostering meaningful collaborations, he continues to shape the future of health-tech innovation.

Avantika Singh (Director -Business and Partnerships, Jify by Moneyview): Avantika Singh, is a dynamic leader driving strategic partnerships and sales. With a strong expertise in forging impactful brand alliances, she plays a pivotal role in expanding Jify by Moneyview’s presence. Her ability to cultivate and sustain high-value collaborations positions her as a key player in the partnerships and alliances landscape.

Mallika Nath Handa (Head Of Partnerships, Zomato): A dynamic force in strategic alliances, Mallika Nath Handa has been instrumental in shaping Zomato’s partnership ecosystem. With a keen eye for collaborations that drive growth, she has played a pivotal role in forging impactful brand tie-ups, innovative marketing integrations, and high-value business synergies.

Saumil Maheshwari (Head of Strategic Partnerships, Swiggy): Driving growth through strategic alliances, Saumil Maheshwari leads Swiggy’s partnerships across Food, Instamart, and Dineout. A former cloud kitchen P&L owner and growth hacker, he previously founded Chillizens, scaling it to 1,000+ SKUs. With expertise in corporate alliances across industries, he excels in revenue-driven collaborations.

Ami Tonk (Associate Vice President – Strategic Partnerships, Reliance Jio): 
With two decades of experience spanning Telecom, Cinemas, FinTech, and the Loyalty industry, Ami has consistently leveraged her entrepreneurial instincts to drive strategic initiatives across organizations. At Jio, she leads Partnerships & Strategic Alliances, spearheading business objectives for Jio’s Device Segment Partnerships with OEMs and targeted segmented campaigns focused on acquisitions, referrals, and retention.

Ayush Aggarwal (Head – Digital Sales, Baskin Robbins): Navigating the digital commerce landscape, Ayush Aggarwal has been at the forefront of forging partnerships that integrate Baskin Robbins with leading e-commerce platforms, payment solutions, and digital loyalty programs, ensuring a seamless consumer experience.

Nitin John (Strategic Partnerships & Alliances, Domino’s): A mastermind in strategic collaborations, Nitin John has been instrumental in securing partnerships that elevate Domino’s market presence, from fintech-driven offers to innovative delivery collaborations.

Rishi Kant Shrotriya (Director Sales & Partnerships, Gaana): In the ever-evolving music streaming industry, Rishi Kant Shrotriya has been leading Gaana’s alliance strategies, ensuring the platform’s growth through tie-ups with telecom giants, fintech firms, and exclusive artist collaborations.

Prateek Verma (Vice President, Tata 1Mg): At the intersection of health and e-commerce, Prateek Verma has leveraged strategic partnerships to expand Tata 1Mg’s reach, working closely with insurance firms, pharmaceutical brands, and healthcare providers.

Malvika Sujan (Head Strategic Partnership, Pocket FM): As Pocket FM disrupts the audio content space, Malvika Sujan has been instrumental in forming partnerships that drive audience engagement, content syndication, and monetization through key industry collaborations.

Amneet Malhotra (Partnerships & Alliances, Jio Saavn): In a market where streaming platforms thrive on strategic synergies, Amneet Malhotra has been crafting alliances that not only boost Jio Saavn’s subscriber base but also integrate the platform with emerging music trends and experiential marketing.

Saket Singh (Associate Director, Zee5): From content licensing deals to cross-industry brand partnerships, Saket Singh has been a game-changer for Zee5, ensuring the OTT platform remains competitive through impactful strategic collaborations.

Shyam Gupta (Head of Affiliates & Alliances, AJIO): A seasoned strategist in the e-commerce ecosystem, Shyam Gupta has been instrumental in scaling AJIO’s affiliate and alliance network. With a sharp focus on forging high-impact partnerships, he has played a pivotal role in driving customer acquisition and revenue growth for the platform. His expertise lies in building synergistic collaborations that enhance brand visibility and optimize performance marketing.

Aashish Koul (Marketing Head, Taco Bell): A dynamic marketing leader, Aashish Koul has been instrumental in shaping Taco Bell’s brand presence in India. With his expertise in strategic alliances, he has successfully driven campaigns that blend global appeal with local flavors, ensuring Taco Bell’s continued growth in a competitive QSR landscape.

Priyank Rabadiya (Co-Founder, Zapvi): As the co-founder of Zapvi, Priyank Rabadiya has redefined affordable mobile accessories with an innovative D2C approach. His strategic collaborations have helped the brand scale rapidly, leveraging partnerships to enhance reach and customer engagement.

Harman Saluja (Barter Marketing Strategies | Partnerships, Netmeds): An expert in barter marketing and strategic collaborations, Harman Saluja plays a pivotal role at Netmeds, India’s leading online pharmacy. His partnership-driven initiatives have helped forge meaningful alliances that add value to both customers and stakeholders.

Royston Dzouza (Growth Marketing – Catchment Planning & National Alliances, Croma): Royston Dsouza is a key driving force within Croma’s Growth Marketing team, spearheading Catchment Strategy & Planning, Experiential Events & Activations, National & Regional Alliances, and Business Development initiatives. His strategic approach focuses on enhancing footfall to Croma stores and boosting traffic across Croma.com’s business channels. Additionally, he plays a crucial role in fostering partnerships with the Government of India and affiliated agencies to advance sustainability initiatives in collaboration with schools, colleges, and corporate institutions.

Varun Moolchandani (Executive Director, Archies): At the helm of Archies, Varun Moolchandani is redefining how gifting and personal expression are integrated into modern retail. Through strategic partnerships, he has expanded Archies’ market presence, introducing innovative collaborations that resonate with evolving consumer preferences.

Rashi Gupta (Brand Partnership Manager, MediBuddy): A key figure in India’s health-tech revolution, Rashi Gupta leads partnership initiatives at MediBuddy, fostering collaborations with healthcare providers, insurers, and wellness brands. Her efforts have significantly contributed to making quality healthcare more accessible through strategic alliances.

Karan Handa (Marketing & Growth Head, Ease My Trip): Driving growth for one of India’s top travel platforms, Karan Handa has leveraged strategic alliances to enhance customer acquisition and retention. His innovative partnership strategies have helped EaseMyTrip stay ahead in the highly competitive travel industry.

Mohit Katyal (Strategic Partnerships & Alliances, Lenskart): At Lenskart, Mohit Katyal is leading strategic partnerships that redefine eyewear accessibility and affordability. His role involves aligning with brands and platforms to create seamless omnichannel experiences for customers.

Michael Nazareth (Business Head India Operations, Health Mitra): As the Business Head at Health Mitra, Michael Nazareth leads with a vision to revolutionize healthcare accessibility. His partnership-driven approach has helped the company forge strong industry collaborations that amplify its impact.

Shyamle Pasi (Associate Vice President, IGP): At IGP, one of India’s largest gifting platforms, Shyamle Pasi drives strategic partnerships that enhance customer engagement. His expertise in forming alliances has helped position IGP as a go-to platform for personalized and curated gifting experiences.

Vedansh K (Head Of brand Marketing, Boat): A powerhouse in the consumer electronics space, Vedansh K has been instrumental in Boat’s meteoric rise. His strategic partnerships with influencers, lifestyle brands, and retail giants have cemented Boat’s position as India’s leading audio and wearables brand.

Mohinder Thakur (Head- Ecom Growth & Digital Marketing, Max Fashion): At the helm of digital expansion for one of India’s largest fashion retailers, Mohinder Thakur crafts growth-driven e-commerce and digital marketing strategies. His expertise lies in enhancing customer engagement, optimizing online presence, and forging alliances that amplify Max Fashion’s reach in the competitive retail space.

Anoop Asthana (Head – Brand Alliances, Ixigo): Spearheading brand collaborations at Ixigo, Anoop Asthana is known for curating innovative alliances that enhance the travel experience for millions. His ability to identify synergistic brand relationships has helped Ixigo scale its market influence and user engagement. 

Anupam Bhatt (Head of Partnership – North, AbhiBus): Leading strategic alliances in the travel-tech domain, Anupam Bhatt ensures AbhiBus remains at the forefront of India’s travel ecosystem. His partnerships with key stakeholders, including transport operators and fintech companies, drive seamless customer experiences.

Tanuj Saluja (GM- Alliances, Yatra): A seasoned professional in travel partnerships, Tanuj Saluja orchestrates powerful collaborations that add value to Yatra’s offerings. His expertise in travel loyalty programs and brand integrations has strengthened Yatra’s position in India’s online travel market.

Kabir Advani (Owner, Bercos): A visionary leader in the restaurant business, Kabir Advani has successfully expanded Berco’s presence through strategic partnerships and customer-driven alliances. His keen business acumen has played a pivotal role in the brand’s sustained success in the Food and Beverages industry.

Pankaj Arora (Head of Customer and Martech Strategies, Wow! Momo): Pankaj Arora stands at the intersection of customer experience and marketing technology, leveraging partnerships that enhance Wow! Momo’s consumer journey. His role in developing data-driven collaborations has propelled the brand’s growth across multiple platforms.

Jayraj Chauhan (Director – Strategic Alliances, Redcliffe Labs): A key player in the healthcare industry, Jayraj Chauhan spearheads alliances that make diagnostic services more accessible and efficient. His strategic partnerships have been instrumental in positioning Redcliffe Labs as a trusted name in medical diagnostics.

Pavneet Ahluwalia (Head of Alliances & Partnerships, Ferns N Petals): is a seasoned Strategic Alliances Specialist with a proven track record in the internet industry. He is committed to building strong partnerships and driving business growth. With expertise in Customer Relationship Management, Market Research, Events, and Management Information Systems, he consistently delivers impactful results that align with organizational objectives.

Lokesh Negi (D2C Growth & Partnerships, Bombay Shaving): A driving force in the D2C space, Lokesh Negi plays a pivotal role in expanding Bombay Shaving Company’s strategic partnerships and growth initiatives. With a keen eye for collaborations that amplify brand reach, he has been instrumental in forging alliances that elevate customer engagement and market penetration. His expertise in scaling D2C businesses through innovative partnerships cements his position as a leader in the industry’s evolving landscape.

Rishabh Jindal (Head of D2C Business & Growth, Jockey): A dynamic leader in the D2C landscape, Rishabh Jindal has been instrumental in scaling Jockey’s digital-first growth, forging strategic partnerships, and enhancing customer experiences. With a keen eye on innovation and market expansion, he has played a pivotal role in strengthening Jockey’s foothold in India’s evolving retail ecosystem. His expertise in alliances and growth strategy makes him a key player in the industry.

Conclusion:
In an era where collaboration is key to business success, these 34 leaders exemplify the power of strategic partnerships in shaping industries. Their ability to forge meaningful alliances, drive growth through innovation, and strengthen brand positioning underscores their significance in today’s competitive market. As businesses continue to evolve, these visionaries will remain at the forefront, steering their companies toward greater success through impactful collaborations.

–Authored and edited by Sandhya Bharti, Deputy Editor, Indian Startup Times.

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Disclaimer

The selection process involves rigorous evaluation but is based on subjective criteria, which may lead to variations. Parameters include industry influence, reputation, experience, contributions, education, accolades, and followership. While comprehensive, assessments may not capture every aspect of a candidate’s profile. Selection does not imply endorsement or guaranteeing future performance. Feedback is welcomed for improvement.