Introduction

In India’s fast-evolving FMCG landscape, marketing leaders are no longer just brand custodians; they are strategic drivers shaping how consumers perceive, engage with, and trust everyday products. The professionals featured in this recognition reflect a deep understanding of shifting consumer behaviour, combining data, creativity, and cultural insight to craft brand narratives that resonate across diverse and dynamic markets.

Their contributions go beyond individual campaigns, highlighting a consistent ability to adapt, innovate, and lead in a highly competitive environment. Whether it is building omnichannel strategies, strengthening brand recall, or driving meaningful consumer connections, these leaders are playing a defining role in how FMCG brands sustain relevance and growth in India

Aashish Ahuja | Marketing Director, Lactalis India: Operating within a global dairy ecosystem, Aashish Ahuja’s work reflects a focus on maintaining consistency while adapting to local markets. His approach emphasises clear positioning and steady communication, ensuring brands remain both recognisable and relevant. By balancing global brand values with regional nuances, he continues to strengthen consumer connect in a highly competitive dairy segment.

Abhinav Ravikumar | CMO, Personal Care India, Hindustan Unilever Limited: Abhinav Ravikumar’s approach to marketing is defined by a strong digital-first mindset and a sharp focus on consumer engagement. With experience spanning global brand roles and eCommerce, he has played a key role in steering personal care brands toward more agile and responsive strategies. His work reflects a clear understanding of how modern consumers interact with brands, blending performance with purposeful storytelling.

Abhishek Kumar | Vice President – Marketing, Anmol Industries: Abhishek Kumar’s marketing style leans into understanding what makes a brand feel familiar and accessible. In a category where affordability and recall matter deeply, his work focuses on keeping communication simple yet effective. By reinforcing consistent messaging and staying close to consumer preferences, he ensures that the brand remains easy to recognise and continues to hold its space in a crowded biscuits segment.

Aditya Jain | Head – Brand Activation, Trade Marketing & Distribution, VST Industries: Much of marketing impact is decided far from boardrooms, and Aditya Jain’s role reflects exactly that reality. His work focuses on how brands show up where it matters most, at the point of sale. By aligning trade marketing with strong distribution thinking, he ensures visibility translates into action. His approach is rooted in execution, where consistency across markets becomes the foundation for building lasting brand presence.

Akhil Sood | Head of Marketing, Creambell: Operating in a competitive dairy and frozen dessert space, Akhil Sood’s work reflects a clear focus on differentiation. His approach leans into building distinct brand visibility while ensuring communication remains simple and engaging. By focusing on recall and accessibility, he continues to shape how the brand connects with consumers looking for both variety and everyday indulgence.

Amit Garg | Head of Marketing (General Manager) Health Supplements & Baby Care, Dabur India Limited: Amit Garg’s marketing approach reflects a deep sensitivity to categories built on trust and care. Leading Health Supplements and Baby Care at Dabur, he brings a thoughtful balance of science-led positioning and consumer empathy. His work demonstrates an ability to simplify complex value propositions into meaningful narratives, helping brands connect with families in ways that feel both reassuring and relevant.

Amit Jawar | Vice President Sales & Marketing – FMCG, Patanjali Foods Limited: Scale defines the space Amit Jawar operates in, but what stands out is how he keeps communication simple within that complexity. His role demands both reach and relevance, and his approach reflects a clear focus on accessibility. By keeping messaging direct and grounded, he ensures the brand remains easy to understand, widely visible, and consistently aligned with the expectations of a diverse consumer base.

Ankit Kapoor | CMO, Wholsum Foods (Slurrp Farm and Mille): Ankit Kapoor’s work reflects the mindset of building brands from the ground up in a modern, conscious consumption space. His approach leans into storytelling that feels honest and purposeful, especially in categories shaped by evolving parental choices. By focusing on clarity and trust, he continues to position the brand in a way that resonates with new-age consumers seeking both nutrition and transparency.

Ankur Kumar | Head of Marketing – Hair Care, Dabur India Limited: Ankur Kumar’s work in the hair care segment reflects a sharp grasp of both evolving beauty trends and everyday consumer needs. His approach leans into building brands that feel aspirational yet accessible, striking the right balance between innovation and familiarity. By keeping the consumer at the center, he continues to drive narratives that resonate across a wide and diverse audience base.

Anupam Nair | Chief Marketing & Growth Officer, MTR Foods, Orkla India: Food brands often carry memory, not just utility, and Anupam Nair’s work leans into that understanding. His approach focuses on keeping familiarity intact while introducing subtle shifts that keep the brand current. Rather than dramatic reinvention, he emphasizes continuity with evolution, ensuring that brands remain relevant without losing the comfort and recognition that consumers associate with them over time.

Apoorva Singh Bais | Chief Marketing Officer, Bector Food Specialities: Apoorva Singh Bais brings a contemporary perspective to marketing, where product quality meets evolving consumer expectations. His work reflects an ability to position brands in a way that feels both modern and accessible. By focusing on differentiation and clear storytelling, he ensures that the brand stands out while continuing to appeal to consumers seeking both familiarity and a sense of novelty.

Arif Husain | Head Of Marketing, RSPL Group: With a diverse portfolio to manage, Arif Husain’s role demands both adaptability and clarity. His approach focuses on bringing structure to brand communication, ensuring each product line retains its identity while contributing to a larger narrative. By balancing differentiation with consistency, he continues to shape how brands within the group connect with varied consumer segments across markets.

Arijit Sengupta | CMO, Zydus Wellness: Arijit Sengupta brings a structured and insight-led approach to marketing, particularly in categories linked to health and nutrition. His work reflects a clear emphasis on positioning, ensuring that brands communicate with purpose and precision. By focusing on long-term brand building over short-term noise, he continues to shape narratives that reinforce trust while keeping pace with evolving consumer awareness.

Arnab Hazra | Associate Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Paper Boat: Storytelling sits at the heart of Arnab Hazra’s work, especially in a brand built around nostalgia and emotion. His approach focuses on keeping communication distinctive, ensuring it stands apart in a crowded beverage space. By leaning into cultural memory and unique narratives, he helps the brand maintain a strong emotional connect while continuing to evolve with modern consumer preferences.

Arun Harne | Associate Vice President (Sales and Marketing) Consumer Product Group, Adani Wilmar Limited: Operating at the intersection of sales and marketing, Arun Harne brings a practical, execution-driven approach to brand growth. His work reflects a strong understanding of on-ground realities, where visibility and availability go hand in hand. By aligning distribution strength with clear communication, he ensures that brands remain not just seen, but consistently chosen across highly competitive retail environments.

Arvind Mohta | Marketing Director, Allied Blenders & Distillers: Arvind Mohta’s marketing approach is rooted in understanding how brands can stand out in a space driven by perception and differentiation. His work reflects a focus on building distinct identities while maintaining coherence across communication. By aligning brand positioning with consumer expectations, he continues to shape narratives that feel both intentional and impactful.

Arvind Ramachandran | Vice President – Marketing, Dairy Day: Ice cream as a category thrives on moments of joy, and Arvind Ramachandran’s work reflects an understanding of that emotional connection. His approach focuses on creating communication that feels light, engaging, and memorable. By aligning brand presence with occasions and experiences, he ensures that the brand remains closely associated with everyday indulgence and shared moments.

Ashwin Moorthy | Global Head of Category Direction and Innovation & Head of Marketing – India, Godrej Consumer Products Limited: Ashwin Moorthy’s role sits at the intersection of innovation and marketing, where long-term vision meets everyday consumer relevance. His work reflects a strong ability to shape category direction while ensuring brands remain agile and future-ready. By bringing together strategic thinking and a focus on innovation, he continues to play a key role in building portfolios that evolve with changing consumer needs across markets.

Chandrashekhara Reddy P | Sr. VP Sales & Mktg, Gemini Edibles and Fats India Ltd.: In a category driven by volume and everyday usage, Chandrashekhara Reddy’s role reflects a strong alignment between sales execution and marketing clarity. His approach focuses on ensuring widespread reach while maintaining consistent communication. By prioritizing visibility and accessibility, he continues to strengthen the brand’s presence in a space where familiarity and trust influence consumer choice.

Divya (Rana) Batra | Vice President – Marketing & Ecommerce, Haldiram Snacks Food Pvt. Ltd.: Balancing brand-building with digital commerce, Divya Batra’s role reflects the changing nature of marketing today. Her work brings together visibility and accessibility, ensuring that brands are not only recognized but also easily available across channels. By integrating eCommerce into the broader strategy, she continues to shape how traditional brands evolve in a more convenience-driven and digitally influenced market.

Dr. Mandeep Singh Oberoi | Head of Marketing, Ayurveda Business, Dabur India Limited: Bringing together domain expertise and marketing insight, Dr. Mandeep Singh Oberoi plays a pivotal role in shaping Dabur’s Ayurveda narrative. His work reflects a nuanced understanding of how ancient wisdom can be positioned for modern consumers. Through thoughtful storytelling and a focus on authenticity, he continues to make Ayurveda more approachable and relevant in today’s fast-paced world.

Gaurav Kwatra | Chief Marketing Officer, iD Fresh Food: For a brand built around freshness and simplicity, Gaurav Kwatra’s marketing approach mirrors those very values. His work focuses on keeping communication honest, clear, and rooted in everyday consumption habits. By avoiding unnecessary complexity, he ensures that the brand’s proposition remains easy to understand, helping it build strong connections with consumers seeking convenience without compromising on authenticity.

Gautam Rishi | Regional Marketing Director & SPOC, Reckitt Hygiene: Marketing in hygiene categories often requires precision and responsibility. Gautam Rishi’s work reflects a structured approach, where clarity and credibility remain central to communication. By focusing on building trust through consistent messaging, he ensures that brands remain dependable in the eyes of consumers. His approach highlights the importance of discipline in categories that directly impact health and everyday well-being.

Gayatri Kabilan | Head of Marketing – Personal Care, CavinKare: Personal care marketing often sits between aspiration and routine, and Gayatri Kabilan navigates that space with clarity. Her work reflects a focus on keeping brands relatable while allowing room for evolution. By understanding what drives everyday choices, she shapes communication that feels approachable yet relevant, helping brands maintain a strong connection with consumers across a highly competitive category.

Gerald Martin Joseph | Senior General Manager Marketing, Aachi Masala: In a category deeply connected to regional preferences, Gerald Martin Joseph’s work reflects a strong understanding of cultural nuance. His approach focuses on keeping communication grounded and relatable, ensuring that the brand remains closely aligned with everyday cooking habits. By emphasizing familiarity and consistency, he helps maintain strong recall in a space where tradition plays a central role in consumer choice.

Greishma Singh | VP Marketing, India & Southwest Asia Operating Unit, Coca-Cola India: With a portfolio that spans geographies and consumer segments, Greishma Singh’s role demands both scale and sensitivity. Her approach reflects an ability to navigate diverse markets while maintaining a unified brand voice. By focusing on consistency and adaptability, she continues to guide marketing efforts that keep the brand visible, relevant, and deeply embedded in everyday consumption moments.

Gunjan Khetan | CMO, Perfetti Van Melle India: In a category where attention is fleeting, Gunjan Khetan’s work reflects a strong focus on recall and distinctiveness. His approach leans into creating communication that is quick to register yet hard to forget. By prioritizing memorability and consistency, he ensures that brands continue to stand out, maintaining a strong presence in a highly competitive and cluttered confectionery market.

Gunjit Jain | Executive Vice President, Marketing, Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited: For a brand that lives in daily routines, staying relevant is never incidental—it’s built over time. Gunjit Jain’s work reflects this steady commitment to consistency, while subtly evolving how the brand shows up for modern consumers. His leadership leans into strengthening trust without overcomplicating the message, ensuring communication remains clear, credible, and anchored in what consumers have always valued.

Hannah Koshy | Director – Marketing, Tata Consumer Products: Hannah Koshy brings a composed and thoughtful lens to marketing, where clarity often takes precedence over noise. Her work reflects a balanced approach, grounded in strategy, yet open to creative exploration. In a portfolio as diverse as Tata Consumer Products, she focuses on building coherence in communication, ensuring that brands remain distinct while contributing to a larger, unified narrative.

Himanshu Agarwal | Head Of Brand, Lotus Herbals: In a category shaped by both aspiration and authenticity, Himanshu Agarwal’s work reflects a steady focus on brand identity. His approach leans into building consistency, ensuring that communication remains aligned with what the brand stands for. Rather than chasing trends, he emphasizes clarity and continuity, helping the brand maintain a distinct voice while staying relevant in an increasingly competitive and evolving beauty landscape.

Ganapathy Subramaniam | CMO, LT Foods (Daawat): Building a brand in a staple category requires more than visibility, it demands consistency in perception. K. Ganapathy Subramaniam’s work reflects a steady focus on strengthening brand identity while adapting to changing consumer expectations. By aligning communication with evolving consumption patterns, he ensures the brand remains both relevant and rooted, maintaining a strong presence in a category where familiarity and trust drive long-term preference.

Kunal Sharma | Vice President, KRBL Limited: In a space defined by scale and legacy, Kunal Sharma’s approach leans into strengthening market presence through clarity and focus. His work reflects an understanding of how established brands can continue to grow without losing their core identity. By emphasizing consistency in positioning and reach, he contributes to sustaining relevance in a category where consumer loyalty is shaped over time.

Kush Aggarwal | Head of Marketing, Bikano: In a category where heritage plays a strong role, Kush Aggarwal’s work focuses on keeping brands contemporary without losing their roots. His approach reflects an understanding of how traditional products can be repositioned for modern consumption. By bringing freshness into communication, he ensures that the brand continues to appeal to newer audiences while retaining its established identity.

Madhukar Subramanian | Director – Marketing, National Brands, Packaged Beverages, Tata Consumer Products: In a fast-moving beverages category, Madhukar Subramanian’s approach is defined by agility and timing. His work leans into understanding shifting consumption moments and translating them into communication that feels immediate and relevant. By focusing on when and how consumers engage with brands, he brings a sense of responsiveness that keeps packaged beverage brands aligned with evolving lifestyles.

Madhur Pandey | Vice President Marketing, Parle Agro Pvt Ltd: There’s a certain energy in how Madhur Pandey approaches marketing, one that aligns well with the fast-paced beverage space. His work reflects an instinct for tapping into moments that capture consumer attention while maintaining strong brand recall. By combining visibility with memorability, he continues to shape campaigns that stand out in a category driven by both impulse and engagement.

Mani B. | CMO, Amrutanjan Health Care: Marketing in healthcare often requires clarity above all else. Mani B.’s work reflects this principle, focusing on communication that is direct, trustworthy, and easy to understand. By keeping messaging simple and benefit-driven, he ensures that brands remain accessible to a wide audience. His approach highlights the importance of consistency in categories where consumer confidence plays a central role.

Manoj Gadgil | Business Unit Head & VP Marketing, Kenvue: Balancing business responsibility with marketing leadership brings a different kind of perspective, and Manoj Gadgil reflects that well. His role goes beyond communication to shaping how brands grow within their categories. By focusing on long-term direction rather than short-term noise, he ensures that marketing remains aligned with broader business outcomes, creating a foundation for sustainable and consistent brand development.

Mayank Kumar | Head of Marketing, Foods, Dabur India Limited: Mayank Kumar’s approach to marketing in the foods category reflects a deep appreciation for everyday consumption habits and cultural nuances. His work centers on building familiarity while introducing freshness into brand narratives. By focusing on simplicity, taste appeal, and relevance, he continues to strengthen how Dabur’s food portfolio fits seamlessly into the daily lives of consumers.

Mitali Maheshwari | Head- Product & Marketing, Starbucks India: At the intersection of product experience and brand storytelling, Mitali Maheshwari’s role reflects a nuanced understanding of consumer engagement. Her work focuses on shaping how offerings are introduced and experienced, ensuring consistency across touchpoints. By aligning product innovation with thoughtful communication, she helps create a cohesive brand journey that resonates with evolving urban consumer lifestyles.

Mohit Sudan | Marketing Lead – India, Hershey India: Operating in a category driven by indulgence and emotion, Mohit Sudan’s approach focuses on creating moments rather than just messaging. His work reflects an understanding of how consumers engage with brands during occasions and experiences. By shaping communication around these touchpoints, he ensures the brand remains both engaging and memorable in a space defined by enjoyment and impulse.

Monisha Prasher | General Manager, Marketing Beverages, Dabur India Limited: In a category driven by impulse and evolving taste preferences, Monisha Prasher brings a refreshing clarity to brand-building. Her work in the beverages segment reflects a keen understanding of how to stay culturally in sync while maintaining strong product recall. With a focus on crafting engaging and relatable campaigns, she continues to shape how Dabur’s beverage portfolio connects with modern consumers.

Mukta Maheshwari | Chief Marketing Officer; Vice President & Category Head – Fabric Care, P&G India: At the core of Mukta Maheshwari’s approach is a sharp understanding of everyday consumer behavior. Rather than overextending narratives, her work focuses on making brands feel intuitive and easy to relate to. Leading fabric care at P&G India, she brings a sense of structure and intent to marketing, where every campaign is grounded in insight and designed to connect seamlessly with daily life.

Nagi Reddy | AVP Customer Mktg & GTM Transformation, The Hershey Company: At the core of Nagi Reddy’s role is the evolving path to purchase. His work focuses on how brands move from visibility to conversion, ensuring strategies align with changing retail environments. By emphasizing go-to-market transformation and customer marketing, he brings a practical lens to brand-building, helping strengthen connections at the point where consumer decisions are ultimately made.

Naveen Gupta | Chief Business Officer, Gopal Snacks: Driving growth in a competitive snacking category requires both scale thinking and market sensitivity. Naveen Gupta’s role reflects this balance, where business strategy and brand visibility go hand in hand. His approach focuses on expanding reach while ensuring the brand remains relatable to everyday consumers. By aligning operations with clear communication, he continues to strengthen the brand’s presence across diverse and rapidly evolving markets.

Navojit Dutta | Marketing Head, Surya Food & Agro Ltd. (Priyagold): Navojit Dutta’s work reflects a clear focus on building sustained visibility in a highly competitive market. His approach centers on ensuring that the brand remains consistently present across touchpoints, reinforcing recall over time. By prioritizing clarity in messaging and maintaining a steady communication rhythm, he contributes to strengthening the brand’s position in a category driven by both familiarity and frequent consumption.

Neeraj Senguttuvan | Head, Marketing (India) – Personal Care, Godrej Consumer Products Limited: Neeraj Senguttuvan brings a thoughtful and consumer-centric approach to personal care marketing, grounded in a clear understanding of category dynamics. His work reflects a balance between building strong brand fundamentals and adapting to emerging trends. With a focus on creating meaningful consumer connections, he continues to shape narratives that keep brands relevant, relatable, and competitive in a fast-moving market.

Nehal Vora | Head of Marketing, Mother Dairy: Nehal Vora brings a grounded, consumer-first perspective to marketing, especially in categories built on daily trust. His work reflects a focus on reinforcing reliability while gradually modernizing brand communication. By staying close to consumer needs and consumption habits, he ensures that the brand remains both dependable and in tune with changing expectations.

Neha Rao | Vice President – Marketing, Bikaji Foods: Neha Rao’s work reflects the challenge of evolving a heritage-rich brand for modern consumers. Her approach focuses on introducing freshness into communication while retaining the essence that defines the brand. By carefully balancing tradition with contemporary appeal, she ensures that the brand continues to connect with both loyal consumers and newer audiences in a competitive snacking landscape.

Neha Taneja | Director, Marketing – Regional Tea Brand Portfolio (Chakra | Gemini | Kanan Devan), Tata Consumer Products: Regional brands come with deep-rooted consumer loyalty, and Neha Taneja’s work reflects a strong sensitivity to that connection. Her approach focuses on preserving authenticity while gradually evolving how these brands speak to newer audiences. By staying close to cultural nuances and everyday consumption habits, she ensures that each brand retains its identity while continuing to grow in relevance across changing markets.

Nikhilesh Kedari | Vice President Marketing, Godfrey Phillips India Ltd: Nikhilesh Kedari’s role reflects a sharp focus on navigating a complex and highly regulated category with clarity and consistency. His approach leans into structured communication and strong positioning, ensuring that brand messaging remains focused and effective. By emphasizing discipline in marketing execution, he continues to drive visibility and relevance within a challenging operating environment.

Nikhil Thaker | Asst. General Manager – Marketing, Nirma Limited: In categories where value defines choice, simplicity becomes a strength. Nikhil Thaker’s work reflects this clarity—keeping communication direct, familiar, and easy to connect with. Rather than overcomplicating narratives, he focuses on reinforcing what the brand stands for. This steady approach helps maintain strong recall, ensuring the brand continues to resonate with households that prioritize trust, affordability, and everyday reliability.

Nilesh Thakkar | Marketing Director, Gokul Agro Resources Ltd.: Nilesh Thakkar’s work reflects a focus on building steady brand presence in a category shaped by both scale and competition. His approach emphasizes clarity in communication, ensuring that messaging remains direct and effective. By aligning marketing efforts with market dynamics, he continues to support brand growth while maintaining consistency across diverse consumer segments.

Nitin Saini | Vice President Marketing (CMO), Mondelez International: In a category built around indulgence, staying relevant requires constant reinvention. Nitin Saini’s work reflects a strong focus on keeping brands culturally connected while maintaining their core appeal. His approach leans into understanding evolving consumption moments, ensuring that communication feels timely and engaging. By balancing creativity with consistency, he continues to shape brand narratives that resonate across a wide and diverse consumer base.

Pavanjit S Bedi | CMO, Foods, Hindustan Unilever Limited: Pavanjit S Bedi brings a wealth of experience shaped by years of working across categories and markets within Unilever. His leadership in the Foods business reflects a balanced approach—one that respects legacy while embracing change. Known for building brands that remain both trusted and contemporary, he demonstrates a nuanced understanding of evolving consumer preferences and the role marketing plays in sustaining long-term relevance.

Pavan Singh | Senior General Manager, Amul India: Working with a brand as iconic as Amul demands both respect for legacy and an instinct for relevance. Pavan Singh’s role reflects this balance, where consistency in messaging meets evolving consumer expectations. His approach leans into keeping communication simple, relatable, and rooted in everyday life—ensuring the brand continues to feel as familiar today as it has across generations.

Poulomi Majumder | Head of Marketing, Consumer Brands, Henkel: Poulomi Majumder brings a structured yet flexible approach to marketing, shaped by the demands of diverse consumer categories. Her work reflects a focus on aligning brand strategy with evolving consumer expectations, ensuring communication remains both clear and adaptable. By emphasizing consistency across portfolios, she continues to guide brands in maintaining relevance within dynamic and competitive markets.

Prasanna Rai | Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Head of Ecommerce Business, Wipro Consumer Care: Few roles today sit as naturally between brand and business as this one. Prasanna Rai’s work reflects that shift, where marketing is as much about discovery as it is about conversion. By integrating eCommerce thinking into brand strategy, he ensures that visibility leads somewhere meaningful. His approach is practical, adapting to how consumers actually browse, choose, and purchase in a digital-first environment.

Prashant Agarwal | Head of Marketing – Oral Care, Dabur India Limited: Prashant Agarwal’s leadership in oral care marketing is marked by a strong ability to build credibility in a highly competitive space. His approach combines traditional trust with contemporary communication, ensuring that the brand remains both authoritative and accessible. By focusing on clear, benefit-driven messaging, he has contributed to strengthening consumer confidence in everyday health essentials.

Prashant Peres | General Manager, Mars: Prashant Peres brings a well-rounded perspective to brand-building, shaped by experience across categories and markets. His approach reflects a balance between strategic thinking and execution, ensuring that brands remain both relevant and competitive. By focusing on clarity in positioning and consistency in communication, he continues to strengthen how brands connect with consumers in everyday moments.

Praveen Ramaswamy | CMO & E-commerce Leader, Orkla India: Consumer journeys today are rarely linear, and Praveen Ramaswamy’s work reflects an understanding of that shift. His approach brings marketing and commerce closer, ensuring brands are present at every stage of decision-making. By focusing on how consumers move between discovery and purchase, he builds strategies that feel responsive rather than reactive, strengthening both engagement and business outcomes.

Prerna Tiku | Chief Marketing and Growth Officer, Orkla India – International Business: Working across markets requires more than scale—it demands sensitivity to difference. Prerna Tiku’s role reflects this balance, where consistency in brand identity meets flexibility in execution. Her approach focuses on adapting communication to diverse consumer contexts while maintaining a unified direction. This ability to navigate variation without losing coherence plays a key role in driving growth across international markets.

Puneet Das | Chief Marketing Officer, Britannia Industries Ltd.: Puneet Das brings a distinctive blend of creativity and strategic clarity to his role at Britannia. Known for shaping campaigns that often spark conversation, his leadership goes beyond conventional brand-building to create work that is both memorable and meaningful. His ability to tap into cultural moments while staying true to the brand’s core has played a significant role in keeping Britannia dynamic in an ever-competitive FMCG landscape.

Puneet Kusumbia | Vice President Marketing, Heritage Foods Ltd.
In a category rooted in everyday consumption, Puneet Kusumbia’s work reflects a focus on building familiarity through consistency. His approach leans into reinforcing trust while gradually evolving how the brand communicates with modern consumers. By staying close to routine usage patterns and consumer expectations, he ensures that the brand remains relevant, accessible, and firmly embedded in daily life.

Rachit Mehta | Director – Marketing, Red Bull India: Marketing in a lifestyle-driven category calls for more than visibility, it requires building culture. Rachit Mehta’s work reflects this mindset, where brand presence extends into experiences and communities. His approach focuses on creating engagement beyond traditional formats, ensuring the brand remains closely tied to moments that matter to its audience, reinforcing both relevance and distinctiveness.

Ragini Hariharan | Marketing Director (Head of Marketing), Himalayan Wellness: There’s a quiet balance in how Ragini Hariharan approaches marketing, where tradition is respected but not left static. Her work reflects an effort to make wellness feel more accessible to today’s consumer without losing its original essence. By carefully evolving communication, she ensures the brand remains both rooted and relevant, speaking to audiences who are increasingly mindful about the choices they make.

Rajeev Jain | Sr. Vice President – Corporate Marketing, DS Group: With a portfolio that spans diverse categories, Rajeev Jain’s role demands a broader marketing perspective. His work reflects an ability to bring coherence across brands while allowing each to retain its individuality. By focusing on structured communication and strategic alignment, he continues to strengthen brand presence, ensuring consistency in messaging across a wide and varied consumer base.

Rajiv Mathur | Sr Chief General Manager – Sales & Marketing, Shahnaz Husain Group: Working with a legacy brand rooted in heritage, Rajiv Mathur’s role reflects a careful balance between preservation and progression. His approach focuses on maintaining authenticity while adapting communication for modern audiences. By reinforcing the brand’s core philosophy through consistent messaging, he ensures that its identity remains intact even as it continues to evolve in a changing beauty landscape.

Rajiv Singh | Vice President – Head of Marketing & Growth, Haldiram Snacks Food Pvt. Ltd.: Growth-focused roles demand a different lens, and Rajiv Singh’s work reflects that shift. His approach centers on expanding reach while maintaining brand familiarity—ensuring that scale does not come at the cost of recognition. By aligning marketing efforts with growth priorities, he continues to drive strategies that strengthen both presence and performance in a highly competitive snacking category.

Ramakant Sista | Vice President Marketing, Biotique: Ramakant Sista’s marketing approach is rooted in translating philosophy into communication. In a brand built around natural and Ayurvedic positioning, his work focuses on making that proposition accessible to modern consumers. By simplifying messaging without diluting essence, he ensures that the brand remains both credible and relatable, bridging the gap between traditional formulations and contemporary expectations in the personal care space.

Ravi Makwana | CMO, Vadilal Industries: With a brand deeply embedded in consumer memory, Ravi Makwana’s role reflects a focus on continuity with evolution. His approach emphasizes maintaining strong recall while introducing freshness into communication. By balancing familiarity with change, he ensures that the brand continues to appeal across generations, staying relevant in a category shaped by both nostalgia and shifting preferences.

Ritya Gulati | Head – Marketing and Alternate Channels – Modern Trade, E-commerce and Q-Commerce, Prataap Snacks: Ritya Gulati’s role reflects the growing importance of alternate channels in shaping brand visibility. Her work focuses on how consumers discover and purchase in modern retail environments, from e-commerce to quick commerce. By aligning marketing strategies with these evolving touchpoints, she ensures that brands remain accessible and relevant, adapting to changing buying behaviors with speed and precision.

Rohit Gulati | Marketing Director, India & South Asia, Johnson & Johnson India: Marketing in healthcare and personal care often carries an added layer of responsibility. Rohit Gulati’s work reflects a clear understanding of that expectation, where credibility is non-negotiable. His approach prioritizes clarity over clutter, ensuring communication remains grounded and trustworthy. By maintaining this discipline, he continues to shape brand narratives that consumers can rely on in categories closely linked to everyday well-being.

Ruchira Jaitly | Chief Marketing Officer, United Spirits (Diageo India): Ruchira Jaitly’s work reflects a refined approach to marketing, where storytelling plays a central role in shaping brand perception. In a category where identity and aspiration intersect, she focuses on building narratives that feel distinctive yet consistent. Her leadership highlights the importance of crafting experiences that go beyond communication, helping brands establish a deeper and more enduring connection.

Saakshi Verma Menon | Chief Marketing Officer, India Foods, PepsiCo India: Saakshi Verma Menon’s marketing leadership carries a strong sense of cultural awareness, reflected in how brands connect with consumers across moments and occasions. Her work goes beyond traditional communication, focusing on creating relevance within everyday experiences. By blending insight with creativity, she continues to shape narratives that feel timely, engaging, and closely aligned with evolving consumer lifestyles.

Sahil Gilani | Director: Sales & Marketing, Gits Food Products: Sahil Gilani’s work reflects a strong understanding of convenience-led consumption, where ease and familiarity drive choice. His approach focuses on positioning products as accessible solutions for modern lifestyles, without losing their traditional appeal. By aligning product relevance with clear communication, he ensures that the brand continues to connect with consumers seeking both authenticity and practicality.

Saloni Shah Javeri | Chief Digital & Marketing Officer, L’Oréal India: In a category defined by rapid change, Saloni Shah Javeri’s role reflects a forward-looking approach to marketing. Her work brings together digital transformation and brand storytelling, ensuring communication remains both innovative and relevant. By focusing on how consumers discover and engage with beauty brands today, she continues to shape strategies that feel dynamic and future-ready.

Sanath R. Pulikkal | CMO, Bajaj Consumer Care: Sanath R. Pulikkal’s marketing approach reflects a clear focus on relevance in categories shaped by routine usage. His work emphasizes building strong brand recall while adapting communication to changing consumer expectations. By maintaining a balance between familiarity and freshness, he ensures that brands remain both recognizable and responsive, strengthening their position in a competitive personal care landscape.

Sangeeta Goel | DGM Marketing, Bikanervala Foods Pvt. Ltd.: Sangeeta Goel’s work reflects a hands-on approach to marketing, where execution plays as important a role as strategy. Her focus remains on building consistent communication that aligns with the brand’s established presence. By ensuring coherence across touchpoints, she contributes to maintaining strong recall while supporting the brand’s expansion in an increasingly competitive and evolving food segment.

Santpal Kashyap | VP Sales & Marketing, Varun Beverages: Operating in a high-volume, fast-moving category, Santpal Kashyap’s work is defined by scale and execution. His approach reflects a clear alignment between sales momentum and brand visibility, ensuring consistent presence across markets. By focusing on reach, availability, and strong recall, he continues to strengthen the brand’s position in a space driven by both distribution and demand.

Shashi Prabha | Brand Manager, Unicharm: At the brand level, impact often comes from attention to detail, and Shashi Prabha’s work reflects that focus. Her approach centers on understanding specific consumer needs and translating them into clear, relevant communication. By keeping messaging precise and targeted, she contributes to building strong brand connections, ensuring that products remain aligned with expectations in a highly competitive and evolving personal care space.

Shrirang Tembhekar | Head of Marketing, Dinshaws Dairy Foods Pvt Ltd.: In a category driven by taste and familiarity, Shrirang Tembhekar’s approach centers on building strong everyday connections. His work reflects an understanding of how brands fit into routine consumption, where recall and availability matter equally. By focusing on relatable communication and consistent presence, he ensures the brand remains a recognizable choice in a competitive and fast-moving dairy segment.

Shuvadip Banerjee | Chief Digital Marketing Officer (CDMO), ITC Limited: Shuvadip Banerjee brings a sharp, insight-led approach to digital marketing, shaped by years of deep engagement with consumer behavior and analytics. At ITC, he has played a pivotal role in reimagining how legacy FMCG brands connect in a rapidly evolving digital ecosystem, blending data, creativity, and technology seamlessly. His leadership reflects a strong belief in building meaningful, two-way consumer engagement, where personalization and storytelling come together to create lasting brand experiences.

Shweta Dalal | Marketing Director, Nivea India: Shweta Dalal’s work reflects a focus on building trust through simplicity and consistency. In a category where reliability matters, her approach emphasizes clear communication and strong brand fundamentals. By maintaining a steady narrative while adapting to evolving expectations, she ensures that the brand remains both familiar and relevant to consumers across different life stages.

Siddharth Gupta | VP Marketing, Britannia Industries Ltd.: Siddharth Gupta’s work at Britannia reflects a sharp understanding of how legacy brands can continue to evolve with changing consumer preferences. His approach to marketing is both grounded and forward-looking, balancing consistency with the need to stay culturally relevant. Through thoughtful campaigns and a clear focus on consumer connect, he has contributed to strengthening Britannia’s presence in a category that thrives on trust and everyday relevance.

Siddharth Saini | General Manager – Head – Brand & Marketing – Wagh Bakri Tea Lounge, Wagh Bakri Tea Group: Bringing a traditional product into a modern, experiential format requires a distinct marketing lens. Siddharth Saini’s work reflects this shift, where tea moves beyond consumption into lifestyle and engagement. His approach focuses on creating spaces and narratives that invite interaction, helping the brand connect with newer audiences while retaining its strong cultural roots and long-standing recognition.

Sindhuu Govindarajan | Vice President, Marketing, Tata Consumer Products: Sindhuu Govindarajan’s leadership reflects a broader view of brand-building, one that goes beyond campaigns to shape long-term perception. Her work is anchored in consistency, ensuring that brand narratives remain steady even as strategies evolve. With a focus on clarity and cohesion, she continues to guide marketing efforts that strengthen both visibility and trust across a diverse consumer base.

Snigdha Anand | Senior Vice President Marketing, Mamaearth: Few brands have scaled as rapidly in recent years, and Snigdha Anand’s role reflects that pace. Her work is closely tied to understanding new-age consumer expectations, where transparency, digital presence, and purpose matter deeply. By focusing on building direct and engaging communication, she ensures the brand stays closely connected to its audience, adapting quickly to trends while maintaining a strong and recognizable identity.

Snigdha Suman | General Manager, Avon India: In a space defined by personalization and direct consumer engagement, Snigdha Suman’s role reflects a focus on building strong individual connections. Her approach leans into understanding consumer preferences at a more personal level, ensuring communication feels tailored and relevant. By maintaining this closeness, she helps strengthen the brand’s presence in a category where relationships often drive long-term loyalty.

Sreenath Vijayan | General Manager Marketing, Double Horse – Manjilas Food Tech Pvt Ltd.: Rooted in strong regional identity, Sreenath Vijayan’s work reflects a deep understanding of cultural preferences. His approach focuses on keeping communication relatable while expanding the brand’s appeal beyond traditional boundaries. By aligning authenticity with evolving consumption patterns, he ensures that the brand continues to grow while staying true to its origins.

Sunanda Khaitan | CMO, Beauty & Wellbeing, Hindustan Unilever Limited: With nearly two decades at Unilever, Sunanda Khaitan brings a deep, intuitive understanding of how beauty brands evolve with consumers. Her journey reflects a thoughtful blend of global exposure and local insight, enabling her to shape narratives that feel both aspirational and relevant. In a category driven by constant change, her leadership stands out for building brands that resonate meaningfully while staying rooted in authenticity.

Sumati Kapur, Media and Digital Lead, McCain Foods: Sumati Kapur, Media and Digital Lead at McCain Foods, brings a strong blend of digital-first thinking and strategic storytelling to one of the world’s leading frozen food brands. With a proven track record in driving high-impact, integrated campaigns, she has played a key role in leveraging digital platforms, influencer collaborations, and multi-channel media to build deeper consumer engagement and brand recall. Her approach reflects a sharp understanding of evolving content ecosystems, enabling McCain to create meaningful, large-scale consumer connections in an increasingly digital-first landscape.

Taniya Pandey | Chief Marketing Officer, VLCC: Wellness as a category continues to evolve, and Taniya Pandey’s work reflects an ability to keep pace with that change. Her approach focuses on shaping communication that feels relevant to contemporary lifestyles while staying aligned with the brand’s core offerings. By bringing clarity and direction to marketing efforts, she ensures that the brand remains both visible and meaningful to its audience.

Tushar Malhotra | Director – Sales & Marketing, Bisleri International: At the scale Bisleri operates, consistency is as critical as visibility. Tushar Malhotra’s role reflects a sharp alignment between distribution strength and brand communication. His approach ensures that presence across markets is supported by clear and recognizable messaging. By focusing on both reach and recall, he continues to reinforce the brand’s position in a category driven by everyday consumption.

Varun Sethuraman | Head Marketing Communications, Nestlé India: With over two decades of experience, Varun Sethuraman brings a seasoned and thoughtful perspective to marketing communications at Nestlé India. His work reflects a strong command over storytelling, one that balances brand legacy with evolving consumer expectations. Known for crafting narratives that feel both consistent and contemporary, he plays a key role in shaping how some of India’s most loved brands continue to stay relevant, relatable, and trusted across generations.

Vigyeta Agrawal | Head of Marketing, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: In categories where credibility drives choice, Vigyeta Agrawal’s work reflects a disciplined and thoughtful approach to communication. Her focus remains on ensuring that messaging is both clear and responsible, aligning with consumer expectations in health-focused segments. By maintaining this balance, she continues to guide brands in building trust-led narratives that resonate across a wide and increasingly informed audience base.

Vikas Srivastava | AVP Marketing, Emami Ltd: Vikas Srivastava’s approach to marketing reflects a balance between brand legacy and contemporary relevance. His work focuses on evolving communication without losing the essence that defines the brand. By maintaining consistency while introducing freshness, he ensures that brands continue to connect with both existing and new consumers in a competitive personal care landscape.

Vikram Bahl | Chief Marketing Officer, United Breweries: In a category driven by lifestyle and experience, Vikram Bahl’s approach to marketing leans into building strong brand associations. His work reflects an understanding of how consumers engage beyond the product—through moments, occasions, and shared experiences. By focusing on relatability and recall, he continues to shape narratives that strengthen the brand’s presence in a competitive and evolving space.

Vikram Karwal | Chief Marketing Officer, Marico Limited: Vikram Karwal brings a sharp strategic lens to marketing, shaped by a deep understanding of evolving consumer behavior and brand dynamics. At Marico, his leadership reflects a strong focus on building purpose-led brands that stay relevant in a rapidly changing landscape. Known for blending insight with innovation, he continues to shape marketing narratives that are not only effective but also meaningfully connected to today’s consumers.

Virat Khanna | Head of Marketing, Skin Care, Dabur India Limited: In the ever-evolving skincare space, Virat Khanna brings a focused and contemporary lens to brand-building. His work reflects an understanding of how modern consumers engage with beauty, seeking both efficacy and authenticity. Through clear positioning and thoughtful communication, he is helping shape skincare brands that feel relevant, trustworthy, and aligned with changing expectations.

Yogesh Tewari | Vice President Marketing & Category Business Head – Guiltfree Industries Ltd, RPSG Group: Working in a category centered on conscious consumption, Yogesh Tewari’s approach reflects an understanding of shifting consumer priorities. His work focuses on positioning products as both relevant and accessible, ensuring clarity in communication. By aligning category growth with consumer awareness, he continues to shape narratives that resonate with audiences seeking better-for-you alternatives.

Zoher Kapuswala | Chief Marketing Officer, Ferrero India: Premium brands demand a different kind of storytelling—one that builds aspiration without losing accessibility. Zoher Kapuswala’s work reflects this balance, where communication is carefully crafted to elevate brand perception. His approach focuses on creating distinct and memorable brand experiences, ensuring that products stand out not just for quality, but also for the emotional connection they build with consumers.

Conclusion

Together, these marketing leaders represent the evolving face of India’s FMCG landscape, one that is more dynamic, consumer-aware, and future-focused than ever before. Their work reflects not just the ability to adapt to change, but to lead it with clarity and intent.Across categories, from daily essentials to emerging lifestyle segments, they are shaping how brands stay relevant in the lives of millions. What stands out is their shared commitment to building meaningful connections, where strategy meets creativity, and insight translates into impact.

As the industry continues to transform, these leaders are not just responding to shifting consumer expectations; they are actively redefining them, setting new benchmarks for how FMCG brands grow, engage, and endure in a competitive and ever-evolving market.

–This article is the result of thorough research conducted by the IST Research & Editorial team, with valuable support from technology partners like MiQ and Varun Mohan- Chief Commercial Officer at MiQ

Disclaimer

The “Top Marketing Leaders Powering FMCG Brands in India” recognition is an editorial initiative based on internal research and publicly available information. While we follow a structured and thoughtful evaluation process, the selection is inherently subjective and may not capture every aspect of an individual’s professional journey.

The assessment considers multiple parameters, including industry influence, reputation, experience, contributions, education, accolades, and overall presence. Given the dynamic nature of the industry and the scope of available information, there may be inadvertent omissions or variations.

Inclusion in this list is intended for recognition purposes only and does not represent an endorsement, ranking, or guarantee of performance.

We truly value transparency and continuous improvement. Feedback or suggestions are always welcome and may be considered for future editions.