DhiWise Collective is a collaborative platform that brings together accomplished leaders, educators, industry experts, mentors, and changemakers who share a common belief: the progress of a nation begins with the growth of its people. Guided by the philosophy of blending ancient wisdom with modern knowledge, the Collective creates opportunities for individuals to learn, lead, collaborate, and contribute to nation-building.
Drawing on over 100 years of collective leadership experience across financial services, business management, sports, training, education, and organisational development, DhiWise Collective serves as a bridge between experience and aspiration. By connecting seasoned professionals with emerging leaders and young minds, it fosters mentorship, innovation, responsible leadership, and community engagement. Through this shared ecosystem of knowledge, guidance, and action, DhiWise is committed to empowering youth, strengthening communities, and creating meaningful impact for society.
An experienced financial services leader, mentor, and trainer with over 32 years of experience in NBFC operations, business development, risk management, compliance, and organisational transformation. Former Chief Operating Officer at Radhakrishna Finance, he has played a key role in driving operational excellence, portfolio growth, process improvement, and strategic business expansion within the NBFC sector.
His expertise includes Gold Loan Operations, MSME Lending, Collections & Recovery, Audit & Compliance, SOP Development, Fraud Investigation, Risk Management, and Business Transformation. An MBA graduate and Microsoft Certified Professional, he also holds certifications in Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Lean Six Sigma, Digital Transformation, and Cyber Security, enabling him to combine technology-driven insights with strong operational leadership.
With more than 25 years of mentoring and training experience, he has guided students, professionals, and corporate teams in leadership development, career growth, productivity enhancement, and professional excellence. His extensive industry experience, coupled with a lifelong passion for sports and team building, allows him to bring valuable perspectives on leadership, resilience, strategic thinking, and sustainable growth to individuals and organisations alike.
A distinguished business leader with over 30 years of experience in financial services, life insurance, sales leadership, and business management. Currently serving as Senior Vice President & National Head – Life Insurance and Financial Services at Canara HSBC Life Insurance in a consulting capacity, he has been instrumental in driving business growth, market expansion, and operational excellence.
His expertise spans Sales Leadership, Business Development, Customer Service, Financial Services, Team Building, and Organisational Transformation. Known for his strategic vision and people-centric leadership approach, he has successfully built high-performing teams, developed leadership capabilities, and implemented scalable business strategies across diverse markets.
With extensive experience as a mentor and leader, he has guided professionals and senior teams in leadership development, performance enhancement, talent development, and professional excellence. His leadership philosophy focuses on empowerment, accountability, continuous learning, and sustainable organisational growth.
An experienced financial services professional with over 30 years of leadership experience in NBFCs, Gold Loan Operations, Insurance, Business Development, and multi-branch financial management. Throughout his career, he has successfully led large-scale financial operations, driving business growth, operational excellence, and team performance across diverse markets. Currently serving as Assistant Vice President – Business Development at Yogakshemam Loans Ltd. (Yogloans), he oversees business operations across multiple states, contributing to portfolio growth, customer acquisition, operational efficiency, and strategic business expansion.
His expertise spans Gold Loan Business Management, NBFC Operations, Sales and Marketing Leadership, Branch Expansion, Risk and Compliance Management, NPA Recovery Strategies, and Business Development. An MBA graduate with extensive industry experience, he is recognised for building high-performing teams, implementing scalable business models, optimising operational performance, and strengthening organisational profitability. His deep understanding of financial services, combined with a results-driven leadership approach, enables him to deliver sustainable growth and operational effectiveness.
With years of experience as a mentor and trainer, he has guided professionals, sales teams, branch managers, and emerging leaders in leadership development, performance improvement, business growth, and professional excellence. He also actively supports youth development initiatives, leadership programs, sports mentoring, and personal growth frameworks, reflecting his commitment to nurturing future leaders and empowering individuals to realise their full potential.
Sports have played an important role in shaping Baiju’s character and leadership journey. A passionate football player, he represented his school and college teams in competitive football and later represented various Units and Commands of the Indian Air Force in football tournaments. His involvement in the sport helped cultivate discipline, teamwork, resilience, and a strong sense of commitment.
The lessons gained through football continue to influence his leadership approach, fostering strategic thinking, adaptability, perseverance, and the ability to perform effectively under pressure. These qualities have contributed significantly to his success in leading teams, mentoring individuals, and driving professional excellence.
For Baiju, sports remain a powerful medium for personal growth and character development, reflecting values of integrity, sportsmanship, continuous learning, and leadership both on and off the field.
As a firm believer in the power of discipline, teamwork, and continuous self-improvement, Ramkumar has maintained a lifelong connection with sports, particularly cricket. An accomplished cricketer who represented both his school and college teams, he also went on to serve as a former player and coach for the Kannur District Cricket Team, further strengthening his understanding of the game, team dynamics, and leadership. He was also actively involved in weightlifting, a pursuit that reinforced his commitment to discipline, strength, focus, and perseverance.
Ramkumar attributes much of his leadership mindset to the lessons learned on the field. Sports have helped instil values such as strategic thinking, resilience, teamwork, and the ability to perform under pressure. These qualities have continued to influence his professional journey, shaping his approach to leadership, mentoring, and people development.
For Ramkumar, cricket and sports have been a foundation for building character, fostering collaboration, and developing the leadership principles that guide him both personally and professionally.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Shaju has a deep-rooted passion for martial arts and personal development. He specialises in Shorin-ryū Seibukan Karate-dō, one of the foundational Okinawan martial arts traditions. He has dedicated years to promoting physical fitness, self-discipline, mental resilience, and holistic growth through martial arts training. As a martial arts expert and trainer, his journey reflects a strong commitment to the values of perseverance, focus, integrity, and continuous self-improvement.
Shaju is also a Founder Member of Martial Yoga and Swastic Mixed Martial Arts, initiatives that blend traditional martial arts principles with modern approaches to wellness, fitness, and self-defence. Through these platforms, he actively encourages individuals to develop confidence, discipline, and a balanced approach to personal growth.
His ability to connect professional excellence with personal discipline and character building brings valuable insight and a well-rounded perspective to the panel.
A seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in senior management, social enterprises, and strategy consulting. He has extensive expertise in enterprise development, training, and science & technology interventions for sustainable and inclusive growth.
He currently serves as Executive Director of Vibha Vani India and Chief Executive of Invision Consulting. He is also the former Vice Chairperson of the National Innovation Foundation, Government of India, where he contributed to innovation-driven development initiatives at a national level. He is a SEBI-empanelled SMART professional, bringing strong governance and advisory expertise.
With a strong academic foundation including BSc, MBA, MA (Sociology), Advanced Diploma in Management, and PG Diploma in Training & Development, he combines academic depth with practical leadership experience across sectors.
As a mentor, he guides social enterprises, institutions, and professionals in strategy development, innovation management, capacity building, and sustainable development initiatives.
Areas of Expertise: Social Enterprise Strategy, Innovation & Development, Training & Capacity Building, Enterprise Management, Sustainability Initiatives, Policy & Governance Advisory, and Leadership Mentoring.
A qualified Company Secretary and experienced compliance professional with expertise in corporate governance, secretarial practice, and regulatory advisory, particularly in the NBFC sector. He has been a member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) since 2016.
He began his career in a practicing Company Secretary firm, gaining strong exposure in company law compliance, incorporation of companies and LLPs, secretarial audits, annual report preparation, and dematerialization processes. Over the years, he has worked with reputed organisations including Chemmanur International Group, Maxvalue Credits and Investments Limited, Luker Electric Technologies Pvt. Ltd., and Shalivahana Wind Energy Limited.
He brings strong expertise in RBI regulatory compliance for NBFCs, including adherence to RBI Directions, handling regulatory correspondence, and coordinating with authorities such as RBI, ROC, and SEBI. He has also served as Chief Compliance Officer for private placements of NCDs and subordinated debt issuances.
As a mentor, he focuses on corporate governance, compliance systems, regulatory frameworks, and effective board and committee management practices.
Areas of Expertise: Corporate Governance, NBFC Compliance, RBI Regulatory Affairs, Secretarial Practice, Board & Committee Management, Regulatory Liaison (RBI/ROC/SEBI), Secretarial Audit, and Corporate Advisory.
A seasoned professional with 30 years of experience in warehouse management, team leadership, and training across large-scale warehouse and fulfilment operations. He has extensive expertise in designing and setting up retail warehouses and fulfilment centers based on inventory flow, stock holding, and inbound/outbound volumes.
He is highly experienced in warehouse process design, policy development, staffing, safety, security, productivity improvement (UPMH & OPMH), space management, shelving, budgeting, cost optimization, transportation, e-commerce operations, and team training. He has worked across diverse sectors including Food, Pharmacy, Health & Beauty, Fashion, Footwear, and Home Furnishings.
He also brings strong system expertise in warehouse and retail platforms such as WMS, Magento, Opencart, NAV, FMCG systems, Blue Yonder, ASRS, and WCS, enabling efficient and technology-driven operations.
As a mentor, he focuses on operational excellence, workforce development, process efficiency, and building scalable warehouse systems.
Areas of Expertise: Warehouse Operations, Fulfilment Center Setup, Supply Chain Management, Inventory Control, Process Optimization, Workforce Training, Safety & Compliance, Cost Management, E-commerce Operations, and Warehouse Technology Systems.
An experienced IT professional with over 22 years in software development, enterprise applications, and technology consulting. With strong expertise in Microsoft technologies and international onsite exposure, he has delivered scalable, business-focused solutions for global clients.
Currently with Cognizant Technology Solutions, after his tenure at Infosys, he specializes in application development, solution design, system integration, and enterprise software delivery. He is known for translating business requirements into reliable and efficient technical solutions.
A Computer Science and Engineering graduate, he has deep expertise in .NET technologies including C#, ASP.NET, VB.NET, SQL Server, and web application development.
As a mentor, he actively guides aspiring IT professionals in software development, architecture, and career growth.
Areas of Expertise: .NET Development, Software Engineering, Enterprise Applications, Solution Design, Database Management, System Integration, Web Development, and Technology Mentoring.
Brings a unique perspective to football, having experienced the game both as a player and as a coach. His playing journey includes representing Zamorin’s Guruvayurappan College, the CRPF Football Team, Kozhikode District Civil Service Team, and the Kerala State Civil Service Team at college, district, and state levels. This competitive background continues to influence his approach to player development, tactical understanding, and team building.
With over a decade of coaching experience, he has contributed significantly to grassroots football and youth development. He has worked with leading academies and clubs including Crescent Football Academy, Real Malabar FC, Phoenix United Football Academy, and Gokulam FC’s Kerala Premier League (KPL) team.
As the Head Coach of Phoenix United Football Academy (PUFA), he leads structured training programs focused on identifying, developing, and nurturing young football talent. His coaching experience extends to district-level teams, including Kozhikode Junior Boys, Senior Girls, and Senior Men’s teams.
He holds the AFC C Diploma and AIFF D License, along with specialised training in sports nutrition, injury management, goalkeeper coaching, and international coaching methodologies. His combination of playing experience, technical expertise, and commitment to grassroots development makes him a valuable part of our team, bringing the knowledge, guidance, and mentorship needed to nurture the next generation of athletes.
His journey began with a vision to bring the body and mind together through training. This led to the creation of Martial Yoga, a unique system that combines Kalaripayattu, wrestling, boxing, and other martial disciplines with the inner principles of yoga. For over 20 years, he has trained athletes, martial artists, fitness enthusiasts, and individuals seeking strength, discipline, and personal growth.
His foundation comes from years of dedicated practice and learning. He trained in Thekkan Kalari Sampradayam under Surendra Gurukkal of Sree Sastha Kalari Sangham, Kozhikode, while his boxing and combat expertise was shaped by Boxing Acharya Puthalath Raghavan. A national-level MMA competitor and Kerala State Boxing Championship medalist, he has also served as Official State Trainer for WAKO International, State Team Coach for Muay Thai, and Chief Judge for Kalaripayattu competitions.
With expertise as a Certified Yoga Teacher, Certified Kalari Gurukul Instructor, and Certified Panchakarma Practitioner, he follows a holistic approach that develops physical strength, mental resilience, and self-discipline. His contributions to martial arts have earned him recognitions including the Thrissur Malayali Mudra Award and Puthalath Raghavan Memorial Award.
Born into the legacy of martial arts, his journey began with the influence of his great-grandfather, the respected E.P. Vasudevan Gurukal, a celebrated Kalari master. He started training in Kalaripayattu at the age of 8, building an early foundation in discipline, body awareness, and the philosophy behind combat.
Building on his Kalari roots, he developed a remarkable career in Mixed Martial Arts as a professional fighter, coach, certified Cutman, and combat sports organiser. In 2008, he founded his own MMA gym, creating a platform for aspiring fighters, with several athletes later competing in the Super Fight League. He also launched Gym War, a grassroots competition series, and served as Striking Coach with the Super Fight League from 2011 to 2015. During this period, he became a certified Cutman and built a team that managed over 100 fights in a year.
He later founded Swastik Fighting Championship, South India’s first international fighting championship, and contributed to the growth of Indian MMA through Matrix Fight Night. At DhiWise Collective, he mentors young athletes by combining traditional martial arts values with modern combat training, helping them develop discipline, resilience, and a champion mindset.
With over two decades of leadership experience in business strategy, sales, and organisational development across India and the Middle East, he has built a career characterised by business transformation, people leadership, and a deep understanding of what it takes to scale organisations in competitive markets. Armed with an MBA and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, he brings a strong foundation in business management and strategic growth.
Currently serving as the Managing Director of Leaders Integrated GTCC, Kuwait, and the Managing Partner of Solvin International Co., Kuwait, he provides strategic direction for business operations, commercial management, and long-term organisational growth. His expertise lies in driving business development, leading high-value commercial negotiations, strengthening client partnerships, and building sustainable business models that deliver consistent results.
Before taking on entrepreneurial leadership, he spent a decade as the Country Head, Sales for Apple Kuwait, where he led nationwide sales operations and played a pivotal role in expanding the brand’s market presence. His journey also includes leadership positions with Future Generali Life Insurance, Reliance Life Insurance, and Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance, where he consistently built high-performing teams, drove business growth, and developed future leaders through mentorship and strategic planning.
At DhiWise Collective, he mentors aspiring entrepreneurs, professionals, and business leaders by sharing practical insights gained from years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience. His approach combines strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and people-first leadership, empowering individuals to think critically, build resilient businesses, and grow into capable leaders.
Is a respected cricket coach, mentor, and civil professional from Kozhikode with over 43 years of experience in cricket coaching and youth development. As the Director of Santhosh’s Sussex Cricket Academy, established in 1983, he has dedicated decades to nurturing young sporting talent and helping aspiring cricketers develop both their skills and character.
Over the years, his academy has helped groom more than 900 young cricketers from Kozhikode, with several progressing to represent Kerala and some reaching the national level. Beyond cricket, Santhosh Kumar has focused on instilling discipline, perseverance, teamwork, sportsmanship, and confidence in young people. His professional experience as a Grade A Draftsman and Civil Contractor has further strengthened his perspective on planning, precision, responsibility, and building strong foundations.
As a Mentor at DhiWise Collective, Santhosh Kumar brings more than four decades of experience working with young people, along with a deep understanding of the role of guidance, discipline, and encouragement in shaping their future. DhiWise Collective is delighted to have him as part of its Mentor Panel and looks forward to the wisdom, practical perspective, and encouragement he will share with the next generation.
As a public-service professional with nearly three decades of experience, A. Viswanatha Kurup brings extensive knowledge of law enforcement, administration, vigilance, security, and leadership. A Chemistry graduate from Kerala University, he joined the Kerala Police as a Sub-Inspector in 1976 and went on to serve in various operational and leadership roles across Kerala, retiring as Deputy Superintendent of Police in 2004.
His career included key assignments in Vigilance, City Traffic, Special Branch, and district police administration, including DySP Administration, Palakkad; Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kozhikode South; and DySP, Special Branch, Malappuram. After his years in public service, he continued in senior liaison and security roles with Asianet Satellite Communications and Muthoot Fincorp, gaining further experience in stakeholder management, security, and organisational coordination.
At DhiWise Collective, he brings a practical understanding of leadership under pressure, disciplined decision-making, crisis management, risk awareness, ethical conduct, and team building. His experience across public service and the private sector offers a valuable perspective on responsibility, integrity, effective coordination, and handling challenges with composure.
With over three decades of experience in the legal profession, Adv. E.K Santhosh Kumar is a practising advocate based in Kozhikode, with a comprehensive practice covering both civil and criminal matters. His extensive legal experience has given him a deep understanding of complex human situations, thoughtful decision-making, and the importance of approaching challenges with clarity and balance.
Beyond his legal practice, Santhosh Kumar is a dedicated yoga practitioner and teacher, with a particular interest in the Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo and its emphasis on holistic development and self-awareness. He is also actively associated with social welfare initiatives, reflecting his belief in personal growth, social responsibility, and meaningful contribution to the community.
As a Mentor at DhiWise Collective, he brings together decades of professional experience, inner discipline, and a holistic perspective on life and leadership. His guidance encourages young minds to look beyond professional success and develop character, clarity, resilience, self-awareness, and a responsible approach towards both personal growth and society.
