Our Team

Monika Navandar

– Founder & President

Monika Navandar is a certified coach with over 18 years of multi-industry HR leadership experience across both emerging and developed markets. She has held senior HR roles across India, the United States, Italy, Singapore, Dubai, and South Africa, partnering closely with global C-suite leaders.

A global practitioner and thought leader, Monika specialises in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), Talent Management, and Cultural Competence. She is the CEO of NeoSeven Solutions, where she leads a dynamic global partner team of senior leaders.

Since 2016, Monika has served on the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council. Her work has been showcased at the White House in 2016 and 2017, and she was honoured with the Global D&I Leadership Award at the 25th World HRD Congress in 2017. In 2024, she was further recognised as a Voice of the New Era of Leaders at the Global Leaders Summit hosted by the City of Vienna, Austria.

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Monika has collaborated with acclaimed psychologist and author Dr Paula Caligiuri on Cultural Agility and has contributed to influential publications including Diversity Beyond Tokenism by Hari T.N. and Swati Jena, and [Block]Chain Reaction by Elizebeth Varghese. In 2024, she was also distinguished as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Leadership and Executive Coaching.

A sought-after speaker, Monika regularly addresses international conferences, business schools, and leadership forums. Her insights have been featured in leading publications such as The Economic Times, Human Capital, Rutgers, Interact Global, Times of PAMAC, Avtar, MIT, Talentnomics, and Business Manager.

Her corporate journey includes impactful roles at Johnson & Johnson, Volkswagen, Merck Pharma, HSBC, and IBM. Monika holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Rutgers University, USA, and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science & Engineering from MIT, India. Passionate about education, networking, and mentoring, Monika is also an avid traveller and is fluent in five languages.

Mahesh Vakare serves as the Vice President of NavDeepam Foundation, bringing over 20 years of distinguished experience in technology leadership and innovation. His professional journey spans India and the United States, where he has played a key role in developing advanced software applications and scalable technology solutions.

Mahesh has provided strategic consulting to start-ups, small and medium enterprises, and global organisations, guiding them in building robust IT products and technology infrastructures. Under his leadership, he has successfully delivered projects across the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, South Africa, Oman, Dubai, and India.

Prior to his current role, Mahesh held senior positions at renowned organisations including United Health Group, Verizon Wireless, Travelers, and L&T Infotech, where he served as a Solutions Architect. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from MIT, India.

Mahesh Vakare

– Co-Founder & Vice President

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Combining deep technical expertise with a strong understanding of business domains and industry trends, Mahesh has been instrumental in creating innovative and affordable talent assessment and management platforms. These solutions range from ready-to-use assessments to bespoke test development platforms, supporting both organisational growth and educational advancement.

In addition, Mahesh has overseen the delivery of cutting-edge solutions across IoT, mobile applications, software development, web design, product innovation, and digital engagement. His work reflects a quality-driven approach, ensuring that technology acts as a catalyst for education, empowerment, and community development.

Beyond his professional achievements, Mahesh is an avid traveller and a polyglot, fluent in four languages. His global perspective and cultural appreciation continue to shape his vision for inclusive, transformative educational initiatives that bridge communities and create lasting impact.