A Quantum Leader Transforming Lives and Businesses
Born in the fort city of Gwalior and raised in the vibrant community of Khetri Nagar, Rajasthan, Pankaj Kankar’s early years were shaped by the rich tapestry of Indian culture and strong family values. His father’s role as a mechanical engineer at Hindustan Copper Limited (H.C.L) and his mother’s dedication as a teacher in KV School instilled in him a deep appreciation for education and a sense of purpose from an early age.
An alumnus of Harvard Business School and with a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics & Communication Engineering from NIT Surathkal and a Master’s from BITS Pilani, Pankaj’s academic journey laid the foundation for a remarkable career.
Pankaj’s passion for technology led him to embark on a career at Hughes Software Systems, where he discovered his fascination for software, data science and digital transformation. This marked the beginning of an extraordinary professional journey spanning over 25 years, where he emerged as a seasoned technology leader, start-up advisor & mentor, angel investor, and leadership coach.
Pankaj’s contributions to the technology landscape are underscored by ten worldwide patents and over a dozen research papers in top-rated international conferences and journals, showcasing his innovative contributions to technology and product development. He has also conceptualized and launched multiple AI, Data Science, and AR/VR products.
Through his illustrious career, Pankaj played a pivotal role in building and leading high-performing technology organizations, scalable systems, and largescale products across several organizations. Notably, his contributions were instrumental in propelling start-ups like Lenskart, Freecharge, and Guavus to exponential growth. In his latest stint, Pankaj is leading product & technology for India’s largest and fastest growing muti-billion USD Fashion & Lifestyle destination at Reliance Retail Ltd.
His exemplary achievements and visionary leadership have garnered numerous accolades and recognition. Pankaj was honored with the prestigious Golden Pinnacle Award for his outstanding contributions to technology, start-ups, and leadership at the 36th International Summit and Awards held in Dubai in 2023.
Additionally, he received the CTO of the Year – Retail award from Quantic India Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India, in 2022, acknowledging his remarkable leadership in the retail sector. Moreover, he was recognized as the CTO of the Year in 2022 by India Achievers Forum, New Delhi, further solidifying his reputation as a trailblazing technology leader.
In 2023, Pankaj earned the distinction of being a certified leadership coach by CFI at Reliance Retail, a testament to his dedication to empowering and nurturing talent. So far, he has coached over 50 senior leaders and entrepreneurs.
As a leader, Pankaj challenges traditional models and views individuals as assets brimming with infinite possibilities, empowering them with empathy, trust, and coaching to achieve audacious goals.
Pankaj’s visionary approach to business revolves around leading disruptive transformation with purposeful execution and empathy aiming for breakthroughs rather than linear growth. His unique blend of rich professional experience, understanding of human behavior and potential, Vedantic philosophy, Quantum physics, and Spirituality has resulted in pathbreaking innovations and the creation of highperformance cultures and organizations achieving transformational outcomes and exponential growth.
Throughout his journey, Pankaj faced professional and personal challenges. However, he embraced failure as a stepping stone to growth, always maintaining his core values and integrity. With untiring support from his family and a dedication to meditation, Pankaj has successfully balanced his personal and professional life.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges, but Pankaj’s resilience and innovative mindset allowed him to navigate through troubled waters. He used the time to fuel his personal development, accelerate his journey towards spiritualism, and co-found MindsPrism (https://mindsprism.com/) with his wife, a manifestation of their resolve to help people live happy and fulfilling lives.
Pankaj’s appetite for business goes beyond individual success with zeal to create a wider impact. He is currently setting up a venture with a team of like-minded individuals offering services on Digital transformation & Technology consulting, Startup advisory, and Leadership coaching. His goal is to utilize his rich experience, technology and organizational development expertise to help companies experience quantum leaps – achieving breakthroughs and not merely linear growth. Pankaj’s experience in scaling startups will support founders in achieving sustainable growth. Ultimately, he aims to positively impact a million lives by unlocking their full potential.
Pankaj’s strengths lie in his commitment to learning, a curious mindset, and adaptability. These qualities have contributed to his versatility and his ability to make a positive impact across various domains. Additionally, his childhood values and spiritualism have kept him grounded and equipped him to lead with compassion and empathy, particularly during significant organizational and business transformations.
In his message to viewers, Pankaj urges them to seize the golden era of opportunities by making the right choices. His mantra for growth, development, and success revolves around pursuing one’s passion and excellence while maintaining an attitude of gratitude.
Pankaj Kankar’s journey is a testament to his commitment to excellence, transformative leadership, and dedication to empowering others. Through his visionary approach and remarkable achievements, he continues to inspire and shape the landscape of technology and business, leaving an enduring impact on all those he encounters.
