Kavita Gandhi has an extensive background in environment and developmental sector spanning over last 20 years. Kavita has been involved in multi-dimensional projects like United States Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP) and was Instrumental in setting up of Clean Technology Environmental Management Centre (CTEM) in the Singapore Manufacturer’s Association. She has experience working with environmental sector startups and SMEs in her capacity as a manager of the Singapore Association for Environmental Companies (SAFECO). Kavita was one of the key personnel involved in setting up the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore and securing a grant from SPRING Singapore to run programs in the area of local enterprise development, market development and training & conferences for clean energy industry. She also represents the association in various government and non-government committees related to clean energy. She was instrumental in developing and managing some unique programs like the SME Energy Efficiency outreach as well cleantech incubator. Kavita has an MSc in Environmental Management from Wye College, University of London.
Kavita is also representing SEAS on the following:
• Environment & Resource Standards Committee (ERSC), ESG
• Co-convener Renewable Energy Standards (RECs) working group, ESG
• TC for Energy, ESG
• SCEM Steering Committee, NEA
• Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) committee, ADB
• Advisory Board: EcoLabs Centre of Innovation for Energy, NTU

Mahesh Kumar, most recently led and grew EcoLabs Centre of Innovation for Energy at Nanyang Technological University as an innovation cluster focused on building and accelerating deep-tech energy innovation capabilities in Singapore to support the nation’s future energy transition. He was also Programme Director at Energy Research Institute @ NTU championing translation of deeptech sustainable technologies from labs to markets. He is a board-level executive and innovator with a customer-focused approach, incorporating a deep knowledge of the start-up and innovation landscape. He has numerous years of experience in clean energy/sustainability technology translation across multiple industries and has facilitated innovation through multiple early and late-stage companies.

He currently is Chief Sustainability and Innovation Officer at Sing Fuels’ and champions the sustainability initiatives/programs for the group. He also leads the development of new digital initiatives and innovation program for Sing Fuels.

Mahesh core focus/expertise is on innovation management, deeptech translation, test bedding innovative solutions at industrial scale, assisting SME/Startups in co-innovation efforts, supporting early-stage investments, and projects financing for sustainability & clean energy projects in Singapore. Mahesh received his master’s in management of technology from National University of Singapore and has wide and deep experience in innovation and entrepreneurship. He has worked with leading MNCs and Fortune 500 companies in championing new product development and innovation efforts. Over the years, he has successfully mentored and assisted several technology startups to successful commercialization in Singapore.

Melvyn spent over a decade as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs, which formed his foundational belief that a culture of collaboration, teamwork and integrity creates the right environment for people to be most effective and deliver their best work. These early years involved dealing with sovereign wealth funds, endowments, hedge funds, corporates and other financial intermediaries.

With more than 17 years’ experience in direct investment advisory and portfolio management for ultra-high net worth clients, as well as six years as an active angel investor, Melvyn believes that success is best driven by people with heart and business acumen in equal measure. His strong entrepreneurial streak has led him to a seat on the Board of Sunseap, Fundnel and he is Venture Partner to a VC fund, Tensility in Chicago. Melvyn is also Advisor to a Singapore based fintech startup called Hive Up.

Currently Co-founder and Chair of the Investment Committee at Thirdrock Group, an independent investment management firm, Melvyn also serves as District Councilor in the South West Community Development Council (Singapore) and is a member of the Environmental Functional Committee, which develops and implements community-based activities to promote lifestyle changes that have a positive impact on the environment.

Melvyn graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Business Administration (High Distinction).

Krishnakumar (KK) has over 30 years’ extensive experience in steering end to end digital transformation, first-of-its-kind digital rollouts as well as Greenfield initiatives towards positioning organizations to embrace Industry 4.0 revolution and Sustainability. He is an Industry and Enterprise Architect, who has continuously increased his client and IBM impact leveraging IBM’s architecture leadership. KK is part of IBM Industry Academy and certified at “Thought leader” level, highest level in IBM for Consulting services.

Prior to working in IBM, he worked in TCS America where he was leading a practice focused on Manufacturing Industries and at Rockwell Automation where he set up a new profit center for Manufacturing Business Solutions.