Experience

Talent Element Training & Consultancy

• Professional Training and Coaching
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Marketing Head

  • Feb 2023 - Present

  Responsible for developing impactful & strategic partnerships with heads of Business, Diversity & Inclusion, Human Resources, and Learning & Development. Responsible for developing impactful & strategic partnerships with heads of Business, Diversity & Inclusion, Human Resources, and Learning & Development.



The Idea Spider

• Social Media for Business Coach

  • May 2016 - Present

  I conduct workshops for entrepreneurs on using Social Media for Business, besides also consulting privately with professionals, corporates and private firms on how to enhance their social media presence and leverage it for success.

• Freelance Editor, PR/Media Consultant

  • Jun 2016 - Present

  Besides taking on exciting projects, working with enthusiastic people and helping genuine brands grow intelligently, I'm tapping into my own creativity in various forms. Being your own boss can be scary but more like scary good!



(independent)

• Mumbai Area, India

• Podcaster

  • Apr 2018 - Present

  I have two podcasts, one as The Heart Chef, called THC HeartBytes where I share recipes, trivia, interview cool folks across the food industry and in hospitality, especially women, under my campaign called #FabFoodFemmes. This was subscription based but I have begun sharing them online on various podcast apps. My other food podcast with the Indian Express, called Metro Food Hoppers, let's me take listeners on an audio tour of Bombay's food joints & cuisines along with profiles of interesting professional and home chefs. It's available on the Indian Express site and app, as well as all podcast apps. Show less



Self-employed

• Independent Media Professional

  • May 2016 - Present



The Bicycle Project

• Mumbai

• FOUNDER & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

  • Nov 2008 - Present

  Despite my crazy work schedule at Hello! Magazine, which involved travelling across the country and internationally on occasion, I set up The Bicycle Project, a charity initiative I began with two friends where we aimed at improving the lives of tribal school children in villages outside Mumbai. The project revolved around refurbishing old, unwanted bicycles in the city of Mumbai and donating them to tribal school children who walked an average of 5-7 kms to school every day. After I moved on from Hello! Magazine, I took a sabbatical for a few months to recharge my batteries and now had time to focus more intently on The Bicycle Project. This really helped as my friends and I succeeded in gathering donations of thousands of bicycles in just the first three years, garnered a lot of powerful press coverage in the national media and we were even featured on BBC. We received the support and involvement of international groups like the Tour D’Afrique and companies like Merck Serono, India. We were also proud to win several awards including the Cosmopolitan Award for Woman of the Year for charitable social impact. Show less



uThinkIndigo

• United States
• Think Tanks
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Marketing Officer

  • Apr 2022 - Sep 2022

  In charge of global marketing activities in emerging markets looking for alternative and enhance learning solutions. In charge of global marketing activities in emerging markets looking for alternative and enhance learning solutions.



Zee Digital Convergence Limited (Zee Esselgroup)

• Mumbai Area, India

• Senior Content Creator

  • Dec 2014 - May 2016

  A Zee-Esselgroup entity, Zliving.com was a health and wellness website targeted at the American audience. Here I edited and wrote mainly on lifestyle-related topics and trending stories while receiving training in digital marketing to support our editorial work. I realize this might have been regarded as a huge step down considering my extensive work experience in several senior roles and yet, I wanted to get back to writing in a non-stressful environment and still be part of the media and publishing world. Despite the drastic pay cut and humble title, considering I enjoyed a six figure monthly salary and huge prestige in my previous job, I believed that being happy mattered more to me than the trappings of so-called success and social status. Plus I got to indulge my passion for food and wellness and also address various social issues I care about. Working here got me interested in learning about the latest changes in digital media and related areas. Now it's time to finally get out of my comfort zone and combine my various strengths to woo opportunities as a media professional. I'm more than just a writer, journalist and voice-over artist, after all. Show less



Self Employed

• Mumbai, India

• Freelance Writer and editor, Voice Over Artiste

  • Jul 2013 - Dec 2014



ITC Hotels

• India
• Hospitality
• 700 & Above Employee

• PR Manager

  • Apr 2012 - Jul 2013

  I was head of the PR division of ITC Hotels' grandest and flagship venture in India - the ITC Grand Chola, Chennai. With 600 rooms plus Grand Presidential Suite, 7 premium restaurants, 2 bars and 1 cigar and rare malts lounge, a 27,000 sq ft signature spa, 5 rooftop swimming pools among many other attractions, this hotel was a lavishly decorated, sprawling entity that broke several records and achieved many firsts in the Indian hospitality industry. I am honoured to have been guided and mentored by a wonderful leader, the hotel's GM & VP, Mr Philippe Charraudeau. Show less



ITP Media Group

• United Arab Emirates
• Media Production
• 700 & Above Employee

• Deputy Editor

  • Jul 2010 - Jun 2011

  My first experience in the B2B field, it also had me handling editorial-related issues and making decisions for the first time in such a capacity. Considering there was no ‘editor’ to report to, I was forced to learn fast, seek support from my fabulous group editor and managing editor, while also relying on a strong team. It wasn’t easy to handle liaising with marketing and sales on ad-related content, to ensure that the product delivered high-quality content relevant to the industry even while building a strong connect with Indian and international leaders in hospitality, but it was huge learning. Every single day. Show less



HELLO magazine, WorldWideMedia, Times of India

• Mumbai

• Production Editor

  • Jan 2008 - Nov 2009

  Working for this celebrity monthly magazine meant I was responsible for ensuring the magazine was produced every month within the deadline and budget, coordinating with each team to create content that was largely exclusive featuring the glitterati and HNIs of Indian origin. Besides contributing exclusive interviews with major celebrities such as Parmeshwar Godrej and Kareena Kapoor to name a few, as well as several travel and food features, it was fascinating to be involved so closely with the actual mechanics of putting a magazine together. I do believe this job allowed me to experience and appreciate the magic of how a magazine actually comes together and the role of every single player. Show less



ELLE DECOR magazine

• Mumbai

• Assistant Editor

  • Jul 2006 - Dec 2007

  One of India’s pioneers in the interiors and lifestyle magazine space, this magazine was a wonderful introduction to the design and architecture world. I was in charge of editorial, administrative and coordination duties and had to ensure smooth synchronisation between various departments – stylists, the art team, freelancer correspondents and photographers, as well as liaising with Elle Décor’s international offices. My job profile also included working on the regular events hosted by the magazine, which included an Art and Design Show and an International Design Awards show, among others. I found working with my editor tough and educative; she was a fabulous teacher and a great example of how a committed and talented professional can shape a brand with discipline, dedication and vision. She led by example, set high standards for herself and demanded nothing but the best from everyone else as well. Show less



Westside Plus, Times of India

• Mumbai Area, India

• Senior Correspondent

  • Dec 2002 - Jun 2006

  Produced feature stories on entertainment, lifestyle, art and culture, profiled upcoming creative individuals, celebrities and social organizations, and wrote a weekly column for this hyper-local, Western suburban supplement. Was also responsible for coordinating with and commissioning work from in-house and freelance correspondents and photographers, and executing the final layout with graphic artists. Produced feature stories on entertainment, lifestyle, art and culture, profiled upcoming creative individuals, celebrities and social organizations, and wrote a weekly column for this hyper-local, Western suburban supplement. Was also responsible for coordinating with and commissioning work from in-house and freelance correspondents and photographers, and executing the final layout with graphic artists.