5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Leadership
Forum · 2026
The Leaders' Canvas
Experiences and Conversations Shape Actions
A leadership forum bringing together leaders from brands, research, AI, technology, innovation, strategy, and business functions to explore the decisions shaping the future.
Date
7 August 2026
Evening event
Time
6:00 PM IST
onwards
Venue
The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi
Gurugram, Delhi NCR
About
Why We Created
The Leaders' Canvas
The most important business decisions are rarely shaped by information alone.
01
Experiences
Real context from leaders who have been in the room when it mattered.
02
Conversations
Dialogue that goes beyond slides — honest, cross-industry exchange.
03
Perspectives
Viewpoints that challenge what we think we already know.
The Leaders' Canvas was created to bring together leaders from across industries for deep conversations about the questions, opportunities, and decisions that will define the future.
Rather than focusing on presentations, the forum is designed around dialogue, diverse viewpoints, and actionable thinking.
Our Objective
Create conversations that inspire the next generation of leaders and peers to make better decisions.
A forum designed for deep conversations, diverse viewpoints, and actionable thinking.
Schedule
Your Evening at a Glance
7 August 2026 · The Westin Gurgaon, Gurugram
-
-
6:00 PM – 6:10 PM
Doors Open to Ballroom & Welcome Networking
-
6:10 PM – 6:30 PM
Welcome by the Event Host
Ankesh Saxena, Founder and CBO Of Acutus AI and Host of The Collaborative Canvas Podcast
-
6:30 PM – 6:45 PM
Featured Book Launch & Author Conversation
Corporate Drifters: When the Safe Job Disappears
How Non-Linear Careers Outlast Layoffs, Automation & Corporate Uncertainty
Join author Shawn Roy for the launch of his new book, followed by a short conversation on navigating career transitions, uncertainty, and building resilience in a rapidly changing world.
-
6:45 PM – 7:15 PM
Panel Discussion
What Should Stay. What Must Change?
Rebuilding Consumer Insights and Marketing for a New Era
As consumer behaviour, technology, and business expectations continue to evolve, which principles remain timeless, and what must change to stay relevant?
Moderator: Chandan Mukherji Panellists: Ritesh Srivastava, Shawn Roy, Tripti Mathur, Kumar Kushal -
7:20 PM – 7:50 PM
Panel Discussion
The Questions Have Changed. Have Our Solutions?
New Business Problems Need New Ways of Thinking
Business challenges are evolving rapidly. This discussion explores whether our current approaches, tools, and ways of thinking are keeping pace with the questions organizations face today.
Moderator: Ankit Dhanuka Panellists: Ruchira Jain, Soumya Mohanty, Monika Agrawal -
7:55 PM – 8:25 PM
Panel Discussion
Stress Testing AI: Where AI Delivers. Where AI Breaks.
Beyond the excitement surrounding AI lies an important question: where is it creating measurable business value, where does it fall short, and how should leaders evaluate its role in decision-making?
Moderator: Smriti Singh Bhatia Panellists: Arindam Bhattacharya, Achyuta Ghosh, Sucheta Jha -
8:35 PM – 9:05 PM
Panel Discussion
What Happens When Intelligence Is Everywhere?
The Future of Brands, Insights and Decision Making
As intelligence becomes increasingly accessible, what will continue to differentiate successful leaders, brands, and organizations? This discussion looks ahead at the future of leadership and strategic decision-making.
Moderator: Madhu Thapliyal Panellists: Aditya Sharan, Lloyd Mathias, Unaise Urfi -
9:05 PM – 9:10 PM
Group Photograph
-
9:10 PM – 9:15 PM
Closing Remarks
Ankesh Saxena & Claudia Siregar
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9:15 PM – 11:00 PM
Networking Dinner & Drinks
Why This Matters Now
The decisions shaping tomorrow cannot be made in silos
Consumer behaviour is shifting faster than most frameworks can adapt. AI is rewriting how insights are gathered, interpreted, and acted upon. The questions leaders face today — about marketing, research, technology, and strategy — no longer belong to a single function or industry.
What worked yesterday may not survive tomorrow. What seems certain today may be obsolete by next quarter. Leaders need more than data; they need perspective from peers who are navigating the same uncertainty.
The Leaders' Canvas exists because the most consequential decisions are made at the intersection of disciplines — and those conversations rarely happen in the same room.
Audience
Who Should Attend
The Leaders' Canvas is designed for leaders who shape decisions across brands, research, technology, and business.
Brand Leaders
- · Consumer Insights
- · Marketing
- · Innovation
- · Customer Experience
- · Growth
- · Strategy
Research Leaders
- · Market Research
- · Consumer Intelligence
- · Analytics
- · Behavioral Science
AI & Technology Leaders
- · AI Platforms
- · Decision Intelligence
- · ResTech
- · MarTech
- · Enterprise Technology
Business Leaders
- · Founders
- · CEOs
- · Business Heads
- · Transformation Leaders
- · Investors
- · Advisors
Conversations
The Questions Leaders Are Asking
Panel 1
Chandan Mukherji
Ritesh Srivastava
Shawn Roy
Tripti Mathur
Kumar Kushal
What Should Stay. What Must Change?
Rebuilding Consumer Insights and Marketing for a New Era
As consumer behaviour, technology, and business expectations continue to evolve, what fundamentals should remain unchanged and what needs to be reimagined?
Moderator
Panelists
Panel 2
Ankit Dhanuka
Ruchira Jain
Soumya Mohanty
Monika Agrawal
The Questions Have Changed. Have Our Solutions?
New Business Problems Need New Ways of Thinking
Are businesses still trying to solve tomorrow's challenges with yesterday's frameworks?
Moderator
Panelists
Panel 3
Smriti Singh Bhatia
Arindam Bhattacharya
Achyuta Ghosh
Sucheta Jha
Stress Testing AI
Where AI Delivers. Where AI Breaks.
Moving beyond the hype to examine the practical realities, opportunities, and limitations of AI in decision-making.
Moderator
Panelists
Panel 4
Madhu Thapliyal
Lloyd Mathias
Aditya Sharan
Unaise Urfi
What Happens When Intelligence Is Everywhere?
The Future of Brands, Insights and Decision Making
When intelligence becomes accessible to everyone, what will define competitive advantage?
Moderator
Panelists
Book Launch
Featured Book Launch & Author Conversation
Evening highlight · 6:30 PM – 6:45 PM
Corporate Drifters: When the Safe Job Disappears
How Non-Linear Careers Outlast Layoffs, Automation & Corporate Uncertainty
Join author Shawn Roy for the launch of his new book, followed by a short conversation on navigating career transitions, uncertainty, and building resilience in a rapidly changing world.
By Shawn Roy
Venue
The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi, Gurugram, Delhi NCR
Premium hospitality.
Thoughtful conversations.
Meaningful connections.
1, MG Road, Sector 29, Gurugram, Delhi NCR, Haryana 122002
Registration
Join The Conversation
Bookings
Closed
Early Bird
₹10,000
Until 7 July 2026
- Access to all panel discussions
- Networking session
- Drinks
Standard Pass
₹12,000
From 8 July 2026
- Access to all panel discussions
- Networking session
- Drinks
Hosts
Presented By
Partners
Supporting The Leaders' Canvas
The Leaders' Canvas is made possible through the support of organizations committed to advancing leadership, innovation, and meaningful industry conversations.
Panel Powered by
DreamlockMR
Panel Powered by
InQognito
Industry
Industry Partners
Advancing insights, data, and analytics across industries.
Community
Community Partner
Connecting leaders, researchers, and practitioners.
Women in Research
Women in Research Partner
Championing women in research through collaboration.
Choose Your Stage.
Join leaders who are willing to share experiences, challenge assumptions, and contribute to meaningful conversations.
7 August 2026
The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi, Gurugram, Delhi NCR
Reserve Your Seat
Participating
Companies Participating
Organizations joining The Leaders' Canvas and contributing to the conversations shaping the future.
