- Instituted in 2015, the YAAA awards are presented every year to IIMA’s alumni under the age of 45 in recognition of their outstanding achievements and contributions in the areas of Corporate Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Academics/Research, Social/Public Service, and Arts/Entertainment/Sports
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, JUNE 22
The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) on Friday honoured a total of 10 alumni winners of the 10th edition of its Young Alumni Achiever’s Awards (YAAA 2025) in three categories. Instituted in 2015, the YAAA awards are presented every year to IIMA’s alumni under the age of 45 in recognition of their outstanding achievements and contributions in the areas of Corporate Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Academics/Research, Social/Public Service, and Arts/Entertainment/Sports.
The awardees were felicitated by Professor Bharat Bhasker, Director, IIMA, and Professor Sunil Maheshwari, Dean (Alumni and External Relations), IIMA, at an event organised in the campus. Students, faculty members, staff, and members of the broader IIMA community also joined the event to celebrate and applaud the award winners.
The IIMA has a strong network of around 46,000 alumni spread across the country and the world. Several of the alumni have made their mark in different fields and have earned accolades for their contributions in diverse fields. Their successes have strengthened IIMA’s position as a premier management institution offering world-class education. The IIMA alumni are engaged closely with their alma mater and have been supporting several initiatives by giving their time, thought, and resources.
Winners speak
Corporate Leadership
Hemant Mundra, Managing Director, Warburg Pincus (PGP 2014), said: “IIMA was a pivotal phase in my journey- it instilled self-belief, a strong work ethic, and the value of teamwork- shaping my professional and personal growth. I feel fortunate that IIMA has considered me worthy for this prestigious award. It validates my impact in the corporate world through my career and inspires me to contribute meaningfully towards society over the coming decades, while make my alma mater proud and contributing to its rich history.”
Saurabh Chandra, Partner & Financial Services Domestic Consulting Leader, EY (ePGP 2020), said: “IIMA equipped me with all the right values, skills, and most importantly the network that taught me to dream big, create impact, and turn ambition into reality, in order to touch lives. It is an honour to receive this award from my alma mater, reminding me of the values and responsibilities it has deeply instilled in me. More than an award, I see it as a responsibility.”
Rohan Suri, Managing Director, KKR & Co. Inc. (PGP 2010), said: “IIMA shaped the mindset and values I carry into my work every day. It ingrained in me the importance of thinking deeper, questioning assumptions, and pursuing excellence with humility. I am grateful to the faculty, who consistently pushed us beyond the obvious; and to the friends I made at IIMA, whose camaraderie and sharp intellect made the learning richer and more lasting. This award is deeply meaningful to me, and I see it as a responsibility- to keep striving, stay grounded, and contribute meaningfully to the journeys of others.”
Sudipto Sannigrahi, Managing Director, Z47 (PGP 2016), said: “IIMA was the launchpad for everything that followed. The rigour and intensity of the PGP program taught me how to operate under pressure, think from first principles, structure ambiguity and show up every day, on time and prepared. I remain truly indebted as the IIMA experience has been foundational to my journey as a venture capitalist. This award is a humbling honour and a meaningful reminder of the journey that began at IIMA. It reaffirms my purpose of backing founders shaping India’s future and inspires me to give back.”
Ashish Ashok Lakhotia, CEO, Fertilizer and Agri Inputs: ETG Input Holdco Limited (EEP 2018), said; “IIMA came into my life at a time when the world—and my business—was going through immense turbulence and I was constantly being tested as a leader. The IIMA experience gave me not just frameworks and strategies, but the confidence to lead with empathy and clarity. It helped me believe that even in uncertainty, growth is possible—with the right mindset and support. This award is a collective achievement and a humbling recognition of leadership- of the thousands across our ecosystem who work tirelessly to create sustainable impact in farmers’ lives.”
Social Sector/Public Service
Ramyakumar Bhatt, Deputy Commissioner, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) (ePGP 2022), said: “When people ask how IIMA prepared me for public service, I say that IIMA gave me a unique lens—to approach citizen issues with empathy and the same analytical rigor used in business. My peers and the campus spirit instilled in me a conviction that nation-building is the most meaningful and scalable enterprise. This award is a powerful affirmation of the quiet, often difficult path of public service; I see it as a reminder of the immense responsibility for the future. I hope this inspires more IIMA graduates to channel their talents into building a better India.”
Chhavi Moodgal, CEO, IIM Ahmedabad Endowment Fund (PGP 2004) , said: “IIM Ahmedabad was a transformative chapter in my life. It shaped the way I think, make decisions, lead, and contribute to society and the world. IIMA taught me resilience and how to find solutions to make a vision become reality. My dream is to continue this legacy of institution building, creating scale and disruption, keeping the best interest of all stakeholders in mind. To be recognized by an institution that has shaped me so profoundly; for my work that helped to further strengthen our Alma Mater; is really special.”
Arts/Entertainment/Sports
Aditi Krishnakumar, Author (PGP 2007), said: “IIMA teaches you to pursue your passions- in classes and beyond. As a PGP student, I was inspired by professors and peers who cared deeply and worked hard. That belief—that dedication, effort, and a healthy dose of luck can make dreams come true—has stayed with me. In a creative field it can be hard to know if you’re on the right track. So this award is a sign that I’ve been doing something right – and that, coming from the alma mater, means everything.”
Anupama Muthukrishnan Devarajan, Carnatic Musician & Bharatanatyam Artiste (PGP 2006), said: “IIMA taught me not just finance, marketing, or strategy but also life lessons in resilience and adaptability: it gave me the confidence to pursue the path less chosen and use what I learnt at IIMA to excel in my passion for the fine arts. Being invited to one’s alma mater for an award is special in itself – but I am especially grateful because this award gives me a sense of validation – of both my career choices as well as my contribution to the field of performing arts.”
Ankur Garg, Producer/Partner, Luv Films LLP (Bollywood Production House) (3TP 2010), said: “IIMA opened me up to a world of ambition, ideas, and endless possibilities. This experience gave me the confidence to take unconventional leaps and helped shape a sharp, practical mindset — one that was nurtured through my interactions with the entrepreneurship cell and has guided me through every stage. This award means a lot — not just as an honour, but as a reminder of how far I have come since the journey began 15 years ago. It’s humbling, inspiring, and motivates me to keep exploring and pushing the envelope.”
