The IIAR> (Institute of Influencer & Analyst Relations) is delighted to announce the launch of our new India Chapter, bringing together analyst relations (AR) professionals from across one of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly growing technology markets.
As the Analyst Relations profession continues to evolve in India, we are excited to welcome three experienced professionals who will help champion the community, encourage knowledge sharing and create new opportunities for AR practitioners across the region.
Our new India Chapter Leads bring diverse experience across analyst relations, strategic communications, partnerships, market intelligence, business strategy and global AR programmes. Their combined perspectives will bring valuable insight to the IIAR> community and help strengthen the AR profession across India.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our new India Chapter Leads:
Ankit Sharma
Ankit Sharma / Team Lead – Analyst Relations, Grazitti Interactive (LinkedIn).
Ankit is an experienced Analyst Relations professional currently leading AR at Grazitti Interactive. His experience spans Analyst Relations, Strategic Communications and Partnerships, Executive engagement, Corporate Reputation and Market Intelligence.
Having built and grown an Analyst Relations program from the ground up, Ankit brings a strategic and collaborative perspective to the India Chapter. With a career shaped by research, communication and relationship building, he believes effective Analyst Relations is built on credibility, meaningful relationships and clear communication. He will help connect practitioners, encourage knowledge exchange and share practical approaches to the evolving AR profession.
Sanish Balakrishnan
Sanish Balakrishnan / Head-Analyst Relations & Alliances, EdgeVerve (LinkedIn).
Sanish brings extensive experience across Strategy & Growth, Strategic Partnerships & Alliances, and Analyst & Influencer Relations. His career includes experience with Gartner and Capgemini, and he currently leads Analyst Relations and Alliances at EdgeVerve.
Sanish Balakrishnan brings extensive experience across Strategy & Growth, Strategic Partnerships & Alliances, and Analyst & Influencer Relations. His career includes experience with Gartner and Capgemini, and he currently leads Analyst Relations and Alliances at EdgeVerve.
His experience across strategic partnerships and Analyst Relations gives him a valuable perspective on how analyst engagement can support wider business objectives. Sanish will help the India Chapter create opportunities for practitioners to learn from one another, share experiences and strengthen the strategic role of AR within their organisations.
Dheeraj Gupta
Dheeraj Gupta / Head – Center of Excellence Global Analyst Relations, Atos (LinkedIn).
Dheeraj is the Head of the Center of Excellence for Global Analyst Relations at Atos, where he has established and led a global AR function focused on strengthening governance, scaling analyst engagement and translating analyst insights into measurable business impact.
Dheeraj brings extensive experience across analyst engagement, AR governance, RFI and ranking submissions, analyst insights, performance measurement and global stakeholder management. His experience working across regions and business units brings a valuable global perspective to the India Chapter and will help practitioners explore how AR can connect more closely with wider business strategy and outcomes.
Akshaya Sona Soni
Akshaya Sona Sri / Analyst Relations Lead, Zoho (LinkedIn).
Akshaya is the Analyst Relations Lead at Zoho and Co-Lead of the IIAR> India Chapter, where she brings a strong focus on building meaningful analyst relationships and driving effective AR programmes.
Akshaya has extensive experience across analyst relations, having worked with both Zoho and HCL Technologies in progressively senior AR roles. Her experience spans analyst engagement, relationship management and supporting AR programmes across leading technology organisations. Her practical, hands-on perspective will bring valuable insights to the India Chapter and help practitioners explore how to build stronger analyst relationships and create greater impact through AR.
A special thank you to our previous India Chapter Leads
As we welcome three new Chapter Leads, we would also like to recognise and thank the AR professionals who have helped build and shape the IIAR> India Chapter. Thank you all for your leadership and contribution to the India Chapter. Your extensive experience across Analyst Relations and market intelligence, together with your commitment to mentorship, has helped promote AR as both a strategic function and a collaborative community.
- Astha Nagrath / Head of Analyst Relations, Cybersecurity Business, TCS
- Bhushan Marathe / Founder, Marathe Analyst Relations
- Kumar Pallav / Analyst Relations Professional, HCL Technologies
- Tathagata Das Sarma / Senior Director, Whatfix
Building on a strong foundation
We are incredibly grateful to Astha, Bhushan, Kumar and Tathagata for the time, energy and expertise they have contributed to the IIAR> India Chapter.
Their leadership has helped establish a strong foundation for the Chapter and create a community where AR professionals can connect, share experiences, learn from one another and advance the profession.
We are also delighted that Akshaya Sona Soni will continue as an India Chapter Lead, providing valuable continuity as the Chapter enters its next phase.
Building the IIAR> India Community
We are incredibly excited about the experience and perspectives that our India Chapter Leads will bring to the IIAR> community.
Together, they will focus on:
- Building a strong AR community across India: Connecting Analyst Relations professionals and creating opportunities to build meaningful professional relationships.
- Sharing best practices and experiences: Creating a space where practitioners can openly discuss challenges, approaches and lessons learned from their AR programmes.
- Elevating the strategic role of Analyst Relations: Helping practitioners demonstrate the value of AR and strengthen its role within wider business and communications strategies.
- Creating valuable events and resources: Developing discussions, events and content that reflect the needs of the Indian AR community and support professional development.
- Connecting India with the global AR community: Creating stronger links between practitioners in India and the wider IIAR> network, encouraging the exchange of ideas and experiences across markets.
The IIAR> is committed to supporting regional communities and creating opportunities for AR professionals to network, learn, share and grow together.
With the guidance of our new India Chapter Leads, the India Chapter will provide a space for practitioners to connect with peers, exchange ideas, discuss the challenges facing the profession and explore how Analyst Relations continues to evolve.
We encourage IIAR> members across India to connect with Ankit, Sanish and Dheeraj and get involved. Whether you are looking to share a best practice, discuss a challenge, expand your professional network or simply connect with fellow AR practitioners, the India Chapter is here to support the community.
Stay tuned for upcoming IIAR> India Chapter events, discussions and initiatives!
About the IIAR>
The Institute for Influencer and Analyst Relations (IIAR>) is a not-for-profit organisation established to raise awareness of Analyst Relations and the value of industry analysts, promote best practices amongst Analyst Relations professionals, enhance communication between analyst firms and vendors, and offer opportunities for AR practitioners to network with their industry peers.
Find us on LinkedIn > https://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-of-industry-analyst-relations/
Previous IIAR> India Chapter posts
- IIAR> Announces new India chapter and welcomes new chapter leads
- IIAR> Webinar: Managing AR programme on a startup budget
- IIAR> Café, Noida (Delhi NCR): connecting the AR community in India, (07/26)
- IIAR> Webinar with India Chapter: Advisor Relations(04/26)
- The IIAR> AR Forum India: Twin City Forum (Bengaluru and Gurugram) – Sponsored by Everest Group (12/25)
- IIAR> India Chapter Welcomes Inaugural Co-Leads! (08/25)
- The IIAR> opens a new chapter in India
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