harish iyer

CEO

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India19 yrs experience

Most Likely To SwitchHighly Stable

Key Highlights

Expert in driving DE&I initiatives across corporate sectors.
Proven track record in strategic storytelling for social impact.
Influential advocate for inclusion and equity in various platforms.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity Equity Inclusion expert.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Strategic CommunicationsDiversity Equity InclusionTeam LeadershipBranding & IdentityStrategic Partnerships

Other Skills

Social ListeningBrand DevelopmentCorporate BrandingIntegrated MarketingPublic SpeakingEmployee Resource Groups (ERG)Microsoft PowerPointAdvertisingBloggingSocial Media MarketingCopywritingEvent ManagementCorporate Social ResponsibilityConcept DevelopmentDigital Marketing

About

A fearless voice for inclusion, equity, and transformative change, seamlessly bridging activism, corporate leadership, and strategic storytelling. With a legacy of driving policy reform, shaping institutional frameworks, and influencing global conversations, I bring advocacy into boardrooms and business strategy into social impact. From pioneering DE&I initiatives in the corporate sector to leading groundbreaking Supreme Court petitions, my work turns ideas into action and voices into movements. Featured across global forums, high-profile media, and thought-leading publications, I craft narratives that inspire action and create lasting change.

Experience

19 yrs

Total Experience

2 yrs 4 mos

Average Tenure

5 yrs 2 mos

Current Experience

Axis bank

2 roles

Senior Vice President | Head of Diversity Equity Inclusion

Apr 2024 – Present · 2 yrs 1 mo · Hybrid

Social ListeningBrand DevelopmentStrategic CommunicationsCorporate BrandingBranding & IdentityIntegrated Marketing+2

Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Mar 2021 – Present · 5 yrs 2 mos · Hybrid

At Axis Bank, inclusion isn’t just a principle—it’s a practice, a pulse, a rhythm woven into the everyday. I lead with strategy, but I infuse it with soul. My presentations on DE&I aren’t just slides—they’re stories, layered with wisdom from Faiz Ahmad Faiz, echoing the poetry of resistance, and punctuated with moments of levity drawn from the clever satire of Oscar Wilde—because inclusion, much like storytelling, is about finding the balance between depth and accessibility.
From Pause for Bias to Gateway to Inclusion, every initiative is a step toward systemic change. Women in Motion and VIBE ensure clarity in careers and structure in learning, while Pride365 makes inclusion an everyday commitment. But none of this is a solo act—it’s powered by the brilliance of my colleagues, allies, and everyday people.
Some lessons come from boardrooms; others come from the world around me. From the strategist refining policy to the neighbor feeding street cats, I find inspiration in moments big and small. Inclusion isn’t built on perfection; it’s strengthened by humility, humor, and the relentless pursuit of progress. One conversation, one step, one well-timed literary reference at a time.

Employee Resource Groups (ERG)Team LeadershipDiversity Equity Inclusion

The jimme foundation

Co-Founder

Dec 2019 – Dec 2021 · 2 yrs · Navi Mumbai

Branding & Identity

Neoniche integrated solutions pvt. ltd.

Head : Content Strategy

Sep 2018 – Mar 2019 · 6 mos · Mumbai Area, India

Responsibilities :
Regularly intervened and was consulted in the following.
Internal and External Communication.
Concepts and ideas for event experiences
Team Management : Copy
Brand Image Management of NeoNiche
Internal Communication
Organisational Culture

Self-employed

Cause Consultant

Apr 2018 – Dec 2019 · 1 yr 8 mos · Mumbai Area, India

Ishq 104.8 fm

Activist Radio Presenter

Jul 2017 – Dec 2017 · 5 mos · Mumbai Metropolitan Region

In my capacity as a known #EqualRightsActivist I host a show called #TheGaydioShow which happens to India's first LGBT show on mainstream radio. The show is an initiative by Ishq 104.8 FM.

Branding & IdentityTeam Leadership

Ivolunteer

Consulting Head - Partnerships & Alliances

Apr 2017 – Jul 2017 · 3 mos · Mumbai

Dna - daily news & analysis

Columnist

Oct 2016 – Dec 2019 · 3 yrs 2 mos · Mumbai Metropolitan Region

write regular columns every Sunday. My column is called "@hiyer 's timeline " please click here to read
http://www.dnaindia.com/authors/harish-iyer

Firstpost.com

Columnist

Oct 2016 – Dec 2019 · 3 yrs 2 mos · Mumbai Metropolitan Region

to read articles authored by me please click http://www.firstpost.com/author/harishiyer

Humane society international

Director Of Strategic Partnerships

Mar 2016 – Mar 2017 · 1 yr · India

Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for fundraising , partnership and brand recognition for Humane Society International/India’s campaigns and programs by coordinating with HSI fundraising and HSI/India team
Identify and build relation with potential donors from corporates, HNIs and foundations
Develop and execute a strategy for celebrity engagement for HSI/India
Approach Indian celebrities and/or their management to garner support for HSI/India’s campaigns and maintain database of celebrity supporters;
Coordinate celebrity and other VIP photo shoots, filming of PSAs, and other event planning;
Develop and execute fundraising and marketing events for HSI/India in coordination with HSI/India team and relevant departments at HSI
Interface and coordinate with the HSI fundraising team and HSI/India team on materials, reports, etc. and relaying information and needs back to the Director
Coordinate with HSI/India team and garner media opportunities for HSI/India’s campaigns and vision/mission/goals
Liaise with trusts, government agencies, corporates and other bodies that could potentially make grants to the organization
Develop and execute a strategy for face to face and tele facing marketing for HSI/India
Develop media and materials to and communicate with existing donors and stakeholders
Recruit and manage sponsors, volunteers, and participants for a fundraising project/event
Prepare regular reporting on fundraising progress
Brand awareness

Team Leadership

The quint

Columnist

Oct 2015 – Oct 2022 · 7 yrs · Mumbai Metropolitan Region

To read posts authored by me please click : https://www.thequint.com/search?q=harish+iyer

United way of mumbai

Director - Event Partnerships

May 2014 – Mar 2016 · 1 yr 10 mos · Mumbai Metropolitan Region

My responsibilities include...
To lead and manage the charity structure for Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon (SCMM) for United Way of Mumbai by engaging with partner NGO’s, and Corporate.
To lead and manage other fundraising events for partner NGOs of United Way of Mumbai
To communicate the SCMM’s charity structure and to create and improve the communication process to the participating NGOs, Corporate and other stakeholders.
To come up with creative ideas to help participating NGOs to maximize the fund raising capacity and visibility of all via the SCMM.
To maintain excellent processes to ensure flawless execution of the charity structure of SCMM.
To manage the funds raised through SCMM- accounting, reconciling, disbursing and reporting.
To create and implement a communication strategy to solicit participation from NGOs, Corporate and other stakeholders by leveraging the visibility of the charity aspect of the marathon.
To manage and develop relationships with NGO’s, Corporate, Fundraisers, Donors, vendors and partners.
To use best available technology in the market for a structured communication process.
To lead and manage other fundraising events to help partner NGOs to raise funds.
To lead and manage a team and improve team efficiency.
To lead and manage the branding communications for team United Way India to ensure that we adhere to branding and communication guidelines.