Mahindra Group has announced the appointment of Abanti Sankaranarayanan as Chief Group Public Affairs Officer effective July 1, 2022. She will be taking over the Group Public Affairs portfolio from Manoj Chugh, President, Group Public Affairs, who will be retiring on April 1, 2023
Additionally, she will be a part of the Group Executive Board, reporting to Dr Anish Shah, Managing Director and CEO, Mahindra Group.
Under her role, Sankaranarayanan will lead Group Public Affairs (India & international), Group Sustainability and the Group Risk & Economist functions, an official statement from the company noted.
Before joining the Mahindra Group, she was the Chief Strategy and Corporate Affairs Officer & Member – Executive Committee at Diageo India. Her responsibilities included Public Policy, Regulatory and Trade, Market Access, Corporate Communication, Corporate Social Impact, Strategy and Ventures.
Sankaranarayanan has been recognised by Business Today as the Most Powerful Women in Business and Economy - 2019, 2020, Fortune India- The Most Powerful Women in Business - 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016, IMPACT- 50 Most Influential Women in Media, Marketing and Advertising - 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, India Today as India’s 25 Most Influential Women, 2013 and Fast Company, New York- 100 Most Creative People in Business, 2012.
Dr Shah said, “At the Mahindra Group, Public Policy and Sustainability are pivotal and we are committed to leading ESG globally. It is paramount that we engage with all our relevant stakeholders proactively and effectively.”