Celebrating 20 Years of PGPX
The PGPX community returned to the IIMA campus on 7–8 February 2026 for Xpressions 2026, a two-day reunion that marked 20 years of the PGPX programme. Celebrating the spirit of Reconnect • Relive • Rejoice, the event brought together alumni, faculty, families, and members of the wider IIMA community for a memorable weekend of reflection, conversation, and camaraderie.
The reunion began with the Inaugural Session at AB2 Auditorium, New Campus, on 7 February, which set the tone for the celebration. The programme opened with a welcome address by Prof. Sunil Maheshwari, Dean (AER), followed by an address by Prof. Amit Karna, Chairperson, PGPX. A special highlight of the session was the release of the PGPX corporate film, jointly launched by the Dean and the PGPX Chairperson. The session also brought together former and current PGPX Chairpersons, who engaged in an interaction that reflected on the programme’s journey and its continuing impact over the years. The morning concluded with a briefing on the overall schedule and a high tea, as alumni eased into two days of reunion and renewal.
Recreating the essence of the PGPX classroom, Xpressions 2026 featured thought-provoking sessions by Prof. Sunil Sharma, Prof. Debjit Roy, and Prof. Viswanath Pingali. The interactions offered alumni an opportunity to reconnect with faculty members, exchange ideas, and revisit the curiosity, debate, and learning that remain hallmarks of the IIMA experience.
One of the major highlights of Xpressions 2026 was the series of Fireside Chats featuring distinguished PGPX alumni who have built successful careers across industries and geographies.
The conversations began with “Logic Behind the Magic: Building Brands & Careers That Compound,” where Lalatendu Das, CEO of Publicis Media and former Partner at McKinsey, shared insights from his journey in marketing, media, and leadership. The discussion explored how strong brands and meaningful careers are built through consistency, strategic thinking, and long-term value creation.
In the session “From Strategy to Capital: Careers, Capital & Compounding,” Sandeep Sharma, Director at KKR & Co., reflected on the intersections of strategy, investing, and value creation, offering participants a glimpse into the world of private equity and the evolving role of capital in driving business growth.
The second day featured “Finance in Transition: Capital Discipline, Risk & Fintech-Led Change,” with Foram Sanghvi, Vice President at JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Ketan Nagar, former Vice President at FinIQ Consulting. The discussion examined the transformation of financial services, changing risk landscapes, and the growing influence of fintech on global markets.
The consulting profession was the focus of “The Consulting Shift: From Strategy to Scaled Transformation,” featuring Nitin Khanna (Accenture, Singapore), Rahul Jindal (Google), and Saurabh Shekhar (Kearney, Dubai). Drawing upon their diverse experiences, the speakers discussed how consulting has evolved from traditional strategy engagements to large-scale transformation initiatives enabled by technology and data.
The fireside chat series concluded with “The Invisible Ceiling: What Truly Shapes Leadership Trajectories,” in which Nitin Bhatia, Associate Director, HR M&A at Dentsu Global Services, explored the less visible factors that influence professional growth, leadership development, and long-term career success.
The reunion also made room for family-friendly activities, with a pottery workshop and a clay painting workshop adding a creative and personal dimension to the event. These activities brought a sense of warmth and informality to the weekend, making Xpressions 2026 a celebration not only of professional achievement but also of shared community life.
Alongside the formal sessions, the campus buzzed with informal conversations, reunions, and networking, as PGPX alumni met old friends, faculty members, and peers across batches. The atmosphere throughout the event was one of easy familiarity and enthusiastic connection, with the campus serving once again as a space where professional journeys and personal memories intertwined.
One of the most memorable moments of the reunion was the Gala Dinner at the iconic Tower Lawns of Louis Kahn Plaza, Main Campus on 7 February. Gifts were distributed to the Dean(AER), current and former PGPX Chairpersons, faculty members, and alumni, adding a ceremonial touch to a warm and convivial gathering.
The reunion concluded on 8 February with the closing ceremony. As the two days came to a close, Xpressions 2026 stood out as a fitting tribute to the PGPX journey, one that has shaped leaders, strengthened friendships, and built a community that continues to remain deeply connected to its alma mater.
