Harish Iyer
Brand Voice, Thought Leader, Social Catalyst,
Thane
Summary
Accomplished leader with a proven track record at Axis Bank, specializing in DE&I, Wellness, Social Impact and overall brand strategy. Expert in strategic planning with proven record of converting the brand voice to tangible brand experiences.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Senior Vice President and Head : DE&I
Axis Bank
Mumbai
03.2021 - Current
- Built Axis Group’s DE&I framework (Axis Bank and group companies), leading a collective effort to embed inclusion into core people and business initiatives.
- Developed policies, strategies, and measurement tools, ensuring sustained institutional commitment to inclusion.
- Embedded mental wellness into corporate culture, creating policies, training employees as first responders, and institutionalizing well-being.
- Spearheaded industry-first initiatives in Indian banking, including the #ComeAsYouAre Charter, Axis Women in Motion, Housework is Work, and Women in Sales ERG, setting new benchmarks for inclusion.
- Amplified Axis Bank’s brand voice for people practices, shaping corporate narratives on inclusion and social impact.
- Established leadership-driven DE&I councils and task forces, ensuring executive accountability for inclusion and accessibility.
Co Founder
Jimme Foundation for Equality
Mumbai
12.2019 - 03.2021
- Developed and implemented strategic initiatives to enhance nonprofit programs, ensuring greater impact, sustainability, and inclusion. Led efforts to align offerings with community needs, fostering equitable engagement and social responsibility.
Head : Content Strategy
NeoNiche Integrated Solutions
Mumbai
09.2018 - 03.2019
- Designed and executed content and creative strategies to craft immersive brand experiences, ensuring inclusion and meaningful engagement across diverse audiences.
Consulting Lead : Partnerships and Alliances
IVolunteer
Mumbai
03.2017 - 08.2017
- Advised corporations on evolving partnerships into citizenship through strategic volunteering, fostering inclusion, social responsibility, and sustainable community impact.
Consulting Director : Strategic Partnerships
Humane Society International, India
Mumbai
03.2016 - 03.2017
- Conceptualized and led the #NoMore50 campaign, driving national action to strengthen penalties for animal abuse by mobilizing public support, influencing policy reform, and securing greater protections through strategic advocacy.
Director: Event Partnerships
United Way of Mumbai
Mumbai
05.2014 - 04.2016
- Orchestrated the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon (now Tata Mumbai Marathon), elevating fundraising impact while strengthening partnerships between non-profits, citizens, and corporations for transformative social change
Creative Director
Madison India
Mumbai
09.2013 - 04.2014
- Managed multiple creative projects with precision, developing impactful promotional content and strategic communication plans that ensured seamless execution, timely completion, and strengthened brand engagement.
Creative Group Head - Events
Hungama Digital Services
Mumbai
02.2011 - 09.2013
- Directed the production of online creatives, led high-level client communications, and mentored a team of designers, ensuring seamless execution, innovation, and impactful visual storytelling.
Assistant Creative Director
Shobiz Experiential Communications
Mumbai
01.2008 - 02.2011
- Transformed brand presence through high-impact creative campaigns, leading end-to-end project execution to deliver compelling, high-quality results on time.
Education
Master of Science - Applied Medical Science (Part 1)
St Xaviers College, Mumbai University
Mumbai, India 01.2001 - 09.2002
Bachelor of Science - Botany
Khalsa College, Mumbai University
Mumbai, India 04.1998 - 04.2001
Skills
Thought leadership
Social transformation
Corporate communications
Strategic leadership
Innovative and visionary
Additional Information
The written word and the spoken word:
- Contributed several articles and appear in several national and international publications on social justice issues
Recognitions and accomplishments:
- (2010) Recipient of the Zindagi Live Award in recognition of the work done for survivors of child sexual abuse.
- (2012) Featured in Satyamev Jayate, a popular TV show, hosted by Indian actor Aamir Khan
- (2013) Counted in the list of World‟s leading LGBTIQ activists by the British Daily -Guardian.
- (2016) (2017) Panelist Harvard India Conference.
- (2017) Winner of BPCL‟s Energising Bharat Award for Women Empowerment.
- (2018) Successfully won a case in the honorable supreme court against Section 377.
- (2018 onwards) Member of committee by NHRC on LGBT rights.
- (2019) Featured in an illustrated Children‟s book on 53 Queer Heroes across the world alongside Ellen De Generes, Portia, Havery Milk and others. (
- (2023) Fought the case for marriage equality in the honorable supreme court.
International Engagements and Lectures:
- (2016) Lectures and Interactions at Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Diego, United States : Department of State‟s International Visitor Leadership Program
- (2017) Meetings at The Other Foundation, Johannesburg, South Africa : International Parents Group Convening
- (2018) Conference at Washington, DC : Human Rights Campaign Global Innovator
- (2019) Lecture at Warwick University, United Kingdom (Read More)
- (2019) International Board Member meet at Dignity Foundation conference, Ottawa,Canada.
- (2019) : Lecture on the history of LGBT activism in India at ASAAP, Toronto, Canada
National and international award winning biopics
- (2011) I Am, Directed by Onir
- (2010) Amen, Directed by Ranadeep Bhattacharyya and Judhajit Bagchi
Biography
- (2012) The Bad Touch by Payal Shah Karwa
Timeline
Senior Vice President and Head : DE&I
Axis Bank
03.2021 - Current
Co Founder
Jimme Foundation for Equality
12.2019 - 03.2021
Head : Content Strategy
NeoNiche Integrated Solutions
09.2018 - 03.2019
Consulting Lead : Partnerships and Alliances
IVolunteer
03.2017 - 08.2017
Consulting Director : Strategic Partnerships
Humane Society International, India
03.2016 - 03.2017
Director: Event Partnerships
United Way of Mumbai
05.2014 - 04.2016
Creative Director
Madison India
09.2013 - 04.2014
Creative Group Head - Events
Hungama Digital Services
02.2011 - 09.2013
Assistant Creative Director
Shobiz Experiential Communications
01.2008 - 02.2011
Master of Science - Applied Medical Science (Part 1)
St Xaviers College, Mumbai University
01.2001 - 09.2002
Bachelor of Science - Botany
Khalsa College, Mumbai University
04.1998 - 04.2001
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Accomplishments
- Set up the DE&I and Wellness Practice including policy fromework, strategic outlook, internal and external impact vectors
- Spokesperson of the brand for the DE&I and Wellness function
- Set up a Wellness practice with a robust team of mental health professionals that increased the uptake by 400% in one on one and group counselling
- Set up an industry first charter of policies and practices for customers and employees from the LGBTQIA+ community
- Set up a Women in Sales ERG
Quote
The onus of inclusion lies on those who are included, not on those who are excluded
harish iyer
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Hindi
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Marathi
Upper intermediate (B2)
Tamil
Intermediate (B1)
Malayalam
Elementary (A2)
Mandate
Candidate is available only for employment with equal opportunity employers
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