NAVADHA PANDEY
Bengaluru
Summary
Dynamic marketing & communication leader with a proven track record at G42, driving successful market entry and brand positioning. Expert in corporate communications and media relations, leveraging strategic storytelling to enhance reputation. Skilled in crisis management and digital strategy, fostering strong relationships with stakeholders to elevate brand visibility and engagement.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director - Marketing & Communication
G42
Bengaluru
07.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: a Microsoft-backed AI company
- Spearheaded the successful India market entry of G42, an AI giant, establishing its presence through top-tier press coverage, leadership visibility, and national TV interviews.
- Launched integrated campaigns across PR, social, and events, positioning the company as a credible tech leader in India's innovation landscape through the product launch of NANDA - a Hindi LLM.
- Enabled strategic agility by advising leadership on competitive intelligence, policy impact, and media sentiment.
- A Microsoft-backed AI company
Director - Marketing
Capria Ventures
Bengaluru
05.2023 - 07.2024
- Led global marketing and PR strategy across India, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa for a venture capital firm focused on early-stage tech startups.
- Established Capria's identity as a GenAI-first investor in emerging markets through thought leadership content and regional media outreach.
- Advised startups in Edtech, Jobtech, Climate, and SaaS on brand and communications strategies for fundraising and growth.
Head - Corporate Communication
United Breweries
Bengaluru
09.2021 - 04.2023
- Company Overview: (A HEINEKEN Company)
- Drove transformation communication during Heineken's operational integration (when it acquired majority stake in United Breweries), including leadership messaging, change management, and crisis control.
- Elevated corporate reputation through proactive media narratives, executive visibility, and strategic partnerships with industry bodies.
- Partnered with the global HEINEKEN team to align communication strategy across geographies and business verticals.
- (A HEINEKEN Company)
Lead - Corporate Communication
Walmart India
Gurgaon
03.2020 - 08.2021
- Company Overview: Walmart India
- Served as the communication lead during Walmart India's integration with Flipkart Wholesale, managing the complete rebranding and positioning strategy. Navigated crisis communications, media scrutiny, and social sentiment during a period of strategic transformation.
- As Communications Lead for Walmart India, I led corporate reputation management and media relations for the company which involved managing all national and regional media across TV, print and digital portals as well as social media.
- My responsibilities included creating and disseminating content to boost the brand reputation of Walmart among external stakeholders in India, apart from crisis management and curtailing negative media about the company in mainstream and social media.
- I was instrumental in highlighting Walmart's social value in the ecosystem by driving success stories in the media about small suppliers which benefited through Walmart's global best practices and training as well as CSR efforts.
Assistant Editor
Mint
New Delhi
11.2017 - 03.2020
- Company Overview: (HT Media)
- Covered the intersection of consumer tech and regulation, shaping public discourse through ground reporting and policy analysis.
- Built strong relationships with top editors, journalists, and industry stakeholders - a network still leveraged for media strategy today.
- Reported extensively on data protection, digital economy, and telecom, giving an insider perspective into India's regulatory framework.
- (HT Media)
Journalist Roles
The Hindu Business Line | Cogencis
01.2011 - 12.2017
- Reported on real estate, startups, telecom, infrastructure, and public policy.
- Built analytical rigor and storytelling skills through high-pressure newsroom roles.
Education
Postgraduate Diploma - TV Journalism
Asian College of Journalism
Chennai01.2011
BA (Hons) - Economics
University of Delhi
01.2010
Skills
- Corporate & Technology Communications
- Media Relations & Crisis Management
- Internal Communications & Leadership Engagement
- Employer Branding & Reputation Strategy
- Brand Launches & Positioning
- Global-Local Storytelling & Market Entry
- Digital & Social Media Strategy
- Event Marketing & Public Speaking Platforms
Highlight Reels
- Positioned Walmart India as a socially responsible brand through strategic narratives and led communication for integration into Flipkart Wholesale.
- Successfully led G42's launch in India with top-tier media and event visibility.
- Named in Young Turk 40 under 40 list by Reputation Today, 2022.
- Deep understanding of the Indian media landscape + access to top editorial rooms.
- Expertise in simplifying complex tech for broader audiences.
Certification
- XLRI “Journey to the C-suite” – XL4W Program
- Data Privacy Fundamentals – Northwestern University
- Corporate Strategy – University of London
- Public Policy and Leadership – University of Virginia
- Social Media & Thought Leadership – LinkedIn Learning
Languages
English
First Language
Hindi
Beginner
A1
References
Available upon request Senior industry leaders from Heineken, Mint, and Blackstone
Timeline
Director - Marketing & Communication
G42
07.2024 - Current
Director - Marketing
Capria Ventures
05.2023 - 07.2024
Head - Corporate Communication
United Breweries
09.2021 - 04.2023
Lead - Corporate Communication
Walmart India
03.2020 - 08.2021
Assistant Editor
Mint
11.2017 - 03.2020
Journalist Roles
The Hindu Business Line | Cogencis
01.2011 - 12.2017
Postgraduate Diploma - TV Journalism
Asian College of Journalism
BA (Hons) - Economics
University of Delhi
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