Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Personal Information
Timeline
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RAKSHIT H. KEJRIWAL

President - Phillips - Global Education
Bandra West

Summary

Accomplished growth-driven leader with over two decades of experience guiding organizations through various phases, from early-stage scaling to enterprise-level turnarounds. Extensive background includes C-Suite positions, entrepreneurial ventures, deal-making, investment banking, M&A consulting, and accounting/controller functions across the U.S., India, and the Middle East. Rakshit, an MBA graduate from Columbia Business School and a Chartered Accountant from India, is known for strategic clarity, operational excellence, and disciplined execution that consistently drive shareholder value in diverse industries. Expertise in finance and a proven track record of revenue growth, cost optimization, and team building. Exposure to multinational banks, consulting firms, investment firms, and high-growth startups in consumer, retail, and education sectors has honed understanding of critical business drivers in various markets. Skilled at cultivating relationships with investors and key stakeholders, addressing critical issues effectively, and fulfilling customer commitments while overseeing large multi-disciplinary teams and managing P&L for business divisions.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience
2011
2011
years of post-secondary education

Work History

President

Phillips Global Education
01.2021 - Current
  • Company Overview: Phillips Education is an entrepreneurial venture under Phillips Corporation (U.S. based Advanced Manufacturing Company). The Company sets up Advanced Centers of Excellence to educate and skill candidates, both professionals and fresh graduates, across India, Middle East, Malaysia, and the U.S.
  • Formulated vision, mission, and strategic direction of the Company that successfully positioned DropKaffe as a differentiated competitor in the market.
  • Led the brand building of the Company using offline and social/digital hacks, turning DropKaffe into the most sought-after coffee brand in Bangalore city.
  • Identified our customer persona in detail and targeted them both in offline and online settings to get their mindshare.
  • Raised two rounds of funding from seed funds and venture capital firm; provided monthly updates about the business to the board and investors.
  • Phillips Education is an entrepreneurial venture under Phillips Corporation (U.S. based Advanced Manufacturing Company). The Company sets up Advanced Centers of Excellence to educate and skill candidates, both professionals and fresh graduates, across India, Middle East, Malaysia, and the U.S.

Co-Founder & COO

Slay Foods
01.2015 - 01.2020
  • Company Overview: DropKaffe is a Venture Capital-backed Bangalore-based beverages company that currently operates two brands under the holding company: a) Goodness! (www.drinkgoodness.com) that manufactures and distributes preservative-free bottled dairy beverages b) Slay Coffee in a cloud kitchen model, that serves premium coffee and accompaniments, with plans to scale across the country in 2019.
  • Formulated vision, mission, and strategic direction of the Company that successfully positioned DropKaffe as a differentiated competitor in the market.
  • Led the brand building of the Company using offline and social/digital hacks, turning DropKaffe into the most sought-after coffee brand in Bangalore city.
  • Identified our customer persona in detail and targeted them both in offline and online settings to get their mindshare.
  • Raised two rounds of funding from seed funds and venture capital firm; provided monthly updates about the business to the board and investors.
  • Reduced and streamlined overhead expenses, strengthened product gross margins, overhauled and improved operating processes and systems, set up smart supply chain of the products to the distribution channels to avoid stock outs while minimizing wastage.
  • Instrumental in setting up the distribution network through Modern Trade channels, corporate canteens, online channels, and Education Institutions.
  • Hired and trained operations and business development team members. Regularly conducted trainings and appraisals for the entire team.
  • DropKaffe is a Venture Capital-backed Bangalore-based beverages company that currently operates two brands under the holding company: a) Goodness! (www.drinkgoodness.com) that manufactures and distributes preservative-free bottled dairy beverages b) Slay Coffee in a cloud kitchen model, that serves premium coffee and accompaniments, with plans to scale across the country in 2019.

Investment Banking Associate

Wells Fargo Investment Banking
01.2011 - 01.2013
  • Sourced and executed middle market transactions up to $500 million, this included liaising with different product partners across M&A, Debt Capital Markets, and Equity Capital Markets.
  • Work included Capital structure analysis for the clients; (ii) recommending different financing alternatives in the context of a corporate event or as a result of shift in market conditions.
  • Actively originate ideas to pitch to clients by following the markets and being in direct contact with the relationship bankers.
  • I was expected to actively engage in capital advisory dialogue with around 20 clients annually.
  • Market and execute deals using a coordinated approach with relevant partners across the bank.
  • Reporting directly to the Head of Middle Market Investment Banking and was fully responsible for presenting to clients the conclusions and recommendations on the analyses performed together with the different product partners (Syndicated Lending, Debt Capital Markets, M&A, among others).
  • Execute and manage actions in Deal Teams representing: Mergers & Acquisitions – Includes: drafting materials, planning the entire M&A process, buyer list creation/contacts/management, financial analysis, negotiating and client relationship.
  • Search for and recommend new deal opportunities to be entered into by the Firm through the formulation/issuance of factual financial analyses and the creation of various financing plans.
  • Participate in selling/pitching the Firms services/products to new clients.
  • Participate in hiring and training junior bankers.

Senior Manager – Director

KPMG M&A Advisory
01.2007 - 01.2011
  • Lead buy-side and sell-side transaction advisory engagements, providing financial and business due diligence assistance to Fortune 1000 and middle market companies and private equity investors.
  • Serve as the day-to-day leader on the project team, managing teams of 4-10 consultants on each engagement and developing and delivering key analytical outputs.
  • Work closely with the engagement Partner/Managing Director to help build relationships with clients.
  • Work across B2B and B2C industries, including financial services, business services, and financial technology.
  • Instrumental in the professional development of team members and assist with recruiting and training of new staff.
  • Worked on several marquee cross-border transactions and exposed to different work cultures across continents.

Staff Accountant - Manager

Ernst & Young
01.2002 - 01.2007
  • Conducted audit engagement for public and private clients in the Middle East and U.S. in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Clients included large banks and brokerage houses such as UBS, and National Bank of Kuwait.
  • Managed a team of audit staff and guided them for effective controls testing and accounts reporting of the clients.
  • Due to strong performance at E&Y, I was seconded to National Bank of Kuwait for setting up a new process within their retail loans department.
  • Identified controls deficiencies in the sanctioning of retail loan portfolio of over $500 million and implemented a stronger process leading to significantly lesser defaults.
  • Implemented Sarbanes Oxley Act at several clients that led to efficient financial reporting.

Education

Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) -

COLUMBIA BUSINESS SCHOOL
New York City, New York

Chartered Accountant (CA) - undefined

INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF INDIA

Bachelors of Commerce (BCom) - undefined

R.A. PODAR COLLEGE OF COMMERCE & ECON

Skills

    Business planning

    Project management

    Strategic visioning

    Leadership team building

    Decision-making

    Business development

    Organizational leadership

    Consulting

    Education advocacy

    Talent development

    Crisis management

    Succession planning

    Mergers and acquisitions

    Public relations

Personal Information

Citizenship: American/Indian OCI Holder

Timeline

President

Phillips Global Education
01.2021 - Current

Co-Founder & COO

Slay Foods
01.2015 - 01.2020

Investment Banking Associate

Wells Fargo Investment Banking
01.2011 - 01.2013

Senior Manager – Director

KPMG M&A Advisory
01.2007 - 01.2011

Staff Accountant - Manager

Ernst & Young
01.2002 - 01.2007

Chartered Accountant (CA) - undefined

INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF INDIA

Bachelors of Commerce (BCom) - undefined

R.A. PODAR COLLEGE OF COMMERCE & ECON

Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) -

COLUMBIA BUSINESS SCHOOL

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RAKSHIT H. KEJRIWALPresident - Phillips - Global Education