Dr. Ajith Thomas is an accomplished academic leader and industry professional with over 26 years of diverse experience in corporates, academia and research. During his career, he has held prestigious roles, including strategic and senior corporate positions at Park Inn hotels, Starwood Hotels, and the K. Raheja Group of Hotels. In academia, he has contributed significantly as an administrator, resource creator, research guide and as a mentor, inspiring students and colleagues alike. His international exposure includes serving as a visiting academic at Duquesne University, USA, focusing on sustainability. Since 2010, he has successfully coordinated numerous academic programs of Duquesne University USA, Colorado State University, UMASS Boston, University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, University of Oslo Norway, Caltech, USA that offer international students and faculty an in-depth understanding of India's business, cultural, economic, and social landscapes.