Meet the People Behind the Learning
Discover the mentors, experts, speakers, educators, founders, and industry contributors who support learning, innovation, project development, and ecosystem growth across FORGE.
Knowledge Becomes More Useful When Experience Is Shared
Courses and resources can introduce concepts. Mentors and experts help participants understand how those concepts behave in real situations. Through interaction and feedback, participants may learn to:
Mentor access follows confirmed program arrangements — not every participant receives guaranteed individual mentorship.
Different Experiences. One Shared Purpose.
Technology and Engineering
Software development, AI, machine learning, data science, robotics, IoT, and emerging technologies.
Innovation and Research
Research methods, problem discovery, design thinking, prototyping, and applied innovation.
Entrepreneurship and Venture Building
Ideation, customer discovery, business models, founder journeys, and venture operations.
Industry and Professional Practice
Industry workflows, career readiness, applied problem-solving, and organisational practices.
Education and Institutional Development
Teaching, faculty development, project-based education, and institutional innovation.
Creative and Communication Practice
Design, branding, storytelling, communication, and creative problem-solving.
People Directory
Priya Suresh
Senior Product Manager, Mentor Network
Works with builders on problem discovery, prototyping, and product strategy across sprint reviews.
Karthik Iyer
Engineering Lead, Mentor Network
Provides technical guidance and code review for builders working on full-stack projects.
Ananya Bose
Founder, Mentor Network
Supports aspiring founders from problem discovery through pitch development and Demo Day evaluation.
Rohan Kapoor
Engineering Manager, Industry Partner
Brings industry problem statements and hiring-pathway perspective to builder cohorts.
Devansh Rao
Senior Business Analyst, Mentor Network
Reviews business-analysis artefacts and mentors builders through structured stakeholder work.
Meera Nair
Analytics Lead, Mentor Network
Leads live dashboard walkthroughs and analytics reviews for the Data Analytics track.
Mentor and Expert Contributions
Workshops
Focused sessions designed to introduce concepts, tools, methods, or practical approaches.
Project Reviews
Feedback on projects, prototypes, presentations, documentation, or experiments.
Mentorship Conversations
Guidance around learning, problem-solving, career direction, entrepreneurship, or execution.
Industry Sessions
Practical perspectives on real-world workflows, expectations, and challenges.
Founder Guidance
Support for individuals exploring ideas, products, ventures, or initiatives.
Speaker Sessions
Talks and conversations that expose participants to new ideas, experiences, and possibilities.
Challenge Evaluation
Review or feedback during approved innovation challenges or showcases.
Faculty Engagement
Support for educators and institutions seeking practical, innovation-oriented learning approaches.
Perspectives That Stay With You
Mentors, speakers, founders, and industry contributors share insights that shape how builders approach their work. We publish quotes and reflections only once they're confirmed and approved by the person who gave them — check back here as verified perspectives are added.
The Value of a Real-World Perspective
Mentors and experts can help participants see beyond the immediate task. They may share:
- What worked
- What failed
- What changed over time
- Which assumptions were incorrect
- How constraints shaped decisions
- How teams collaborate
- How ideas become products
- How professionals continue learning
The objective is not to provide one universal formula. It is to expose participants to different approaches and help them develop their own judgement.
A Typical Interaction
Prepare
The participant understands the objective, problem, or project context.
Ask
The participant brings specific questions, challenges, or areas of uncertainty.
Discuss
The mentor or expert shares observations, experience, methods, or alternative perspectives.
Review
The work, idea, or approach is examined constructively.
Apply
The participant converts feedback into action.
Reflect
The participant documents what changed and what was learned.
Continue
The participant returns with improved work or moves toward the next challenge.
Good mentorship does not replace effort. It makes effort more informed.
Become a Mentor or Expert
FORGE welcomes conversations with practitioners, educators, founders, researchers, industry professionals, and experienced contributors who are interested in supporting learning and innovation.
Bring a New Perspective to Your Community
Institutions, program teams, and approved partners can invite a mentor, speaker, or expert for a campus session, technical workshop, industry interaction, founder talk, or innovation challenge.
Expertise That Connects Across the Ecosystem
Mentors and experts can help connect learning environments with the wider world through institutional programs, industry engagement, practical challenges, and shared knowledge.
Credibility Begins With Accuracy
- • Consent is obtained before publishing photographs.
- • Names and designations are verified.
- • Confirmed contributors are clearly distinguished from prospective ones.
- • Profile updates and removal requests are respected.
Questions.
Answered.
Everything you need to know about joining, learning, collaborating, and building with FORGE.
PEOPLE.
BIGGER
POSSIBILITIES.
CAMPUS
TO IMPACT.
FORGE is the execution system that turns campus talent into builders — moving students from ideas to shipped prototypes through structured sprints, mentorship, and ecosystem collaboration.
Learners, builders, mentors, faculty, institutions, founders, and industry contributors — subject to specific program and activity pathways across our campus network.
No. FORGE is built to take builders from wherever they are starting — the structured sprints, hands-on workshops, and peer mentorship close the experience gap.
Both — activities range from digital sessions and remote project coordination to in-person campus workshops, bootcamps, and Citadel studio sessions.
Partners bring real-world challenges, mentor builders, support campus chapters, and evaluate shipped prototypes through structured MoUs and collaboration pathways.
Experience the Difference Perspective Can Make
Learn from experience, ask better questions, build stronger work, and connect with people who can help you see the next possibility.