Aeronero Co-Founder Durga Das Honored Among Top 31 Global Thought Leaders by NBC Washington

Head – Production

Dixon is a seasoned refrigeration expert with extensive experience in the Middle East and India, specializing in advanced cooling and heat exchange technologies. He played a pioneering role in developing the first Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) in the country, demonstrating his innovative approach to sustainable water solutions. With a deep understanding of refrigeration systems, he has contributed to cutting-edge cold storage solutions, enhancing food preservation and logistics. His expertise spans heat exchangers, energy-efficient cooling systems, and large-scale HVAC projects. Dixon’s commitment to excellence and innovation has established him as a thought leader in refrigeration and climate control technologies.

Head of Sales (G)

With 18 years of experience in sales and marketing, Hilda Phillip has developed a strong expertise across the health, technology, and water industries. She holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and furthered her education with advanced studies in Information Systems Auditing at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, as well as a specialized IT Automation course at Google.

Hilda is also an accomplished athlete with eight national awards in athletics and a passionate sailor and biker. In her professional career, she has consistently demonstrated success as a Business Development Manager, driving growth and delivering results. Known for her leadership, negotiation skills, and customer service expertise, Hilda combines ambition, motivation, and a results-oriented approach. In her most recent role, she successfully secured Rs 167 Cr in business, achieving a bottom-line profit of Rs 17 Cr FY2024

CFO

Visionary leader with 20+ years driving transformation in finance, strategy, and global P&L management. Currently CFO at MGA Entertainment, formerly CXO at Disney.

CFA charterholder

Experienced early-stage investor and finance professional, CFA charterholder, with 13 years finance, 16 years engineering; managed Shelter Venture Fund, advised startups, ran accelerators, authored finance articles, and holds multiple patents.

IAS

P. Murari, MA (Economics) from Madras University, served in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) from 1957 to 1992, holding various esteemed positions including Secretary to the President of India. Currently, he advises the President of FICCI.

Researcher

Dr. R. Velraj is a renowned academic and researcher with over 34 years of experience in thermal engineering and energy applications. He has served as Vice Chancellor of Anna University and Director of the Institute for Energy Studies. With numerous publications, patents, and international recognitions, he is a leading expert in the field. He is committed to nurturing young researchers and promoting sustainable energy solutions.

Co-founder of HIEx and WiNFUND

Innovative global health leader, co-founder of HIEx and WiNFUND, facilitating over $200M in investments and supporting female health entrepreneurship. Also co-founded TSF, the largest UN technical assistance mechanism in HIV.

Operations | Supply Chain Logistics | Customer Support

A seasoned professional with over 20 years of service in the Indian Army’s Engineers Corps, bringing expertise in operations management, logistics, and customer support. Post-retirement, I have successfully transitioned to corporate roles, excelling in optimizing workflows, scaling operations, and driving customer satisfaction. With a strong foundation in leadership, strategic planning, and process improvement, I am committed to delivering results and fostering organizational growth.

CTO/Chairman of the Board

Maj. Gen. Indrabalan (R) is a transformative leader with 37 years of exemplary military service. His extensive operational experience in extreme environments spanning UN Missions, deserts, high-altitude terrains, and conflict zones shaped his unwavering commitment to addressing critical challenges like water security through innovation and strategic thinking.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy and IIT Kharagpur, with advanced degrees in science, technology, and management, he has applied strategic foresight to pioneer cutting-edge water technologies.

In his post-military career, Maj. Gen. Indrabalan merges his operational expertise and military exposure with technological vision to drive sustainable innovations for atmospheric water generation technology to keep Aeronero ahead of its competitors in the product innovation map. By uniting his operational experience with forward-thinking strategies, he is delivering scalable solutions to combat global water scarcity and enhance resilience for military and civilian communities alike. He is also the Trustee Director in the Board of Unifi Capital Mutual Fund a 23K Cr PMS company.

Founder and CEO

Durga Das is a pioneering entrepreneur, former professional cricketer, and Goldman Sachs 10K Women alumnus. As the founder of Aeronero, she is revolutionizing air-to-water generation (AWG) technology, converting humidity into clean water to address global water scarcity. A Vital Voices Fellow and included in the 2024 MB 100 Global awards list by Meaningful Business, Durga blends innovation with philanthropy, founding WODER to improve water access for refugee camps and empower women.

Her leadership has earned accolades such as the “Best Innovator” award at the 2024 World Health Assembly and the Women Leadership Award presented by Ms. Kiran Bedi. With 30+ years of startup expertise, Durga also advises WICCI, the Asian African Chamber of Commerce, and the World Talent Economic Forum, all while championing her vision: “Water for all, Always.”

Technology/R&D

Pranav Nair is a skilled Mechanical Engineer with a Master’s degree from the University of Auckland. He has experience in design, analysis, and manufacturing, using tools like ANSYS and Creo. His passion lies in innovation and development, and he seeks a challenging role in R&D to contribute to world-class products. Beyond his technical skills, Pranav is an active individual with interests in sports, arts, and writing.

Head Production & Operations

An Electronics & Communication engineer with post graduation in IT with two decades of Pioneering IT Companies like WIPRO, NIIT and Global Software Ltd. Worked with The Indian Coast Guard RHQ- East and was instrumental creating their IT infrastructure backbone, through Advance Logic Systems including GPS based multiple targets tracking and monitoring. 

Chief Investment Advisor

Madhu G N is a visionary leader and innovator with extensive experience in technology, investment, and business strategy. Holding numerous patents in wastewater treatment, he has a distinguished career marked by positions such as CEO, CIO, CSO. His strategic foresight as a Chief Strategy and Investment Officer has been recognized with multiple awards. As an angel investor, he has a keen eye for transformative start-ups and is actively involved in shaping the business landscape through his contributions to tech forums & investment seminars.

Chief Financial Officer

Sriram Sundaravadanan is a seasoned finance professional with over 30 years of experience in financial services and banking. He has a proven track record in handling large-scale transactions and working closely with legal teams. As an investor, he supports startups in the tech sector, providing CFO services to ensure financial discipline and compliance. With an MBA in Finance and a Graduate Program from ANU, Sriram has worked with leading companies like the Birla Group, Tata Group, and ICICI Bank.