Mentors and Advisory Council
Experience-backed guidance that strengthens our thinking, sharpens our ethics, and raises the quality of every solution we deliver.
GrowthX Learning Hub (GXLH) is supported by a Mentors and Advisory Council, senior leaders who guide our direction, standards, and impact. As we grow, this council will expand with more respected experts across leadership, culture, business, and education.
Why we built a council
Real transformation needs two things: strong execution and strong judgment. Our mentors and advisors help us:
Pressure-test our thinking and approaches
Keep our work research-led and practical
Ensure quality, ethics, and long-term impact
Stay aligned to what leaders and organizations truly need
How our mentors and advisors contribute
Depending on the engagement, our council members may support us through:
Strategic guidance for GXLH offerings and frameworks
Providing strategic direction to strengthen GXLH’s learning offerings, frameworks, and long-term growth roadmap.
Review of Key Programs, Assessments & Learning Journeys
Our work blends leadership science, behavioural psychology, and real-world application.
Thought Partnership on Complex Client Situations
Acting as a thought partner on complex client challenges, enabling clear thinking, sound decisions, and effective solutions.
Governance Inputs, Quality Reviews & Direction-Setting
Offering governance oversight, quality assurance, and periodic direction-setting to maintain high standards and strategic alignment.
Meet our mentors and advisors
We expand our ecosystem of expertise.
Senior Mentor and Advisory Council Member
Dr. Birjendu Gupta
Leadership, Talent, Learning, and Executive Coaching Advisor
Dr. Birjendu Gupta brings nearly four decades of cross-industry leadership, coaching, and organizational transformation experience. He has partnered with CXOs, functional leaders, and high-potential talent to drive performance, unlock leadership capability, and build future-ready organizations across global contexts. With deep exposure across FMCG, Oil & Gas, IT/ITES, Manufacturing, Telecom, Pharmaceuticals, and Professional Services, Dr. Gupta is known for his ability to connect business strategy with human capability and cultural transformation.
- 39+ years of experience spanning business leadership, consulting, and executive coaching
- 4,000+ coaching hours with CXOs and senior leaders
- 25,000+ leaders trained globally
- Extensive experience in leadership development, Hi-Po assessment, and organizational transformation
- Strong expertise in cross-cultural leadership and global learning ecosystems
Certifications Include
- Executive Coaching – Marshall Goldsmith
- The Art & Science of Coaching – Erickson International
- Coaching for Leadership – Whitehead Mann
- Assessment & Development Centre – Wider Options Consulting
- CXO & Consultative Selling Certifications
Training & Capability Building
- Strategic Account Management
- Strategy Execution Excellence
- Influencing Without Authority
- Cross-Cultural Business Negotiation
- Coaching & Mentoring for Managerial Excellence
Psychometrics exposure
Hogan Leadership Assessment, MBTI, DISC, EQ-PAPI, Belbin Team Roles, Workplace Big Five, Psytech Tools (15FQ+, JTI, SPI)
Education & Credentials
PhD in Human Resource Management, XLRI Jamshedpur
Dissertation: An Empirical Study of the Interrelationship among People and Process Characteristics in Executive Coaching
Senior Mentor and Advisory Council Member
Prof. Pankaj Kumar
Professor of HRM & Organizational Behaviour | Leadership & Culture Advisor
Prof. Pankaj Kumar brings over three decades of deep academic, research, and advisory experience in management education and organizational psychology. Currently a Professor at IIM Lucknow, he has played a pivotal role in shaping leadership capability, HR strategy, and organizational thinking across premier institutions and industry platforms. His work bridges academic rigor with practical impact in leadership, culture, and people systems.
- 31+ years in management education, research, training, and consulting
- Professor, Human Resource Management & Organizational Behaviour – IIM Lucknow
- Former Dean (Planning & Development) and Board of Governors Member, IIM Lucknow
- Served in key academic leadership roles across IIM Ranchi, IIM Jammu, IIHMR Jaipur, and JIM Lucknow
- Extensive global exposure through consulting and academic collaborations
Core Expertise
- Human Resource Management & Strategic HRM
- Organizational Culture & Change
- Leadership Development & Coaching
- Performance Management Systems
- Cross-Cultural Management
- Team Building & Self-Management
Teaching, Research & Consulting
- Taught Postgraduate and Doctoral programmes across HRM, Strategic HRM, Culture, Performance Management
- Designed and delivered high-impact customised industry programmes
- Published extensively in national and international peer-reviewed journal
- Presented research at global academic conferences
- Consulting engagements with organizations including USAID, NORAD, DANIDA, World Bank, and Government of India
Education & Credentials
PhD, Applied & Organizational Psychology – University of Delhi
M.Phil., Applied & Organizational Psychology – University of Delhi
M.A., Applied Psychology – University of Delhi