Jennifer Garvey Berger's India Visit Sparks Leadership Transformation Amid Business Complexity

Jennifer Garvey Berger's India Visit Sparks Leadership Transformation Amid Business Complexity

By Nishang Narayan

Published on February 25, 2025

Cultivating Leadership, a global leader in leadership development, hosted two exclusive leadership sessions in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi and Mumbai. Led by renowned leadership expert Dr. Jennifer Garvey Berger, the sessions gathered India’s top business leaders to explore new approaches to navigating complexity and redefining leadership in today’s fast-changing corporate environment.

The event marked a special milestone—celebrating 15 years of CII's Leadership Centre of Excellence and its ongoing efforts to shape visionary leaders for Indian industry.

A Timely Discussion on Complexity in Leadership

With businesses facing rapid market shifts, technological disruptions, and evolving workforce dynamics, the sessions provided a crucial opportunity for leaders to rethink conventional leadership models. Through engaging conversations, interactive exercises, and real-world case studies, attendees explored strategies to embrace complexity rather than resist it.

Shweta Anand Arora, Director of Cultivating Leadership, India, highlighted the significance of this shift, stating,
"Complexity is not a challenge to be solved but a reality to be embraced. Jennifer’s insights have provided Indian leaders with practical tools to navigate uncertainty with confidence, shaping a more resilient and forward-thinking leadership culture."

Jennifer Garvey Berger on Leadership in an Uncertain World

Jennifer Garvey Berger, who has worked with global giants like Google, Microsoft, and Novartis, delved into the mental traps leaders often face and how they influence decision-making. Her two-hour workshops focused on adaptability, systemic thinking, and collaboration—critical skills for future-ready leaders.

Reflecting on her experience, Jennifer shared,
"The diversity in the room was incredible. Leaders from different industries came together, eager to learn and share. It was inspiring to see how deeply they engaged, embracing different perspectives and fostering meaningful conversations."

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Industry Leaders Emphasize the Need for Leadership Evolution

Avijit Bhattacharya, Member of the CII National Committee on Leadership and HR & CHRO at Tata Capital Limited, reinforced the urgency of redefining leadership in today’s volatile world.
"With rapid technological disruption, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical shifts, traditional leadership models are struggling to keep pace. Leaders must embrace complexity, foster innovation, and build resilience to drive long-term success."

A Strategic Partnership for Leadership Development in India

Building on the momentum of these sessions, CII and Cultivating Leadership have signed an MoU to co-develop leadership programs for Indian corporates. This collaboration will focus on high-impact interventions, engaging global experts, and leveraging technology-enabled learning to equip Indian leaders for future challenges.

The sessions attracted top executives from leading organizations, including BCG, Apple, Godrej Agrovet, Samsonite, CP Plus, Hindalco, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Grant Thornton, Diageo, Deloitte, and many more—demonstrating the widespread industry interest in evolving leadership paradigms.

With Cultivating Leadership’s recent expansion into India through a joint venture with The Core Questin, these transformative events mark the beginning of a broader movement to reshape leadership development in the country.


Lemon Tree Signs Garudeshwar Hotel

Lemon Tree Signs Garudeshwar Hotel

By Hariharan U

Published on April 20, 2026

Lemon Tree Hotels Limited has announced the signing of a new property in Garudeshwar, further strengthening its footprint in Gujarat’s growing tourism and pilgrimage-driven markets.

With this addition, the company’s portfolio in the state will expand to 32 properties, including 11 operational and 21 upcoming hotels. The move reflects the brand’s strategy of building scale in high-growth destinations supported by strong travel demand.

The upcoming Lemon Tree Hotel Garudeshwar will feature 90 rooms along with a restaurant, banquet hall, and meeting facilities. Recreational amenities such as a swimming pool, spa, and fitness centre are also part of the development.

The hotel will be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, the management arm of Lemon Tree Hotels.

Gujarat continues to witness rising tourist inflow, driven by landmark attractions like the Statue of Unity and growing interest in spiritual and cultural travel. Garudeshwar is increasingly emerging as a key destination within this ecosystem, benefiting from improved infrastructure and proximity to major tourist circuits.

The property is well connected by road and is located approximately 85 km from Vadodara International Airport and around 5 km from Ekta Nagar Railway Station, offering convenient access for travellers.

Commenting on the signing, Neelendra Singh, Managing Director of Lemon Tree Hotels, said that "Destinations like Garudeshwar are becoming important nodes in India’s expanding tourism landscape". He noted that increasing visitor flows are driving demand for quality branded hospitality, and the company remains focused on tapping such opportunities to strengthen its regional presence.


SAMHI Partners Ingka Centres Noida

SAMHI Partners Ingka Centres Noida

By Hariharan U

Published on April 20, 2026

SAMHI Hotels Limited has signed an agreement with Ingka Centres India Private Limited to develop an upscale hotel in Noida, marking a significant addition to the region’s evolving hospitality landscape.

The project will be developed within Ingka Centres’ upcoming mixed-use development, spread across approximately 2.5 million square feet. Envisioned as a marquee project, it is expected to enhance Noida’s skyline while strengthening its position as a key commercial and hospitality hub in the Delhi NCR region.

The planned hotel will feature around 162 rooms and will be integrated into Ingka Centres’ “Meeting Places” concept—a retail-led ecosystem that combines shopping, leisure, and community-driven experiences. The development also aims to support local businesses and create dynamic workspaces, positioning itself as a modern urban destination.

This collaboration brings together SAMHI’s institutional operating platform and Ingka Centres’ global development expertise. The partnership aligns with SAMHI’s strategy of working with leading institutional organisations while continuing to expand through a capital-efficient model.

Located within a high-quality mixed-use environment, the hotel is expected to benefit from strong captive demand and high visibility. The project will be executed under SAMHI’s long-term variable lease model, allowing for alignment of interests while maintaining a capital-light approach.

Under the agreement, Ingka Centres will lease the building structure, including façade and high-side engineering, while SAMHI will invest in the interior fit-outs. The hotel will be operated under an international brand, which is yet to be announced.

Commenting on the development, Ashish Jakhanwala, Chairman and Managing Director of SAMHI Hotels, said the partnership marks an important step in scaling operations in the National Capital Region. He highlighted the project’s strong demand fundamentals and expressed confidence in delivering a landmark hospitality asset in collaboration with Ingka Centres.

Giovanni Princiotta Cariddi, Country Manager India at Ingka Centres, said the collaboration reflects the company’s vision of building integrated spaces where people can live, work, shop, and stay. He added that the inclusion of a high-quality hospitality offering will enhance the overall experience of the destination.

The project further strengthens SAMHI’s presence in the Delhi NCR region, where it already operates properties such as Hyatt Place Gurgaon, Holiday Inn Express Gurgaon, and Holiday Inn Express Greater Noida.


Essentia Hotels & Resorts Expands Footprint with Upcoming Nagpur Property

Essentia Hotels & Resorts Expands Footprint with Upcoming Nagpur Property

By Hariharan U

Published on April 16, 2026

Essentia Hotels & Resorts is set to expand its growing portfolio with a new property in Nagpur, marking its entry into one of Central India’s emerging hospitality markets.

Known for its thoughtfully curated hospitality experiences, Essentia aims to introduce a property that blends contemporary elegance with functional design. The upcoming hotel is envisioned to cater to both business and leisure travellers, offering a refined yet welcoming stay experience aligned with modern expectations.

Often regarded as the heart of India, Nagpur is steadily evolving into a dynamic urban centre where cultural heritage meets modern development. With its serene lakes, spiritual landmarks, and historical attractions, the city presents a balanced mix of vibrancy and calmmaking it an attractive destination for both corporate and leisure travel.

Bringing its signature philosophy of “distinctive destination experience” to the city, Essentia’s new property will focus on combining contemporary sensibilities with intuitive service. The development aims to create a space that reflects comfort, sophistication, and attention to detail, while remaining rooted in a deep understanding of evolving guest preferences.

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Commenting on the expansion, Mohammed Parvez said, “Nagpur represents a compelling growth story, and we are delighted to be part of its evolving narrative. Our vision has always been to create destinations that resonate with their surroundings while offering a sense of familiarity and comfort that today’s travellers seek.”

With this move, Essentia continues to align its growth strategy with emerging Indian cities that are redefining the country’s hospitality landscape. The Nagpur property is expected to reflect the brand’s commitment to “Affordable Luxury,” delivering thoughtfully designed spaces, sincere service, and meaningful guest experiences.

Founded in 2018 under the aegis of Aaverina Hospitality Private Limited and headquartered in Bengaluru, Essentia Hotels & Resorts has been steadily building a reputation for delivering contemporary hospitality experiences rooted in design, service, and human connection.

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