Awards - 2013

"It gives us great immense pleasure in announcing the Maharashtra Corporate Excellence Awards – MAXELL 2013. Once again it was an extreme difficult task to identify the awardees across sectors and spheres, as more and more innovative and passionate leaders are emerging in the era of globalization and information technology. Thanks to the collective acumen of our esteemed advisory board, we selected our winners based on criteria following profound deliberation and articulation. The judicious blend of subjective and objective factors included decisive elements like the achiever's commitment to cause, conviction and purpose, depth of entrepreneurship or business leadership, quality of innovation, collaboration and co-creation as also the larger impact of achievements and accomplishments."

Excellence in Business Leadership

Suhas Kadlaskar Director Corporate Affairs & Human Resources, Mercedes-Benz India Mr Kadlaskar's work has been one of the powerful driving forces behind Mercedes-Benz's success in Indian markets. Recipient of the some of the most prestigious awards in HR and environmental leadership including from FLAME Institute at the World HRD Congress, his views and insights are greatly valued by peers in the industry and the corporate world.   Shubhalaxmi Panse Chairman & Managing Director, Allahabad Bank Mrs. Panse – an illustrious banking career of 37 long years starting from a probationary officer in Bank of Maharashtra to the Executive Director Vijaya Bank and now the Chairman and Managing Director of Allahabad Bank. An MBA from USA whilst handling complex banking business also effectively rolled out the most important IT upgrade such as CBS, ATM, Internet Banking and Mobile banking for public sectors banks.

Excellence in Entrepreneurship

Deepak Gadre Chairman, Gadre Marine Exports Pvt. Ltd. Mr Gadre's entrepreneurial acumen and foresight were instrumental in building India's biggest marine export house. Winner of the 7 times National Productivity Council of India Awards and 3 consecutive Award for excellence in marine exports, Gadre Marine Exports is into full fledged fishery business including unique Surimi technique, recycling and processing fishery waste.

Suhas Kakade CEO & President of US Aeroteam, Ohio Mr Kakade from a Design Engineer and qualified pilot to CEO and President of US Aeroteam, Ohio an aerospace and defense equipment major who brought a new dimension to corporate management with his entrepreneurial skills. In the course of his career he worked for many Fortune 500 companies and also participated in the policy-making process of Ohio, U.S.

Excellence in Innovation

Vivek Sawant Managing Director, Co-Founder Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited (MKCL) Under Mr Sawant's leadership MKCL has taken giant strides in spreading IT education and e-learning platforms across Maharashtra and advanced IT education across India, with a thrust on rural areas. MKCL has done pioneering work in education, governance, and empowerment of people at large in the context of emerging knowledge-based society and knowledge-based economy. Mr Sawant has also served on policy making committees including the Prime Minister's IT Task Force.

Emerging Excellence

Ashvini Danigond Chairperson, Manorama Infosolutions Mrs Danigond has demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurial talent and spirit by establishing leadership in the business of providing total IT solutions to healthcare industry. Servicing clients across the world from Kolhapur with women in all the decision making managerial positions she has won award for the best technology solution provider in health care industry.

Maxell Life Time Achievement

Pramod Chaudhari Executive-Chairman, Praj Industries Mr. Chaudhari's career spans over 35 years of professional and entrepreneurial endeavours. He established Praj in1984 and focused on green and clean technologies coupled with alternate feedstocks for renewable energy sources. Praj is globally known for its innovative solutions and domain in biotech processes and systems that includes alcohol / fuel ethanol plants, brewery plants, water and wastewater treatment, bionutrients, process equipment and agri services. Praj has not only impressed the investor community with its stupendous growth but is also one of the world's most ecologically sound companies that produces bio-fuels for industries over 50 countries across 5 continents.