Meet Pooja Rasal Awate — A Catalyst Behind India’s Evolving B-School Corporate Connect
Pooja Rasal Awate is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience across the education and corporate domains. She has built an illustrious career at the intersection of academia and industry, making significant contributions to institutional branding, corporate engagement, and management education in India.
As the youngest Business Head at NIS Sparta, she earned the Champion of Champions Award in recognition of her sustained performance and contribution to the West Region’s success.
A proud alumnus of K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Pooja is also a Silver Medalist in her master’s degree from the University of Mumbai. She played a pivotal role for nearly a decade in strengthening the corporate brand of K J Somaiya Institute of Management, working closely with marquee organizations such as Google, Bain & Company, Amazon, and Gartner. She was instrumental in initiating international placements, significantly enhancing the institute’s global corporate outreach.
Her work at the education–corporate interface received international recognition when QS World University Rankings (UK) invited her to deliver a session in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, on strengthening corporate engagement for Indian B-schools.
Beyond her professional roles, she is an avid writer who regularly authors thought pieces on Marketing, Branding and student readiness for corporate careers. Her insights have been published in Times Higher Education (UK) and have also been shared by leading global institutions such as Yale University. Alongside this, she is a passionate marketing professor, known for her engaging sessions in Brand Management and Services Marketing, where she brings real-world perspectives into the classroom.
She has also led the Career Services Department at N L Dalmia Institute of Management, where she continues to focus on corporate brand building and strategic industry partnerships.
Beyond her professional work, she is a certified Yoga teacher and a Gold Medalist from Yoga Vidya Niketan’s Teacher Training Program. She is also actively engaged in social impact initiatives, mentoring underprivileged children through the international platform Mentor Me India.
Driven by her passion for Indian B-school placements and employability, she is currently pursuing a PhD in the same domain. A multifaceted leader, Pooja Rasal Awate continues to inspire students and professionals alike through her dedication, thought leadership, and service to the education sector.