KE Pulse
The Entrepreneurial Heartbeat
4th Edition (September 2026)
www.keglobal.org
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
CONTENTS
PROPOSAL NOTE FROM IVAN........................................02 SPOTLIGHT STORY......................................03
STUDIO SHODWE MEMBERBY ACHIEVEMENTS.........................05 KE DUBAI HAPPENINGS............................09 KE BANGALORE HAPPENINGS.................11 KNOWLEDGE CENTRE...............................18 NEW MEMBERS..........................................20 EDITORIAL BOARD....................................22
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a n o t e f r o m i va n Dear KE Family, As we bring you this edition of KE Pulse, the pace of change across industries shows little sign of slowing, and few forces capture that more than the rise of AI.
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
PROPOSAL
What was, until recently, a distant conversation is now reshaping how businesses operate, compete, and serve their customers. The question is no longer whether AI will matter, but how prepared we are to meet it. Those who lean in early and rethink old processes will find themselves ahead; those who wait risk being left behind by competitors who don't.
Yet what continues to strike me is not the difficulty of the moment, but how our members respond to it. Whether the challenge is macroeconomic uncertainty or a new technological era, entrepreneurs are builders by nature. We adapt, innovate, and move forward even when circumstances demand caution and resilience in equal measure. The role of strong communities becomes even more important in this context. KE was founded on the belief that knowledge shared is strength multiplied, and today that philosophy matters more than ever. Our members continue to support one another through mentorship, collaboration, and the exchange of practical insights, including how to navigate AI, with greater confidence.
BY STUDIO SHODWE
What makes KE special is not only the diversity of businesses within our network, but the spirit with which our members engage: with openness, humility, and a genuine willingness to uplift others. As we head into the final quarter of 2026, let us remain focused on building enterprises that are resilient, AI-ready, and future-facing, while continuing to invest in relationships and strengthen the ecosystem that binds our community across borders. I encourage each of you to engage actively with this edition and celebrate the achievements of fellow members. In changing times, strong communities matter even more, and together, I believe we will emerge stronger from this shift. Warm regards, Ivan Fernandes Global Chairman Kanara Entrepreneurs
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Spotlight Story KE Startup Fest: Where Ideas Learned to Walk Some ideas stay ideas. Others get put in a room with a deadline, a panel of judges, and people who refuse to let them stay theoretical.
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
PROPOSAL
The inaugural KE Startup Fest did exactly that, bringing entrepreneurs, innovators, mentors, and families together in Bengaluru for a day that felt less like a conference and more like a proving ground. The morning opened with an invocation from Evonne Gomes and a welcome from KE Bangalore President Pramod D'Souza, who shared the vision behind the initiative. Chairman Ivan Fernandes spoke on leadership and the community's continued growth, while chief guest Fr Will Conquer, missionary priest and adviser to UNI-APAC Asia, grounded the day in purpose, urging entrepreneurs toward ethics and values as much as ambition. From there, the day turned practical.
BY STUDIO SHODWE
Roshan Sequeira ran a live demonstration of AI building a working CRM solution, a reminder that AI is no longer a future technology but a present-day tool. Then came the real test: seven teams took on a Hackathon while others tackled an Ideation Challenge built around social and community impact, pushed to think beyond product and toward purpose, mentored throughout by KE's own.
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By evening, ideas had names and faces. "KASA KLEAR" took the Best Why award, "PASS-PORT" won Best Pitch, and "Young at Heart" earned the Consolation Prize. The Hackathon Award went to Carol Pinto and Ethan Kiran D'Souza for "CleanLoop." Judges Ivan Fernandes, Sabitha Lasrado, Rohit Fernandes, and Arun Vaz weighed not just the pitches, but the resolve behind them. Pramitha Menezes kept the day moving as MC, while Eugene Mathias brought the energy that carried it home, closing with a Vote of Thanks and felicitations for the judges and guests.
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING The first KE Startup Fest has set the stage.
PROPOSAL
The ideas have begun.
One KE family. One platform. Endless possibilities.
BY STUDIO SHODWE
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KE Member Achievements KE DUBAI
Dr. Marina N. Goveas Fellowship of the Pierre Academy, USA
Conferred Fauchard
Loyan D’Souza was the recipient of the 2026 CMP Scholarship Programme, globally recognised as the standard of excellence in the business events profession.
KE BANGALORE
Alan Aranha & the entire team at The Hidden Valley Homestay at Chikmagalur wins the 2026 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award
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KE BANGALORE
Dr. Joe Lobo, Former Director ICCR, was inducted into the Aloysian Hall of Fame.
Group Pharmaceuticals launches ‘Abledent’ India’s first inclusive oral care ecosystem. Lead Member & Director Mentoring, Sunil Attavar (Chairman, Group Pharmaceuticals), Ann Attavar (Executive Director, Group Pharmaceuticals) & Luvena Rangel (Lead Brand, Marketing & Communications, Abledent).
Lead Member, Chevalier Nigel Fernandes (CEO, ATC Publications) was featured in Brain Pickers with Fr. Sandeep Menezes in a heartfelt conversation on publishing, faith based media and the spirit of KE and the power of storytelling.
Sangeeth Rego, Joseph J. & Neval Menezes on their venture, Kudla Green Wave LLP for partnering with ARV Environment Care Ltd to establish Karnataka’s first municipal corporationbased plastic-to-fuel facility in Pachanady.
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KE BANGALORE
Gracian Rodrigues on his appointment as Associate Public Relations Officer (APRO) of the Diocese of Mysore.
Keith Machado and Lead Member Nigel Fernandes received FKCA Entrepreneur of the year and Community Service Award, respectively.
Amith Prabhu, Director of February Networks, received global recognition at the PRO PR Globe Awards in the Balkan region.
Elements by Rosetta, Varca, Goa, led by Lead Member Errol Fernandes, scored an outstanding 9.6/10 at the Booking.com Traveller Review Awards 2026.
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KE BANGALORE
Keith Machado, Founder and MD of Orione Hydraulics Pvt. Ltd., was awarded Excellence in Industrial Product Development & Manufacturing 2025–26.
Every edition, our members prove that excellence here isn't the exception, it's the standard. From global recognitions to community milestones, congratulations to each member celebrated below, you continue to raise the bar for what KE stands for.
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ke happenings KE Dubai Hosts Second Business Breakfast Meet of the Year From networking to knowledge, and from conversation to community: KE Dubai's second Business Breakfast Meet of the year brought together over 30 members at Thalassery Restaurant, Al Garhoud, Dubai, for a morning of collaboration and insightful discussion, hosted by Venzil, whose energy kept conversations flowing throughout. At the heart of the morning was Chairman Ivan Fernandes, who reminded members that uncertain times test businesses, but entrepreneurs can navigate them by focusing on cash flow, communication, adaptability, and strong customer relationships, encouraging the room to lean on the KE community and turn disruptions into opportunities. The morning's energy was equally shaped by the members who shared their own journeys, with introductions from Avil Pinto on a new partnership with a KE member in Mumbai, Joel Pais on his latest ventures, and Captain Sudeep Sudharshan, who presented a project idea and invited feedback from the room.
KE Dubai Empowers Members with Investment Insights for a Turbulent Global Economy KE Dubai hosted a members' event on June 27 at TIME Oak Hotel & Suites, Tecom, Dubai, centred on an Executive Masterclass on "Investment Opportunities & Portfolio Management in a Turbulent World," led by Gautam Saldanha, Executive Director at CIMD Dubai, who brings 19 years of wealth management experience. Key takeaways included staying flexible as market leaders shift, looking beyond U.S. markets toward Europe, Asia, and emerging markets, and watching AI investing move toward infrastructure like power and data centres. Saldanha urged diversification across public markets, private equity, and private credit, disciplined long-term investing over market timing, and building portfolios around personal goals rather than wealth for its own sake. KE Pulse 4th Edition
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Walter Vieira Shares Five Essential Lessons for Entrepreneurs at KE Dubai Business Breakfast KE Dubai proudly held its second Business Breakfast Meet of the year, welcoming members for an engaging morning centered on networking, collaboration, and insightful business discussions. The exclusive membersonly gathering highlighted KE Dubai’s continued dedication to building valuable relationships and strengthening connections across its expanding business network. The highlight was veteran management consultant and author Walter Vieira, who shared five lessons for entrepreneurs: the ability to take calculated risks; faith in oneself even without external validation; the DTI framework of balancing Doer, Thinker, and Integrator roles; the ability to adapt and adjust living standards through financial uncertainty; and aptitude paired with the right attitude, since technical skill alone isn't enough. Vieira closed by emphasising that true wealth and lasting success are rooted in humility, pointing to leaders like J. R. D. Tata as examples of accomplished individuals who stayed grounded and committed to value beyond business.
KE Dubai Equips Entrepreneurs for an AI-Driven Future KE Dubai hosted a members' event on August 29 at TIME Oak Hotel & Suites, Tecom, Dubai, focused on helping entrepreneurs understand how AI is reshaping how organisations operate and compete, part of the chapter's continuing effort to support members through technological change The highlight was a session led by Ryan D'Souza and Dr Shashi Punjabi, who explored the evolving landscape of digital transformation, emphasising that successful AI adoption isn't just about new technology but about building the right foundations across strategy, processes, data, people, and governance. Key takeaways: Build the foundation before AI, keep people at the heart of AI through literacy and internal champions, treat digital transformation as more than technology, start small by solving one real problem rather than mastering every tool; be the director, not the doer, providing clarity and oversight while AI executes; and ensure AI delivers measurable value, from cost savings to better decision-making, rather than adoption for its own sake.
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KE Bangalore - GenNow Jive Workshop: Total Beginners, Total Thrill KE GenNow took 17 members off the beaten path and onto the dance floor for a Jive Workshop that turned out to be about far more than footwork. The session opened with a high-energy icebreaker by Maria Faustina, breaking down barriers and setting the tone, before instructor Elton Joy D'Souza led the group through trust exercises and resistance drills to build coordination and connection ahead of the first jive step. From there, members moved into the basics of footwork, rhythm, and timing. Beyond the dance floor, members walked away with more: freedom from self-doubt, deeper group trust, and the joy of taking on bold new challenges together. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, the energy electric, and the impact lasting. Another reminder that at KE GenNow, the best growth happens when fun leads the way, with more grooves already on the horizon.
KE Bangalore - GenNow: Your Speak Before You Speak
Before you speak, your presence has already said something. Before you invest, your understanding should have said even more. That was the thread running through the KE GenNow gathering at Catholic Club, Bengaluru. Andrea Marie D'Souza reminded members that personal branding isn't built through words alone. It shows up in how we enter a room, how we carry ourselves, and how intentionally we communicate, even in something as simple as slowing down our walk. "You speak before you speak," she noted, a reminder that confidence is often visible before it's heard. KE Pulse 4th Edition
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Glen Pais brought an equally practical perspective to investing, emphasizing that long-term decisions require more than enthusiasm. They demand industry understanding, informed judgement, and, at times, the wisdom to seek expert guidance. Two very different sessions carried one common lesson: own how you show up, and own how you decide.
KE Bangalore - Founders' Fiesta: Never Bend to Power "What you stand for matters most when power tests your principles." - Robinson D'Souza The 29th edition of Founders' Fiesta on May 9 offered a journey of courage, integrity, and public service. Robinson D'Souza, who has served the Government of Karnataka in multiple legal capacities, including as a Magistrate, shared a life shaped not just by ambition, but by values that refused to bend, from humble beginnings in Mangalore and Chikkamagalur to a career built on sacrifice and quiet resilience. With rare candour, he spoke about navigating the judiciary's realities of power and pressure, with one message echoing through the room: never bend to power. He recalled encounters with figures from Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa to Mother Teresa, including a memorable moment when A. P. J. Abdul Kalam personally served him coffee, a lesson in humility from someone of his stature. Members were also given a rare glimpse into the early days of Kanara Entrepreneurs itself. The session closed with a lasting reminder: one compromise can begin a lifetime of compromises. Stay fearless. Stay grounded. Stay true.
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KE Bangalore - Founders' Fiesta: What If You Succeed? Kanara Entrepreneurs hosted another edition of Founders' Fiesta on June 13 at Catholic Club, Bengaluru, featuring Anoop Sequeira, Consultant in Workplace Culture and Leadership Development, who shared his journey of resilience, growth, and entrepreneurship. Anoop traced his path from childhood challenges that shaped his sense of responsibility and adaptability through a career in hospitality, where several early setbacks became turning points for growth. His most memorable message on overcoming self-doubt: "When the mind asks, 'What if I fail?' challenge it with, 'What if you succeed?'" He also spoke about the entrepreneurial venture he built alongside his wife, grown through disciplined execution and continuous improvement, and shared principles that have guided his leadership: ownership, prudent resource management, empowering teams, and adaptability. Ownership, he noted, comes from taking responsibility, not from title or position. Closing the session, Anoop encouraged entrepreneurs to balance ambition with family and to build businesses that create lasting value for their communities, not just financial success.
KE Bangalore Founders' Fiesta: Process. Process. Process. KE Bengaluru members heard from Naveen R D'Souza, Founder & CEO of Souza Technology Services Pvt. Ltd., who took the room through the journey behind building a successful enterprise at the KE Founders’ Fiesta. There were no shortcuts in the story, only resilience, persistence, continuous learning, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. One message stayed with everyone: "Process. Process. Process."
Naveen shared how success isn't built by working harder alone, but by building systems that allow businesses to grow consistently and sustainably, and spoke with humility about the mentors, family, colleagues, customers, and friends who shaped his journey. More than a business story, the evening was a reminder that entrepreneurship is about creating opportunities, celebrating small wins, building meaningful relationships, and never stopping the pursuit of excellence. KE Pulse 4th Edition
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KE Bangalore Members' Meet: Leadership in the Era of AI What does leadership look like when AI reshapes every industry? That question brought together entrepreneurs, professionals, and industry leaders at the Kanara Entrepreneurs Members' Meet in Bengaluru, anchored by Roushnee Sur. The evening opened with an invocation by Stan D'Souza, followed by the installation of the newly elected Board, facilitated by Past President Clarence Pereira. Outgoing Director Leena Lobo and Immediate Past President Claudius Pereira were recognized for their service, while the new Board welcomed Naveen R D'Souza as PresidentElect, Zaveena Lobo as Director Membership, and Sunil Attavar and Roshan Sequeira, re-elected as Director Mentoring and Director Events, respectively. Zaveena Lobo also facilitated the induction of 20 new members. President Pramod D'Souza reflected on KE's journey, encouraging members toward learning and collaboration. The highlight was a panel on "Leadership in the Era of AI" with Caroline Mendez, CEO of Stalwart Group, and Ranganath Sadasiva, CTO of HPE India, moderated by James Coelho. A Mentimeter survey by Sunil Attavar showed strong AI confidence, with just 4% uncertain about leading AI-driven change; 91% rated the event Excellent or Very Good.
KE Bangalore Women's Meet: Skin and Strands, From Roots to Radiance From roots to radiance, and from conversations to connection: the KE Women's Meet on July 25 brought together 38 women entrepreneurs – members, and guests at the Catholic Club Sky Lounge for an evening of learning, wellness, and community. At the heart of the evening was a session by KE member Dr. Nina Pais, who made skin and hair care practical, relatable, and myth-free, moving beyond theory with expert insights and a hands-on experience of her skincare and haircare range. The room's energy was equally shaped by the women who connected and participated wholeheartedly, with an icebreaker led by Roushnee Sur, live games, a quiz, spot prizes, and a Mentimeter reflection keeping the evening lively. The programme was brought together by Pramitha Menezes, with contributions from Joyce Fernandez, Ann Attavar, Carol Pinto, Jyoti Menezes, Shiny Lewis, Sweezal Furtado, and Udaya D'Souza, with prizes sponsored by Dr. Nina Pais, Jyoti Menezes, and Nancy Pinto. Because sometimes, self-care isn't just about looking better, it's about feeling informed, confident, and supported by a community that grows together. KE Pulse 4th Edition
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KE Bangalore - Leading Growth Together: Mentoring That Turns Insights into Action Sunil Attavar, Director Mentoring, launched "Leading Growth Together," a structured mentoring initiative designed to help KE members address real business challenges through focused conversations with experienced leaders. The open-house session brought together 14 mentees, including new members, with Sunil first distinguishing between advising, coaching, and mentoring. The 60-minute format moved through five stages: introduction, goal setting, identifying challenges, exploring solutions, and defining action steps, with mentees at tables interacting with 2-3 Lead Members each, in an atmosphere built on confidentiality and practical outcomes. Conversations spanned systems, branding, delegation, budgeting, digital marketing, investment, and scaling. Mentees left with concrete next steps: Anthony Prakash D'Souza refined his SOPs, Vincent Walter D'Souza gained clarity on business tools and branding, Stany Nathan found space to unpack his roadblocks, and Sanjeena Menezes, Dr. Nina Pais, and Dr. Maria Pramila D'Souza each walked away with sharper priorities around growth, digital marketing, and scale. Closing the session, Sunil encouraged members to stay connected and thanked the mentors for generously giving their time to make the inaugural edition a meaningful success.
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KE Bangalore Collaborates with Rachana, MCC Bank, and Daijiworld to Host Startup Session for Christian Youth in Mangalore Following successful youth entrepreneurship programs in Bangalore and Goa, Kanara Entrepreneurs hosted a third session on May 17 at the MCC Bank Administrative Building, Mangalore, in collaboration with Rachana (Catholic Chamber of Commerce & Industry), MCC Bank, and Daijiworld Media Network, aimed at encouraging Christian youth into entrepreneurship. Chief guest Michael D'Souza spoke on the "Business Triangle" of Cash, Knowledge, and Value for Money, built on integrity and accountability. Walter Nandalike of Daijiworld shared his journey and urged participants to "Update, Upgrade, Uplift." Roy Castelino of Rachana stressed domain knowledge and customer service, while MCC Bank Chairman Anil Lobo outlined financing options and a planned entrepreneur scheme. Pramod D'Souza covered startup funding and valuation. Leena Lobo, Rohit Fernandes, and Jyoti Menezes led an "Idea to Action" workshop where 12 groups pitched business ideas; Summit Group's "Crop Cycle" won top funding, with "We Care" placing third.
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KE Bangalore Knowledge Series: From Prompt to Prototype
KE Members had unique workshop offered by KE GenNow members Ethan Kiran Dsouza & Kevin Bradley Dsouza on using AI to watch a business idea become a working app. This was the first of our Knowledge Series offered by the KE Mentoring.
KE Bangalore - A fond farewell to Jennifer Cruze
Jennifer served as KE’s Administrator over the past four years and with three KE Bangalore Presidents Clarence Pereira, Claudius Pereira & Pramod Dsouza. Her behind-the-scene contribution with an eternal smile has played a key role in where KE Bangalore is today.
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Knowledge centre The Entrepreneurial Human: Why AI is Returning Us to Our Oldest Instinct Entrepreneurship is almost as old as trade. And in a way, everyone is an instinctive entrepreneur. Why? Because in the roughly 300,000 years of Homo sapiens, around 117 billion people have been born. Every society has survived and grown through some form of trade and exchange. It is only the proportions that have changed. In ancient societies, only a small percentage of people were involved in trade and entrepreneurship, perhaps around 2–5%. Most people were focused on survival, By Dr. Joseph Rasquinha farming, family and, at times, war. After the Industrial Revolution, that proportion increased, and in modern economies it has reached around 10–20%. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, in 2025–26 around 1 in 5 adults were involved in entrepreneurship. That is roughly 20% of the adult population in the countries covered by the study. But all this is going to change in the AI age. Dramatically. When Ravi Venkatesan, former Harvard alumnus and former Chairman of Microsoft India, said that as many as 800 million people may need to become entrepreneurs because of future job losses, he may have been looking in the right direction, but I believe he was still thinking in today's terms. Let's look at it differently and learn from history. For thousands of years, only a small proportion of people were directly involved in trade and entrepreneurship. During the last 200 years, that percentage increased as industrialisation created new professions and new opportunities. In the last few decades, it has increased even further. One reason is that professions have changed or disappeared, while people have gained more time and more opportunities to pursue things they are interested in. But the AI age will be different. AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) may be much closer than many people think. ASI (Artificial Super Intelligence) could follow surprisingly quickly. If that happens, then within less than a decade many more professions and traditional sources of employment could disappear or change beyond recognition.
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The potential is enormous. AI could trigger a wave of entrepreneurship unlike anything we have seen before. If you are not part of that wave, you risk being left behind, however successful you may be today. Wealth or a successful career today is no guarantee of success in the future. The opportunity is to start using AI now and see what you can create with it. If you have an idea that could be turned into something useful, start. It does not matter if it fails. One of the biggest differences with AI-based entrepreneurship is the cost of failure. Traditionally, starting a business required money, people, infrastructure and time. Failure could lead to serious financial and personal consequences. AI changes that equation. You can try. Fail. Try again. Fail again. Try something completely different. And keep going. The cost of multiple attempts can be remarkably low. That is an opportunity we have never really had before. So don't wait. The earlier you start using AI, the faster you learn. And the faster you learn, the sooner you will understand what works and what doesn't. Billions of people will eventually discover this. The advantage will go to those who start learning before everyone else does. Peter Drucker's statement, “The best way to predict the future is to create it,” has never been more relevant. AI is going is going to reshape everyone's future. The question is not whether that future is coming. The question is: Will you create your part of it, or will you simply watch it happen to your loss.
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KE Bangalore: New Members
Ajay Melric Noronha
Alan Carvalho
Amanda Sequeira
Arun Pinto
Denzil Lewis
Dr. Kiran Veigas
Elvia D’Souza
Eric Mascarenhas
Giselle Megan Aranha
Janet Miranda
Jason Patric Dmello
Joel Joseph
Joel Louzado
Joyce Fernandez
kevin dsouza
Merril Lionel D Almeida
Rajan Pillay
Rohan Philip Mathew
Royden D'Almeida
Rubina Amalraj
Sennen Pinto
Sharon Diana Pais
Silvester Souza
Sweezal Furtado
Vinod Goveas
Connect with our KE Members through the KE app
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KE Bangalore: New Members contd.
Vivian Sequeira
KE Dubai: New Members
Sheena Rajan
Arundhan Alphones
Alwyn Mathias
Tulika Pradeep
Sharan D'sa
KE Goa: New Members
Aaron David Noronha
Keith Infantus Miguel Fernandes
To every new face joining the KE family this edition, welcome. Whatever brought you here, you've just joined a community that believes in learning out loud, showing up for each other, and growing together. We're glad you're part of the journey and delighted to have you with us.
Connect with our KE Members through the KE app KE Pulse 4th Edition
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EDITORIAL BOARD
Desma D’Souza
The Instigator-in-Chief
Luvena Rangel
Word Weaver & Flow Curator KE Bangalore Story Scout
Vinisha Menezes
KE Dubai Story Scout
Venzil Fernandes Design Alchemist
Ninio J. Correia
KE Goa Story Scout
CREATIVITY IS JUST CONNECTING THINGS - Steve Jobs
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Disclaimer This edition reflects a fairly comprehensive account of KE activities and achievements during this period, as captured by our editorial team, but it may not cover every event, milestone, or member accomplishment. If something was missed, we'd love to hear about it for the next edition.
Our Point of Contact for Global Newsletter Ambassadors KE Bangalore Luvena Rangel +91 98867 26888
KE Dubai Vinisha H. Menezes +971 50 503 7523
Email: newsletter@keglobal.org
www.keglobal.org
KE Goa Ninio J. Correia +91 85540 50594