This distinguished group of business leaders from India represents diverse sectors—including technology, consulting, chemicals, food, defence, and industrial infrastructure. Their common focus is on building meaningful U.S. partnerships—through technology collaboration, knowledge exchange, and trade and investment opportunities.
Program Highlights
A dynamic business networking initiative created to strengthen collaboration and partnerships between companies in India and the United States.
Focus on: Economic Development | Collaboration & Strategic Partnerships | Knowledge Exchange
With over 20 years of experience, Navin has made it his mission to help Indian companies set up and grow their business in the U.S., and to support American companies looking to expand into India. Through Entry USA and Entry India, he’s been a trusted guide for businesses navigating new markets and unfamiliar rules.
A serial entrepreneur, Navin has launched multiple ventures - including Cubistics, Purchax, and Driku - each with its own story, its own industry, and one common thread: the ability to turn ideas into sustainable business models.
Navin’s mantra is simple but powerful: “People listen if they like you - but they do business when they trust you.”
And trust has been the foundation of everything he’s built.
Over the years, he has supported hundreds of companies - from first-time exporters to government-led trade missions - helping them enter the U.S. market with clarity, speed, and confidence. Notably, he led the U.S. expansion project for the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council, funded by the Government of India.
Navin’s model isn’t based on theory. It’s rooted in experience, relationships, and real outcomes. His approach has helped companies save significant time, energy, and money - while growing their presence in a market that rewards boldness and precision.
Before stepping into entrepreneurship, Navin held roles at ITT Industries, working on national security projects for the Department of Homeland Security, as well as at Stanford Telecom and Cable & Wireless, where he contributed to information security systems for the U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Navin holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from George Mason University, and a Master’s in Engineering Management with a focus on Information Security from George Washington University.
But more than degrees or designations, what defines Navin is his drive to open doors - for others.
Because in his view, business expansion isn’t just about scale—it’s about trust, timing, and being truly ready for what’s next.
Rena Sherman
Director of Research & Strategic Partnerships, Choose New Jersey
I love creating collaborations, telling stories, and driving impact. My passion is to create private, philanthropic, and public solutions to stimulate local economies.
I am a research director, with nearly a decade of experience in cross unit collaborations, communications, and community development. My background is in impact investing, pubic relations, nonprofit management, government affairs, public policy, mission-driven campaigns, strategic planning, key performance indicators, and program evaluation.
I have a strong working knowledge of housing policy and the Community Reinvestment Act from working at a Community Development Financial Institution and my masters degree in Public Policy.
Dr. Amit Joshi
Director, Knowledge Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), India
Pursuing research and analysis of the current Governemnt Strategies and World forums needs in different sectors.
Building & make effective linkages among bureaucrats, industry associations and regulatory authorities for effective connectivity for taking up common issues.
Liaisoning / communications with State as well as Central establishments along with corporate.
Risk Taking Abilities and Team Leading Capabilities to venture into new sectors.
Establishing Networks with Government Officials in Various Ministries for Planning and Ideation of structuring marketing strategies.
Public Relations & Client Servicing: Developing public relations and client servicing forms are one of the major roles for generating business and connecting tri-sectors.
Design and apply various Events/Seminars/Exhibitions & various interactive session to accomplish research targets for knowledge community.
Compilation, reviewing and assessing information from academic journals, market sources, and government reports for meaningful interpretation and quick industry reaction.
Builder at heart, in pursuit of creative disruption; always investing in the next big thing: people, impact, tech (in that order); passionate believer in scientific solutions to humanity's biggest problems.
I'm fortunate to have enjoyed a fantastic journey from semiconductors to enterprise software to mobile to payments to fintech to identity, and now AI...even as I embark on my next chapter, I continue to be involved in pursuits that solve real problems and make an impact.
My first 16 years in corporate America taught me how to wear different hats, solve big complex problems, work with everyone from C-level to intern, appreciate and embrace diversity, deal with imperfect organizations, and gain fluency in various functional languages - from tech to finance to marketing to legal to product to strategy to business development to portfolio management, and across various industries in global settings. I learned much from a few fantastic mentors and some talented bosses, many brilliant colleagues and of course a handful of terrible ones too, but how fortunate was I to be well prepared for the next act!
And then, over the past 13 years, I built 2 companies from concept to successful outcome, including everything leading up to an exit, as a founder, as CEO, and as de-facto COO / CPO / CFO / CMO / CRO, etc.: hustled, raised capital, hired talent, architected brands, grew revenue, expanded globally, turned profitable, survived the worst markets, and worked with some of the best and the brightest. Along with my co-founders in both companies, we did some amazing things together - we defined the contours of an entirely new industry as we partnered with companies big and small, and engaged with fellow entrepreneurs, early-stage investors & willing executives across the ecosystem of innovation globally.
(Of course, I've had my share of failures: a BaaS company a decade ahead of its time, and a couple of early-stage investments that I had to write off. However, they've taught me many valuable lessons: about business, about people, and about myself!)
After 2 very dissimilar acts on the professional stage, I am now on to my next one, perhaps even more differently this time!
Kalindi Bakshi
Division Head, Life Science & Food Innovation, Department of Economic Development
Kalindi is the Division Head of Life Sciences and Food Innovation at the Middlesex County Office of Business Engagement (OBE), where she leads targeted initiatives in business attraction and retention pipeline cross Middlesex County, NJ. In this role, she partners with key stakeholders and industry leaders to cultivate strategic relationships, streamline resources, and support a thriving local economy. Her work spans sectors such as Life Sciences, Food Innovation, and beyond, emphasizing sustainable growth and resilience for businesses of all sizes.
Kalindi brings a unique entrepreneurial perspective as the Founder of Plantology Fuel and Phirki NYC, companies that focus on delivering health-forward, plant-based prepared meals. These ventures reflect her commitment to nutrition, wellness, and accessibility, bringing her firsthand experience in business challenges and successes to her economic development role.
Kalindi also serves as President of World Vegan Vision, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting awareness of a healthy, plant-based lifestyle. In this capacity, she advances community engagement and wellness education, helping people embrace nutritious, sustainable food choices.
With a strong foundation in neuroscience, Kalindi holds a Doctoral Degree in Neuroscience from the City University of New York and completed her post-doctoral fellowship in Psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. This scientific background informs her approach to economic development, blending data-driven strategy with a focus on community well-being. Kalindi’s blend of expertise in research, business, and public engagement makes her a catalyst for positive economic and social impact in Middlesex County.
Jayanti Chandrasekar
Chief Growth Officer, Entry USA
Jayanti Chandrasekar is a dynamic sales and marketing leader with over 30 years of proven experience in business development, strategic planning, and revenue growth across diverse industry verticals. Her career reflects a strong ability to translate market insight into actionable business strategies, and her analytical acumen is complemented by a consistent out-of-the-box approach to problem solving.
A seasoned techno-commercial professional, Jayanti has successfully led and executed complex sales initiatives, consistently identifying and capitalizing on global market opportunities. Her core strengths lie in market entry strategy, key account management, partnership development. She has played a key role in driving top-line growth and organizational expansion, with a track record of building high-impact sales pipelines and long-term customer relationships.
While she has amassed rich experience across multiple sectors including food & beverages, medical devices, automotive and international trade, Jayanti has focused her leadership and business expertise on the defense and aerospace industry. For the last 5 years she has contributed to the growth of Entry USA LLC substantially.
Jayanti has been instrumental in steering multi-million-dollar deals from concept to closure, leveraging her understanding of compliance, policy alignment, and cross-functional collaboration. Her ability to navigate complex regulatory ecosystems and align business interests with national priorities has made her a trusted advisor and catalyst for growth.
In addition, Jayanti has a strong interest in global trade and import-export operations, where she brings her keen understanding of international logistics, documentation, and trade finance mechanisms.
Her approach is marked by resilience, adaptability, and a collaborative mindset, making her a valuable asset for organizations seeking to scale their operations, enter new markets, or engage in strategic alliances.
