A visionary leader and strategy consultant with over 22 years of diversified experience across agribusiness, banking, consulting, education, and development sectors. An IIM Ahmedabad alumnus and recipient of an Honorary Doctorate in Management, Dr. Sushanta Kishore Khuntia is renowned for pioneering sustainable, inclusive business models and building robust entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging markets.

He is the Founder & Managing Director of Dependable Agri Services Pvt. Ltd., a premier agribusiness advisory firm in Odisha, and the mind behind OdishiCrafts, a marketplace for tribal and rural artisans. Dr. Khuntia has successfully executed government transformation programs, served as Project Manager with Ernst & Young LLP, and held consulting roles with UNDP, where he designed policy frameworks, incubated agripreneurs, and scaled impact across grassroots enterprises.

Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles at HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Reliance Industries, and Villagineer, excelling in strategic planning, rural banking, and product innovation. He has also contributed as Chief Mentor to Utkal University’s Centre for Innovation & Incubation, shaping the next generation of start-ups and agribusiness leaders.

Dr. Khuntia’s thought leadership is reflected in his engagements as Adjunct Faculty and Visiting Professor at leading institutions, where he blends academic rigor with field-driven insights. He has earned several accolades, including the ICCO Green Business Challenge Winner, Odisha Youth Inspiration Award, and Doctor of Excellence (Honoris Causa).