Mumbai: The “Work With Dignity (WWD) Foundation” announced the appointment of Rama Shankar Pandey as Chief Executive Officer, effective November 1, 2025. WWD is a mission-led enterprise committed to making India a nation where every person can work with respect, safety, and purpose.
Rama will report to the Foundation’s Board represented by Prasenjit Bhattacharya (Founder, Great Place to Work® India & Sri Lanka; CEO & Co-founder, Great Manager Institute®). His mandate is to scale partnerships across society, government, and business, deepen program impact, and expand WWD’s reach to underserved working communities.
Mr. Pandey’s transition follows his national service as Social Defence Fellow of Indian Administrative Fellowship of 24-25 Cohort with the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE), Government of India, where he advanced initiatives in dignity and social protection.
“This is not just a career move -it’s a continuum of purpose,” said Rama Shankar Pandey. “After serving Bharat Sarkaar, I now dedicate myself to serving Bharat’s people through enterprise. Work With Dignity is my mission to ensure every working hand contributes at their highest productivity with respect, safety, and purpose.”
With 28+ years in entrepreneurial and turnaround leadership, Pandey has built a record of sustainable growth and workplace excellence. As CEO of Tata Green Batteries, he repositioned the brand under “Naye India Ki Nayi Battery,” championing eco-conscious innovation. Earlier, as Managing Director & CEO, Hella India Lighting Ltd., he helped the company become one of India’s Top 25 Great Places to Work (2019) and a CII Innovation Award winner. An alumnus of IIM Bangalore, ISB Hyderabad and NIT Calicut, he has been recognized with honors including the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Award, ET-Now CSR Leadership Award, and ET’s Most Promising Business Leader of Asia.
Beyond the boardroom, Pandey serves the ecosystem through leadership roles with ACMA, sector skill councils ASDC & MEPSC, co-founded Prayaas Bangalore (youth livelihood), founded Drive Smart, Drive Safe (road safety) and chairs FICCI sub-committee on Road Safety.