Arun Murugesh is Director, Responsible Sourcing Initiative India at The Circulate Initiative, where he leads a multi-year program focused on addressing human rights challenges in recycling value chains and advancing responsibly sourced recycled materials. Working across businesses, recyclers, civil society organizations, and waste worker communities, he helps strengthen inclusive and traceable supply chains while advancing more equitable circular economy models in India. With over 19 years of experience across India and the United Kingdom, Arun has built expertise at the intersection of waste management, technology integration, and inclusive recycling systems. His work spans materials recovery infrastructure, plastic waste management, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs, and responsible sourcing approaches that improve traceability while strengthening the participation of informal waste workers across the recycling value chain. Arun is recognized for bridging technology-driven waste management solutions with socially inclusive approaches to circularity. His work focuses on building scalable systems that combine operational efficiency, environmental performance, and human-centered supply chain practices, helping shape more transparent and resilient recycling ecosystems. Prior to joining The Circulate Initiative, Arun served on the core leadership team at Saahas Zero Waste, a pioneering social enterprise in India focused on sustainable waste management solutions. There, he helped build and scale decentralized waste management operations through Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs), while advancing ecosystem-based approaches to plastic waste management and circularity. He also led initiatives to professionalize informal waste workers and strengthen their integration into formalized recycling networks, supporting both improved livelihoods and stronger environmental outcomes across the sector. Notably, Arun played a key role in implementing innovative traceability tools, IoT-enabled systems, and AI-enabled waste recovery technologies designed to improve transparency, materials recovery, and operational performance across waste management systems. He sees traceability, progressive policy frameworks, and cross-sector collaboration as critical enablers for accelerating circularity at scale in India and other emerging markets. Earlier in his career, Arun worked on equipment design and the establishment of MRFs in the United Kingdom, where he developed technical expertise in waste processing systems and operational design. He also contributed to advancing thermocol (expanded polystyrene) recycling initiatives in Bangalore, supporting early innovations in materials recovery and recycling infrastructure. Throughout his career, Arun has advocated for a full ecosystem approach to waste management, one that brings together governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and informal sector stakeholders to drive long-term systems change. His work consistently emphasizes practical implementation, inclusive participation, and shared ownership across the recycling value chain. Passionate about building more inclusive recycling systems, Arun sees responsible sourcing as a critical opportunity to address human rights challenges while strengthening the long-term resilience and effectiveness of circular economy value chains. He believes businesses can play an important role in accelerating this transition by integrating responsible sourcing principles across the supply chain. Arun is an Aspire Circle Fellow and holds a Master of Science in Advanced Materials Technology from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, as well as a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Ramaiah Institute of Technology in India.

Juhi Gupta is the Sustainability Director for Tetra Pak South Asia, leading the company's sustainability agenda across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan. She is responsible for driving sustainability strategies that advance circular economy outcomes, accelerate materials recovery and recycling, strengthen collection ecosystems, and promote responsible waste management through multi-stakeholder partnerships and innovative business models. In her current role, Juhi works closely with governments, industry bodies, recyclers, civil society organizations, and consumer-facing stakeholders to strengthen post-consumer packaging recovery systems and improve recycling outcomes for liquid packaging cartons. Her work focuses on enabling the transition from a linear "take-make-dispose" model to a more circular system where valuable materials remain in productive use, supporting resource efficiency, climate goals, and sustainable economic development. With over 23 years of experience across Sustainability, Corporate Affairs, Public Policy, Government Relations, CSR, and Social Impact, Juhi has built a distinguished career delivering sustainability solutions that create shared value for businesses, communities, and the environment. She has extensive experience in designing and implementing programs aligned with circular economy principles, water stewardship, sustainable agriculture, plastic waste management, climate resilience, and inclusive community development. Her contributions have been recognized through several industry accolades, including Business World's Most Influential Women in Sustainability and Economic Times Edge Top 100 CSOs of 2025. Juhi holds a master's degree in Public Relations from the University of Delhi and firmly believes that sustainability is a strategic business imperative that can drive long-term value for both society and business.

Nalini Shekar is a distinguished social activist, social entrepreneur, and co-founder of Hasiru Dala, an organisation that has played a transformative role in advancing inclusive and sustainable solid-waste management in India. With over three decades of experience, she has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to strengthening the rights, recognition, and economic security of informal waste workers. She previously worked in the United States on issues of domestic violence, immigrant rights, and human trafficking, where she managed shelters and led advocacy efforts. Through Hasiru Dala, Ms. Shekar and her team have worked with more than 25,000 waste-picker families, enabling access to identity documents, stable livelihoods, and a rightful place in the circular economy, while supporting the next generation to pursue their aspirations. Her leadership has helped transform informal workers into acknowledged service providers and environmental stewards, shaping more humane and resilient urban systems. Hasiru Dala's work has fundamentally reshaped the narrative around waste pickers—elevating them from invisibilised workers to recognised city builders, entrepreneurs, and environmental champions—and has facilitated access to vital social protection measures. Ms. Shekar remains a highly respected voice in the fields of the circular economy, urban governance, and social inclusion, bringing a principled and systems-focused approach to sustainable development. In 2025, she was named among the "Vogue Business 100 Innovators: Sustainability Thought Leaders", among several other honours she has received. Other awards for her work include "Guiding Star Award" 2021 by SAP and TV9, "Bengalurian of the year" 2020, BBMP's "Kempegowda Award" 2015, from the City of Bangalore. Women of the year "Shining star" award 2016 by CKC group, She was chosen as one of 100 women in India who make a difference in society by BBC.com. She is also featured in a Coffee Book. She has also received the Jijabai Award from Shivaji College, Delhi University. "Vasundara Mitra" Award 2016 by Kirloskar Ferrous Industries Limited. She was featured in a book "Dream Chasers" Women Entrepreneurs from the south of Vindyas and in September 2025, she was selected as one of the "100 innovators" Vogue Magazine. An award from the Santa Clara County Human Relations Commission, honoured by the San Jose City Government for her work with immigrants, a Certificate of Honour from the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger and a Star Award from the Asian Community in the San Francisco Bay Area.