Manish Kohli

Result-oriented tech professional and ex-Army officer with proven skills in strategy, stakeholder management, formulating policies and talent development. A passionate leader, prioritizing high-performance teams via enhanced engagement and fostering learning.

Work Experience

Live Project: Research on Patient Advocacy Groups | Domain - Health Care

  • Mapping patient journeys with chronic diseases and analyzing support group interactions to help pharmaceutical companies develop insights and explore AI use cases for providing tailored solutions throughout the disease lifecycle.
  • Conducting research to map patient experiences throughout the disease lifecycle, from diagnosis to ongoing management. Identifying key patient pain points and unmet needs to help pharma companies develop AI-driven, personalized solutions.
  • Developing actionable insights to form pharma strategies in enhancing patient support and product development.

 

Director, Strategy, Training and Planning | Indian Army | Various Locations 

  • Spearheaded the planning & strategy for the employment of 350 officers, 20,000 personnel, 1200+ vehicles and equipment worth Rs 600 Cr by application of technical knowledge of weapon systems and risk assessment.
  • Championed Digital Transformation by integration and adoption of e-Office, a file handling software, by automating the legacy filing system leading to cost optimization of ~ Rs 80 Lacs per annum and ~15% productivity boost.
  • Formulated cybersecurity policies and SOPs to identify and counter cyber warfare threats, integrating advanced cyber hygiene protocols to secure classified information against unauthorized access.
  • Negotiated and managed conflict by optimizing training leading to enhanced efficiency by 10% while coordinating with subordinate units by incorporating AI-driven technology, resulting in cost savings up to Rs 10 cr.
  • Developed management OS for real-time monitoring of war games, enabling data-driven decision making and a 10% reduction in planned operational downtime. Coordinated a joint exercise with Friendly Foreign Country with a budget of ~Rs 10 Cr.
  • Oversaw the trials, prototype development & procurement of new generation equipment (~Rs 70 lakhs), requiring proposal writing & contract management, in collaboration with IIT Roorkee, to increase the sustainability of troops in hostile environments.
  • Enabled data-driven decision-making by implementing real-time monitoring of war games and attained 10% reduction in planned operational downtime. Incorporated agile methodologies and data analytics for strategic decision-making.


Director, Policy | Indian Army, Army HQ | New Delhi 

  • Spearheaded formulation of policy related to the transformational Agniveer Scheme, launched by the Indian Army, relating to disability and compensatory benefits while ensuring regulatory compliance and long-term benefits.
  • Navigated Tri-Services Study under MoD for Review of Disability Pension by effective stakeholder management.
  • Liaised with the MoD hierarchy on matters related to policy and change management, leading to healthy relationship building.
  • Adept in cross-functional collaboration with C-Suite level officers and bureaucrats.
    Brainstormed and implemented the e-CR platform, the electronic form of the legacy ACR, resulting in cost optimization of ~35 Cr per year and quick decision-making.
  • Processed and handled confidential reports of 10,000+ officers every year, in the Military Secretary’s Branch that led to smooth appraisal and career management of officers.


Chief Executive Officer (Commanding Officer) | Indian Army | NE Region  

  • Commanded a regiment of Artillery of over 550 highly trained and goal-oriented personnel in an active operational area. 
  • Planned & delivered 90% readiness of equipment and weapons (15% over normal standards) and a turnaround time of 18 hours.
  • Mobilized the Regiment during a national emergency through delegation, empowering junior leaders and meticulous planning.
  • Leveraged technology & innovative means to destroy enemy bunkers with 90% accuracy, using UAVs and real-time monitoring. 
  • Ensured 100% force protection through meticulous planning during the COVID crisis with zero downtime and delivered operational readiness to mobilize resources and execute complex/ secret operations, thereby ensuring risk mitigation.
  • Innovated best practices to achieve enhanced operational effectiveness and optimized 33% of manpower and equipment.
  • Optimized inventory levels of 50+ ammunition systems and 500+ SKU’s by implementing demand forecasting, resulting in minimum downtime and wastage rates through effective supply chain management through GeM and GFR 2017.
  • Forecasted a budget of ~Rs 2 Cr for training activities and evolved innovative training methods to destroy enemy defences 
  • Performed risk and vulnerability assessment of high-value assets worth 1000 Cr against aerial threats for deployment of an integrated surveillance network worth Rs 1.1 Cr.


Military Liaison Officer | United Nations, MONUSCO | DR Congo and Uganda 

  • Operated in a multicultural and multi-ethnic environment as part of a peacekeeping mission, collaborating with 50 international Armies and bureaucratic stakeholders to promote peace, and conflict resolution in complex, high-stakes settings.
  • Facilitated in the process of Disarmament, Demobilization, Repatriation, Resettlement and Reintegration of ex-combatants.


Team Lead (Major-Captain) | Indian Army | Various Locations  

  • Furthered the project for the siting of a new helicopter base that would accommodate approximately 20 helicopters and 10 UAVs.
  • Led search and rescue missions as a qualified helicopter pilot in high-altitude areas, successfully saving the lives of civilians and providing supplies to winter cut-off posts.
  • Undertook 400 hours of helicopter flying in High Altitude Area and plains on various complex missions.
  • Led search and rescue missions as a qualified helicopter pilot in high-altitude areas, successfully saving the lives of civilians and carried out trial landings at challenging helipads to facilitate casualty evacuation from inaccessible areas.
  • Created and designed innovative Early Warning systems on the line of control to detect enemy activity that led to zero violations and 100% force protection. 
  • Executed innovative firepower delivery mechanisms on enemy emplacements during ceasefire violations while ensuring own force protection against enemy retaliation.
  • Led many small team specialized operations while being deployed in the VUCA environment of insurgency-hit regions of J&K.


Graduate Engineer Trainee (Sales) | Emerson Network Power | New Delhi

  • Handled end-to-end B2B sales, including prospecting, lead qualification, proposal creation, and assisting deal closure, contributing to a 20% increase in revenue over one year. 
  • Initiated business in the government sector by organizing seminars and workshops.
     
Accomplishments
  • Awarded the Entry Level Scholarship at IIM Ahmedabad for a distinguished profile and career achievements.
  • Elected as the Recruitment Secretary (Coordinator) for the batch.
  • Awarded GOC-in-C Commendation Medal for exemplary work during tenure in Army Aviation that dealt with Recce, Search and Rescue, and Casualty Evacuation.
  • Awarded Force Commander’s Commendation Medal for exemplary work at the United Nations (MONUSCO) as Military Liaison Officer.
  • Qualified for the coveted Defence Services Staff College Entrance Exam on a competitive vacancy.
Education
  • MSc (Defence and Strategic Studies), University of Madras
  • B.E (Electronics and Communication), Dr BR Ambedkar University (Formerly Agra University)
Certificates
Co/Extra-curricular
  • Winner of Extempore Competition at College Level.
  • Integral member of the School Basketball Team that rejuvenated the game in the school by winning various competitions.

Quick Look

  • Work Experience: 20 Years
  • Previous Roles

    Indian Army
    Emerson Network Power 

  • Function : General Management
    Operations/Logistics/Supply Chain
    Project/Program Management
    Sales & Marketing
    Strategy
  • Industry/Sector: Aerospace/Aviation/Automotive
    Defence
    Energy & Utilities
Work Experience

Live Project: Research on Patient Advocacy Groups | Domain - Health Care

  • Mapping patient journeys with chronic diseases and analyzing support group interactions to help pharmaceutical companies develop insights and explore AI use cases for providing tailored solutions throughout the disease lifecycle.
  • Conducting research to map patient experiences throughout the disease lifecycle, from diagnosis to ongoing management. Identifying key patient pain points and unmet needs to help pharma companies develop AI-driven, personalized solutions.
  • Developing actionable insights to form pharma strategies in enhancing patient support and product development.

 

Director, Strategy, Training and Planning | Indian Army | Various Locations 

  • Spearheaded the planning & strategy for the employment of 350 officers, 20,000 personnel, 1200+ vehicles and equipment worth Rs 600 Cr by application of technical knowledge of weapon systems and risk assessment.
  • Championed Digital Transformation by integration and adoption of e-Office, a file handling software, by automating the legacy filing system leading to cost optimization of ~ Rs 80 Lacs per annum and ~15% productivity boost.
  • Formulated cybersecurity policies and SOPs to identify and counter cyber warfare threats, integrating advanced cyber hygiene protocols to secure classified information against unauthorized access.
  • Negotiated and managed conflict by optimizing training leading to enhanced efficiency by 10% while coordinating with subordinate units by incorporating AI-driven technology, resulting in cost savings up to Rs 10 cr.
  • Developed management OS for real-time monitoring of war games, enabling data-driven decision making and a 10% reduction in planned operational downtime. Coordinated a joint exercise with Friendly Foreign Country with a budget of ~Rs 10 Cr.
  • Oversaw the trials, prototype development & procurement of new generation equipment (~Rs 70 lakhs), requiring proposal writing & contract management, in collaboration with IIT Roorkee, to increase the sustainability of troops in hostile environments.
  • Enabled data-driven decision-making by implementing real-time monitoring of war games and attained 10% reduction in planned operational downtime. Incorporated agile methodologies and data analytics for strategic decision-making.


Director, Policy | Indian Army, Army HQ | New Delhi 

  • Spearheaded formulation of policy related to the transformational Agniveer Scheme, launched by the Indian Army, relating to disability and compensatory benefits while ensuring regulatory compliance and long-term benefits.
  • Navigated Tri-Services Study under MoD for Review of Disability Pension by effective stakeholder management.
  • Liaised with the MoD hierarchy on matters related to policy and change management, leading to healthy relationship building.
  • Adept in cross-functional collaboration with C-Suite level officers and bureaucrats.
    Brainstormed and implemented the e-CR platform, the electronic form of the legacy ACR, resulting in cost optimization of ~35 Cr per year and quick decision-making.
  • Processed and handled confidential reports of 10,000+ officers every year, in the Military Secretary’s Branch that led to smooth appraisal and career management of officers.


Chief Executive Officer (Commanding Officer) | Indian Army | NE Region  

  • Commanded a regiment of Artillery of over 550 highly trained and goal-oriented personnel in an active operational area. 
  • Planned & delivered 90% readiness of equipment and weapons (15% over normal standards) and a turnaround time of 18 hours.
  • Mobilized the Regiment during a national emergency through delegation, empowering junior leaders and meticulous planning.
  • Leveraged technology & innovative means to destroy enemy bunkers with 90% accuracy, using UAVs and real-time monitoring. 
  • Ensured 100% force protection through meticulous planning during the COVID crisis with zero downtime and delivered operational readiness to mobilize resources and execute complex/ secret operations, thereby ensuring risk mitigation.
  • Innovated best practices to achieve enhanced operational effectiveness and optimized 33% of manpower and equipment.
  • Optimized inventory levels of 50+ ammunition systems and 500+ SKU’s by implementing demand forecasting, resulting in minimum downtime and wastage rates through effective supply chain management through GeM and GFR 2017.
  • Forecasted a budget of ~Rs 2 Cr for training activities and evolved innovative training methods to destroy enemy defences 
  • Performed risk and vulnerability assessment of high-value assets worth 1000 Cr against aerial threats for deployment of an integrated surveillance network worth Rs 1.1 Cr.


Military Liaison Officer | United Nations, MONUSCO | DR Congo and Uganda 

  • Operated in a multicultural and multi-ethnic environment as part of a peacekeeping mission, collaborating with 50 international Armies and bureaucratic stakeholders to promote peace, and conflict resolution in complex, high-stakes settings.
  • Facilitated in the process of Disarmament, Demobilization, Repatriation, Resettlement and Reintegration of ex-combatants.


Team Lead (Major-Captain) | Indian Army | Various Locations  

  • Furthered the project for the siting of a new helicopter base that would accommodate approximately 20 helicopters and 10 UAVs.
  • Led search and rescue missions as a qualified helicopter pilot in high-altitude areas, successfully saving the lives of civilians and providing supplies to winter cut-off posts.
  • Undertook 400 hours of helicopter flying in High Altitude Area and plains on various complex missions.
  • Led search and rescue missions as a qualified helicopter pilot in high-altitude areas, successfully saving the lives of civilians and carried out trial landings at challenging helipads to facilitate casualty evacuation from inaccessible areas.
  • Created and designed innovative Early Warning systems on the line of control to detect enemy activity that led to zero violations and 100% force protection. 
  • Executed innovative firepower delivery mechanisms on enemy emplacements during ceasefire violations while ensuring own force protection against enemy retaliation.
  • Led many small team specialized operations while being deployed in the VUCA environment of insurgency-hit regions of J&K.


Graduate Engineer Trainee (Sales) | Emerson Network Power | New Delhi

  • Handled end-to-end B2B sales, including prospecting, lead qualification, proposal creation, and assisting deal closure, contributing to a 20% increase in revenue over one year. 
  • Initiated business in the government sector by organizing seminars and workshops.
     
Accomplishments
  • Awarded the Entry Level Scholarship at IIM Ahmedabad for a distinguished profile and career achievements.
  • Elected as the Recruitment Secretary (Coordinator) for the batch.
  • Awarded GOC-in-C Commendation Medal for exemplary work during tenure in Army Aviation that dealt with Recce, Search and Rescue, and Casualty Evacuation.
  • Awarded Force Commander’s Commendation Medal for exemplary work at the United Nations (MONUSCO) as Military Liaison Officer.
  • Qualified for the coveted Defence Services Staff College Entrance Exam on a competitive vacancy.
Education
  • MSc (Defence and Strategic Studies), University of Madras
  • B.E (Electronics and Communication), Dr BR Ambedkar University (Formerly Agra University)
Certificates
Co/Extra-curricular
  • Winner of Extempore Competition at College Level.
  • Integral member of the School Basketball Team that rejuvenated the game in the school by winning various competitions.