SP JAIN GLOBAL BLOGS

If someone had told me a few years ago that I’d be representing India across four continents—standing as the country’s Chief Delegate at JCI (Junior Chamber International) global conferences in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia Pacific—I might have smiled and politely changed the subject.

Arvind Thilak Pillutla, EMBA 2025
Pursuing further education is a bold step, especially when you already have a thriving career. Here's a look into Arvind’s SP Jain Global EMBA journey.

Embarking on a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) is no small decision. It was not just an academic pursuit—it was a calling shaped by years of professional experience, an innate curiosity about emerging technologies, and a desire to create a tangible impact in education and business ecosystems. When I chose SP Jain Global for this journey, I found an institution that supported not only academic rigour but also encouraged global thinking, innovation, and practical relevance.

When you work in e-commerce, every day feels like a sprint. Add to that the full-time role of being a mom to a 5-year-old, a wife, and a daughter, and you’ve got a life scheduled down to the minute. That was my world at Noon.com, where I worked as a planner, managing complex operations in a fast-moving industry. But somewhere between work emails and bedtime stories, a question kept returning: “Is there more I can do to understand the bigger picture of business?”

My journey has been anything but conventional. I started out as a BBA student at SP Jain Global, chasing curiosity and purpose across three continents — Singapore, Dubai, and Sydney. This experience shaped me into a truly global thinker, and more importantly, a grounded human being. Post-SP Jain Global, I entered the corporate world with Deloitte Australia where I was promoted four times in 2.5 years, eventually leading a team of 27 in the Investment Banking division.

As Chief Operating Officer at Oilfield & Technical Supplies Centre (OTSC) and Managing Partner at KV & Sons, our family’s diversified investment office, I’ve led initiatives spanning industrial equipment, oil & gas, FMCG, and retail. My focus has always been the intersection of strategy and execution.

I‘m a proud mother of two, and my younger child is just a month old. Balancing family, career, and personal growth has been a journey of resilience and determination, which I embrace wholeheartedly. My career has been rooted in technology and business, where I implement creative and innovative solutions. Currently, I’m affiliated with e& UAE, where I integrate emerging technologies to drive growth, particularly in the EdTech space. At e&, I manage the ‘GoLearning’ project, which won the Middle East Technology Excellence Award in Education.

Two years ago, I made a life-changing decision—not just to advance my career but also to fulfil a dream I had nurtured for over a decade. I decided to pursue an Executive MBA at SP Jain Global, a choice that tested me mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Over the past decade, my career has been deeply rooted in the railway industry. I started with hands-on engineering work, making sure trains ran smoothly, and maintenance processes were efficient. Leading teams, finding ways to cut costs, and handling high-pressure projects became routine. As I gained experience, I started thinking beyond just the technical side. I wanted to understand how businesses make strategic decisions and how I could contribute beyond engineering.