Our Team

Our Team

Major Deepak Raj (Retd.)

Director
Deepak, a founding member of ISL, has straddled the design and delivery of leadership experiential programs spanning from sixth graders to corporate leaders. His real life experience in counter insurgency, jungle warfare coupled with his corporate stint helps him cross-pollinate ideas for insightful interactions. He revels in getting his team together to deliver form and content tailor-made to organizational needs without failing to compel audiences for an enriched living.

Amongst other accreditations, he is a certified executive coach by ICF, a certified NLP practitioner by ABNLP, rope course expert, a mountaineer, an avid biker, and an alumnus of Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. He is a certified trainer on advanced facilitation and experiential education by Project Adventure USA.

Major Manu Thomas (Retd.)

Director

Manu, an experienced Military Leader has over a decade of Versatile experience in managing & leading teams of motivated & Skilled Professionals from a set of varied backgrounds. He has had the opportunity to be a part of Counter insurgency and Peacekeeping missions. His expertise lies in his attention to detail and focus on bringing teams together. 

He is a Certified Risk Management Professional, Certified Scrum Master, Certified in Lean Six Sigma, Certified in Fire and Safety Management. He’s an Alumnus of Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi. He is an avid bike rider and has a flair for sports and adventure activities.

Ms Rama Thakur

Chief Instructor

With over 18 years of expertise in corporate and outbound learning, Everester Rama Thakur is a dynamic trainer blending leadership insights with adventure-based learning. A certified Master Trainer, NLP practitioner, and holder of dual Master’s degrees, Rama’s programs are enriched by her mountaineering achievements, including summiting the mighty Mt. Everest. 

She has trained global students, premier school educators, and corporate teams like Ellucian, Cardinal Health, Gremot Mobility, Byju’s, etc. Her certifications in mountaineering, skiing, and scuba diving, combined with her contribution with the consultancy company on the Rohtang Tunnel project, make her training impactful and versatile. Rama’s journey inspires resilience and peak performance in individuals and teams alike.

Mr. Arvind Sherpa

Leadership Trainer

Arvind Sherpa is an accomplished mountaineer, skier, and adventure expert with extensive experience in corporate leadership training. With over a year as an instructor at Tata Steel Foundation, he has honed his expertise in rope courses, rafting, rock climbing, and kayaking. A seasoned expedition leader, he has guided international clients on challenging Himalayan peaks like Mt. Island Peak and Lobuche East. 

Holding certifications from elite institutions like HMI Darjeeling and NIM Uttarkashi and credentials like Train the Trainer and Master Trainer from Bodhih and Middle Earth HR, Arvind integrates resilience, teamwork, and adventure into transformative training experiences.

Mr. Praveen Singh Rana

Leadership Trainer

Everester Praveen Rana is a dynamic leadership trainer with over 17 years of expertise in adventure, mountaineering, and outdoor leadership programs. An “A” grade graduate from the prestigious Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, he has scaled iconic peaks including Mt. Everest, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kosciusko, Mt. Elbrus and Mt. Aconcagua. He has achieved the National Record of climbing these four peaks on a specific day of the week.

Praveen has served as an instructor at Tata Steel Adventure Foundation and NIM Uttarakhand, conducting impactful training for corporates, B-schools, and schools. With advanced certifications in mountaineering, skiing, and disaster management, alongside an MBA in HR, he blends experiential learning with leadership insights, inspiring teams to excel with resilience, adaptability, and team synergy.

Mr. Mitesh Singh

Coordinator and Leadership Trainer

Mitesh Singh blends corporate expertise with adventure-driven insights to create impactful leadership training. With a commerce degree and over seven years at Genpact in Risk Management and CAT Modeling, he is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt and an accomplished Master Trainer. 

As a mountaineer certified by Nehru Institute of Mountaineering and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Mitesh has led expeditions on Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Fuji, Island Peak, and Mt. Satopanth. His travel and cycling adventures fuel innovative, culture-rich programs emphasize teamwork and resilience. Certified in wilderness first aid, Master Trainer certification, and Train the Trainer certification, Mitesh inspires individuals and teams to conquer challenges, fostering leadership that thrives both in the boardroom and beyond.

Mr Manoj Prakassh

Leadership Trainer

Manoj is a versatile trainer who blends resilience, endurance, and adventure leadership into powerful learning experiences. An Electrical Engineer from MS Ramaiah University, he has represented India globally, including at the International Cadet Exchange Program (Singapore) and the Republic Day Camp (Delhi). A national record holder for “Project 9-9,” he has completed 40+ treks, scaled mountains, and participated in the 11,011 km Swachh Bharat motorcycle expedition. As the captain of Asia’s top-ranked Team Shershah, he has represented India in Adventure Racing across Thailand (2022), the Philippines (2023), and Malaysia (2024). With unmatched expertise in endurance, strategy, and peak performance, he brings invaluable insights to leadership training.

Mr Abhishek Kumar

Leadership Trainer

Abhishek Kumar is a dynamic leadership trainer with a unique blend of legal acumen, adventure sports, and disciplined military training. A graduate in Sciences and Law from Delhi University, he is a certified skier, First Aid Responder, and an All India Rank 28 in the order of merit of recommended candidates for Indian Army. As a Junior Under Officer in NCC, he was awarded Best Cadet at Sri Aurobindo College, represented NCC on national television during Republic Day Camp 2018, marched at Kartavya Path in 2019, and participated in the Chief Minister’s Parade in 2017. His experience as a Lifestyle & Health Coach has shaped his ability to mentor individuals globally. With expertise in resilience, teamwork, and adaptability, Abhishek empowers individuals and teams to lead with confidence and navigate challenges with a growth mindset.

Ms Ranu Gaur

Leadership Trainer
Ranu Gaur is a dedicated outdoor educator, cyclist, and certified mountaineering instructor with an unwavering passion for adventure. With two decades of experience in the field, she has carved a path that has led her to conquer mountains, empower individuals, and inspire a love for the great outdoors.

Among other credentials, she is a PG in Commerce, Certified Mountaineering Instructor, Certified Fitness trainer and Wilderness Advanced First Aid certified instructor. A Senior Under Officer in NCC, she has been recognized for her contributions to NCC and sports, she has been awarded with an Appreciation Letter by Madhya Pradesh Govt.

Amongst other hobbies, she is an ultra-marathon runner, participates in, Tug of war clinching national and international medals, rifle shooting and dance. She has scaled mountains such as Stock Kangri, Mt Kabru Dome and Mt Yunam. Her diverse work experience from tours and travels to the KPO sector, adventure parks to mountaineering institutes, helps her draw inspiring and intuitive leadership lessons. Her aim is to create a community of adventurers who embrace challenges, grow in strength, and find solace in the beauty of nature.

Ms Nidhi Veerwal

Leadership Trainer

Nidhi is a dynamic leadership trainer specializing in experiential learning for students, educators, and corporate teams. With certifications in mountaineering, kayaking, wilderness first aid, scuba diving, and leadership development and management, she blends adventure with impactful leadership training. Her several years of professional experience—spanning EdTech and  content development—equip her with a unique ability to design and deliver engaging programs.Holding a Master’s in Botany and Psychology, a B.Ed., and CTET qualification, she combines scientific insight with human behavior expertise. A top 1% awardee for the Scholarship for Higher Education, she champions innovative learning. An avid adventurer and multi-sport enthusiast, Nidhi fosters resilience, teamwork, and transformational leadership through immersive training experiences.

Harikumar V K (Naib Subaidar (MACP)(Retd)

Administration Officer

Hari has had an illustrious 24-year career in the Indian Army, showcasing exceptional management and administrative skills, as well as expertise in handling equipment. His impressive background in IT, bolstered by various army and civil certifications, makes him a proactive and goal-oriented professional. His achievements extend beyond his technical skills, with certifications in fitness training, security, and entrepreneurship development. His exceptional work earned him the COAS Commendation Card from the Chief of Army Staff in 2022 for his outstanding contributions to the Military Secretary’s Branch, Ministry of Defence (MoD).  His impressive tenure includes participating in numerous Indian Army operations, counter-insurgency duties in J&K, and serving in diverse terrains, including the Sachin Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield.  He effectively managed administration, training, and equipment handling during his time in the Army. 

JWO Nikku Ram Choudhary (Retd.)

Administrator
Junior Warrant Officer NR Choudhary has working experience of 29 years in the Indian Air Force in the Administrative Branch. Awarded Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) for climbing Mount Everest in 2006. He has completed a Diploma from NOLS in Mountaineering from Alaska (USA). He has Successfully completed the World’s highest full marathon – Mount Everest Marathon on 29 May 2009. He is a paragliding pilot and has vast experience of organizing adventure camps, sports climbing competitions, para-sailing camps, paragliding camps, water sports camp and MTB expeditions for the Air Force personnel.

He has the distinction of climbing the highest mountain of six continents. He has approximately 25 mountaineering expeditions to his credit in the Indian Himalayas. Presently, he is working as an Administrator at ISL.

Mr Kaushik Pawar

Training Manager
Mr. Kaushik is responsible for setting up the training area and all the technical and administrative support for training at ISL. He has more than 16 years of experience in building adventure and Paintball fields and training corporates and students on leadership development through outdoor adventure programs. He is a certified rope course expert, specialized both in technical and conducting training on the challenge course.

Among other accredited courses, He is a certified paintball Instructor. T3 certified trainer from Bodhih training solutions and Middle Earth.

Mr Manoj Prakassh

Leadership Trainer

Mr. Kaushik Pawar

Facilities Manager

Mr. Mitesh Singh

Coordinator and Leadership Trainer

Mr. Praveen Singh Rana

Leadership Trainer