About Me
I'm a keynote speaker who regularly presents on topics like the green energy transition, multidisciplinary creativity, equality, anthropology, the intersection of innovation and Indigenous wisdom and social movements harnessing storytelling and technology to drive cultural and ecological regeneration. A Tribeca Disruptive Innovator Fellow and UN Women’s Entrepreneurship Distinguished Fellow, I co-host the Science Summit and Global People’s Summit at the United Nations where I'm recognized as a Women's Empowerment Distinguished Fellow.
An XPRIZE Rainforest Semifinalist, I lead biodiversity innovation with Indigenous forest guardians, and lecture at Princeton, Yale, and Harvard on mobilizing movements through art. I am founder of Shakti Regeneration Institute and Open Origin, advancing women’s empowerment, green energy, and neurodiverse literacy. My work has been featured by HBO, CNN, BBC, and Bravo/NBC, with icons from David Bowie to Lady Gaga. I was the subject of a 6-part docuseries, Double Exposure, Bravo (NBC), and co-host of the Accutron Show.
Reviews
"Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri is one of the most remarkable speakers I have ever heard... It is hard to come by someone who holds so much integrity and purity after working years in an industry that can be toxic. Lots of her points struck out to me and made me think in a different way..." - HQ, Parsons School of Design, NY.
"Pal-Chaudhuri’s workshop powerfully modeled how...individuals can reveal and upturn their own biases as well as counter-colonize the lens through which they see the world..." - Michael Harrington, Graduate Student, Humanities Council, Princeton University, NJ.
Humanities Council presents "Changing Focus with Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri" and Organizing Stories
For more student reviews click here.
Keynotes & Workshops
EDUCATIONAL
- Impact Futures Salon, Futur/io, at Davos WEF, Switzerland, 2025.
- Energy Futures Forum, Futur/io, at Davos WEF, Switzerland, 2025.
- Accutron Podcast Host, 2023-2024.
- TEDx x JCU "Can Art Save Humanity?" 2023.
- PopTech: Nuance at the Kennedy Center, "The Rights of Nature" Conference of emerging technology, science, exploration, and creative expression, DC, 2023.
- Slought, University of Pennsylvania, convened and co-hosted "A Thousand Breaths," PA, 2022.
- Princeton University, "Mythography, Digital Storytelling, & Counter-Colonizing the Heteropatriarchal Gaze," Organizing Stories, Humanities Council, Center for Human Values, Department of African American Studies and African Humanities Colloquium, NJ, 2021.
- Princeton University, "The Arts of Anti-Racism and Social Justice" Convenor. Lewis Center for the Arts, Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students, NJ, 2020.
- Princeton University, "The Art of Social Change" with Rick Schwartz (Black Swan, Gangs of New York), at Engage 2020 Innovation Conference, NJ, 2020.
- Harvard University, "Representation, Equality and Liberation in Film and Law," Keynote speaker with Tom DeSanto (X-Men, Transformers), "Pride and Prejudice: Film Festival & Symposium," Harvard Kennedy School, MA, 2019.
- Princeton University, "Using Your Voice" Panel, James Beard Foundation Chef Action Network Summit, with U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith, NJ, 2019.
- Parsons New School for Design, "Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas," Lecture, NY, 2019.
- University of Pennsylvania, "Mass Shootings and the Quest for Fame with Parkland Survivor-Activist Samantha Fuentes," Speaker and moderator, Slought Foundation, PA, 2019.
- University of Pennsylvania, "Representation, Symbolization and Indigeneity" with Wonder Woman star Eugene Brave Rock and Eduardo Cadava. Speaker and moderator, Slought Foundation, PA, 2019.
- Harvard University, The Global Forum, "High Tech to High Touch: Technology, Media and Collaboration on Social Impact" at Harvard Law School, MA, 2018.
- Princeton University, "Power and Responsibility: Myth-Makers Shaping Human Potential," Keynote Speaker, introduced by U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith at the Princeton Creative Arts and Humanities Symposium, NJ, 2018.
- Princeton University, "Shakti as a Paragon of Women's Empowerment," Hindu Life Program, Office of Religious Life, NJ, 2018.
- Princeton University, "She Roars" Speaker at Women in the Arts Showcase, Lewis Center for the Arts and Maclean House, NJ, 2018 https://sheroars.princeton.edu/speaker/indrani/
- Princeton University, "We Flourish: Cultural Identity and Creative Identity: Asian and Asian American Artists and Authors," Lewis Center for the Arts, NJ.
- Princeton University, on "The Minds Behind the Most Creative Feats of Advertising and Brand Awareness" at AdThis, Dodds Auditorium, NJ.
- New York University, "Masterclass in Photography," and "Masterclass in Lighting," NY.
- Parsons, The New School for Design, on "Fashion, Innovation and Sustainability," Mumbai, India.
- Kalinga Institute of Social Studies, on "Women's Equity, Empowerment, Excellence" KITT Institute, Orissa, India.
- De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, "Field Immersion with an Indigenous Community," with IPA & Exhibition, Benilde School of Design & Arts, Manila, Philippines.
- Singularity University, "Power of Media & Storytelling," SAP, New York, NY.
- Princeton University, "Women in Film," Princeton Film Society, NJ.
- Princeton University, "Masterclass in Portraiture," Lewis Center for the Arts, NJ.
- Princeton University, "The Case for the Arts in an Age of Austerity" with Paul Muldoon, NJ.
- New York Film Academy, "Masterclass with Indrani," NY.
- The Influencers, "The Power of Art: Brilliance, Pushing Boundaries, The Creative Processes" NY.
- The Influencers and Hassleblad presents "On Photography," Retreat at Camp Equinox, VA.
- London Fashion Film Festival "Fashion Filmmaking" UK.
- North American Bengali Film Festival at NABC, Keynote on "Documentary Film" & "Building a Lasting Brand" Orlando FL.
- HBO Movie: David Bowie, The Next Five Years, Interviewee and director of content included.
- Access Hollywood
- America's Next Top Model
UNITED NATIONS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS
- "Green Futures: Innovation and Indigenous Leadership Summit, Convener, Science and Innovation Priorities at the United Nations 4th International Financing for Development Conference, Seville, Spain, 2025.
- Peace Gala, "Foresight Panel," at Davos WEF, Switzerland, 2025.
- UnDavos, "Empowering a Just Green Transition," Convenor, WEF, Switzerland, 2025.
- "AI, Climate Crisis, and Social Justice - The Nexus" at Flobel Foundation, 2024.
- COP16 Science Summit at the United Nations, "Leaders of Regeneration Solutions," Convener, ICESI University, and Tiera Pinta, Colombia, 2024.
- Science Summit at the United Nations, "Conclusions Plenary" CURE, NY, 2024.
- Science Summit at the United Nations, "Leaders of Regeneration" Harvard Club, NY, 2024
- United Nations Summit of the Future, Global Minority Parliamentarians Caucus - Black Paper Chronicles NY, 2024.
- United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 79th Science Summit 2024 "Indigenous Knowledge for Global Health Solutions: Harnessing African Leadership, Artificial Intelligence, and Policy Development for Equitable Impact" NY, 2024
- Green Up Davos Kickoff Biodiversity Talks with Carlos Nobre, Ben Valks, and Jason Eis, Switzerland, 2024.
- Forbes / Global Citizen / MIT at the Forbes Dome, Davos World Economic Forum, convened "The Regeneration Generation: Heroes of Climate Action" Switzerland, 2024.
- House of Balance, COP28 convened & moderated "Indigenous Values for the Green Transition" and "The Science Summit at the UN / COP presents Digital Democracy for Climate Action" Switzerland, 2023.
- Sun Valley Climate Convention "Mobilizing Movements for Climate Solutions with Art, Film & New Media" interviewed by Mongabay CEO Rhett Butler, ID, 2023.
- Goals House, Davos World Economic Forum "Nature Nightcap: All Eyes on Brazil" Switzerland, 2023.
- Davos World Economic Forum, Top Tier Impact presents: "Education and Media Awards," Switzerland, 2022.
- Clubhouse Creator First Finalist Club "Sacred Realms" presents: "Myth, Magic, Religion, Arts, & Science," Sacred ways of seeing, being, and knowing, from an academic perspective. Interviews with academics, artists, and practitioners, dissecting core issues of our times through an interconnected lens, 2021.
- Outfest Now and GLAAD present, "Mental Health and the Great Artist," Keynote Speaker, online, 2021.
- Live Med Aid, Doctors Without Borders presents: "Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri and Scientist Eric Donsky Discuss Art, Human Rights, and Pivoting Technology Against Coronavirus," online, 2020.
- Tribeca Film Festival - Disruptive Innovation Awards, Symposium, NY, 2019.
- Max Mark-Cranbrook 2019 Global Peacemaker Award, "Art Film and Media for Social Justice and Human Rights Advocacy," Keynote speaker, Arab American Museum, MI, 2019.
- Manhattan Project Revisited "Unwinding Nuclear Proliferation with Nobel Laureate Beatrice Fihn," Keynote Speaker, NY, 2019.
- New York Live Arts 2019 Host and Speaker, "Live Ideas AI: Are You Ready for the Brave New World?" honoring Jeffrey Wright (Westworld) and Chris Anderson (TED), NY, 2019.
- CNN, "Girl Epidemic Highlights Human Trafficking," with Quincy Jones, 2018.
- Global People's Summit United Nations, Co-Host, during the General Assembly at the UN, democratizing access to conversations and information that shapes the world, with the President of the GA and over 190 countries live, NY, 2018.
- United Nations Women's Empowerment Day "Women and Diversity in Art and Film Shaping our Future" Keynote Speaker, United Nations Headquarters, NY, 2018.
- United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and Global Women's Empowerment Network on "Women Illuminated," Anthology Film Archives, NY, 2018.
- The Rubin Museum of Art, "My Village: Storytelling and Social Engagement," NY.
- Carnegie Hall, The Lucie Awards, "Celebrating the Masters of Photography," on "A Deeper Perspective" and "Moving Image Photographer of the Year," NY.
- Center Pompidou Paris, ASVOFF: "On Inspiration" with Daphne Guinness and Diane Pernet, Paris, France.
- The Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, La Jolla Fashion Film Festival on "The Mind of the Creative Achiever" San Diego, CA.
- The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) "Image-making and Branding: Iconic Authenticity and Sustainability," IDEASHARE: Innovation, Inspiration & Ideas, City College of NY.
- PhotoSchweiz Masterclass, "Between Pop Culture and Social Engagement" photo16, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Sustainatopia "Social Entrepreneur Rockstars" LA.
The United Nations Recognizes Women's Entrepreneurship Distinguished Fellows
Keynote Speaker: "Women and Diversity in Art and Film Shaping our Future."
At the Women's Entrepreneurship Day Summit at United Nations Headquarters New York, NY.
L-R: Amir Dossal (Global Partnerships Forum), Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri, Kathleen King (Tate's Bake Shop), Mary Ann Thompson-Frenck (Memnosyne Foundation), Eileen Murray (Bridgewater Assoc), Anna Sui (fashion designer), Shannon Dellimore (Glamglow), Shari Staglin (One Mind, raised over a billion for mental health causes), and Her Highness Princess Martha Louise, the Royal House of Norway, Chair Princess Martha Louise's Fund to benefit disabled children).
Harvard University, The Global Forum presents:
"High Tech to High Touch: Technology, Media and Collaboration on Social Impact"
"The new reality of entertainment and social impact: together, with the power of media and Hollywood's ability to ignite positive social change, we'll turn advancements in technology into high impact solutions. With a focus on water, and our dependence on fossil fuels, we'll explore how technology, collaboration and community can come together to provide and implement solutions. With a select group of the brightest innovators, social entrepreneurs and filmmakers from across the globe."
Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA.
CogX Festival, Global Leadership Summit, on the Future of AI, Tech, and Social Good.
With Mei Lin Fung, Chair, People Centered Internet, and Diana Ayton-Shenker, Moderator - CEO Leonardo/ SAST
London, UK, 2023
Davos, World Economic Forum, 2022, TTI presents:
Speaker, Judge, Presenter of Education and Media Awards
PopTech 2023 at The REACH,
Kennedy Center DC,
"Nuance: Finding Balance in an Imbalanced World" Conference
Keynote speaker on "The Rights of Nature" The PopTech conference serves as the annual gathering of a robust community of remarkable scientists, humanitarians, technologists, designers, artists, innovators, corporate and governmental leaders, academics, and those who defy tidy categorization.
Committed to the vanguard of emerging technology, science, exploration, and creative expression.
Doctors Without Borders presents:
Live Med Aid
"Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri and Scientist Eric Donsky Discuss Art, Human Rights, and Pivoting Technology Against Corona Virus”
With Richard Garner, Dr. Jane Goodall, Dr. David Suzuki, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Sophie Trudeau.
MSF. May 9, 2020. (Liveonline.)
Princeton University, Engage 2020 Conference on Innovation & Entrepreneurship presents:
"The Art of Social Change" with Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri
Keynote Speaker / Fireside Chat at with Rick Shwartz, producer of Black Swan, The Departed, Gangs of New York, and Till Human Voices Wake Us.
BBC / HBO Films presents:
David Bowie: The Last Five Years
Director of "Valentine's Day," extensive footage presented within the film, and interviewed about her experiences of over a decade of working with David Bowie.
IPA International Photography Awards Presents De La Salle College of Saint Benilde: A Collaborative Project with Indrani & GK Reid
"Selected AB photography students and graduate students of Benilde ventured into a field immersion to work with renowned Hollywood photographer Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri, and producer GK Reid. The immersion took place in a community of Aetas in Barangay Nabuklod, Florida Blanca, Pampanga. The photographs and films from the immersion are also part of the exhibit currently on display at Benilde School of Design and Arts (SDA) Campus." Manilla, Philippines, 2016.
PhotoSchweiz presents:
"Master Photographer Indrani: Between Pop Culture & Social Engagement"
Keynote Speaker, Exhibition & Screening
Zurich www.photo-schweiz.ch/de/agenda/
Princeton University, Masterclass with Jeff Whetstone on Advanced Photography
Co-Founder and Director,
Shakti Empowerment Education Foundation
Providing education, vocational training, front-line community support and micro-financing for 300 of the most low-income children and women in West Bengal, India, since 1994.
Below: Games day with some of the women of the SEEschool literacy, vocational training, and microfinancing programs.
Awarding students at Games Day.
Students prepare for class.
Vocational training: sewing classes.
Clubhouse "Creator First" Finalist, Organizer/Co-Host, Sacred Realms : Myth, Magic, Religion, Arts, & Science
Sacred ways of seeing, being, and knowing, from an academic perspective. Interviews with academics, artists, and practitioners, dissecting the core issues of our times through an interconnected and holistic lens. With co-host anthropologist Eric Montgomery. Some recent discussions:
"Interfaith World Religions"
with Rabbi Irwin Kula; Princeton University Hindu Chaplain Vineet Chander; Muslim scholar Ousama Alshurafa; neuroscientist Deniz Ertzen; behavioral scientist Jon Levy; global health scientist Kunal Sood.
"Myth, Magic, and Religion Across the Arts and Humanities"
with African historian and feminist scholar Dr. Nwando Achebe (MSU); Indigenous activist and Wonder Woman actor Eugene Brave Rock; Holocaust musician filmmaker Abe Gurko; behavioral scientist Jon Levy
"Social Justice, Sacred Solutions: Work with Purpose"
with leading headhunter and author of "Next Job Best Job" Rob Barnett; classical pianist and serial entrepreneur Jennifer Cheng; Queen of Bamenda musician Naomi Achu; National Business League president Dr. Ken Harris
New York Live Arts presents
"AI: Are You Ready for the Brave New World?"
Live Ideas Humanities Symposium and Gala,
Host and Keynote Speaker
With actor Jeffrey Wright (Westworld), TED's Chris Anderson, and internet pioneer Jaron Lanier
Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company
The Lucie Awards "The Oscars of Photography" at Carnegie Hall presents:
"Celebrating Masters of Photography"
Speaker and Presenter,
"A Deeper Perspective" and "Moving Image Photographer of the Year"
Speakers Indrani and Ann Curry at Carnegie Hall
Indrani presents "Moving Image Photographer of the Year"
The Audience at the Lucies Awards
Speakers Indrani and Steve McCurry with Lucies Founder Hossein Farmani
Princeton University, Lewis Center for the Arts and
We Flourish presents:
"Cultural Identity and Creative Identity: Asian and Asian- American Artists and Authors" Panel of Speakers /Presenters
Moderated by Monica Youn, with Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Akhil Sharma and Robert Lee.
New York Film Academy Masterclass presents: "On Creativity"
With Photography Co-Chair Paul Sunday www.nyfa.edu/film-school-blog/celebrity-photographer-indrani-speaks-at-nyfa-photography-school/
The Centre Pompidou, Paris, and Diane Pernet presents: ASVOFF A Shaded View of Fashion Film,
"On Inspiration," Speaker with Daphne Guinness and Diane Pernet
Indrani and Daphne Guinness
Diane Pernet, Daphne Guinness and Indrani
SAP and Singularity University present: SAP Next Gen on "The Power of Storytelling"
Kalinga Institute KITT / KISS Orissa, India presents: "International Women's Day: Equity, Empowerment, Excellence," Keynote Speaker
With Norwegian Ambassador to India Elvind S. Homme; Actress, Film Director and Social Activist Nandita Das; Writer, Actor and Political Commentator Suhel Seth; Founder KITT & KISS, Dr. Achyuta Samanta
Princeton University, Lewis Center for the Arts presents: "The Case for the Arts in an Age of Austerity"
With Susan Jonas, Susan Haig, and David A. Chamberlain, moderated by Pulitzer Prize winner for Poetry and T.S. Eliot Prize winner Paul Muldoon
American Society of Media Photographers presents: IDEA SHARE: Innovation, Inspiration & Ideas
"Image Making and Branding: Iconic Authenticity & Sustainability"
City University of New York, Baruch College, New York NY
"Creative individuals who have broken barriers, innovated in their fields and overcome obstacles to succeed, with Albert Watson, Gail Mooney, Douglas Dubler, Pierce Turner, Jon Levy."
The North American Bengali Conference (NABC) Orlando presents:
Keynote Speaker at North American Bengali Film Festival, "The Arts and Film" Documentaries Section, and"Building a Lasting Brand" at The Bengal-USA Business Leaders' Forum.
Indrani speaks on "Business Leaders' Forum"
NABC welcome
Larry King Live
Interviewed by Larry King on the finale of the Bravo TV 6-part Double Exposure docu-series featuring Indrani and her multimedia work for fashion, art, and social justice.
Access Hollywood
Interviews on LGBTQ+ views, art, and social justice, with former creative partner Markus Klinko.
CNN FREEDOM DAY presents
'Girl epidemic' highlights human trafficking
A short video highlighting the trafficking of girls in India has won an international competition to raise awareness of human trafficking around the world.