Speaker Bio

A transdisciplinary artist working in film, photography, and anthropology, with a passion for empowering diverse artists and communities, Indrani is an advocate for change, racial and sexual equality, diversity, disruptive innovation, ethics in art and film, empowering women, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and neurodivergent communities, and ecological sustainability. 

Awarded at Tribeca Film Festival as a Disruptive Innovator Fellow, she is recognized at the United Nations as a Women's Entrepreneurship Distinguished Fellow, and is Co-Convenor / Co-Host of the Science Summit at the United Nations, Digital Democracy for Climate Action,  and of the Global People's Summit at the United Nations during the General Assembly.  An X-PRIZE Rainforest Semifinalist, and co-lead she brought together 120 scientists and Indigenous forest protectors, to develop biodiversity measuring and monitoring technologies and bio-economies, which she aims to develop into mechanisms to empower carbon credits and biodiversity credits.

Indrani is a visiting Lecturer at Princeton University on "The Art of Mobilizing Millions for Social Justice and Human Rights," organizer and host of its "Art of Social Justice and Anti Racism," a lecturer at Yale's Midnight Oil Collective on art, scholarship, and marketing, and at Harvard, Kennedy Carr Center for Human Rights, at the Pride & Progress LGBT+ Film Symposium.

Indrani is a Founder and Executive Director of Shakti Regeneration Institute for Cultural and Ecosystems Regeneration, and of Shakti Empowerment Education Foundation, providing education, literacy and vocational training, and homeopathic medicine to the lowest-income women and children in India since 1993. She is also a Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Open Origin, fueling the future for the green transition, empowering Indigenous partners. As CEO and Founder of Double Exposure Studios, transforming culture and expanding human potential. She is Chief Visionary Officer and CMO at Neuralign, the premiere cognitive training platform for the neurodivergent community, providing literacy worldwide.  

Indrani is featured on the BBC and HBO film David Bowie: The Last Five Years, on her work with David Bowie on mass shootings at educational institutions, CNN with Quincy Jones for her film on sex trafficking, Access Hollywood, E-News, Larry King Live. She is a Clubhouse Creator First Finalist, on "Sacred Realms: Myth, Magic, Religion, Arts, and Anthropology." She was the subject of a 6-part docu-series, Double Exposure on Bravo (NBC), shooting with Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, and others. She is currently co-host of the Accutron Show with David Grover.

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

Lectures & Workshops

UNIVERSITIES

  • TEDx x JCU "Can Art Save Humanity?" 2023.
  • Slought, University of Pennsylvania,"A Thousand Breaths," 2022.
  • Princeton University, "Mythography, Digital Storytelling, and Counter-Colonizing the Heteropatriarchal Gaze," Organizing Stories, Humanities Council, Center for Human Values, Department of African American Studies and the African Humanities Colloquium, April 2021.
  • Princeton University, "The Arts of Anti-Racism and Social Justice" Discussion, organizer and host, with Oscar-winner Mo'Nique, Black Lives Matter NY Co-Founder Hawk Newsome, civil rights activist Gina Belafonte, Indigenous activist/actor Eugene Brave Rock (Wonder Woman). Lewis Center for the Arts, Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students, December 2020.
  • Princeton University, "The Art of Social Change" at Engage 2020 Innovation Conference, November 2020.
  • Harvard University, "LGBTQ Representation, Sexual Equality and Liberation in Film and Law," Keynote speaker with Tom DeSanto (Xmen, Transformers), "Pride and Prejudice: LGBTQ Film Festival & Symposium," Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, MA, October 2019.
  • Princeton University, "Using Your Voice," Panel, James Beard Foundation Chef Action Network Summit, Princeton NJ 2019.
  • Parsons New School for Design, "Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas," Lecture, New York, 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, Cambridge, MA, 2018.
  • Princeton University, "Power and Responsibility: Filmmakers and Photographers as Myth-Makers, Shaping Human Potential," Keynote Speaker, introduced by Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith at the Princeton Creative Arts and Humanities Symposium, Princeton, NJ, 2018.
  • Princeton University, "Shakti as a Paragon of Women's Empowerment," Hindu Life Program, Office of Religious Life, Princeton University, NJ, October 2018.
  • Princeton University, "She Roars" Speaker at Women in the Arts Showcase, Lewis Center for the Arts and Maclean House 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, Princeton, 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.
  • 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 a Community of Indigenous People," with IPA and Exhibition at Benilde School of Design and Arts, Manila, Philippines.
  • Singularity University, "Power of Media and Storytelling" at SAP New York, NY.
  • Princeton University, "Women in Film," Princeton Film Society, Princeton, NJ.
  • Princeton University, "Masterclass in Portraiture," Lewis Center for the Arts, Princeton, NJ.
  • Princeton University, "The Case for the Arts in an Age of Austerity" with Paul Muldoon, NJ.


ARTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS 

  • Forbes / Global Citizen / MIT at the Forbes Dome, Davos World Economic Forum, convenor and moderator of "The Regeneration Generation: Heroes of Climate Action" January 2024.
  • House of Balance, COP28 convened and moderated: "Indigenous Values for the Green Transition" and "The Science Summit at the UN / COP presents Digital Democracy for Climate Action" December 2023.
  • Sun Valley Climate Convention interviewed by Mongabay Founder Rhet Butler, 2023
  • Goals House, Davos World Economic Forum "Nature Nightcap: All Eyes on Brazil" 2023.
  •   Davos World Economic Forum, Top Tier Impact presents: "Education and Media Awards" 2022.
  • Clubhouse Creator First Finalist Club "Sacred Realms" presents: "Myth, Magic, Religion, Arts, and 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. 2021.
  • Outfest Now and GLAAD present, "Mental Health and the Great Artist," Keynote Speaker, live online, January 2021.
  • Live Med Aid, Doctors Without Borders presents, "Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri and Scientist Eric Donsky Discuss Art, Human Rights, and Pivoting Technology Against Coronavirus," May 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, LA, 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, 2018.
  • United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and Global Women's Empowerment Network on "Women Illuminated," Anthology Film Archives, New York, NY 2018.
  • The Rubin Museum of Art, "My Village: Storytelling and Social Engagement," New York, NY.
  • Carnegie Hall, The Lucie Awards, "Celebrating the Masters of Photography," on "A Deeper Perspective" and "Moving Image Photographer of the Year," New York, 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.
  • 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.
  • Sustainatopia "Social Entrepreneur Rockstars" LA.
  • London Fashion Film Festival "Fashion Filmmaking" London, UK.
  • North American Bengali Film Festival at NABC, Keynote on "Documentary Film" and "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
  • New York Film Academy, "Masterclass with Indrani", New York.

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.



Davos, World Economic Forum, 2022, TTI presents:


Speaker, Judge, Presenter of Education and Media Awards  


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 Sectionand"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.

Using Format