In an age where fleeting trends are ruling lasting principles, Geary Reid‘s path is one that resolves self-discipline, and purpose. As a member of eight-siblings, born to Guyanese parents in South America, his existence was earmarked early on by his parents’ instilling of integrity, diligence, and respect, values which seep into every layer of his existence. He has consistently been able to turn adversity into opportunity, whether academic achievement with fewer resources or a career of more than three decades working in numerous industries. His greatest legacy, however, is his fruitful writing life. He is an international role model for young people and upcoming leaders and has published 104 books in more than five years using no artificial intelligence. His writings, developed from experiential knowledge and enhanced with personal anecdotes, inspire and guide individuals who are confronted with religious, career, and personal challenges. Reid’s dream is motivating future generations to try more to learn, persist with determination, and leading by character, rather than honoring and global recognition. His narrative is as much about individual achievement as it is about service and commitment relentless in the use of words and example in shaping leaders of tomorrow. Roots of Resilience Born into a family of eight siblings, Geary Reid’s story begins in the heart of Guyana, South America, where his father, Amos Reid Sr., and mother, Sheila Knights-Reid, instilled values that would later become the cornerstone of his success philosophy. In a household where his father was the sole breadwinner, young Geary learned early lessons about hard work, honesty, and respect, principles that would guide him through decades of professional and personal triumphs. “My father taught all the siblings to work hard, be honest, and respect everyone.” he reflects, whose early years were marked not by privilege, but by the rich education that comes from witnessing dedication and integrity in action. These formative experiences in a large, close-knit family created the foundation for what would become a remarkable journey of service and achievement. Academic Excellence and Professional Formation Reid’s academic journey tells the story of consistent excellence and an insatiable appetite for knowledge. Despite facing early challenges, he graduated among the top six honors students in primary school, setting a pattern of academic achievement that would define his educational trajectory. At the secondary level, his commitment to excellence shone even brighter, consistently ranking among the top five students in his class. The pinnacle of his secondary education came when he was awarded the best grade in Principle of Accounts at the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) level, an achievement that foreshadowed his future success in business and finance. But Reid’s educational journey was far from over. Driven by what he describes as a desire to “contribute his best to humanity” and operate at the highest level of professionalism, Geary Reid pursued an impressive array of qualifications. Today, he holds an MBA, is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), a Master Project Manager (MPM), and a Fellow of the American Academy of Project Management (FAAPM), among other credentials. Balancing Success and Family On June 24, 2000, Geary Reid married Claudette Patricia Providence-Reid, a union that has produced two children: son John Isaiah Reid and daughter Ariel Sarah Reid. For Reid, family isn’t just a personal priority, it’s the bedrock that enables his professional success. “I prioritize the needs of my family and provide the necessary support, since I understand that fatherhood and the duties of a husband are continual, every minute of the day and every day of the week.” he explains, demonstrating how his approach to family mirrors his professional philosophy of complete dedication and service. His commitment to family extends beyond his immediate household. Geary Reid makes regular efforts to connect with his extended family, visiting his father, siblings, and father-in-law for quality time, hearty laughs, and the wisdom that comes from intergenerational relationships. This practice reflects his deep understanding that success is meaningless without the relationships that give life meaning. The Birth of Reid’s Learning Institute In 2020, during a year that challenged businesses worldwide, Geary Reid registered Reid’s Learning Institute and Business Consultancy in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Located at 199 Kuru-Kururu, Soesdyke Linden Highway, the organization emerged from Reid’s passion for “transferring knowledge and skills garnered over the years of research, studies and personal experience.” The institute’s mission statement speaks to Reid’s core philosophy: “To foster intergenerational growth in wisdom, knowledge and understanding, through thought-provoking, simple and real-life experiences.” This isn’t just corporate speaking, a reflection of Reid’s genuine commitment to making complex knowledge accessible to people from all walks of life. The business offers a comprehensive range of literary products and consultancy services, spanning Financial Management, Information System Management, Marketing Management, Strategic Management, Human Resources Management, and Leadership. Through books available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook formats, along with schooling, lecturing, and seminars, Geary Reid has created multiple touchpoints for knowledge transfer. Turning Crisis into Opportunity When COVID-19 struck in 2020, many businesses struggled to survive. Geary Reid saw opportunity where others saw obstacles. While lockdowns prevented him from visiting family and friends, attending church services, or maintaining his usual in-person professional connections, Reid channeled his energy into what would become his most productive literary period. “Since I love to be active, I tend to use his time, energy, and wisdom to engage in other meaningful things,” he recalls. Rather than lamenting the restrictions, Geary Reid used the time to have his manuscripts edited and proofread through online services. The result was extraordinary: he launched his first 34 books in April 2020. The momentum continued to build. He completed 100 books in just 62 months, spanning from 2017 to 2022. In one remarkable stretch, he wrote seven manuscripts in 28 days, and over 12 months, he produced 44 manuscripts, all without the assistance of artificial intelligence, relying instead on decades of accumulated wisdom and experience. A Portfolio of Excellence With over 30 years of progressive working experience across diverse industries including Retail,

Few leaders can combine financial expertise and human-centered leadership as well as Pradnya Bagade, Vice President – Corporate Affairs at Electronic Payment and Services (P) Ltd., in the complex world of acquisitions, strategic expansion, and investor relations. Her leadership path was not formed overnight; rather, it was forged in the furnace of difficult decision-making, cross-functional cooperation, and a silent but unwavering dedication to inclusive development. Her strategy is based on influence, empathy, and strategic clarity rather than authority. As the Executive Assistant to the Chairman and Managing Director, she is gaining a foundation in Industrial Psychology and a front-row seat to high-stakes business maneuvering. She is learning early on how strategy must always be founded in people and how vision is becoming executive. Her involvement in significant business events, such as acquisitions and stock injections, demonstrating a unique capacity to match stakeholder interests with the long-term goals of the company. Her ability to maintain composure under pressure is what is making her unique. She is leading with composure, vision, and conviction whether she is negotiating a complicated M&A deal or fostering investor confidence. She is promoting innovation without sacrificing governance and cultivates an inclusive culture without sacrificing effectiveness. Her views on measured risk, open communication, and developing up-and-coming leaders are subtly changing the definition of resilient leadership in contemporary India. Pradnya Bagade is overseeing EPS’s next phase of impact-led growth, making sure that strategy is based on values, diversity is integrated into teams, and leadership is always a duty that is both visionary and human. Inclusive and Evolving Leadership Approach Pradnya Bagade describes her leadership style as inclusive and growth-oriented which is shaped by her academic background in Industrial Psychology and professional exposure to top-level decision-making. Her transition into the role of Executive Assistant to Mr. Mani Mamallan, Chairman and Managing Director at EPS, was instrumental in transforming her approach. The role allowed her to witness firsthand how strategic vision translates into daily execution, teaching her to bridge the long-term goals of the organization with on-the-ground action. “Over the years, my leadership style has matured into one that emphasizes collaboration across departments and functions.” she describes. She combines empathy with a clear focus on measurable outcomes, blending analytical decision-making with emotional intelligence. This balance has been crucial in the high-pressure world of mergers, acquisitions, and investor relations—areas where clarity, conviction, and trust are paramount. Strategic Decisions That Shaped the Journey Among the key milestones in her career were EPS’s major equity infusion in 2015 and the mergers and acquisitions executed in 2017. These events were not just crucial for the company’s growth, but also played a transformative role in Pradnya Bagade’s development as a strategic leader. Her involvement in identifying acquisition targets and aligning them with EPS’s long-term vision showcased her ability to balance ambition with pragmatism. Leading these deals required more than just financial expertise, it demanded the ability to align various stakeholders, from investors to internal teams. Pradnya Bagade successfully built investor confidence through transparent communication, well-crafted narratives, and consistent delivery of business outcomes. These strategic moments underlined her strength in managing risk while staying focused on the larger organizational vision. Leading Through Uncertainty and Complexity One of the most defining challenges Pradnya Bagade faced came during complex M&A negotiations under intense market uncertainty. In these high-stakes environments, she was required to manage legal, financial, and strategic dimensions simultaneously while addressing conflicting stakeholder expectations. Her calm demeanor, emotional intelligence, and clarity of purpose helped her steer the process toward successful closure. Instead of relying solely on formal processes, she built trust across departments, anchored every discussion in EPS’s mission, and ensured that all voices were heard. These experiences reaffirmed her belief in “calm leadership” a style that is combination of resilience, empathy, and a deep understanding of the business landscape to achieve alignment and drive impact. Enabling Calculated Risk-Taking and Innovation In investor and M&A space, risk is inevitable but at EPS, she has ensured it is always intentional and calculated. She fosters a culture that encourages data-backed decision-making, rigorous scenario planning, and bold execution. Under her leadership, cross-functional teams’ model multiple outcomes before committing to a strategy, making the decision-making process both inclusive and thorough. Engaging with external advisors legal, financial, or domain-specific further strengthens the strategy, allowing for validation of key assumptions. While the team is operating with full confidence in “Plan A,” Pradnya Bagade ensures that contingency plans are always in place. This approach allows EPS to be agile and responsive while maintaining a strong core vision. Driving Diversity and Inclusion with Intent Diversity and inclusion are not just corporate buzzwords for Pradnya Bagade they are core values that shape her team structures, project groups, and stakeholder engagements. With her roots in psychology and HR, she has always believed that diverse teams bring more nuanced judgment, especially during high-pressure decision-making. Though she may not oversee hiring end-to-end, Pradnya Bagade consciously builds project and deal teams that reflect diversity in gender, experience, and function. This diversity helps reduce group thoughts and encourages a range of perspectives to surface during strategic conversations. In her external collaborations, she also chooses to work with partners who uphold similar inclusive values, ensuring alignment not just internally but across the ecosystem. Strengthening Inter-Departmental Collaboration In her role, Pradnya Bagade regularly collaborates with teams across Finance, Legal, HR, Risk, Business, and Technology. Her philosophy is rooted in trust-building through deep listening and co-creation. Rather than working in isolation, she prefers a hands-on approach—walking over to the stakeholder, engaging in direct conversations, and collectively arriving at the best possible solution. This collaborative, solution-driven style has enabled her to lead high-impact strategic initiatives with full organizational backing. She believes that innovation and alignment are born in open dialogue not in silos. By understanding each department’s challenges and aligning them with EPS’s larger goals, Pradnya Bagade has become a trusted partner across the company. Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders, Today Pradnya’s belief in nurturing emerging leaders is reflected in her mentoring style, which emphasizes exposure, encouragement,