Two hours. Multiple time zones. One shared pause.
On April 24, Akraya marked its 25th anniversary not with a formal presentation, but with something far more telling: a reflection shaped by the people who built it.
What unfolded was not just a walkthrough of milestones. It was a reminder of what those 25 years were really made of.
The celebration brought forward voices from across Akraya’s journey, each representing a different chapter of growth.
There were early builders like Sonu Ratra, who joined in 2006 and rapidly scaled a key account from the ground up, and long-tenured contributors like Abhijit Deshpande, whose persistence helped establish Akraya as an approved vendor at Amazon.
Others reflected the strength of continuity. Guman Singh has remained a steady operational presence through multiple phases of change. Nehal Barot, who began her journey with a background in civil engineering, went on to build the company’s delivery and resource management function and was later recognized on the SIA Global Power 150 list. Leaders like Mandeep, Keshava Kumar, and Ravikumar Kulkarni strengthened critical functions across delivery, HR, and compliance, helping stabilize the company during its most defining years.
The celebration also highlighted a group that often goes unrecognized but is essential to how the company runs every day. Mukul Barboruah, Desriee Cruz, and Mayank Singh, all part of the 2014 cohort, represent more than a decade of consistency across customer success, HR, and delivery. Their journeys reflect the kind of steady contribution that does not always make headlines but builds long-term strength.
At the same time, newer leaders are shaping what comes next. Abhishek Tandon in marketing, Swarn Kamal in finance, Sid Chakravarty in leadership, and Tami Forman through the Women Back to Work program are helping define Akraya’s next phase. The recent addition of Abhijit Bhatt as Consulting CFO further strengthens that direction.
Together, these voices did not just recount the past. They showed what it takes to stay, rebuild, and grow.
The Journey, Revisited
Looking back on Akraya’s 25-year journey, the most important milestones were not the moments of growth, but the moments that forced the company to rethink how it operated.
Every organization faces periods where what once worked no longer holds. For Akraya, that phase became a catalyst. It prompted a shift toward stronger systems, clearer accountability, and a more intentional approach to building the business.
What emerged on the other side was not just recovery, but a more grounded and resilient organization. The experience reinforced a simple idea: long-term growth is rarely linear, and the ability to adapt matters more than the ability to avoid setbacks.
What made the celebration stand out was not just what was said, but how it was experienced.
A timeline presentation gave way to video testimonials from former employees, many of whom spoke about the company’s culture of trust and transparency. A photo gallery brought back moments from across the years, from office milestones to community initiatives and team traditions.
The tone shifted as the talent show began. Performances from Radha, Keith, and Shubham, a live cooking session by Ayush Dutta, and a creative showcase by Leena on Canvas added a personal dimension to the event.
One of the most memorable moments came through music. Keith introduced an original Akraya anthem, created using an AI music tool, which quickly resonated with the audience and is already being seen as part of future celebrations.
The event closed on a more reflective note, with a poem written and delivered by Pam Banerjee, capturing the emotional arc of the company’s journey.
What 25 Years Actually Revealed
Looking back, the celebration made one thing clear.
Akraya’s story is not defined by uninterrupted success. It is defined by how the company responded when things did not go as planned, and by the people who chose to stay through those moments.
The consistency of long-tenured employees, the return of former team members, and the addition of new leadership all point to a culture that extends beyond short-term outcomes.
Treating people well has not been a separate priority. It has been central to how the company operates and grows.
A Checkpoint, not a Finish Line
The 25-year milestone was framed not as a conclusion, but as a moment to pause and look ahead.
With renewed leadership, stronger systems, and a clear sense of direction, Akraya is entering its next phase with intent.
If the celebration showed anything, it is that the company’s future will be built the same way its past was: through people who choose to build, stay, and grow together.