Suneil Rajagopal, Director of Dukane India, embodies the evolution of leadership through adaptability, courage, and empowerment. Honored as the “Most Empowering Business Personality of the Year 2025” by the CToday Awards, Suneil has consistently demonstrated that impactful leadership arises not just from industry knowledge but from an unshakable commitment to people, learning, and purpose. With cross-industry exposure and a mindset rooted in action, he is redefining how modern businesses grow—with empathy, experimentation, and execution at the core.

From Crossroads to Clarity: Leading with Learner’s Mindset

Suneil’s journey has been shaped by his willingness to explore uncharted terrain. Having worked across diverse industries and geographies, he developed a unique lens on leadership—one that values the blend of intuition, acquired wisdom, and context-specific implementation. Far from being held back by unfamiliarity, Suneil saw his lack of experience in certain domains as a catalyst for innovation. “Leadership is about learning and implementing what you believe,” he says, reflecting on the experiments and strategies he brought from other sectors that successfully disrupted convention at Dukane India. Each phase of his career became a stepping stone toward a bolder, more inclusive style of leadership.

Empowering Progress: Expanding Horizons at Dukane

At the helm of Dukane India, Suneil is steering the company beyond its traditional automotive stronghold into the promising landscapes of the medical and electronics sectors. The transition, though filled with challenges, has been embraced with measured confidence. “We understand these segments are not dynamic and require time,” he notes, pointing to customized systems already delivered to major medical clients in India and abroad. His strategy combines patience with precision, recognizing that sustainable growth in high-stakes industries comes from trust, quality, and long-term vision, not speed.

Leadership as a Collective Victory

Receiving the title of “Most Empowering Business Personality of the Year 2025” was a moment of pride, but Suneil is quick to share the spotlight. “A leader is only as good as the team,” he affirms. To him, the award is not a personal milestone but a reflection of every Dukane India employee’s commitment and hard work. The collective energy and alignment of his team is what continue to power the company’s steady rise in the Indian market. Empowerment, in his eyes, begins with trust, ownership, and shared purpose.

Advice for the Aspiring: Build with Intention

In the fast-paced world of industrial innovation, Suneil finds balance on the quiet, open highways. An avid motorcycling enthusiast, he recharges with long morning rides that offer stillness, clarity, and solitude. “Just me and my motorcycle… the cold breeze on my face… and nothing else on my mind,” he says. This ritual of disconnection is not just a hobby—it’s his way of ensuring that personal well-being fuels professional excellence.

To the next generation of leaders navigating rapid change, Suneil offers timeless wisdom: stay curious, be a listener, leverage technology—but above all, remain ethical in your pursuit of progress. “It’s not just about reaching the goal,” he advises, “but also about how you reach it.” His call to future innovators is clear: empower others, lead with humility, and always remember the soul of leadership lies in the way we serve.