Col. Dhiraj Udapure (Retd.)

Indian Army veteran (ex-Colonel) with 22+ years of diverse leadership experience in technology operations,
strategic transformation, and program management, specializing in the domains of telecom & IT infrastructure, IT
Engineering Services, Cybersecurity / Infosec & Digital Transformation.
Expertise in end-to-end program lifecycle management from user perspective – RFI / RFP, Tendering, Field Trials,
Bid Evaluation, Supply Order, to equipment / system exploitation – ensuring alignment with organizational objectives
and stakeholder satisfaction. Extensive experience in project budgeting, negotiation, and contract management,
driving measurable improvements while balancing operational needs with financial prudence.
Adept at fostering cross-functional collaboration, including partnerships with engineering, logistics, procurement,
and OEM / System Integrator / contractor teams, and managing complex programs in large scale geographically
dispersed, matrix-based organization.
Proficiency in leading technology development & strategy development, implementing innovation and change
management, and digital transformation projects, to enhance operational efficiency.
Excellent communication, presentation & interpersonal skills, including full business proficiency in English language,
with a proven ability to motivate and manage multicultural, global teams in high-stakes environments.

AWARDS

Arlette Sofaer Award, Sofaer Global MBA program, Tel Aviv University – 2024.
General Officer Commanding in Chief (Army Training Command) Medal of Excellence, Officer’s Provost
Course, Corps of Military Police Centre & School, Bengaluru – 2021.
Provost Marshal’s Certificate of Appreciation, Indian Army – 2021 & 2022.
Force Commander’s Certificate of Appreciation, UN Mission in DR Congo – 2015.
Chief of Integrated Staff Committee Commendation Card, HQ Integrated Defence Staff – 2010.
Signal Officer-in-Chief Medal, Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, Mhow – 2007.
Shree Yashwantrao Chavan Gold Medal for the Best Student, MIT Pune – 2000-2001.

EDUCATION

2024 – Certification in Business Development at Frankfurt School of Finance, Frankfurt.
2023-24 – M.B.A. (General Management) at Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv (Israel) – two semesters.
o 2024-25 (ongoing) – M.B.A. Student Exchange Program at Goethe University, Frankfurt – one semester.
2022 – Graduate Certificate in Public Policy at Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru (India).
2021 – Skill Diploma in Security Threat Analysis, Crisis and Resource Management, and Forensic Sciences
at JAIN University, Bengaluru (India).
2016 – Diploma in Senior Defence Management at Devi Ahilya University, Indore (India).
2012 – Master of Science (Military Technology) at D.I.A.T., Pune (India).
2010 – Diploma in Junior Defence Management at Devi Ahilya University, Indore (India).
2001 – Bachelor of Engg. (Electronics & Telecom) at Pune University, Pune (India).

Mentor Blog