The Department of Social Sciences FLAME University

Invites you to a talk by Mr. Udit Mehta, Executive Vice President & Director of Operations, South Asia at International SOS.

Title: Mapping the Risk to Risking the Map - Finding and Fulfilling Careers in Geopolitical Intelligence, Analysis & Crisis Response amidst an increasingly VUCA World.

In the midst of a recent surge in geopolitical volatility across the world, which is both unprecedented and unrestrained, leading to a severe global crisis conundrum, the capabilities of intelligence, analysis, and response to concurrent issues in international affairs and public policy have become exceptional imperatives for the world. This session aims to equip students to develop abilities in "Mapping the Risks" that emerge and the capabilities to navigate the course of their careers by "Risking the Map." The discussion will juxtapose actual geopolitical events with potential careers in the field to provide students with insights into the professional opportunities and life experiences that their academic initiation presents. 

About the Speaker:

Udit Mehta is a Geopolitical, Security & Medical Risk and Crisis Management Expert who has led analysis and helmed on-ground assistance missions in response to critical world events. He is also a well-regarded industry leader with years of credibility in establishing and leading research, risk, intelligence, security, and crisis-related businesses. Since 2014, Mehta has served on the Executive Committee and as the Security & Medical Services Leader for South Asia at International SOS. He previously held the role of Head of Operations for International SOS and led the organization's erstwhile Global Intelligence Centre (GIC).

Before joining International SOS, he worked in Intelligence and Analysis roles with the European Security Institute, Hill & Associates, the Trident Group, and GE Capital. Mehta also briefly contributed as a journalist to the Broadcasting Corporation of India, The Hindu, and The Indian Express. He holds a master's degree in journalism & communications, and his thesis extensively researched the increasing transnationalization of media and its associated geopolitical, social, and economic risk repercussions. 

Mehta has been involved in on-ground operational missions during global crises, including deploying to Sri Lanka within hours of the Easter Sunday bombings in April 2019 to lead an Incident Management Team (IMT). Some of his other IMT deployments include a mission to Thailand in October 2016 in the wake of the passing of the world's longest-reigning Head of State, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and deployments to Bangalore during the violence caused by the Cauvery dispute in September 2016, as well as an on-ground task during the Korean Peninsula crisis of 2017. 

Additionally, he has led analysis and operations during several events, including the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, the Great East Japan earthquake in 2011, the 2015 Nepal Earthquake, the West African Ebola crisis of 2014, several incidents of political and sectarian unrest, natural disasters, crime, insurgency, pandemics, and terror attacks. 

Having received multiple commendations from the United States Department of State's Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), ASIS International, Global Inclusive Disaster Management Conference (GIDMC), among others, Mehta is a frequent public speaker and contributor to industry forums. He is frequently quoted by international media and has recently been cited by Fortune Magazine, The Times of India, The Business Line, The Hindu, Zee, India TV, Asian News International (ANI), Business Standard, among others.