Senior Director – Corporate Affairs, Herbalife India
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Dr. Ratnesh Lal, Herbalife India
Dr. Ratnesh Lal is a public policy and corporate affairs leader with over 21 years of experience in government affairs, public policy, corporate communications and coalition building across international, national and state levels of government. As Senior Director – Corporate Affairs at Herbalife India and Chairperson of the Indian Direct Selling Association, he plays a central role in shaping the policy and regulatory environment for India’s direct selling industry.
Dr. Ratnesh Lal brings together multilateral, government and industry experience to build bridges between public policy and responsible business.
He began his career with the United Nations, where he coordinated the World Health Organization’s support to 11 countries in the South‑East Asia Region, working at the intersection of public health, governance and systems strengthening. This early multilateral experience shaped his approach to policy design, evidence‑based decision‑making and cross‑country collaboration.
Transitioning to the corporate sector, Dr. Lal went on to lead Corporate and Government Affairs functions at organisations such as MSD India, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Biocon Biologics and Lupin. In these roles, he navigated complex issues around regulatory approvals, manufacturing, market access, ease‑of‑doing‑business reforms, taxation and GST, while providing policy advocacy expertise on intellectual property rights and patent protection. His work has focused on aligning business strategy with public health priorities and regulatory expectations.
Role at IDSA
As Chairperson of the Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA), Ratnesh Lal provides strategic leadership to the Association and steers its long-term vision. He defines IDSA’s strategic priorities by setting annual and long-term goals, fosters collaboration among member companies, and strengthens the Association’s engagement with government, regulators, and key stakeholders.
He leads the Executive Committee in setting annual and long-term goals, chairs Executive Committee meetings, and ensures effective coordination across all Association initiatives in consultation with the Executive Committee and the Secretary General. As the principal spokesperson of IDSA, he represents the industry at national and international forums, builds strong relationships with global direct selling associations, including the WFDSA, FEDSA and other DSAs, and advocates for policies that promote ethical business practices, consumer trust, and sustainable growth.
Through his leadership, he drives the Association’s mission of advancing the direct selling industry and creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship in India. As a member of the Executive Committee, he is committed to dedicating the time, effort, and organizational resources necessary to support the Association’s objectives.
Enduring progress in direct selling is built on trust in people, clarity in policy, and the courage to adapt before change demands it..