Our Guests

Arts education and socio-emotional learning for children in underserved communities, using poetry, storytelling, theater, and visual arts to foster social-emotional growth are not the most easily accepted solutions. But this (Forbes 30 Under 30) young lady stands out with her work that aims to empower young minds and create positive change through artistic expression. 

 Mana Mandlekar, from a tiny village in Madhya Pradesh, embarked on her journey in karate due to her own struggle for independence. Despite societal expectations, she chose her own path. Karate became her chosen means of self-defense, empowering her to overcome fear and gain confidence. Now, she trains over 300 girls in her village.

Kruti`s focus on education stemmed from her recognition of the socio-economic inequalities impacting children’s access to quality education in India. As a parent, she understood that the public education system was crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty. Kruti was recognized on Business World’s 40Under40 List and awarded Social Entrepreneur of 2019. 

Honored with the Diana Award, which recognizes exceptional youth for their social work and humanitarian services, Akriti  has been working in the field of cancer since she was just 17 years old.  She is associated with Win Over Cancer, an NGO founded by her parents. She also founded Canfem, that focuses on providing cancer care products and support to breast cancer survivors. 

Pranjal`s transition from finance to education is an interesting journey. His passion for early childhood education led him to establish TiTLi ECCE Institute. Pranjal believes in simplification to deliver effective learning experiences and recognizes the innate ability of human beings to learn and grow.

They say true grit comes from suffering. Reshma Arya has proven exactly that. She has emerged as a woman leader despite difficult circumstances. She stands for gender equality, questioning gender norms and ensuring that she does this with the help of music!

Sanchita is a passionate volunteer since the age of 16 and supports various causes. She believes volunteerism is a mindset that helps one lead a healthy and happy life. She is not only a Company Secretary with a decade of experience in handling a gamut of business restructurings, she also leads the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives for Baker Hughes in India.

Ravi graduated from IIM-A but gave up the chance of a lucrative career to teach underprivileged children when he realized teaching children is what he liked the most... and thus grew Manzil. Over the years, organically, many organisations have grown as off-shoots of Manzil for and by its students.

When you meet Sahil, Co-Founder of Samarthya, you can tell he is passionate and refreshingly stubborn about ensuring that parents of government school children have a voice, a say, in the education of their children.

Mainak has an air of simplicity mixed with intellectualism. He is a true educator at heart, working to build an ecosystem of support for government school teachers in India. Implementing impactful programs for holistic education, is the core of his work at Simple Education Foundation.

Shyam is an award-winning urban designer, city planner and architect with four decades of design experience in Europe and India. He is passionate about designing sustainable and inclusive cities which led him to found the international knowledge platform and think-tank MyLiveableCity. 

Kartik is considered a pioneer of social finance in India. He founded and led Asha Impact for 7 years, one of India’s pre-eminent multi-family offices and think tanks focused on impact investment. He now is a full-time advocate of blended finance.

This gentleman is doing work that is so hard yet he plods on. Sharad has made it his mission to ensure that homeless people on the road give up substance abuse, begging and are ready for a life of dignity with the support of his organisation Badlav.

A piece of advice Shruti got early in her career is to figure out the people with shared values, who get things done, who you like to be with & who you want to help win. After exploring the field of Journalism, Academics, Venture Philanthropy & Impact Investing; Shruti found herself at home as India Leader of Ashoka Innovators for the Public (Ashoka), a network of social entrepreneurs, young changemakers & partners committed to building a society for the good of all.

It`s easy to declare people as unfit for work without understanding the main cause behind it. Children need social skills and the ability to take on tough situations without aggression or submission. Meet Benoy who gave up corporate consultancy to work on the issue using Ultimate Frisbee as a medium!

Deepali Vandana`s story is powerful. She has personal experience to understand her beneficiaries, and she knows how important her intervention is. She has the rare persistance and the drive that is required to bring about long term systemic change.

Radhika might come from an influential family, but this lady has her feet firmly on the ground. She believes her privilege is an asset that allows her the chance to bring powerful collaborations and experiences to her beneficiaries.

Soumitra has been rechristened - The-one-who-left-the-rat-race  by me. He helped set up Bridgespan in India and has co-founded a social impact advisory. This is a man of wise words and good advice.

This unassuming lady surprises you with her vision and can-do attitude. Sarika not only has the unique ability to influence and garner suppport, she is great at implementing her ideas. She walks the talk and is infectiously optimistic about transforming streets in India one at a time with design and Raahgiri.

Fisherfolk, marine ecosystems aren`t words that come to mind often, nor are supported as much as other causes by the government. Meet Devleena, who is on a mission to create a sustainable blue economy. 

Niharika proves that researching first to understand and then solve problem is the real way to impact. This young woman is one of the bravest people you can get to know. Social impact is in her DNA and she won`t give up despite her personal challenges. 

One of the few trauma therapists in India, Akanksha ensures mental health support to the elite, but has shown tremendous grit in reaching those too who cannot afford it. 

 What started as her own  entrepreneurial journey changed to encouraging others to support entrepreneurs working towards social impact. Gunjan is passionate about building giving as a movement... a movement that can transform India.  

If there was a visionary, then it is Aman. From a weekend volunteering stint to building an entire college for the speech and hearing impaired is no mean feat. Aman has his eyes set on his target ten years from now - a state of the art university for his beneficiaries.

If there`s a will, there is a way. 

Pradeep believes the only way forward is to give back to society in the same manner as he was helped. What this humble man doesn`t tell everyone is about the sheer grit he himself has shown in moving ahead. 

A veggie garden seems part of an elitist conversation. However, Pragati is on a mission to ensure all children, including the underprivileged, learn to embrace nature, and grow their own vegetables-to-take-home - in the kitchen garden at school.