This month, members of the Aspire Institute and Aspire India team – CEO Meena Sonea, Executive Director of Aspire India Nithya Gurukumar, and Director of Operations of Aspire India Sashi Gundala — hosted events across Bangalore, Delhi and Bhubaneswar. The roadshow connected over 220 students and alumni through outdoor meetups, campus sessions, and alumni reunions focused on inclusive leadership and lifelong learning.
The Aspire team built connections with educational institutions while engaging Aspire Leaders Program alumni and learners in activities across multiple cities. These partnerships expand opportunities for emerging leaders and strengthen Aspire’s network throughout India.
Transformative Leadership Gathering in Bangalore’s Cubbon Park
Over 30 students gathered under the canopy of trees at Bangalore’s Cubbon Park. This morning of community-building focused on leadership, vulnerability, and authenticity.
“This event offered valuable mentorship and career growth,” Manoj Babu, 2025 Aspire Leaders Program learner, said. “Connecting with changemakers and first-year fellows broadened my perspective and reminded me of the power of community-driven leadership.”
The gathering fostered conversations around career ambitions and startup ideas. Many participants who had only connected virtually were meeting in person for the first time, making the event particularly meaningful.
150 Engineering Students Explore Leadership Innovation at RV College
Sonea opened conversations about leadership, failure, and intention at RV College of Engineering. Over 150 students participated in group activities while sharing dreams of building social enterprises, launching startups, and creating community impact.
What stood out was the students’ hunger for purpose. They weren’t just asking what Aspire offers, but how it could help them unlock their potential today.
The Aspire Leaders Program was presented as emphasizing reflective practice, inclusive thinking, and meaningful connections. As one participant noted: “It felt like we were given permission to think bigger—and tools to actually pursue those dreams.”
Future Changemakers Tackle Global Challenges at Ashoka University
At Ashoka University, Aspire collaborated with the Centre for Entrepreneurship to host a session on building inclusive innovation ecosystems. Over 20 students participated in activities and dialogue about leadership, impact, and community engagement.
Students discussed issues like access, equity, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
“These conversations are the foundation of systemic change,” Sonea reflected. “They remind us that innovation is not just about technology, but about humanity.”
Aspire Alumni Connect with Harvard Professor Tarun Khanna in Delhi
At The Imperial Hotel in Delhi, more than 20 Aspire alumni met with Professor Tarun Khanna, co-founder of Aspire Institute and Harvard Business School professor.
Alumni shared how Aspire had shaped their paths and built their confidence. Many had launched initiatives, mentored peers, and advanced in their careers since completing the program.
“What I loved was how unapologetically real and unfiltered our conversation was with Meena and Tarun,” Tasmiya Khan, a 2024 Aspire Leaders Program alum, said. “It reminded me that you don’t need a position to be a leader—leadership is about inspiring others through your actions.”
“From the SEWA project to the Kumbh Mela interdisciplinary initiative, it was inspiring to see how academic knowledge is being applied to real-world challenges,” Pavani Munnur, 2024 Aspire Leaders Program alum said.
The gathering created space for peer mentorship as alumni offered guidance to newer graduates and exchanged notes on career paths in technology, entrepreneurship, and social impact.
Expanding Impact: New Partnerships in Odisha
Bhubaneswar is the capital and largest city in the state of Odisha and home to Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) and Ravenshaw University. During Sonea’s visit, she and the Aspire India leadership team had the opportunity to meet with key leadership from these schools and develop collaboration ideas to inspire young leaders to reach their full potential.
KISS has grown from a small school to a globally recognized university. It now hosts over 30,000 indigenous students from 64 rural tribes across Odisha on a residential campus. The Vice Chancellor, Dr. Debashis Bandyopadhyay, plans to partner with Aspire India to encourage student participation in the Aspire Leaders Program.
Ravenshaw University dates back to 1868 and serves over 8,000 students across multiple disciplines. After meeting with Sonea and the Aspire India team, university leaders will offer the Aspire Leaders Program to their students. They also plan to connect Aspire with the Odisha government to potentially engage students from all government colleges in the state.
These partnerships indicate exciting opportunities for Aspire India and young leaders across Odisha.
Leadership Impact: Creating Lasting Connections Across India
Participants gained from interactive sessions with Sonea, Gurukumar, and Gundala on leadership and impact. The events created networking opportunities among changemakers and aspiring entrepreneurs. Storytelling circles built confidence and community support. Attendees received career guidance and Aspire merchandise that added a personal touch.
“Be the light and discover your inner light, even in the darkest times,” Meena Sonea said.
This resonated with participants throughout the journey, reinforcing Aspire’s role as both a program and a community.
The roadshow demonstrated Aspire Institute’s commitment to fostering leadership and building a network of change-makers across India.
