Building relationships across sectors

Venkatesh (Venky) is currently leading Ashoka's Global Diaspora Initiative. He is developing a comprehensive diaspora strategy for the organization to engage business entrepreneurs and key diaspora members from different countries while he continues to work with leading business entrepreneurs from South Asia. Since 2000, Venkatesh has managed Ashoka's Asia programs, bridging them with global operations. Prior to joining the global team in Washington DC, he was the Ashoka Representative for South India finding new Ashoka Fellows and building the community of social entrepreneurs there.

Venkatesh is the co-founder of 'The Adventurers', an outdoor and environmental organization, and has worked in the rainforests of South Western India -- also known as the Western Ghats, one of the top bio-diversity hotspots of the world for 13 years. Venkatesh was able to draw people’s interest to a fragile eco-system, engaging them in social change projects to protect the natural and human heritage of the area. Every year nearly 20,000 people from all walks of life benefited from the programs of ‘The Adventurers’. Activities like hiking, camping, rock-climbing, canoeing and kayaking were offered to both locals and those from around the world. The strategy employed has been heralded as a new paradigm in sustainable eco-tourism and the protection of threatened ecosystems. This has been replicated in different parts of India and beyond.

Venkatesh began his professional career as a mechanical engineer, but traded the mainstream route for a stint at the Canadian Outward Bound, where he specialized in experiential education. This led him to his work in the Western Ghats rainforests. He has extensive experience in partnership development and consultation with government and educational institutions, the media, businesses and local community organizations.


Speech Topics:

Innovations in the Citizen Sector in Asia

Diaspora Philanthropy