Suraj Moraje
Co-Founder, The Eka Fellowship
Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellow Class 9
What does it mean to lead with values?
How do you integrate your personal values into your leadership style and decision- making processes?
I often take actions that create ethical dilemmas. Like many leaders, my journey involves taking short-cuts sometimes in ways that I pretend are OK but deep down create discomfort.
I suppose leading with values means never allowing numbness to dull the discomfort that each of these dilemmas presents, and yet having the courage to live with the emotional burden of making quick decisions on behalf of the team.
The best (work-in-progress) answer I’ve found to this is to pursue only those goals that I believe are truly honourable (perhaps the ends do justify the means every now and then?) and to work closely only with people whom I truly trust and care for (allowing for honesty).
Has the fellowship impacted you in any way and how?
Absolutely! The Fellowship came at transition point in my professional life. I’d just stepped down from the MD role at a listed company and, after 20+ years in the corporate world, was deeply uncomfortable by the absence of a visiting card and chomping at the bit to get back in the saddle.
The pacing of the seminars over more than a year helped me slow down my own metabolic rate of change, and remain ‘stepped back’ for longer than I otherwise would have. This period was so important, in hindsight, in helping disprove several no-longer-useful assumptions about myself and the world around me.
I think, I’ve therefore become better at explicitly choosing to spend time on matters that are purposeful to me, even though they are not obvious extrapolations of my experience to date.
What’s fueling your enthusiasm for your work?
I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up!
Having said that, I currently spend most of my professional energy on (i) working with adolescents and (ii) commercially-viable reforestation. This allows me to spend time with kids and with nature, both of which give me a lot of energy. I knew nothing about either until recently, so I’m ‘learning like an intern’ which makes me feel young and foolish again. Not knowing anything has been so liberating!
What leadership challenges are you encountering at work, and how do you address them?
My deepest dilemma at this point is navigating the vast expanse between the ‘scale’ of impact and its ‘quality’.
We lionise the notion of ‘impact at scale’, and scale just feels so much better to the ego. Given my corporate background, becoming Captain Scale also feels more appealing perhaps because it is fewer-dimensioned, and therefore much easier to measure progress against.
But recently I’ve been wondering, then what is the impact of that neighbourhood tiffin room where Owner-Uncle would always recognise you with a welcoming smile? And where you never had to question whether the chutney was re-hydrated or the dosa batter had preservatives? How do you compare the impact of Captain Scale and Owner-Uncle? Is there a way to be both?
If you had the chance to begin anew, what’s the single change you’d make?
I’d learn a sport while at school.
What was the most significant aspect of the fellowship experience for you, and would you endorse it for others?
I would absolutely endorse it!
Two things stand out for me: (i) Processing Plato’s views on happiness (still a work-in-progress, puns intended), and (ii) discovering a trusted Band of Travellers who appreciate my journey and are unwaveringly encouraging (even if that involves getting punched in the face every now and then!).
At what stage is your venture currently? How many people has it impacted/reached?Additionally, how has it made a difference in those lives? Do you need any particular assistance from the Aspen community?
My venture is called The Eka Fellowship (https://www.ekafellowship.org/). We select thirty 9th Standard students every year, and commit that we will stay with them until they get their first job. Our aim is to figure out what it takes for them to jump a few generations of social and economic mobility over this period.
We’re currently into our second year, with 2 active batches, and will recruit our third batch this coming April!
We’d love help of all kinds – ideas on how to make our program better, time to mentor our Fellows, and of course donations of all amounts are always welcome.
Akanksha Sharma
Founder/Director – Wayward Wayz & Accenture – Associate Manager
GP Birla Fellow – Class 4
A passionate entrepreneur, LGBTQ+ activist, and founder of Wayward Wayz, a casual fashion brand that champions gender equality and sustainable fashion through circular economy principles. Akanksha is deeply committed to social change, driving awareness around diversity and inclusion while empowering marginalized voices. They also co-founded Khwabeeda Parinde, an organization in Pune supporting the LGBTQ+community. In their professional role,Akanksha serves as an RPA Project Manager and Solution Designer at Accenture, leveraging over 13 years of experience in RPA, AI, and Gen AI technologies to deliver innovative solutions in the banking sector.
What does it mean to lead with values? How do you integrate your personal values into your leadership style and decision-making processes?
To me, leading with values means staying true to a deeper purpose that guides every decision. As an LGBTQ+ activist I’ve long believed that leadership is a platform to amplify inclusion, equality, and authenticity. These values underpin my work as the founder of Wayward Wayz, where we champion gender equality and sustainable fashion. At Accenture, I bring this same commitment by fostering a team culture centered on both respect and results, ensuring our goals support a positive, inclusive workplace.
Has the fellowship impacted you in any way and how?
The GP Birla Fellowship has been transformative, reinforcing my commitment to values-driven leadership. It introduced me to an inspiring network of like-minded women, and I’ve come away with a deeper appreciation for collaboration and mutual support. This experience reminded me that while ambition is often personal, true leadership is about growing alongside others and uplifting them along the way.
What’s fueling your enthusiasm for your work?
My passion is fueled by a desire to create lasting, meaningful impact. Whether it’s designing RPA and AI solutions at Accenture or advocating for marginalized voices through Wayward Wayz, the prospect of real-world change keeps me motivated. I’m driven by a vision of using technology and social entrepreneurship to address complex issues, creating a bridge between innovation and advocacy.
What leadership challenges are you encountering at work, and how do you address them?
A key challenge I face is balancing innovation with the need to meet client expectations and operational demands. To address this, I prioritize open communication and set clear, actionable goals that leverage my team’s strengths. Flexibility has also been essential—being willing to adapt and find alternative approaches when faced with unexpected hurdles keeps us moving forward and ensures alignment with both the team and client needs.
If you had the chance to begin anew, what’s the single change you’d make?
If I could start over, I would prioritize my activist and entrepreneurial work from the outset, instead of waiting for the “right” time. The lessons learned in these journeys have been invaluable, and I’ve come to see that there’s never a perfect moment to push boundaries and pursue meaningful change. Taking the leap earlier would have allowed me to amplify my impact sooner.
What was the most significant aspect of the fellowship experience for you, and would you endorse it for others?
The most significant part of the fellowship has been the exposure to a network of remarkable women from diverse backgrounds. This experience reinforced that values-driven leadership is essential for creating resilient teams and successful projects. I would wholeheartedly recommend the fellowship; it’s a powerful opportunity to learn, grow, and build connections that strengthen you as a leader.
What achievement would you like to share with your Aspen community?
I’d love to share the growth of Wayward Wayz, my sustainable fashion brand. Seeing it take shape has been a dream come true, as it combines my passions for social impact and environmental responsibility. Wayward Wayz has recently been incubated at IIMV-Field, ranked among the top 20 Start-ups in the current program and received an incubation grant. I hope Wayward Wayz can inspire others to integrate personal values into their work, promoting a more inclusive and equitable world.
Milestones
Saloni Malhotra
Co-Founder, Reboot-Wellness
Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellow Class 5
My venture from the fellowship was RebootWellness and from the same work of the last 7 years I have written a book called Flip The Story. In Flip The Story, we get real about life’s toughest emotions —anger, guilt, frustration and discover how to turn them into fuel for personal growth. The narrative we build for ourselves, determines the quality of our life.
A big big thank you to my friends from Cohort V of the Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellowship. I walked into the first seminar in the midst of a massive transition – both professional and. personal in 2014. At the end of the fourth seminar when we had to set up a new venture I decided to set up Reboot Wellness. While many discouraged me as I was not a psychologist and didn’t have a background in this space, they encouraged me and loving showed up when we opened our doors. They gave me early projects, words of wisdom and their love. The poem below is dedicated to Cohort V, our moderators Keith, Manoj and James. Most importantly a big thank you to the one who brought us together – Kiran Pasricha and Sameer Walia.
Flip the Story
Tell me the stories etched in your skin,
Can you rewrite the past, find truth within?
What fuels you when applause grows dim,
When solitude calls, do you cherish within?
Can you sit with guilt, in quiet repose,
Accept it gently, without imposing woes?
Have you touched grief’s core, embraced its shade,
Emerging anew, where love is made?
Will you rise each day, though weary and worn,
To find purpose anew in the breaking dawn?
Will you dance with anger’s fiery grace,
And let curiosity take its place?
For in these flips, in moments small,
We discover who we are, our essence, our all.
As life’s sculptor shapes with patient hands
Will you stand firm in the storm, as the masterpiece expands?
Trust the journey, let the story unfold,
Each flip brings you closer to the truth untold.
Upcoming Events update
Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellowship Class 10 Seminar 2 | 25th November to 1st December 2024
Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality
– Warren Bennis
