Dr.Prabhu Goel India visit 2023
Meeting visionary and FFE founder, Dr. Prabhu Goel, during his India visit was a true pleasure and a dream come true. The trip provided opportunity to interact with various FFE stakeholders, including Scholars, Alumni, Donors, Facilitators, Mentors, the India Trust Board, and the FFE team.
Listening to Dr. Prabhu's inspiring journey was nothing short of remarkable. Having tasted success as an entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, he co-founded Gateway Design Automation Inc in 1982 with a modest $500 capital. Eventually, the company was acquired by Cadence Design Systems (NASDAQ: CDNS) in 1989, providing Prabhu and Ms. Ponam Goel with ample resources. Instead of indulging in personal luxuries, they chose to pledge support for 10,000 students in India, aiming to transform lives through education.
The birth of FFE took shape as Prabhu transformed his noble vision into a mission. It took about three years from inception to its realization in the form of the Foundation for Excellence. Initially, the venture was primarily funded by family, but it didn't take long for like-minded individuals to join this noble cause.
Dr. Prabhu highlighted three pivotal moments in the FFE's journey. The first was the establishment of the foundation with a mission to empower 10,000 young minds in India. The second turning point occurred when Dr. Sudha Kidao volunteered to create a dedicated India team, infused with strong values, to deepen the impact. The third inflection point emerged three years ago when the India team scaled up operations significantly, bridging employability gaps, and forging essential industry connections. As a result, FFE has become a bridge that transforms the disadvantaged backgrounds of scholars into positions of advantage through employability skills and industry linkages.
Corporate Partnership helping scale and deepen impact
The three-day journey commenced with meeting our impactful partner Amazon team. In 2021-22, Amazon joined hands with FFE to support 200 girls pursuing engineering in Computer Science and Information Technology, all hailing from financially underprivileged backgrounds. The collaboration proved highly successful, leading to the extension of support to an additional 500 students in 2022-23. To our delight, Amazon pledged to extend support to another 500 students in the upcoming 2023-24 academic year.
This partnership between FFE and Amazon goes beyond mere financial assistance. It empowers students with various skills, laying a strong foundation for creating future industry leaders. The collaboration aims to transform lives not only through monetary support but also by providing valuable guidance and nurturing essential skills.
During our interactions, Anita, the Head of Amazon in Community/CSR India and APAC, shared her valuable insights and ideas on how to deepen the relationship further. Her feedback and suggestions were truly invaluable in enhancing the impact of this partnership.
Redefining the Return on Investment (RoI) in the Social Sector
Time spent with Sattva consulting team, we had opportunity delving into their comprehensive 28-year impact study of FFE. The study's findings shed light on critical aspects, with one of the highlights being the intriguing concept of RoI and SRoI.
Prabhu, with his visionary approach, drew parallels from Warren Buffet's model of RoI calculation, sparking discussions about the potential incorporation of such models into social causes. It opened up new avenues for contemplation on assessing the real impact of investments in the social sector.
Through some back-of-the-envelope calculations, we analyzed the outcomes of students who graduated last year, with an average annual income of 10 lakhs. Remarkably, the investment made in these students, amounting to 2 lakhs, showed significant returns. Assuming a work life span of 30 years and even factoring in conservative estimates for salary increases over time, the RoI was a remarkable 75 times the initial investment. Such astounding figures firmly demonstrate that investments in education and skill-building initiatives are more than worthwhile.
As we continue to explore innovative approaches to evaluating social impact, models like RoI and SRoI could revolutionize the way we perceive and prioritize investments in the social sector.
Meeting the Team: Passionate Changemakers Making a Difference
Prabhu termed it as delight meeting the remarkable FFE team, consisting of over 35 energetic, passionate, and dedicated individuals, all united by a common mission of making a positive impact.
Prabhu engaged in deep conversations with the team leaders, seeking to understand the miracles they have collectively accomplished.
The Alumni Team, responsible for managing a vast network of 12,000+ active alumni, plays a pivotal role in fostering a circle of giving. Their passion has led to tremendous contributions, totalling an impressive 20 crores, directly & indirectly. In addition to that they have been contributing in more than one way by being facilitators, mentors, CSR brand ambassadors and more.
The Scholarship Team handles the overwhelming momentum of FFE applications, surpassing 23,000 submissions last year. Working in collaboration with 50+ feeder organizations, 500+ institutions, and 700+ facilitators, this team does phenomenal work in ensuring that deserving students receive the support they need.
The Finance Team excels in managing scaled operations effectively, all while navigating increasingly stringent compliance norms. Their professionalism reflects the core values of FFE.
The Skilling Team has emerged as a game changer, expanding the range of offerings to enhance employability opportunities and bridge the gap between industry and academia.
We spent sometime discussing on how we can do more from here to help FFE US team.
Prabhu met with part of the Mentoring & Donor Team. An interactive session with Prabhu and these teams is eagerly anticipated in Delhi next month. Both the teams have taken donor & volunteering relationships to next level.
Meeting Long-Term Donors and Well-Wishers: An Evening of Inspiration
On a pleasant evening 25th of July, we had the privilege of gathering with long-term well-wishers and corporate donors for a delightful dinner. The casual interactions were filled with encouraging feedback, making the evening truly memorable. It was heartwarming to witness everyone appreciating the incredible 29-year journey of FFE, reaffirming their support for the cause.
Veena Iyer, Head of Citizenship and Communication at Société Générale, also shared her enriching experience working with FFE. Her generous words about the professionalism and transparency exhibited by the FFE team were truly encouraging. She highlighted how FFE has emerged as a valued partner in the social space, motivating us to continually strive for excellence and to do more in our pursuit of transforming lives through education.
The evening was a beautiful amalgamation of inspiring stories, heartfelt appreciation, and a shared commitment to creating positive change. Such interactions with our long-term supporters strengthen our spirits and reinforce our dedication to the impactful work FFE continues to do.
Exxon Mobil, a strong partner of FFE, organized an event that brought together scholars they have been supporting, felicitated mentors who guided FFE scholars, and facilitated engaging group sessions with students. Dr. Monte Dobson, CEO & Lead Country Manager of ExxonMobil India, shared his inspiring journey, emphasizing the crucial role of education. Prabhu took the stage to narrate the evolution of FFE, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the Exxon team for their multifaceted support. Meeting FFE alumni working at Exxon Mobil was an incredible experience, witnessing their remarkable success in the corporate world. The meeting took a jubilant turn when Exxon Mobil announced that they will be doubling their support to FFE in the current financial year, further enhancing the impact of their collaboration.
Capgemini, a longstanding supporter of FFE for over a decade, organized a unique event showcasing the Digital Academy Program with FFE. Kicking off the meeting, Dhanashree, Head of Operations for Digital Inclusion - CSR at Capgemini, set the tone for an enriching session. Sudha and I provided a brief overview of FFE, while Prabhu, in his keynote address, stressed the significance of industry and academia collaboration, appreciating Capgemini for their support and shared spirit of innovation. Mentors also had the opportunity to share their feedback and experiences from the program, offering invaluable insights. Vidya Krishnaswamy, VP at Capgemini, touched hearts when she shared how she learned as much from her mentee as the mentee gained from her. Kavya Reddy, an FFE alumni now working at Capgemini, movingly expressed the importance of the scholarship in her life, enabling her to pursue her dreams and lay the foundation for her future home. Capgemini leaders, Mr. Swaminathan & Mr. Balasubramaniam, reiterated their commitment to the collaboration, leaving everyone inspired and motivated.
The event fostered several fruitful discussions and sparked innovative ideas, culminating in a delightful special lunch organized by the team. Such collaborative efforts between Exxon Mobil and Capgemini, together with FFE, continue to empower dreams and create a brighter future for deserving scholars.
Prabhu's Open House Session with FFE Alumni: Embracing a Legacy of Success and Giving
The open house session with FFE alumni was nothing short of emotional, energetic, and deeply gratifying. We were immensely grateful to have 25 alumni from diverse backgrounds and scholarship years, spanning from 1999 to 2021, join us for this remarkable gathering. During the introduction session, it became evident that these alumni had all achieved remarkable success in their respective fields, becoming role models in their communities and champions of the circle of giving.
The stories shared by the alumni left a lasting impression on me. Aruna Kalkura touched our hearts when he narrated how, at the base camp of Mount Everest, he wanted to express his gratitude for the support he received by taking a picture holding FFE close to his chest in the freezing -20 degree temperature.
Varun's passion for his Kannada learning app, with close to 400,000 downloads worldwide, left us all inspired. Despite his successful career at VMware, he went above and beyond to contribute to his culture and language.
Roshan Kolhe emerged as a 360-degree circle of giving alumni, taking on multiple roles as a facilitator, mentor, donor, and ambassador for fostering a culture of giving at his workplace. Roshan shared his journey of success in his career and how he is giving back to his community, becoming a true role model.
Rashmi's heartfelt words revealed how her very first job was a result of FFE's efforts, setting her on a path to pursue her dreams of higher education abroad.
These stories were nothing less than remarkable, showcasing the true impact of FFE's work in transforming lives.
Emotionally touched by the heartfelt words of the alumni, Prabhu addressed them with a message of immense pride and gratitude. He expressed that the dreams he and Poonam had for FFE were beautifully embodied by these alumni. He firmly believed that FFE belonged to its alumni, and they are the true succession plan, capable of leading the organization forward. Walking the talk, FFE has even included them as part of the board, recognizing their crucial role in shaping the organization's future.
The session flowed freely with ideas pouring in on how to strengthen the bond between FFE and its alumni, making it clear that the connection between the organization and its alumni is a treasured and enduring one.
I was awestruck by the entire experience, wishing that the session could have been even more extended to spend quality time with the remarkable FFE alumni, the true future of FFE's ongoing legacy of success and giving.
In Chennai we had the opportunity to meet our FFE alumni, Tharanggany, and Srivathsan, at their respective organizations, where they graciously hosted us. Coincidentally they are also India Trust board observers.
Tharanggany, a true champion of FFE, played a significant role in initiating the engagement between FFE and Lennox two years ago. Meeting her alongside her esteemed leadership team, including Hema Mani, Director HR, and Sowmyanarayanan, Regional Director at Lennox, was nothing short of bliss. Witnessing her incredible growth and success over the years was deeply satisfying. We had a fruitful discussion, exchanging ideas on how we can collaborate more effectively and create a deeper impact. Shivkumar, a Practicing Enterprise Architect, also shared his experience of having an FFE scholar as an intern in his team. Thanks to the initiative taken by Lennox, FFE scholars receive real-life exposure, with opportunities for internships as early as the second year of their engineering journey.
Srivathsan, an embodiment of the Circle of Giving, has consistently contributed to FFE's endeavors over the years. Our meeting with Altimetrik's leadership was extremely productive as they generously spared two hours of their busy schedule to discuss various aspects. Arun Kumar, Product and Platform Leader, and Ganesh, Head Global Technology, Platforms, and Innovation, shared their personal journeys and expressed profound appreciation for the work that FFE is doing. We explored ideas on how to further enhance the depth of engagement between FFE and Altimetrik, focusing on sharing the wealth of knowledge that the Altimetrik team possesses with FFE scholars.
Despite the hectic nature of the day, the experiences with FFE alumni and partners left us inspired and motivated, reaffirming our commitment to creating a brighter future through education and collaboration.
The Grand Finale in Chennai: A Vibrant Celebration of Education and Empowerment
It was an extraordinary event, the first of its kind post-pandemic, where we had the pleasure of gathering nearly 200 scholars based in Chennai. The atmosphere was electrifying, brimming with energy and enthusiasm. Our heartfelt thanks to MIT for graciously hosting the event on their beautiful campus, adding to the grandeur of the occasion.
The event commenced with a brief overview of FFE's progress over the past year, highlighting our initiatives beyond scholarships aimed at increasing employability and bridging industry knowledge gaps. In his keynote address, Prabhu emphasized the significance of teamwork, the importance of being passionate about learning beyond the confines of college coursework, and the value of networking.
Our facilitators, the strong pillars of FFE, play a crucial role in the operations. They identify and evaluate deserving students, guiding them once they receive the scholarship. It was heartwarming to hear from our esteemed facilitators, some of whom have been a part of the journey for decades. Smt. Jaya Krishnaswamy spoke about the essence of FFE and the fruitful association she has had with the organization.
Yuvraj, an alumnus from 1999-2003, emotionally shared his experience of the FFE journey, showing how the impact of our work extends far beyond academics.
Throughout the event, we received a range of positive feedback from facilitators, alumni, students, and mentors. The stories of success, resilience, and gratitude were truly inspiring and reaffirmed our belief in the transformative power of education.
We are immensely proud of the FFE family, comprising scholars, facilitators, mentors, donors, and supporters, who together are creating a brighter future for the next generation. The Grand Finale in Chennai was a fitting celebration of our collective commitment to education and empowerment.
Continuing our exploration, Phase 2 of our journey took us
to the vibrant cities of Delhi and Mumbai, where we had the privilege of
meeting with some of our long-term partners, along with the dedicated FFE teams
based in those regions.
Our interactions in Delhi were marked by meetings with esteemed partners who have been steadfast supporters of FFE's mission. Among them, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (MSDF) stood out for their enduring commitment. Discussions with Geeta Goel, Country Director of MSDF, revealed exciting possibilities for future collaboration. As we conversed, it became evident that our respective journeys, the inception of MSDF and FFE, and our core values shared an uncanny alignment.
Empowering Grassroots Connections
Feeder organizations play a pivotal role in our mission, acting as conduits to reach deserving students at the grassroots level. Our meeting with Meenakshi Shahi, Head of CSR at CSRL, provided insight into their impactful setup. The CSRL-FFE partnership has been instrumental in transforming lives, and we pledged to further amplify our efforts. Together, we aim to empower countless students on their educational journeys.
Unleashing Energies and Insights
FFE team based out of North and East India, managing Donor relationship and Mentoring program met in Delhi.
The synergy in the room was profound, igniting high-energy discussions. The teams showcased the remarkable work happening in their regions. Prabhu's engagement was invaluable as he lauded the progress and strong bonds created with our generous donors.
Mumbai: Unveiling Inspirations
Aditya Birla Group's A World of Opportunity Foundation (AWOO) has been a cornerstone of our Scholarship Program. In a meeting attended by Dr. Santrupt Mishra, Group Director of Birla Carbon, and the dynamic Nupur Joshi, HR Head, among others, ideas flowed on enhancing program visibility and forging stronger ties with group companies.
Meeting AWOO-supported students and alumni was a moving
experience. The narratives of three IIT Bombay students and two alumni working
in Mumbai painted a picture of transformation. Their gratitude to FFE was
heartwarming, showcasing the impact of our collective efforts.
Elevating with Unrestricted Support
True North's support over a decade has empowered FFE's growth through unrestricted grants. Mr. Vishal Nevatia, Managing Partner of True North, took the time to express his satisfaction with our partnership. These grants have propelled us forward, enabling alumni relationships to flourish and robust systems to take shape. Collaborative discussions on deepening our engagement were a highlight. Our journey is a testament to the power of partnership, shared visions, and transformational support.
As Prabhu's impactful visit to India came to an end, we find ourselves immersed in enriching interactions and heartfelt connections. This journey has been a remarkable consolidation of engagement with diverse stakeholders within the FFE ecosystem. Prabhu's presence resonated across our spectrum of stakeholders – students, alumni, corporate donors, individual contributors, mentors, facilitators, feeder partners, and our dedicated FFE team. The conversations were a blend of retrospective appreciation for the strides we've made and ambitious visions for the path ahead.
The quality of these dialogues was exceptional, forming a symphony of perspectives that celebrated the achievements of the past while eagerly charting the course for future accomplishments. Prabhu's genuine and insightful interactions left a lasting impact on everyone he engaged with.
The memories created during this journey will undoubtedly remain etched in Prabhu's heart, my heartfelt gratitude for his support, insightful guidance, and inspiring presence.
Thank you, Prabhu.
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