Our most recent Global Alumni Leaders event featured a powerful call to embrace social enterprise, delivered by a unique alum - Princess Jahnavi Kumari Mewar.
At Deakin, our Global Alumni Leaders Series is more than just a showcase of our accomplished alumni—it’s a platform for connecting with transformative ideas and exclusive insights from some of the brightest minds in business, law, and society. Our alumni carve incredible paths after leaving Deakin, and we’re thrilled to spotlight their journeys through this series.
Deakin alum, Princess Jahnavi Kumari Mewar
Our recent event featured Princess Jahnavi Kumari Mewar (BCom ’07, DipCom ’04), a senior member of one of India’s most revered royal families and the founder of Auctus Fora, a leading Family Office private equity co-investment platform. For over a decade, Princess Jahnavi has steered her family office and multi-family office investment companies with a profound sense of purpose. Her dedication to tackling societal challenges, impactful & sustainable economic development and geopolitical tensions, reflects a blend of sharp business acumen and heartfelt social responsibility.
Princess Jahnavi’s journey at Deakin began in 2005, where she embraced new experiences and opportunities. She describes her time in Melbourne as both humbling and empowering, a period that played a pivotal role in shaping her career. It was a privilege to host her at the first international Global Alumni Leaders Series, held at Deakin’s GIFT City campus in Gujarat—the first of its kind in India.
A Personal Vision for Social Enterprise
Princess Jahnavi’s keynote discussed how to weave social enterprise into business strategy, perfectly reflecting the tech-driven optimism of our new campus. The audience included the first cohorts of Master of Business Analytics and Master of Cyber Security students, marking a historic moment for Deakin’s GIFT City Campus.
Princess Jahnavi explored the power of investor-driven social enterprise, advocating for a model that weaves social benefits into the fabric of diverse ventures. She championed the idea that social enterprise isn’t limited to the not-for-profit realm. Instead, investors can and should mandate social outcomes within for-profit enterprises, blending economic gains with societal impact.
Her message was clear: “Whatever we relinquish in terms of our earnings and our economic return has to be reinvested or invested in building schools, better sanitation, health care, making sure there is a doctor in that particular rural area.” Princess Jahnavi’s call to action is a compelling reminder that pragmatism and social responsibility can harmoniously coexist, creating a circular economy that benefits both society and the bottom line.
The Transformative Power of Technology
Following her inspiring talk, a lively panel discussion unfolded with Deakin Vice-Chancellor Iain Martin, Alumni Award winner Sandeep Namburu (MBA (Intl) ’18), Chief Advancement Officer Jimmy Buck, and current Master of Business Analytics student Vishvam Patel. Vice-Chancellor Martin highlighted how, over the span of 50 years, technology that was once a luxury, has become an accessible tool with the potential to deliver widespread, sustainable benefits. Yet, he acknowledged the dual-edged nature of technology, from its role in democratizing knowledge to its pitfalls in social media toxicity.
Princess Jahnavi echoed these sentiments, asserting that technology could become a powerful force for crafting innovative business models and social enterprises. She challenged attendees to embed social enterprise into their professional lives, regardless of their role or industry. “You could be the managing director of a company or a middle management employee. You don’t all have to be entrepreneurs, but think about social enterprise as a way forward,” she urged.
Social Entrepreneurship at Deakin
In response, DBS Professor Rajeev Sharma expressed the students’ enthusiasm for social entrepreneurship and extended an invitation for Princess Jahnavi to witness their commitment firsthand at an upcoming shark tank event. With a touch of humour, she requested not to be called a shark but “Baloo the bear,” reinforcing her approachable and inspiring presence.
This event illuminated the intersection of traditional business metrics and social enterprise, underscoring Deakin’s commitment to fostering a balanced, sustainable future through its students and alumni.
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