I grew up in a lower-middle-class family in Delhi, where I faced challenges with both academics and mental health during my early years. The traditional emphasis on rote memorization for exams often left me perplexed, as I found more joy in reading and learning beyond the confines of the curriculum. It was not until after college, when I successfully navigated the Google interview process in 2005, that my circumstances began to change.

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At Google, I found an environment that allowed me to thrive. I dedicated my early years to absorbing as much knowledge as possible about digital marketing and technology, which fueled my professional growth.

Over time, I progressed to managing large, diverse teams across more than 15 countries in the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific. In 2011, I relocated to Singapore to lead a new function for Google Ads, managing large teams of more than 50 people delivering multi-million dollar impact. Despite these achievements, I remained mindful of my humble beginnings, and the persistent sense of imposter syndrome often made me question whether my success was real, fearing that I might be exposed as less capable than others believed.

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During my time at Google, I met my life partner, Sonam. Early in our relationship, we visited her hometown of Kalimpong in North Bengal. It was here that we encountered local children and witnessed a profound lack of self-confidence, similar to what I had experienced in my own childhood. We observed that children in this small town had limited exposure to opportunities, which hindered their confidence and aspirations. Even the adults we met seemed to believe that significant accomplishments were beyond their reach.

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As we delved deeper, we realized that while education was accessible in these smaller towns, job-ready skills were often lacking, leaving many with limited options—either taking up small jobs or, for women, adhering to traditional roles. This stark reality resonated with me, reminding me of an alternate path my life could have taken if not for the opportunities I received at Google.

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Sonam and I made a life-changing decision: instead of having children of our own, we would dedicate ourselves to supporting underprivileged children, helping them acquire the skills needed to build successful careers. This commitment led to the establishment of the Ahora Foundation in 2016. As of 2024, the Ahora Foundation supports 12 children. After two decades at Google, I made the decision to leave my corporate career and return to India to fully devote myself to this cause.

Our vision for the Ahora Foundation extends beyond the foundation itself. While our primary focus is on creating a model to enhance the employability of children, we aim to extend the impact of our work to all underprivileged children in India. We are developing products and programs designed to invest in their education and provide them with a fighting chance to build meaningful careers. Our ultimate goal is to positively influence the lives of millions of children, starting with the critical foundation of education.