2015 India Fellows

REGIONAL FELLOWS PROGRAM: INDIA Our Regional Fellows Program is a one-year leadership development program designed to build the next generation of social leaders with the audacity to transform society and create a better, more inclusive world. The program equips 20 extraordinary individuals from across India with the knowledge, support system and practical wisdom to unlock their full potential and drive positive change in society. Over the course of a year, Fellows remain in their jobs while taking part in five week-long seminars, where they receive the tools, training and space to innovate new ideas, accelerate their impact, and build a strong network of social leaders from across their region and around the world. To learn more, visit acumen.org/leaders/regional-fellows/ india.

ABOUT ACUMEN Acumen is changing the way the world tackles poverty by investing in companies, leaders and ideas. We invest patient capital in businesses whose products and services are enabling the poor to transform their lives. Founded by Jacqueline Novogratz in 2001, Acumen has invested more than $88 million in 82 companies across Africa, Latin America and South Asia. We are also developing a global community of emerging leaders with the knowledge, skills and determination to create a more inclusive world. Acumen opened its India office in 2006 and has invested more than $24 million to support a wide range of sustainable, scalable businesses in agriculture, education, energy, health, housing, and water and sanitation. Our Regional Fellows Program launched in India in 2014 and has trained more than 180 leaders globally. Learn more at acumen.org.

203 Dheeraj Plaza, Hill Road · Bandra West, Mumbai · 400050 · India Phone: +91 (22) 6740-1500 · Fax: +91 (22) 6740-1550 · www.acumen.org · bit.ly/indiafellows

FELLOWSHIP OVERVIEW FOUNDATIONS OF LEADERSHIP The first seminar explores the meaning of a just society and the moral and historical foundation of social change through a series of curated readings of great thinkers such as Plato, Gandhi, Amartya Sen, Nelson Mandela and Binyavanga Wainaina.

ADAPTIVE LEADERSHIP & MORAL IMAGINATION The second seminar delves into the nature of leadership and what is needed to mobilize people and resources in a rapidly changing world.

FINANCIAL & OPERATIONAL SKILLS The third seminar focuses on building financial and operational skills through experiential learning. Fellows learn the importance of human-centered design, experiment with building lean business models and acquire the tools to measure social impact.

LEARNING TRIP The fourth seminar gives Fellows a deeper understanding of what is required to create systems change in their regions through curated interactions with thought leaders and innovators in local communities.

LEADING INTO THE FUTURE As the program comes to a close, Fellows reflect on their leadership journeys, set goals to improve their work and make plans to stay connected before participating in a graduation ceremony.

Acumen India is a Section 12A, 50% tax deductible Trust in India · Copyright © 2015 Acumen

OUR FELLOWS PRERAK MEHTA ‘14 BANGALORE

2015 Fellows at Seminar Two: Adaptive Leadership & Moral Imagination.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR? Our Fellows are bright minds and big thinkers who dare to do what’s right, not what’s easy, to create positive change in their country. Fellows can come from diverse cultural, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds and work in any sector, and they must be committed to ending poverty in their community through their work. The Fellows we seek are: ++ Innovators who either started an organization or enterprise, or who are driving change within an existing organization or company ++ Men and women of all ages and education levels who are able to participate in a program conducted in English ++ Indians who demonstrate a commitment and concrete connection to the region ++ Leaders with strong personal integrity, unrelenting perseverance and moral imagination

“The Fellowship was a cornerstone event that changed my outlook on the world. The values inculcated throughout the year will serve as a strong moral foundation for the rest of my life. And most importantly, the Acumen community is now my extended family.” Prerak is Senior Design Researcher at Embrace, a social venture advancing maternal and child health for venerable populations through innovative solutions.

LEWITT SOMARAJAN ‘15 PUNE “The fellowship provides a platform for unreasonable people to shape their unreasonable ideas into innovative solutions for social change. It’s the beginning of a journey that will continue for the rest of my life.” Lewitt is the founder of Learning is Fun and Experiential Lab where he and his team are scripting the wouldbe story of the transformation of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics education in India.

++ Committed individuals ready to undergo an intensive year-long personal transformation and leadership journey

HOW TO APPLY & LEARN MORE For more information on the fellowship and application process, visit acumen.org/leaders/regional-fellows/india.

INDIA FELLOWS PARTNERS The Acumen India Fellows Program is run by AF Trust, a tax-exempt public charitable trust registered in New Delhi, India. AF Trust has received support from Dr. Reddy’s Foundation and Sir Dorabji Tata Trust.

203 Dheeraj Plaza, Hill Road · Bandra West, Mumbai · 400050 · India Phone: +91 (22) 6740-1500 · Fax: +91 (22) 6740-1550 · www.acumen.org · bit.ly/indiafellows

SAPNA SURENDRAN ‘14 MUMBAI “The Fellowship is a mental, intellectual and emotional bootcamp. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, challenged my assumptions, and reinforced the importance of humility.” Sapna is a trained dental surgeon who now works as a Public-Private Mix Specialist with the Clinton Health Access Initiative.

Acumen India is a Section 12A, 50% tax deductible Trust in India · Copyright © 2015 Acumen · 0615