BW Communities

From Banking To Philanthropy: Ravi Sreedharan's Journey Of Impact

Bhupendra Paintola Oct 16, 2023

Ravi Sreedharan is the Co-founder and President of the Indian School of Development Management (ISDM), with an impressive 24-year career spanning both the corporate and social sectors.

An alumnus of IIT-BHU and IIM Ahmedabad, Sreedharan's corporate journey took him to 30+ countries as the President, Director, and CEO of Bank Ekonomi, acquired by HSBC. In 2011, he made a significant career shift, joining the Azim Premji Foundation as the Head of Education, Leadership, and Management. Together with two co-founders, he established ISDM in 2016.

Throughout his journey, Sreedharan has achieved significant milestones, including working extensively in remote villages in Kerala, receiving the Marico Innovation Award in 2020, and establishing the first Centre of Excellence for Philanthropy in 2021.

The Covid-19 pandemic posed a formidable challenge, prompting ISDM to swiftly transition to online operations while maintaining financial stability through collective efforts and fundraising.

ISDM's funding includes seed capital from high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) amounting to Rs 16 crore, generating Rs 5.67 crore in revenue over the last six years, and raising approximately Rs 60 crore.

Sreedharan's leadership has made a significant impact, with over 260 alumni working in 200 organisations across the social sector. ISDM has engaged with more than 500 social purpose organisations (SPOs), published reports and case studies, and inspired other institutions and individuals to incorporate development management into their initiatives.

In the coming years, ISDM plans to enrol 180 students in the postgraduate programme, reach around 9,000 users, create over 200 knowledge assets, and establish a high-tech campus.

Sreedharan's achievements are underscored by ISDM's unique contribution to the development sector, its transformative impact, outstanding student placement record, and global partnerships along with its role as an inspiration for others committed to creating change in the sector.