Archives: Profiles

Vishal co-founded Dream a Dream (www.dreamadream.org) along with 11 others. Dream a Dream is a registered, charitable trust empowering children and young people from vulnerable backgrounds to overcome adversity and flourish in the 21st century using a creative life skills approach. Currently, we work with 10,000 young people in our Innovation Labs, train over 7000 educators impacting over 175,000 children and young people, impact 1 Million young people through strategic partnerships with governments and other non-profits and are spread across 5 States and 2 Countries through our unique Life Skills Development approach. 

Vishal is an Ashoka Fellow (www.ashoka.org), an Eisenhower Fellow (https://www.efworld.org/) and is also a Board Director at Partners for Youth Empowerment (www.partnersforyouth.org). He has previously been a Founder Director of Unltd India (currently advisor) and Board Member of India Cares Foundation. Vishal has been recognized as an “Architect of the Future” by the Waldzell Institut in Austria. He is also an advisor and mentor to Reap Benefit. In 2018, he was awarded the ‘Heroes of Bengaluru’ award.

Vishal believes that if we can re-imagine learning to develop empathy, creative thinking, problem solving and collaborative working skills amongst young people, they will be able to overcome adversity and flourish in this fast-changing world. 

Saloni Malhotra A true entrepreneur at heart, Saloni began her career with WebChutney, an interactive media agency after completing her engineering from Pune University. Soon after she embarked on a journey in the social space and founded Desi Crew, a for- profit BPO focused on creating knowledge- base livelihood opportunities in small towns and rural areas. After receiving national and international acclaim for her innovative work with Desi Crew in March 2012 she stepped down as CEO, though she continues to be on its board. After a brief sabbatical where she pursued her academic interests Saloni became a part of Paytm to build new business units within Paytm.
She also set up Reboot Wellness, an ecosystem for mental health and wellness in Gurgaon. Her entrepreneurial skills, innovative mindset and a generous heart has also meant that she serves as advisor to startups in different genres like Traveler Kids & Local Community Exchange Empowerment Trust (LOKALEX). Saloni is an Aspen India Leadership Initiative Fellow for 2015 & an Aspire Circle Fellow.