Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, Nita Ambani, a trailblazer in philanthropy, education, and culture, is set to participate in the India Conference at Harvard (ICH), scheduled for February 15-16, 2025, in Boston, Massachusetts. Ambani’s keynote address will align with the theme, “From India to the World,” celebrating India’s emergence as a global leader shaping pathways for peace, prosperity, and innovation.
Recognized as one of India’s most influential voices, Ambani “has profoundly impacted over 80 million lives through her social equity initiatives and continues to advocate for India’s global potential,” according to an official statement.
The ICH, hosted jointly by Harvard Business School (HBS) and Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), aims to foster dialogue on India’s evolving role in global affairs. The event will bring together thought leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and cultural icons.
“The India Conference has strived to push the boundaries of dialogue around India’s growth story,” said Co-Chair of the event, Ayush Shukla. “This year’s theme, ‘From India to the World,’ captures the essence of India’s transformative journey—where local ingenuity meets global impact. This celebrates not only the success stories of our tech prowess and development growth that have emerged from India but also lessons Indians offer about collaborative communities, vibrant culture, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit.”
The statement highlighted Ambani’s recent achievements, including hosting the International Olympic Committee (IOC) session after four decades and championing India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics. These milestones underscore India’s growing influence on the global stage.
This year’s conference is chaired by Arpit Garg (HBS), Sanchie Shroff (HBS), Kartik Sahni (HBS and HKS), and Ayush Shukla (HKS 2025), with the support of over 100 students.
The event will feature over 80 distinguished speakers, including Pramath Raj Sinha, Ashish Chauhan, Anjali Bansal, and Sabyasachi Mukherjee. Highlights of the conference include:
Fireside Chat with Nita Ambani: Showcasing her vision for India’s role on the world stage.
Policy Hackathon: In collaboration with the Indian School of Business and GDi Partners, this competition will address climate challenges and financial inclusion in rural India. Winning teams will receive $10,000.
Startup Pitch Competition: Providing Indian and Indian-origin entrepreneurs a platform to present innovative solutions to India’s unique challenges, with prizes exceeding $20,000.
“Harvard’s association with India has grown stronger over the years, reflecting the country’s ascent as a global thought leader exemplified by the increasing representation of Indian-origin leaders within the university,” the statement added noting Srikant Datar, Nitin Nohria, have played important roles in shaping Harvard’s leadership and academic culture.
