Vision

SAGE will build the careers of 1 million low income youth in India.

Mission

SAGE provides low income youth the education and resources to gain high paying white collar careers.

About Us

Founded by its Chairperson Maya Shahani and Managing Director Akhil Shahani, SAGE Foundation is the CSR arm of the Thadomal Shahani Centre for Management (An Approved Training Partner of Skill India and National Skill Development Corporation – NSDC). SAGE  is committed to educating under resourced children and providing them with wealth generating skills training for gainful employment. The Thadomal Shahani Centre for Management, has arranged for scholarships and bank loans for these children to receive globally recognized, industry based management degrees, as well as other vocational courses like banking and media.

The Shahani Group believes in equity in education. Known for ethical excellence, its greatest strength is its credibility, visibility and networking base. Apart from promoting quality education, a new initiative of the Shahani Group, Shamz Foodz works towards addressing hunger.

Through adopting major slums and villages in and around Mumbai. SAGE envisages transforming the world one village at a time and received recognition at the Clinton Global Initiative for this vision.

Under the aegis of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, through Global Dialogue Foundation, SAGE works on creating a Unity in Diversity by embracing multiculturism, creating civil society country chapters and building Peace Gardens.

SAGE has partnered with global organisations like Rock Your Life to create a Conscious Leadership Movement and Buy1Give1 to enhance its slum and village development programs. Along with the HSNC Board and the Times Foundation SAGE has also partnered with several other NGO’s in India as the founders of SAGE believe in collective endeavour for maximum benefit to society.

Environment is a serious concern. SAGE has partnered with PATT Foundation for tree plantations in India.

SAGE Foundation is a not for profit foundation, incorporated on the 30th of April 2007 in Mumbai under section 25 of the Companies Act 1956. The company is limited. Corporate Identity Number: U85300MH2007NPL170456. It has the 80G and FCRA clearance.

Board of Directors

Maya Shahani

Chairperson of the SAGE Foundation

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Maya Shahani, the Chairperson of the Shahani Group, is also the Chairperson of the Thadomal Shahani Centre for Management, and the Thadomal Shahani Centre for Media and Communications.

Ms Shahani is the Trustee of the Thadomal Shahani Trust and the HSNC Board running 27 prime educational institutes with over 50,000 students graduating every year. The Thadhomal Shahani Engineering College named after the Shahani family is a premier institute of the Board.

As the Vice Chairperson of Global Dialogue Foundation which works in collaboration with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Ms Shahani focuses on bringing a Unity in Diversity through embracing all cultures. She inaugurated the first Peace Garden in India under the auspices of UNAOC and the Brahmakumaris.

She is a Founder Trustee and Chairperson Emeritus of the Women’s Movement for Peace and Prosperity, an initiative of the Times Foundation which gives a voice to the voiceless women.

As the Vice Chairperson of the Bombay Mothers and Children Welfare Society. Ms. Shahani helped to redevelop a tribal school with the active involvement of Inspiring Lives Global which has become a role model for other rural schools.

A recipient of several awards such as the Glory of India (Gold Medalist) Award, Global Peace Award, the Jewel of India Award, the Jamnalal Bajaj Award, the Women Achievers Award, Bharat Jyoti Puraskar, the Entrepreneur Business School Award and the Clinton Global Initiative Certificate, she was selected for the first cover of the Rock Your Life’s conscious leadership magazine “LEAD”.

Maya is as comfortable meeting global leaders as she is working in villages and slums. With “Ethical Excellence” as her credo, she fulfils her duties with compassion, love and commitment.

Akhil Shahani

Managing Director of SAGE Foundation

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An MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Akhil is trying to bring international methods of education to India through the group’s various initiatives. He believes that quality education involves not only academic learning, but also developing one’s network, personality and values. He is also involved with Kaizen Private Equity, which invests in education and mentor’s young entrepreneurs in his spare time.

He is on the Board of Unltd India – supporting start up social entrepreneurs in India and on the Higher Education Task Force of the Confederation of Indian Industry, India’s premier industry association. Akhil loves to get involved in enterprises that truly add value to society.

He was the past president of the American Allumni Association and The Rotary Club of Mumbai Mid Town. He is also a member of the Young Entrepreneur’s Organization, the CEO Forum, the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, Indian Merchant’s Chamber & Indian Institute of Management Consultants.

Akhil is listed in ‘Asia’s Whos Who – Men & Women of Achievement’, was awarded the ‘Bharat Shiromani Award’ in 2006 for excellence & contribution to society. Received the ‘Bharat Gaurav Award’ in 2007 for contribution to Indian Business, PIMR Award for Outstanding Educationist and the ‘Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award’ in 2009 for his work in education. He was also selected as ‘India’s Man of The Year’ By The American Biographical Institute.

Ranjit Shahani

Advisory Board Member, SAGE Foundation

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Ranjit Shahani is Former Country President, Operations, Novartis Group of Companies in India. A Mechanical Engineer from IIT Kanpur and MBA from JBIMS, Bombay, he was the President, Organisation of Pharmaceuticals Producers of India (OPPI) since 2001. Ranjit is the President of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the President, Swiss Business Forum. He is the Chairman of Interpat in India.

Ranjit was on the Council of the International Federation of Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers Associations (IFPMA, Geneva). A thought leader in the Pharmaceutical Industry actively involved in lobbying for a strong Product Patent law in the country and Data Protection and liberalization of the price control mechanism for Pharmaceuticals.

He has strongly canvassed for deterrent legislation against counterfeit drugs. Ranjit’s networking base and industry connections, along with his business and professional skills will ensure that SAGE fulfils its goals of universal education and social empowerment.

Vijay Jain

Business Advisor

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Vijay Jain is Passionate about consumers, technology & Impact. He started his career in the jewelry industry (Orra Fine Jewellery), started a private equity company (Ritu Kumar), and worked with larger organizations (Fabindia/Organic India). An early adopter of Digital – selected as a case study by Google in 2015.

In his prior avatar, he conceptualized and launched a National Consumer Brand – ORRA. ORRA was recognized as India’s Most Trusted Diamond Brand for three years. The focus was not only to scale but also on building a digital-first strategy with solid analytics and CRM.

Prior to joining the retail and luxury sector in 2002, he worked as an investment Banker/Private Equity/Advisor. He has advised Companies such as Cafe Coffee Day (Retail/Coffee), Barista, Midtitech (Media), Associated Breweries(FMCG/Brewery), Sterlite Industries (Conglomerate), etc.

He has been a speaker at both national and international fora & a jury on several award panels, including Tata Innovista and Etailing (E-Commerce). He has been recognized as 100 Retail Icons of Retail – People, Events, and Events that Transformed India’s Consumption Story.

International Advisory Board

Mike Handcock

Chairman at Circle of Excellence Group

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Mike is a professional conference presenter, expert trainer and business innovation coach. Known as Asia’s leading Edu-trainer, Mike takes a keen personal interest in promoting SAGE. Mike is the Founder of Rock your Life and Conscious Leadership Movement.

Landi Jac

Managing Director and Global Business Strategist at Circle of Excellence Group

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Landi Jac is the Creator and Founder of The Consultant Code, and works exclusively with Consultants, Coaches, Trainers, and Speakers from all over the world, empowering them. Landi provides innovative solutions for SAGE and is an avid promoter through the Rock Your Life Conscious Leadership Movement.

Elizabeth Coffey

Founder of Spark Leadership

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Founder and MD of Spark Leadership, is an internationally recognized consultant, focused on developing CEOs and Board Executives of FTSE 100 and the Global 500 companies. Elizabeth will help SAGE with skills training centres in villages and slums for creating Indian arts and crafts which will be marketed globally.

Shazar Robinson

Consultant Advisor at Sankalpa Rural Development Society

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A Spiritual Activist, Writer and Transformational Educator, works on water sustainability in rural India and as a volunteer at the Shikshangram Shelter for Children supported by SAGE. She has lead Enviro Tours to raise funds through extraordinary journeys of learning, feeling, and giving back while discovering the heart of India.

Janet Attwood

Co Founder of Enlightened Alliances, LLC.

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Helps people live the life of their dreams through her Passion Test. Co-Owner of Enlightened Alliances and Co-Founder of The Transformational Leadership Council, Janet is also on the advisory board of Thadomal Shahani Centre for Management, the educational body of SAGE Foundation.

Peter (Pece) Gorgievski

Chairman & C.E.O at Global Dialogue Foundation

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Peter is a humankind enthusiast devoted to humanitarian progress. His greatest passion and focus is creating a culture of peace throughout the world. He is co-founder and Chairperson of Global Dialogue Foundation.

Iliana Schmatelka

Director Consulting Expert at CGI

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Deputy Director- General, Global Dialogue Foundation, Vice President – International Leadership Institute, Founder & Managing Director Strategic Consulting, Business Coaching, Interim and change.

SAGE Foundation Activities

SAGE Foundation has worked across sectors with range of partners. Here are some highlights.

Banking Quiz Competition for PDRM students

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On Job Training (OJT) Session at Vadodara

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BFSI Seminar at TSCFM Vadodra Centre

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BFSI Industry Seminar for Underprivileged Youth

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Seminar at Rajkot for Job seekers in Banking sector

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SAGE Foundation signed MoU with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar

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United Civilizations™ (UC) Initiative Opens Global HQ in Mumbai India

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Laxmi goes to University of Westminster

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Become a partner

Your partnership helps ensure that Humanity is here to serve those in need today and in the future. Take the opportunity to be the change by becoming part of a team that makes a difference every day.