IPN Spotlight: Saleema Vellani (Co-Founder and CEO at Innovazing)
Saleema Vellani is an expert in inclusive leadership and a recognized authority on the Future of Work. She has helped leaders around the world break through their plateaus and maximize their impact. Saleema has been a serial entrepreneur since the age of 21, when she launched Brazil’s largest and top-rated Portuguese school to finance an orphanage and social development programs. For over 12 years, she has led companies to the next stage of growth and innovation through human-centered design. Saleema has co-founded seven companies, two of which were acquired, and has launched several innovative initiatives as an “intrapreneur” within organizations.
Saleema has won numerous awards for her work in social innovation, including her most recent groundbreaking study at the World Bank on how to improve refugee livelihoods through climate-smart food systems technologies in the Middle East and Africa. Her research is now being implemented through hydroponics pilots in Djibouti.
Currently, Saleema is the Co-Founder and CEO at Innovazing, which educates, empowers, and connects changemakers globally and helps leaders learn 21st-century leadership and communication skills. She is also Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Johns Hopkins University and an advisor to several nonprofit organizations, such as Wonder Women Tech, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) Women’s Alumni Network, Startup Africa, and the World Bank Group Youth-2-Youth Community.
Saleema holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Development from McGill University and a Master’s degree in International Relations and International Economics from Johns Hopkins University SAIS. She is fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Italian. Saleema has worked in over 50 countries, mainly in Latin America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa. She currently resides in Washington D.C. and is proud of her multicultural upbringing as a Toronto native with East African and Indian roots.
What skills have helped you in your career?
Developing an entrepreneurial mindset, along with a ton of grit, has enabled me to collaborate within my community and build partnerships that have led to several professional and business opportunities. Strengthening my communication and leadership skills, particularly emotional intelligence, has been incredibly important throughout my career. Improving my self-awareness, empathy, resilience, and intuition, has enabled me to adapt to the diverse environments I’ve worked in.
What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
I get out of my comfort zone. I work with diverse groups of people. I participate in a variety of conferences, face-to-face programs and online courses, both within my industry as well as other areas that intrigue me, which have broadened my perspectives. I sit on a few nonprofit boards where I can learn how different organizations work while advising them on how to scale up their impact and improve their leadership. Given we all have different learning styles, I learn best by teaching others—as an Adjunct Professor, community builder, advisor, learning experience designer, workshop facilitator, and as a speaker. I’m also in the process of publishing my first book.
What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
I wish I had sought out mentors early on. I often felt I had to do it all myself when all I had to do was ask. I encourage others to be proactive instead of reactive and seek out diverse mentors from a variety of industries.
What is next for you in your career?
I’m currently expanding my work globally, especially to emerging market countries. As a connector and community builder, I’m in the process of launching a social innovation conference in order to expand my impact and merge the different things I do.
Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Developing leadership skills
• Public speaking
• Networking
• Design Thinking
• Entrepreneurship, whether you’re starting or growing a business
Please provide the link to your LinkedIn profile:
Saleema Vellani
Please provide your preferred email address so interested professionals can network with you:
[email protected]
Region:
Northeast- Washington D.C.
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