Social Entrepreneur and Speaker Catalyst Priya Samant Determines Her Own Story

She is a social entrepreneur and multi-talented professional with experience working on Presidential campaign, with non-profit leaders, C-level executives and at grass root level.

“What I love most about my work is I get an opportunity to work at the grass root level and also with thought leaders globally,” says Priya Samant Parulekar, founder of EarthFrendz, a social enterprise that creates self-empowerment and socio-economic development for urban poor artisan sector in India.

Ms. Parulekar started her career working in technology domain with prestigious organization like ICICI Bank, Bank of America, AT&T and many more. She also consults startups in emerging tech and social innovation space. She was member /advisor on Tech and Innovation policy committee for Hillary for America 2016 Presidential campaign. She regularly conducts workshops on entrepreneurship for women and girls.

She is member of Akshaya Patra Boston and speaker catalyst at TEDxBeaconStreet. She was appointed as advisor to Startup Council, India and SME Chamber of India in January 2018. Ms. Parulekar has also participated in a beauty pageant in 2017 and won the sub title of “Born Leader.”

INDIA New England News: Please tell our readers about your work and what you enjoy most about it.

Priya Samant Parulekar: As a social entrepreneur and consultant to startups, I have become an expert in building supportive structures for social innovation, scaling operations, managing varied stakeholders and building strategic partnerships globally.

What I love most about my work is I get an opportunity to work at the grass root level and also with thought leaders globally.

INE:  To which charitable, community and professional groups do you belong and why?

PSP: I am associated with two non-profit organizations in Boston. Akshaya Patra Boston chapter and TEDxBeaconStreet. I support Akshaya Patra because it is one such NGO that serves many effects of poverty (Malnutrition and access to education) through its mid-day meals program.

I support TEDxBeaconStreet because it gives platform to speakers to spread ideas in form of short, powerful talks.

INE: What are your hobbies and interests?

PSP: I enjoy acting, singing and I have been a radio jockey in the past. I also love public speaking and sharing my passion for social entrepreneurship, tech and innovation with the youth. I am very much interested in politics.

INE: In what way do you feel you have positively influenced or served the local community, your company/organization or professional field?

PSP: I am most proud about the free workshop on social entrepreneurship I have been conducting since 2015 at the Girl Scouts Global Leadership Conference. My goal is to empower and educate the next generation of young girls with leadership and entrepreneurial skills to become champions in their own communities.

INE: What are your favorite books?

PSP: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

INE: Your favorite quotes?

PSP: “Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become…habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny! What we think we become.”- Margaret Thatcher

“I say if I’m beautiful. I say if I’m strong. You will not determine my story — I will.” — Amy Schumer

INE: Who inspires you the most?

PSP: My family inspires me the most. My late parents who imbibed in me the values and the culture that has made me the person I am today; my aunt and my cousin who taught me from an very early age to work hard and play hard and I live by it every day.

INE: What core values do you try to live by?

PSP: Honesty, Confidence, Grit and Humility.