For our Season 6 Finale, Simi invites Shruti Rya Ganguly: award-winning Filmmaker, Producer, and Writer to the podcast.

In 2017, Shruti started honto88, a production company that works in a variety of formats — from narrative and doc features to series and branded content. She launched it with a narrative feature produced by Keanu Reeves. She has directed videos for Google, Unilever, Nike, and Chanel. Recently, she also co-founded Prism Entertainment to craft South-Asian focused films and television series.

Shruti’s latest work: she directed TRIPPED UP, starring Leah Lewis, Ariel Winter, and Vanessa Williams. She sold DEATHSPA, a psychological horror film to Sony International, and is currently writing SECRET DAUGHTER for Amazon Studios, a drama starring Priyanka Chopra. Her coming-of-age feature comedy, PRIYA, AT 12 is in production. On the TV front, Shruti is a writing-EP on the series BROWN BABY set up at Apple UK, and has been developing FLOSSY, a half-hour with comedian Kerry Coddett. Her films have premiered at major festivals, including Sundance, Venice, Tribeca, and Berlin — namely, Spirit-winner H. and the Nora Ephron Prize-winner INITIALS SG. 

Previously, Shruti worked closely with James Franco on numerous films, and also worked at NYLON, MTV, and Conde Nast, producing Vogue’s famed 73 Questions series. She served in President Obama’s ECCO (Entertainment Creative Collaborative Outreach) program, where she worked alongside 30 leaders in entertainment. Additionally, Shruti is a published writer and the co-founder of the Resistance Revival Chorus, a collective of singers. She received her Bachelor's degree from Northwestern University, and earned her dual MFA/MBA from NYU. She hails from India, by way of Oman.

South Asian Trailblazers is an award-winning media platform, community, and agency dedicated to elevating leading South Asians. Join our community at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes and updates on our latest events in your inbox. Follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.

The founding CEO of a breakout biotech company AND a Grammy Award winner?  Gaurav Shah is no stranger to dualities. In this episode, Simi speaks with the Co-Founder and CEO of Rocket Pharmaceuticals, a company developing first-in-class gene-modified cell therapies to treat rare diseases. 

Prior to his role as founding CEO, Gaurav was a Global Program Head in the Cell & Gene Therapies Unit at Novartis, where he had strategic oversight of 12 functions and helped spearhead pivotal trials for patients with leukemia and lymphoma. His earlier roles at Novartis span being a Global Clinical Program Head for CART-19 and Biosimilars, and lead physician for Afinitor in several global oncology submissions. Gaurav started his career in industry at ImClone/Eli Lilly as a Medical Director overseeing oncology trials.

Gaurav graduated from Harvard College with a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience. He received his M.D. from Columbia University, completed his internal medicine residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and hematology/oncology fellowship training at Memorial-Sloan Kettering. After receiving board certification in medical oncology, he served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Oncology at Columbia.

To find balance, Gaurav also has long explored his passion for Indian classical music. In 2019, he and his wife were Grammy nominees and in 2022,  they won the Grammy for Best Children’s Album, for their album entitled A Colorful World. In this conversation, Simi explore's multidimensional career from medicine to music and the unexpected parallels between them.

South Asian Trailblazers is an award-winning media platform, community, and agency dedicated to elevating leading South Asians. Join our community at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes and updates on our latest events in your inbox. Follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.

In this special edition of South Asian Trailblazers, Simi hosts a LIVE podcast with Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal — the first South Asian woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives — to kick off Indian American Impact's 2023 Summit in Washington D.C.  WATCH this episode on YouTube.

In addition to elevating the stories of South Asian leaders, South Asian Trailblazers is also dedicated to convening them. If you're interested in attending future community events, including our live podcasts, subscribe to our newsletter at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube. This episode was hosted in partnership with Impact, an organization working to ensure equitable South Asian American representation at every level of government. Support their President, Neil Makhija, in his run for Montgomery County Commissioner.

Elected in 2016, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal is now serving her fourth term in Congress, representing Washington's 7th District. She is not only the first South Asian American woman elected to the US House of Representatives, but also one of only two dozen naturalized citizens currently serving in Congress.

Congresswoman Jayapal is a member of the House Judiciary Committee, where she serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement. She also serves on the House Education and the Workforce Committee. She is the Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which represents nearly 50% of the entire Democratic caucus; the Immigration Task Force for the Congressional Asian Pacific Asian Caucus; and a Vice Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus where she is the co-chair of the Transgender Equality Task Force.
 
Prior to serving in elected office, Congresswoman Jayapal spent 20 years working internationally and domestically in global public health and development and as an award-winning national advocate for women’s, immigrant, civil, and human rights. She spent almost a decade working on global health and

South Asian Trailblazers is an award-winning media platform, community, and agency dedicated to elevating leading South Asians. Join our community at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes and updates on our latest events in your inbox. Follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.

You’ve likely seen Zarna Garg — the Indian immigrant mom and comedy sensation cracking mom jokes on Instagram, opening for Tina Fey, or most recently, making headlines for her comedy special, Zarna Garg: One in a Billion, which premiered on Amazon Prime in May.

But do you know what came before?  

Born and raised in India, Zarna Garg immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager to escape her father's plans for an arranged marriage. She landed in Akron, Ohio, where she pursued her B.S. at the University of Akron and a J.D. at Case Western Reserve's School of Law. After practicing law for several years, she became a stay-at-home mom for 16 years — until 2018, when she unexpectedly launched a career in... comedy. 

Today, Zarna is a regular at New York’s iconic Comedy Cellar and Caroline's on Broadway. She has toured nationally at historic venues like the Kennedy Center; opened for the likes of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler; and starred in Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton’s new show, Gutsy.  Her special marks just the latest milestone in a growing list of accomplishments, which include another national tour and a film she’ll soon star in alongside Deadpool's Karan Soni. Join us for a conversation full of funny, as we hear how Zarna went from one open mic to full-fledged comedian, her encouraging advice for moms and creatives yearning for their turn, and what’s next for the rising star.

South Asian Trailblazers is an award-winning media platform, community, and agency dedicated to elevating leading South Asians. Join our community at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes and updates on our latest events in your inbox. Follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.

In this episode, we meet Pooja Goyal: Partner and the Chief Investment Officer of Carlyle Global Infrastructure, Co-Head of the Carlyle Global Infrastructure Opportunity Fund (CGI), and Carlyle’s Head of Renewable and Sustainable Energy. With over $381 billion assets under management (AUM), Carlyle is one of the world’s largest investment firms — a megafund that specializes in private equity and private credit.

Prior to joining Carlyle, Pooja was the Head of the Alternative Energy Investing Group at Goldman Sachs, where she led investments in the renewables sector. She joined the group as an associate in 2005, was promoted to Managing Director in 2012, and took over as Head of the group in 2013. Under her leadership, the group built a portfolio of investments dedicated to the renewable energy and sustainable resources sector.

Pooja has held several board and committee positions, including on the boards of Vivint Solar and the American Council of Renewable Energy and the investment committees at Altus Power and Goldman Sachs’ Special Situations Group. Prior to 2005, Pooja was an investment banker at Goldman Sachs. She holds a BS in finance from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and a BAS in computer and cognitive science from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. In this episode, Simi explores Pooja's role as an influential investor shaping the future of energy at one of the foremost private equity firms in the world.

South Asian Trailblazers is an award-winning media platform, community, and agency dedicated to elevating leading South Asians. Join our community at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes and updates on our latest events in your inbox. Follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.

In this episode, Simi speaks with Medha Gargeya: Associate Counsel to Vice President Kamala Harris, reservist with the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, and Adjunct Professor of Law.

As Associate Counsel at the White House, Medha helps manage ethics and oversight for the Vice President's office and works on policy areas ranging from criminal justice to voting and reproductive rights. She is a member of the reserve force of the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, the legal arm of the U.S. military's air force.

She previously worked at the international law firm, WilmerHale LLP, where she focused on administrative law, appeals, and anti-discrimination matters.  Medha's foray into government service began in 2020, when she worked on voter protection for the Biden-Harris campaign in North Carolina and eventually worked on judicial nominations during the Presidential Transition.  The year prior, Medha was a law clerk to the Honorable Roger Wollman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.  She has also spent time as an adjunct professor at the University of South Dakota School of Law teaching Art Law.  Medha received her A.B. and J.D. from Harvard University in 2014 and 2019 respectively. In this episode, Simi peels back the layers on Medha’s passion for service and her dynamic range of legal experiences across the three branches of American government.

South Asian Trailblazers is an award-winning media platform, community, and agency dedicated to elevating leading South Asians. Join our community at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes and updates on our latest events in your inbox. Follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.

In this special edition of South Asian Trailblazers, Simi speaks with trailblazer Anjula Acharia in front of a LIVE audience in New York City.  WATCH this episode on YouTube.

In addition to elevating the stories of South Asian leaders, South Asian Trailblazers is also dedicated to convening them. If you're interested in attending future community events, including our live podcasts, subscribe to our newsletter at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Youtube.

Anjula Acharia is a legendary investor, entrepreneur, and manager/business partner to Priyanka Chopra Jonas. She is the CEO and Founder of A-series Investments and Management. Today, she works as a talent manager and strategic investor/advisor to a host of startups, including two early stage investments which eventually grew into unicorns: ClassPass and Bumble. Her extensive portfolio includes: The Muse, Hooked, Thrive Causemetics, Olipop, Gobble, and The Well. She also sits on BuzzFeed’s Board of Directors.

A serial entrepreneur herself, Anjula previously co-founded DesiHits!, a digital entertainment platform through which she pioneered the merging of global cultures by introducing artists like Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, and 50 Cent to India. She eventually returned the favor by launching esteemed actress, Priyanka Chopra Jonas' career in America, and who she continues to represent today. Tune in to hear Anjula candidly discuss the adversity she faced growing up as South Asian woman in England, her journey to tech and Hollywood, and the wins and losses she faced along the way.

This episode and event was hosted in partnership with Free Agency, DesiGalli,  Kahani Digital, Junglee, Rupee Beer, Tinto Amorio

South Asian Trailblazers is an award-winning media platform, community, and agency dedicated to elevating leading South Asians. Join our community at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes and updates on our latest events in your inbox. Follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.

Meet Pooja Bavishi, Founder and CEO of Malai, a trailblazer who is sure to pique your interest and... your sweet tooth.

Malai is an artisanal ice cream company, with flavors inspired by the nostalgic, aromatic spices and ingredients of South Asian culture. Pooja had always wanted to be in the business of delivering happiness, AKA desserts, and in 2015, she founded Malai following her graduation from the NYU Stern School of Business. She is incredibly hands-on in the everyday of Malai's operations, including in the creation of their ice cream flavors (from Kheer to Lemon Cardamom), managing their brick and mortar scoop shop in Brooklyn, and expanding their presence through nationwide shipping in both grocery stores and on Goldbelly.

Pooja previously claimed the title of champion after winning a battle on the Food Network's Chopped Sweets and was named one of Inc. Magazine's Female Founders 100 in October 2020. And prior to her full force foray into food, Pooja spent time in the world of urban planning, civil rights, and the broader universe of nonprofit and social impact work. She holds a B.A. from UNC Chapel Hill, an M.S. from the London School of Economics, and an MBA from NYU. Tune in as Simi digs into Pooja's experience building at the intersection of food and culture, a journey that will absolutely leave you hungry for more.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with McKinsey & Co. Discover McKinsey's latest business insights through their Insights App. For more episodes, visit us at southasiantrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes in your inbox and follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Youtube. 

South Asian Trailblazers is an award-winning media platform, community, and agency dedicated to elevating leading South Asians. Join our community at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes and updates on our latest events in your inbox. Follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.

In this special episode, we mark our first-ever foray into Bollywood and the land of Indian cinema. Trailblazers Host, Simi Shah, joins some of Bollywood’s biggest stars on the Red Carpet as they kick off a U.S. show tour entitled, The Entertainers. The Entertainers is led by Bollywood icon Akshay Kumar, and also welcomes Nora Fatehi, Mouni Roy, Disha Patani, Aparshakti Khurana, Zahrah  Khan, Sonam Bajwa, Stebin Ben, and Jasleen Royal to the stage. 

As the stars walk the red carpet on their way to the tour's official launch party, Simi speaks with each of them about their journeys to stardom, advice they have for aspiring creatives, and of course, their highly-anticipated tour around the U.S.  Join us for a live glimpse into this star-studded evening, with guests all the way from the hallowed halls of Hindi cinema.

This episode was made possible by the evening's hosts: Anip Patel, Jack Singh, the Garg Group, and Anand Entertainment. It is also brought to you in partnership with, McKinsey & Co.  For more episodes, visit us at southasiantrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes in your inbox and follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Youtube. 

South Asian Trailblazers is an award-winning media platform, community, and agency dedicated to elevating leading South Asians. Join our community at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes and updates on our latest events in your inbox. Follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.

To kick of Season 6, Simi speaks with Anita Chatterjee, Founder and CEO of A-Game Public Relations. A-Game Public Relations is a bicoastal firm representing celebrities, business leaders, venture capital firms, and innovative technology and consumer packaged goods companies. Anita has built the profiles of several high profile individuals, including Rohan Oza, Guest Shark on ABC's Shark Tank and Grammy Award-winning artist Ne-Yo. She has also worked with CAVU Venture Partners; Bai antioxidant drinks, which was acquired by Dr. Pepper for $1.7 billion; Gobble, the originator of the 15-minute gourmet dinner kit; and our former guest, ClassPass Founder, Payal Kadakia.

Prior to founding A-Game PR, Anita orchestrated PR campaigns for several celebrities, including Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Rihanna while serving as an executive at Desi Hits, a multimedia startup founded by famed investor and manager Anjula Acharia. Anita holds a degree in communications from DePaul University and a graduate degree in PR from Georgetown. To date, we've seen Anita around every corner... elevating so many of the very trailblazers we've had on this podcast. In this episode, we finally talk to the woman behind the curtain, learning how she makes the magic happen.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with McKinsey & Co. Discover McKinsey's latest business insights through their Insights App.

South Asian Trailblazers is an award-winning media platform, community, and agency dedicated to elevating leading South Asians. Join our community at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes and updates on our latest events in your inbox. Follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.