Editorial Board Spotlight: Decoding Deepali Khanna's drive for impactful change

As The Rockefeller Foundation's chief representative in Asia, Deepali Khanna is on a mission to create lasting, impactful change across the region.

With a deep passion for making a tangible difference in people's lives, Khanna oversees the foundation's efforts to build and sustain strategic networks with diverse institutions, among other things.

"The best thing about the work I do is the opportunity to make a real difference," Khanna told AsianInvestor.

"Seeing communities empowered, sustainable solutions implemented, and witnessing the positive impact of our initiatives on the ground is incredibly fulfilling and motivates me to continue striving for change."

The Rockefeller Foundation is one of the oldest and most renowned philanthropic organisations in the world.

The foundation operates globally, with regional offices and programs across North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

EXCITING TRENDS

Khanna's approach is multifaceted, leveraging innovative financing models and data-driven interventions to help with solving Asia's most pressing challenges such as climate resilience, clean energy and sustainable food systems.

“The most exciting trends in the social and development sector include the rise of innovative financing models, such as impact investing and blended finance, which are unlocking new resources for sustainable development," Khanna said. 

"Additionally, the increasing use of technology and data analytics is enhancing our ability to design and implement effective interventions."

Khanna also frequently shares thoughtful insights and experiences from her work in various public forums and regional summits.

She advocates for strategic, impactful philanthropy, emphasising the foundation's efforts to address systemic challenges in areas like healthcare, climate change, and inclusive economic development.

A recurring theme in Khanna's LinkedIn content is the importance of advancing women's leadership and gender equity.

She highlights the foundation's initiatives supporting women entrepreneurs, policy leaders, and changemakers across Asia in many of her posts.

GOOD READS

Khanna's passion for driving transformative change can also be seen in her personal reading recommendations.

She cites Malcolm Gladwell's "The Tipping Point" as a must-read, as it delves into how small actions can create significant effects, helping to understand the dynamics of social change.

The concept of the "tipping point" - where ideas, behaviors, and social epidemics reach a critical mass and then rapidly spread - aligns with Khanna's focus on catalysing transformative change.

Another influential book for Khanna is "Factfulness" by Hans Rosling, which offers a fact-based, hopeful perspective on global development progress, challenging common misconceptions.

Khanna is also inspired by the work of her colleague, Rajiv Shah, president of The Rockefeller Foundation.

Shah's book "Big Bets" explores innovative approaches to driving substantial social change, providing valuable insights for those seeking to make a significant impact in the development sector.

Khanna has previously told AsianInvestor that the foundation is keen to encourage all forms of capital to scale up investing with impact even as the entity itself focuses on driving catalytic capital growth.

Apart from philanthropic donors, the foundation’s partners include development finance institutions, pure-play impact investors, institutional investors such as banks, insurance companies, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and corporates.

There is no doubt that this remarkable AsianInvestor Editorial Advisory Board member is driving transformative progress across Asia and inspiring others to join the movement for a more equitable and resilient future.