Venture: Selecting our Ashoka Fellows
Ashoka searches the world for leading social entrepreneurs through an intensive, human-centered process, selecting them into our global, trust-based fellowship of peers.
Fernanda has joined the Global Venture and Fellowship team to manage the finances and support strategy development! Before moving to DC, Fer lived in Colorado where she earned her Global Social & Sustainable Enterprise MBA that helped her better understand social entrepreneurship and realize how she could contribute to the world-wide movement. Originally from Mexico, Fer worked in the construction industry where she created a revolving credit line that helped build low income housing. In her spare time she is an active ocean conservationist focused on sharks. Fernanda holds a PADI Instructor license and constantly seeks new ways to get involved in preserving our natural ecosystem, locally as well as globally. Fer enjoys hiking, camping, diving and spending time with her dog, Fibonacci.
Kelsey joined Ashoka in 2017, with a passion for examining how economic development can be sustainable and locally relevant. As Global Venture Coordinator, she supports country offices with the Ashoka Fellowship selection process and builds a larger development strategy for the global program. Prior to Ashoka, Kelsey spent two years working in rural communities in Yunnan, China as a Teach For China Fellow. She continues to explore her passion for language, food, and community here in DC.
Shrushti is a trained psychologist and comes with an unconventional mix of private and public sector experience. In her most recent role, she is working with Ashoka Innovators for the Public, the organization that pioneered the sector of social entrepreneurship 30+ years ago. She is building the world’s largest network of 3,700+ leading social entrepreneurs, amplifying and connecting a global community that is leading the everyone a changemaker movement. Shrushti recognized the unarguable economic market opportunity and environmental benefits of recycling waste and co-founded Reash, a company that is working on waste management and building circular systems across South Asia. Yoga has a major influence in her life. She has been teaching yoga since the age of 18, with the intention of helping young adults develop a problem-solving attitude through the art form.