From Wall Street to Shanti Bhavan: Dr. Abraham George on Leadership, Purpose, and the Power of Service

Overview
In this episode, Michael D. Levitt sits down with Dr. Abraham George, founder of the Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project in South India. For more than 30 years, Abraham has dedicated his life to transforming the futures of children from families earning less than $5 per day. His school provides a 14-year residential education that begins in preschool and continues through college, ensuring students have the tools to break the cycle of poverty. Each graduate is asked to help 100 others, multiplying the impact of Shanti Bhavan’s mission and creating a ripple effect across generations. The results speak for themselves: graduates have attended Ivy League universities and now hold positions at leading global companies.

From Finance to Philanthropy
Abraham shares his extraordinary transition from a successful finance career to social entrepreneurship. A pivotal experience in the Himalayas inspired him to dedicate his life to education and equality. He reflects on the meaning of true purpose and how many professionals eventually seek a deeper mission beyond financial success. His forthcoming book, Mountains to Cross, captures these lessons through dialogues with children, making profound life lessons accessible and deeply human.

Redefining Philanthropy
Abraham emphasizes that real philanthropy requires personal involvement, not just financial contributions. He outlines three types of wealthy individuals—those still building their wealth, those with moderate means who can start small projects, and those with great wealth who often contribute only financially. His message is clear: leadership and personal connection are vital in driving meaningful change. Even limited time spent with those in need can bring immense satisfaction and measurable impact.

Resources and Upcoming Work
Dr. George’s story has been featured in the acclaimed Netflix documentary Daughters of Destiny, which earned both Academy and Emmy Awards. His upcoming book Mountains to Cross will be released in January. Learn more about his life’s work at drabrahamgeorge.com.

Listen and Learn:

• The power of education to lift entire communities

• How to align personal success with social purpose

• Practical wisdom on giving back meaningfully

For more leadership and purpose-driven conversations, visit BreakfastLeadership.com/blog and tune in to the Breakfast Leadership Show wherever you listen to podcasts.

Links Mentioned:

• Learn more about Mountains to Cross

 

https://www.drabrahamgeorge.com/about

https://www.instagram.com/dr_abraham_george?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

https://www.facebook.com/dr.abrahamgeorge?mibextid=LQQJ4d

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abraham-george-519315274/