More than 140 CXOs, founders, investors, educators, health officials, and community leaders came together at the CXOs for Sewa leadership summit, hosted by Sewa International’s Bay Area chapter at the Stanford Faculty Club on Oct. 24, according to a press release. The attendees identified seven key areas requiring immediate attention to improve community well-being: preventive health, youth mental health, family support, healthy aging, food security, disaster preparedness, and education and career pathways.
CXOs for Sewa is a first-of-its-kind initiative and network built on a service mindset to address the root causes of challenges in local communities. The summit provided a space for South Asian leaders and Silicon Valley executives to channel their corporate and philanthropic resources toward regional social impact.
“Dana” — Giving and Sharing
Srikanth Gundavarapu, President of Sewa International, delivered the keynote address, sharing a story from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. In the narrative, the “Devas” (gods), “Danavas” (demons), and “Manavas” (humans) asked Brahma for guidance and heard one syllable: “Da.” The Devas understood “Dama” (self-control), the Danavas “Daya” (compassion), and the Manavas “Dana” (giving and sharing).
Gundavarapu tied the teaching to the spirit of Sewa and the importance of “Dana,” reminding attendees that the summit’s purpose was to serve others, support communities, and contribute to society.
Fireside Chat with Kanwal Rekhi
Entrepreneur and investor Kanwal Rekhi joined the summit for a fireside chat on humanity, AI ethics, service, and social impact. Rekhi overcame three career setbacks to become the first Indian American founder and CEO to take a venture-backed company public on Nasdaq. He co-founded The IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE), now a global network of more than 16 chapters, and Inventus, and became an early Silicon Valley angel investor. His new book, The Groundbreaker, traces his journey and his commitment to empowering future generations.
Rakhi Israni, Vice President of Public Affairs, Legal & Thought Leadership at Sewa, led the conversation. Asked whether AI is a disrupter for employment, Kanwal Rekhi called it a great equalizer: it gives everyone access to knowledge and tools. It opens the door to more opportunity, as for-profits and nonprofits alike can scale much faster with AI. He further added that “Sewa” is an essential part of responsible citizenship, and that his commitment to Sewa came naturally, shaped by his upbringing and life experiences.
Key Community Priorities and AI Solutions
On health, CXOs called for early cardiovascular-risk education and screening through schools and community partners, and for wider awareness of accessible primary care. On youth mental health, they proposed engaging youth and parents, strengthening mentorship networks, mapping resources, and improving pathways to professional support. For family medical crises, they recommended coordinated housing, transportation, and emotional support.
Leaders also identified basic needs and disaster preparedness as important areas. They proposed a 12-week pilot, through community partnerships, delivering nutritious meals weekly to 50 people experiencing homelessness. For emergencies, they recommended stronger volunteer networks and business support for vulnerable communities. For education, they called for industry mentorship and career-readiness partnerships to help students navigate an AI-driven economy.
Executives noted that barriers persist even where services exist, including limited awareness, acceptance, and community support. They also explored how responsible AI can complement human-centered service through multilingual resource navigation, health education, service coordination, and community engagement.
This text was edited with the assistance of an AI tool and has been reviewed and edited for accuracy and clarity by an India Currents editor.
