Shanti Raghavan
Shanti Raghavan is the founder and chief enabler at EnAble India, an organization driving economic independence and dignity for persons with disability (PwDs). With a background in electronics and computer science, and over a decade of corporate experience, she has dedicated her career to building systemic, scalable solutions that transform lives. Her focus spans inclusive livelihoods, accessible technologies, and shaping a societal narrative that sees ability over disability.
Narrative Building and Storytelling
Systems Leadership
Ecosystem Building, Networks and Co-Creation
Livelihood
Equity
Education
Areas of Expertise / Domains of Work
Inclusive employment and skill-building for PwDs
Systemic social impact and scaling interventions
Narrative-building and societal mindset change
Inclusive design, technology solutions, and the Purple Economy
Leadership development for inclusive organizations
Experience Highlights
Founded EnAble India (1999) impacting 500,000+ PwDs across India and globally
Developed livelihood frameworks across 21+ disability types in employment, self-employment, and government quotas
Innovated platforms like Project Discovery and rural IVR networks to drive peer problem-solving and narrative change
Partnered with governments and corporates to mainstream inclusion
Recognized by Ashoka (Fellow), Schwab Foundation (Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2019), and multiple media outlets
Mentoring Approach & Philosophy
People first, disability second: focus on human potential and passions rather than limitations
Solutions-oriented and practical: building “ruthlessly tangible” systems that are easy to adopt
Systemic change over charity: designing interventions that reshape markets, economies, and social norms
Narrative-led: reframing societal perceptions to create value-based inclusion
Possible Mentoring Topics
Designing inclusive livelihood initiatives at scale
Building ecosystems for systemic social change
Shaping organizational or community narratives around purpose, dignity, and inclusion
Scaling interventions from pilot to mainstream using partnerships with government, corporates, and NGOs
Integrating disability inclusion into broader social impact or market-driven solutions
Signature Insights or Beliefs
Inclusion is most powerful when it’s systemic, practical, and value-driven
Every person has agency; the key is removing barriers and creating enabling structures
The “Purple Economy” shows that disability-centered innovation can be both socially transformative and economically viable
Select Past Work / Roles / Ventures
Founder & Chief Enabler, EnAble India
Ashoka Fellow (2005)
Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year (2019)
Advisory roles with UN India and corporate inclusion initiatives
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