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. In this inspiring episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show, Dr. Abraham George joins Michael D. Levitt to explore how purpose-driven leadership can transform lives and communities. Before founding the renowned Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project, Dr. George built a successful career in international finance and investment management. His time in the corporate world shaped his understanding of ethical leadership, global inequality, and the moral responsibilities that come with success. Those insights would later compel him to dedicate his life and resources to social change. For nearly three decades, Dr. George has led Shanti Bhavan, an award-winning educational initiative that empowers children from India’s most disadvantaged backgrounds to become leaders, innovators, and changemakers. His journey from the high-stakes world of finance to a life devoted to service offers profound lessons on compassionate leadership, perseverance, and purpose-driven transformation. In this conversation, Dr. George also shares insights from his upcoming book, Mountains to Cross, which explores the courage to lead with humanity and the unwavering belief in what’s possible when we align success with service. Key Takeaways: How ethical leadership can drive meaningful social change. The intersection of financial success and moral responsibility. Lessons from three decades of empowering youth through education. The courage it takes to shift from ambition to altruism. Why hope and perseverance remain at the heart of true leadership. Links Mentioned: Learn more about 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/