In the complex and culturally diverse city of Hong Kong, Shalini Mahtani has become a prominent voice for social responsibility, inclusion, and equity. As the founder of Community Business and The Zubin Foundation, Mahtani’s work is reshaping Hong Kong’s approach to corporate social responsibility, diversity, and support for ethnic minorities.
Her journey is one of resilience and purpose, driven by a deep commitment to uplift underserved communities and inspire social change. With a unique blend of business acumen, social advocacy, and personal experience, Mahtani is transforming lives, fostering community development, and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.
Early Life and Career Journey: Building a Foundation for Change
Born on April 12, 1972, into a prominent Indian Sindhi family in Hong Kong, Shalini Mahtani grew up in a multicultural environment that shaped her understanding of diversity.
Mahtani attended Island School in Hong Kong and later pursued her education at the London School of Economics, where she developed a keen interest in finance and social economics. After qualifying as a certified public accountant in 1996, she embarked on a career in accounting and banking. However, it soon became clear that her true calling lay beyond the corporate world.
Her heritage and personal experiences with discrimination instilled in her a strong sense of responsibility to address the social and racial divides present in Hong Kong. Recognizing a need for corporate accountability and diversity, Mahtani laid the groundwork for Community Business, a non-profit organization focused on promoting corporate social responsibility across Asia.
Founding Community Business: A Vision for Corporate Responsibility
In 2003, Shalini Mahtani founded Community Business, a pioneering organization that works with corporations to foster a more responsible and inclusive business culture. Community Business quickly grew to become one of Asia’s leading advocates for corporate social responsibility, focusing on issues such as workplace diversity, gender equality, and ethical business practices.
Under her leadership, Community Business launched several impactful initiatives, including the “Women on Boards” report, which analyzed gender representation on the Hang Seng Index and the Bombay Stock Exchange. By calling for increased diversity in corporate leadership, Mahtani helped companies recognize the value of diverse perspectives and fostered a greater commitment to equality in business.
Through Community Business, Shalini Mahtani spearheaded collaborations with leading corporations to introduce programs on work-life balance, mental health awareness, and employee well-being. She emphasized that corporate responsibility extends beyond profit, urging businesses to positively impact their communities. Her work inspired companies to adopt ethical practices and address social issues, sparking a culture shift across the corporate landscape in Asia.
Founding The Zubin Foundation: A Personal Mission to Uplift Ethnic Minorities
In 2009, tragedy struck Mahtani’s family when her three-year-old son, Zubin, passed away suddenly. Out of this profound loss, she and her husband Ravi Gidumal founded The Zubin Foundation in 2014 to honor Zubin’s memory. The organization focuses on empowering marginalized communities, particularly ethnic minorities and women, who often face discrimination and limited opportunities in Hong Kong.
The Zubin Foundation operates as a social policy think tank, dedicated to addressing pressing social issues and advocating for policy changes. Mahtani’s vision for the foundation was to create a support system for ethnic minorities, providing resources, guidance, and advocacy to promote racial integration and equal opportunities.
One of its most significant initiatives, “Call Mira,” is a multilingual hotline that provides critical support and resources to ethnic minority women facing issues such as domestic violence, forced marriage, and social isolation. By offering assistance in languages like Urdu, Hindi, and English, Call Mira reaches some of the most vulnerable women in Hong Kong, offering them hope and support.
HospitalAdvisor: Empowering Patients Through Transparency
Driven by her personal experiences with the healthcare system, Mahtani also launched HospitalAdvisor in collaboration with the Harvard Global Health Institute. HospitalAdvisor is an innovative platform designed to provide transparent information and user-generated ratings on hospitals across Hong Kong.
Inspired by the concept of travel review sites, HospitalAdvisor empowers patients to make informed healthcare choices, giving them a voice in a traditionally opaque system. Shalini Mahtani believes that transparency in healthcare is essential to fostering trust and accountability, and she envisions HospitalAdvisor as a tool to create a more patient-centered approach to healthcare in Hong Kong.
Advocating for Ethnic Minorities and Gender Equality
Throughout her career, Shalini Mahtani has been a steadfast advocate for the rights of ethnic minorities in Hong Kong. As a member of the Indian Sindhi community herself, she has witnessed and personally experienced the discrimination faced by non-Chinese Hongkongers.
Determined to dismantle harmful stereotypes and social stigma, Shalini Mahtani has used The Zubin Foundation to raise awareness and encourage meaningful change. Her advocacy extends to education, where she actively promotes equal access for ethnic minority students and calls for inclusive policies that celebrate Hong Kong’s diverse cultural fabric.
Mahtani is particularly passionate about gender equality and empowering women to achieve independence and autonomy. Through The Zubin Foundation, Shalini Mahtani has launched programs aimed at breaking down gender barriers, encouraging families to support girls’ education, and giving women the tools they need to succeed. By fostering gender equality, she envisions a society where all individuals, regardless of their background or gender, can reach their full potential.
Recognition and Awards: Celebrating a Legacy of Service
Shalini Mahtani’s contributions have been widely recognized both locally and internationally. In 2008, she was honored with the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Queen Elizabeth II, a testament to her commitment to social causes and corporate responsibility.
Shalini Mahtani was also named one of the “Young Global Leaders” by the World Economic Forum in 2009, highlighting her role as a trailblazer in corporate responsibility and social advocacy. Other accolades include the “Excellence Award” from the Indian Association of Hong Kong and the “Hong Kong Humanity Award” in 2020, acknowledging her humanitarian work and impact on the community.
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