In a world where opportunity often flourishes in urban silos, Murali Vullaganti stands as a bold disruptor—a man who decided that the heartbeat of transformation doesn’t have to echo only through skyscrapers and city centers. It can also pulse powerfully through the quiet lanes of rural villages and underserved neighborhoods. His journey from Wall Street to the winding roads of rural India and the small towns of America is not just inspiring—it’s a masterclass in purpose-driven innovation.
From Wall Street to Grassroots: A Journey of Purpose
Before he became a torchbearer of rural empowerment, Murali Vullaganti was a global tech leader. With over 30 years of experience across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, Murali had built a towering career. He worked with top-tier firms like Electronic Data Systems (EDS, now HP) and Xansa (now Sopra Steria), taking on leadership roles in capital markets, risk management, and consulting across three continents. But in spite of his success, something was missing—a sense of deeper fulfillment.
In Murali Vullaganti’s own words, he was ready to move into the “business of life.” That meant creating something that mattered—not just in terms of profit, but in terms of people.
The Birth of a Movement: RuralShores
In 2009, Murali Vullaganti returned to India with a radical idea: what if, instead of people moving to jobs in the cities, jobs moved to the people in villages? What if the same technological jobs booming in metros could be decentralised—creating opportunity at the grassroots? Thus, RuralShores was born.
With one center in a small town, the journey began. Over time, RuralShores grew into a thriving network of 18 centers across 9 Indian states, employing more than 4,000 rural youth. These young individuals, often the first in their families to enter the white-collar world, began managing over 80 complex processes for more than 30 global clients across four continents. And it didn’t go unnoticed—RuralShores became a case study at prestigious institutions like Harvard, Oxford, and IIM Bangalore.
Murali Vullaganti’s model was simple yet revolutionary: identify talent in overlooked places, train them in digital and soft skills, and connect them to real work that pays and empowers.
Taking the Vision Across Oceans: PeopleShores
Never one to settle, Murali Vullaganti expanded his mission across the Atlantic. In 2017, he launched PeopleShores, a Public Benefit Corporation in the United States, with the same powerful principle—to transform underserved communities by creating digital jobs and training pathways for underemployed youth.
Today, PeopleShores operates in six U.S. communities—Clarksdale (Mississippi), Pine Bluff (Arkansas), Brooklyn (New York), South Dekalb (Georgia), South Bronx (New York), and East Tampa (Florida). These are regions that had long struggled with stagnation, unemployment, and generational poverty. But with the advent of PeopleShores centers, there has been a visible and uplifting turnaround.
Young adults are not only being trained in market-ready digital skills but are also given a sense of belonging and purpose. Local businesses are thriving. Communities are regaining their confidence. And hope is no longer a far-off dream—it’s a reality built one job at a time.
A Relentless Spirit and a Global Impact
What sets Murali Vullaganti apart is not just his resume—it’s his relentless commitment to human dignity. With both RuralShores and PeopleShores, he has directly impacted over 25,000 lives, creating ripples that go far beyond the workplace. From enabling youth to become the first graduates in their families to revitalizing rural economies, his legacy is one of systemic change.
And yet, Murali Vullaganti remains humble. “This is just the beginning,” he says. His ambitions now stretch even further—to integrating healthcare accessibility into these communities, leveraging technology for even deeper impact, and urging the global diaspora to play a proactive role in community-building.
Empowering the Diaspora: A Call to Action
Having lived in the U.S. for many years, Murali speaks with gratitude about the opportunities he received. But his story doesn’t stop at gratitude—it evolves into action. He passionately encourages the global Indian diaspora, and others with the will to serve, to look beyond their success and use their resources, time, and influence to uplift those left behind.
“We all owe something to the places that nurtured us—whether that’s our homeland or the land that adopted us. It’s time to give back in meaningful ways.”
Also Read : V. R. Ferose: Championing Inclusion, Innovation, and Youth Empowerment