Happy New Year from us at South Asian Trailblazers! 👋🏼 I’m Simi Shah, and here, I dive deep into the journeys of trailblazing South Asians. Listen to the podcast that inspires this newsletter on Apple, Spotify, or any major podcast platform. Follow us for updates on our events and more on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, & TikTok.
A Note on 2023
Earlier this year, Artist Kunal Merchant made a powerful statement about our community at a panel I attended. He said: “This is not our moment, this is our TIME.” The success of South Asian Trailblazers over not only this past year, but also over the past 3.5 years is a testament to that fact.
When I first started Trailblazers, I could’ve never envisioned the vibrant community we’d build around it. But you all showed up — for me and for us. Time and time again. And what I took from that was one thing: Keep going. And so we did, and now we’re celebrating milestones beyond my wildest dreams.
Thank you all for reading, listening, supporting, and most importantly, trailblazing. As a founder, I’m inexplicably grateful. As a South Asian, I’m inexplicably proud. So without further ado….here’s our 2023 Year in Review, which wouldn’t have been possible without you.
🎁 2023 Year in Review
🎙️ Hosted 4 live podcasts in 4 different cities
Akshay Kumar & The Entertainers — Bollywood Stars (Atlanta)
Anjula Acharia — Investor & Manager to Priyanka Chopra Jonas (New York)
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal — 4th Term Congresswoman (Washington D.C. at IAImpact’s Summit)
Vas Narasimhan — the CEO of Novartis & Srishti Gupta Narasimhan — Physician Leader (Boston at Novartis HQ)
🎉 Released our 50th Episode. Hosted a celebration of 3 Years, 6 Seasons, and 60 Stories Told.
🔥 Highlighted 15 trailblazers, ending the year with 65 trailblazers in our community — with our newest episodes featuring Zarna Garg (Comedian), Shruti Rya Ganguly (Filmmaker & Director), Gaurav Shah (CEO of Rocket Pharma), and Diipa Büller-Khosla (Global Influencer, Founder of indē wild, Model)
👚 Released some South Asian Trailblazers swag, donating a % of proceeds to Room to Read, led by our trailblazer, CEO Geetha Murali
🚀 Launched the Trailblazers Agency, bringing fresh, diverse voices to main stages and initiatives around the globe
🤝🏾 Partnered with 6+ multinational companies and non-profits, hosting 5+ events and facilitating sponsorships with: McKinsey, CitizenM Hotels, Republic, Free Agency, Novartis, IAImpact, and Room to Read
🛍️ Collaborated with 20+ South Asian-owned brands: Scrumptious Wicks, Prana Kitchens, DesiGalli, Kahani Digital, Junglee, Rupee Beer, Tinto Amorio, Artist Lakshmi Sarkar, Shaz & Kiks, Wander Beauty, LŪVIH, Mudita Earth, Golden Hour Candle Co, Silk & Sonder, MishMedia+, Sanjida Ahmed, Ravi Ray Audio, and The Z-List. Check out our #ShopSouthAsian Holiday Guide below.
⭐ Represented at The White House, in Hollywood (The Archies Netflix Premiere), and in Bollywood (Interviewing stars like Akshay Kumar, Nora Fatehi, and Disha Patani)
🌎 Reached listeners in 85 countries and crossed 10,000 followers across our socials this calendar year
✍️ Featured #1 in FeedSpot’s List of Top 45 South Asian Podcasts, in New India Abroad, and The Quint
👪 Grew our team. The biggest of thank you’s to THE dream team: Sarah Cherian, Rhea Mehta, Nikki Zinzuwadia, Ariba Ahmad, and Aashna Sheth! They are talented forces of nature who make everything you see here possible.
💙 And as always, fostered a community filled with people like you. Thank you so much for your support in bringing South Asian Trailblazers to life! In case you’re interested, here are some quick & easy ways to support us in the year ahead…
Get involved in 2024 🎆
🗣️ Share your story. Did an episode resonate with you? We’d love to know! Reply here or send us a DM on socials
🎙️ Subscribe and write us a review on Apple and Spotify
👍🏾 Follow us: Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, & TikTok. We share all about our events here and on our socials!
✍🏼 Share this newsletter with a friend
👕 Sport some South Asian Trailblazers swag (all the cool kids are wearing it!)
Special Thank You’s 🙏
We’d like to thank some individuals who’ve been incredibly generous in their support of us this year:
The amazing team I shouted out above. Thank you again, Sarah, Nikki, Rhea, Aashna, and Ariba!
Srishti Gupta Narasimhan & Vas Narasimhan - for being two mentors and powerhouses who pledged their support to us in profound ways
Neil Makhija - for creating opportunities for us and for paving paths for so many — he just got elected Montgomery County Commissioner!
Anip Patel - for making space for us always and for the magic of Mondays with Mohan
Aparna Shewakramani - for believing in us since Day 0
Zarna Garg - for being a hilarious comedian who also makes the time to lift up others
Congresswoman Jayapal and her team - for trusting in us to share her story
Geetha Murali and Jacqueline Pezillo - for being two incredible forces behind Room to Read and inviting us into your organization
Hitha Palepu - for being an avid and early supporter
Anjula Acharia - for being an incredible supporter, believer, and trailblazer
S. Mitra Kalita - for being the media maven who guides us always
Saeed Ahmed - for being a mentor and motivator who we learn from every day
Anita Chatterjee - for bringing us into new spaces and stories
Jerry Won - for being so inclusive of us and building for the AAPI community at large
Ashish Bhatt - for being a friend and ideation machine who’s shown us unfettered support
Neeral Mozaria - for your unflagging, genuine interest in our platform and thoughtful, consistent feedback
Misha Patel - for being an outstanding partner
Anish Patel - for being so generous with your support always
Kyle Hagge - for your incredible support always
Hani Anis - for being the powerhouse behind our many events
Zehra Naqvi - for being an incredible collaborator
Kriti Seghal - for showing genuine support time and time again
Ernest Lee - for being an incredible collaborator
Andrew McCarthy - for being an incredible partner
Pooja Bavishi - for your kindness and authenticity
And to all our trailblazers for trusting in us to elevate their voices and their stories, and to so many other supporters who’ve been there for us in countless ways: thank you.
Until 2024, Happy New Year, trailblazers. - Simi Shah