I am Akshadha Gunasekar, and I joined the Salazar Center in January. Currently, I am pursuing my Master of Business Administration with an Impact Specialization (Impact MBA) at the College of Business, Colorado State University. My journey has been anything but linear.

I was raised in Muscat, Oman, to Indian parents who brought with them a rich cultural value system from Tamil Nadu. Growing up in a traditional Tamil household while being immersed in Omani culture shaped my identity deeply. I was fortunate to represent Oman as part of the National Women’s Cricket team for several years, an experience that taught me discipline, teamwork, leadership and resilience.

Seeking to connect more with my roots, I moved to Chennai, India, for my undergraduate studies. I earned a Bachelor of Commerce with a specialization in Marketing Management from the University of Madras. My first full-time role was in marketing at a real estate company in Chennai, which provided valuable exposure but also made me realize that I would achieve satisfaction and fulfillment at work by doing something meaningful that had an impact on the world. My desire to pivot towards sustainability started to grow.

Upon returning to Muscat due to family needs, I worked with a local partner of Dell Technologies. My role focused on product management, logistics, and vendor relations. While I appreciated the diverse professional and cultural learning experiences there, my passion for sustainability grew stronger, particularly towards social impact. This passion led me to pursue the Impact MBA at Colorado State University, which entails courses like Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Sustainability Reporting and Accounting, and Corporate Social and Sustainable Responsibility and more. This program has been fruitful and feels like the best decision I’ve taken to pivot into sustainability because it aligns closely with my values and career aspirations.

I was looking for sustainability focused organizations to gain hands-on work experience before graduating. That’s when I was fortunate to have learned about this position that was open at the Salazar center. In my role as the Operations Assistant, I support the operational needs of the Salazar Center’s programs, including the Symposium and the Peregrine Accelerator. I will leverage my accounting and finance knowledge to support budgeting, finance, and logistical planning. I am excited to bring my business perspective to a team rich in conservation expertise. This role not only allows me to contribute meaningfully but also offers invaluable learning opportunities in the conservation and non-profit sector. Right now, I am looking forward to our upcoming Symposium in Vancouver this May.

Outside of work and studies, I have a deep love for cricket and have cherished my years playing at a national level. I also enjoy exploring cultural traditions, traveling, and engaging in conversations about sustainability and social equity. My favorite music would definitely be Indian Ghazal & Classical (carnatic) music, and indie music across languages. If I am in the mood, I wouldn’t stop myself from getting on the floor to dance.

My personal mantra is “Mindset is Everything” and “Thoughts become things” – beliefs that have guided my journey so far and brought me to the Salazar Center. Joining the Salazar Center has been an incredible opportunity to bring my business acumen to a mission-driven conservation organization. I’m excited to learn from this talented and amazing team, contribute to meaningful projects, and deepen my understanding of conservation and sustainability.