Thank You For Being Such A Vital Part Of Our Team, Abhishek Dhir! We Look Forward To Sharing More About You So Others Can Get To Know You Better!
Tell us a bit about your backstory and what led you down your current life path.
Born in New Delhi to an army family, I grew up with discipline, frequent relocations, and exposure to diverse cultures. At 13, I moved to boarding school, which reinforced holistic education and discipline. I later earned a Mechanical Engineering degree in Bangalore, where mentors shaped my career path and I met my wife, whose support still drives me. In 2000, I moved to the U.S. to pursue the American Dream—embracing the risks, challenges, and lessons of “failing forward” that continue to guide me today.
What or who inspired you to pursue your career?
From a young age, I was curious about how businesses work, often asking my father to take me to manufacturing plants. Seeing entrepreneurs solve real problems and create value sparked my passion for entrepreneurship. In college, while earning my engineering degree, I embraced challenges, learned from setbacks, and gained valuable exposure. My first IT job in 1998, during the industry’s rapid growth, in business development perfectly aligned with my aspirations—cementing innovation and entrepreneurship as the foundation of my career.
What is one thing you are proud of achieving in your life and career?
From a career perspective, I’m proud that I’m in a role where I impact, interact and touch many lives ranging from my colleagues to my customers, shareholders and end-customers. I feel fulfilled when seeing members of my team progress within their own careers or when our clients succeed thanks to the services we provide them with. On a personal note I am very proud of my 2 Boys, as a matter of fact, I learn so much from them now!
What keeps you motivated? What maintains your passion for and commitment to the work you are doing?
My family is my biggest source of motivation today and they challenge me to become the best version of myself. Life is a journey of continuous growth and I wake up every day excited to continue my journey!
What do you like to do in your free time?
I truly enjoy spending quality time with family. We plan fun activities to enjoy together like going for walks, going to the gym, playing golf, cooking, watching movies, or just a light discussion on current topics. As a family we love traveling and exploring new places, communities, cultures and cuisines. Last year we traveled to Istanbul and it was a great experience! I am also an avid fan of audiobooks and podcasts.
Tell about an amazing trip you took. Where did you go and what did you enjoy most?
Two trips which were absolutely unforgettable for me were Iceland and Alaska. Connecting with the nature and exploring the landscapes was priceless. We completed the Golden Circle in Iceland and a picturesque Alaska cruise; both trips were incredible.
The road to success is difficult and requires tremendous dedication. What advice would you give to a young person who aspires to follow in your footsteps and emulate your success?
There are no shortcuts to hard work. Where you spend your time and effort is what you will become. In order to make the most of the opportunities in front of you, it requires discipline and focus. The journey is long and it requires resilience, but having stamina is better than having speed.
Describe a time that you failed and how you responded to that situation.
Throughout my career, I have amassed more failures than successes but they have always served as a great lesson and in a lot of cases they helped me achieve success down the line.
Why did you choose to be a Board Member of Educate. Radiate. Elevate.?
From a young age, my parents instilled the value in me to serve the community. My mom was a social worker helping the underprivileged and serving families in our local area. I’ve always had a very high regard for education and teachers because of the impact they had in my life: the mentorship, guidance, and the support, which helped me tremendously. I’m always looking for venues to serve the community and giving back to the youth of our country has been a priority in recent years. Serving on the Board of Educate, Radiate and Elevate – was like a dream come true where my passion for education and my desire to serve the community came together I’m very excited to be part of this board and support the mission.
What about the Educate. Radiate. Elevate.’s Purpose, Mission, and Core Values speaks most to you and why?
What inspires me most about Educate. Radiate. Elevate.’s mission is its deep commitment to equality in education and holistic student development, especially for underserved students. It reminds me of my early struggles after moving to the U.S. and the lasting impact of educational gaps on individuals and communities. E.R.E.’s intentional approach—blending academics with culturally responsive instruction, trauma-informed care, and social-emotional learning—shows that education is not one-size-fits-all. Their focus on soft skills and life preparedness aligns with my belief that true empowerment means preparing students to thrive beyond the classroom. Sometimes, all it takes is a little magic push.
