Ruchi Nadkarni
38 | Director of Inclusive Entrepreneurship, Mercy Connections
Residence: Chittenden
Career highlight: One of my most cherished career highlights has been seeing the tangible impact of bringing people together around a shared purpose. From helping build a grassroots animal welfare movement in Mumbai to working alongside entrepreneurs and communities who have historically been overlooked, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing what happens when people are given access, encouragement, and opportunity.
Community involvement: Throughout my career, I have focused on creating social impact through both my professional roles and community service, advancing equity, economic opportunity, and strong mission-driven organizations. I have served on the boards of North Country Animal League, where I also supported fundraising through its Development Committee, and Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, where I continue to serve on the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee.
As the founder, board member, and advisor of Mumbai-based World For All Animal Care and Adoptions, I helped grow the organization through partnerships, fundraising, volunteer engagement, and community events. As an alumna of UVM’s Sustainable Innovation MBA (SIMBA), I promote the program in the community and work to make business education accessible across backgrounds and levels of experience. Most recently, I joined the PTA at Porters Point School, supporting children, families, and our school community.
Motivation for living and working in Vermont: Vermont always represented a special ethos to me, in the people, the environment and the authenticity of thought and values. I felt welcomed as a citizen of this country for the first time in a sense of true belonging after coming to Vermont. That catapulted my career and my ability to serve to my fullest potential and allowed me to choose this as my second home, and a place I trust to raise my family in.
Favorite part of your job: The favorite part of my job is meeting my stakeholders from all walks of life, and being able to be the person that facilitates the realization of their fullest potential in whichever direction they want to go. I absolutely love my co-workers and my work family – who make the work a joy and share a deep sentiment of service and community belonging.
Most inspiring mentor: My most inspiring mentor is my mother. I am her savage daughter like the song written by KL Kahan. She showed me through my formative years what an unrelenting spirit looks like, and she continues to do that for me.
Best career advice: A career is one part of your identity, and can have many different facets to it, be able to tell your story and that throughline well!!
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: Few people in Vermont know that I deeply love animals – I, petsit and rescue them and actually hand them over to wild life rehabbers!
What would most people be surprised to learn about you? Few people know that I am ambidextrous, and went on to be left hand dominant! Its actually led me to be right brained – leading to having a more creative leaning to my decisions..
What three words best describe you: Perceptive. Compassionate. Tenacious.
Favorite Vermont escape: My favorite Vermont escape is the Ethan Allen Homestead – I fell in love with it over the years that my son went to pre-school there. It is a little known or explored piece of land that is absolutely magical!
Favorite Vermont season: My favorite Vermont season is the transition from Summer to Fall – it is perfectly cool with the sun out!
Favorite downtime activity: My favorite downtime activity is singing, doing a puzzle and spending time reflecting on life. Spending time with animals, getting outdoors, and finding little moments of joy and adventure with my family.
Favorite social media: My favorite social media is debatable – I don’t love social media because of what it represents and how it manipulates our minds. However – if I were to choose, I like instagram and learning new things in short form!
Favorite smell: My favorite smell is jasmine/ honeysuckle – or anything which is floral and earthy.
Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with: The person I’d most like to share a Vermont beverage with is my partner! He would know the perfect brew for me..
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support: The cause I would support is innovative models of lending and finance, animal welfare and a think tank that explores innovative economic indicators.
What one song is on your playlist that are you embarrassed to tell your best friend: I wouldn’t be embarrased to share anything with my best friend! Lol – But I was into a Backstreet Boys phase – but they are making a comeback!
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5-10 years: I’d love to be in a position where I can influence big-picture thinking, mentor emerging leaders, and bring people and ideas together to create meaningful, lasting impact. Ultimately, I want to be known not just for what I’ve accomplished, but for the possibilities I’ve helped others see and realize.
What career goal(s) would you like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years: In the next five to ten years, I hope to be contributing at a more strategic and systems level, helping organizations and communities build stronger pathways to economic opportunity, inclusion, and resilience. I envision myself in a position where I can bring together my experience as a practitioner, strategist, and relationship builder to influence how institutions think, collaborate, and create meaningful impact. I also hope to mentor emerging leaders and continue creating opportunities for voices and perspectives that are too often overlooked.
What’s the ideal next move for you in your career: I love my job and intend to be at it for a few more years. After that, my ideal next move would be to an advisory role where I can work at the intersection of economic mobility, relational leadership, and systems change.
Drawing on your experiences, what advice would you give to someone looking to get involved in community service: Community service isn’t always about having the answers or making grand gestures. Often, it’s about showing up consistently, building relationships, and understanding what a community actually needs rather than assuming you know.