E31 - Making Time to Change the World

There’s only so much time in the day to accomplish what you want to accomplish, whether that be advancing your career, growing a family, pursuing a passion, or whatever else. But sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget to make time to change the world.

Anu Chitrapu is one of those rare women who has achieved immense success in her career as well as changing the world. This Bank of America SVP finds time after her 9-to-5 to volunteer with a number of global nonprofits, and she points out that learnings can be taken from both spaces to improve both corporate America and the nonprofit sector. Anu’s passion for volunteerism stems from her childhood, when her mother used to bring her to volunteer at a local orphanage. She didn’t even view it as volunteering; she was just making friends and building human connections! 

Anu shares three impactful volunteer experiences that she will treasure forever, showing the widespread reach of her efforts. She also discusses her perspective on empowering women and what being an empowered woman means to her. Nonprofits that Anu is deeply involved in are TiE Boston, Nyrvaana, American India Foundation, and Direct Action for Women Now. We highly recommend that you check them out and support at least one of them. 

Anu’s thoughtful and intelligent perspective on balancing her passion for growing nonprofits with corporate America demonstrates that it is possible to change the world, no matter how much else you have going on day-to-day. She exudes a personal culture of volunteerism that serves as an inspiration for all!