Pioneering Change through Synergie
Indrani Maitra hails from the lively avenues of North Delhi and possesses a unique combination of intellect and empathy. She excelled academically, graduating in Economics from Miranda House, and obtaining her master’s degree from the esteemed Delhi School of Economics. Indrani’s family background in history and academia instilled in her the virtues of modesty, self-reliance, and composure, which have influenced her life choices.
The second of three accomplished sisters, Indrani’s upbringing was heavily influenced by the lessons of balance and resilience. Her mother was skilled at managing both her professional commitments and familial responsibilities, which had a profound impact on Indrani’s perspective on life. Additionally, Indrani’s father, a historian and author, shared his wisdom with her, providing her with a grounded perspective that she carries with grace.
Indrani tied the knot with Saurabh Verma, who has a passion for fitness and techfor-good. Their daughter, Anushka, is pursuing her academic goals at UC Berkeley in California, reflecting the family’s deep love for learning. Growing up, Indrani’s father maintained an extensive book collection, a tradition now continued in their household, where the entire family shares a deep love for reading.
Indrani holds a special place in her heart for a group of close confidants who are seamlessly woven into the fabric of her life. Her childhood friend Swati, who has been her partner in mischief, and several other strong-willed women, including her mother, two sisters and her sister-inlaw have played a significant role in shaping her journey.
A diverse range of interests showcase Indrani’s multifaceted personality. She is an enthusiastic runner currently training to participate in the Delhi half marathon. Additionally, she enjoys exploring different horizons, such as theatre, classical music, jazz, trekking, and TSD car rallies. She is also currently learning Spanish and sailing.
Indrani began her career at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) after studying at the Delhi School of Economics. Working alongside successful business leaders, she gained valuable knowledge about India’s industrial landscape. Later, she embarked on a World Bank project where she had the opportunity to travel and work extensively in rural areas across India, which taught her the importance of community resilience and adaptability. This experience helped her develop an unyielding spirit for overcoming challenges.
Fueled by this passion, Indrani and Saurabh founded Synergie in 2009 with a forwardthinking vision. At the time, CSR laws didn’t exist, but there were growing trends in sustainability reporting, ethical consumerism, and a shift from philanthropy to CSR. Many businesses wanted to embrace responsible practices but needed support. Recognizing this as a chance to aid businesses with strategy, program development, impact measurement, and capacity building, Indrani and her partner seized the opportunity.
Synergie stands out for its unique combination of social and digital innovation. What truly sets them apart is their ability to merge realworld social expertise with cutting-edge technology. This approach enables Synergie to deliver customized solutions to each client and provide datadriven insights for measurable outcomes. Synergie’s ethical conduct and responsible leadership led by Indrani and Saurabh have built lasting relationships with clients and partners.
Indrani’s mission for Synergie is to establish mutually beneficial scenarios where businesses can flourish economically while also contributing to society and the environment. Indrani sees sustainable practices as a crucial step towards creating a more inclusive world, and her company strives to guide corporate partners through this transformative journey.
The pandemic posed a challenge to the business as it was heavily reliant on face-to-face interactions with customers. However, the company’s proficient IT skills and resilient workforce enabled a shift to virtual services. To their surprise, the communities they served willingly embraced technology, leading to noticeable growth. The company’s offerings, such as their ed-tech platform, became essential products, enabling them to adapt and embrace change.
Synergie has received numerous awards, including Special Consultative Status with the UN-ECOSOC in recognition of its significant contribution to the global socio-economic landscape.
The company is also a member of the UN Global Compact, which showcases its dedication to ethical behavior and responsible conduct. Indrani has been recognized with the 101 Most Impactful CSR Leaders Award, a testament to her unwavering commitment to creating a meaningful impact on society.
Indrani is a successful entrepreneur with her strength in customer-centric approach. Her life and business partner, Saurabh, complements her skills.
Her message to viewers is one of authenticity and growth. “Stay true to what really matters to you, and never stop learning. The time is always right – to start something new, to correct a mistake, to apologize, to forgive, to express gratitude, to pursue a passion, to adopt a healthier lifestyle, and, like we articulate in Synergie’s vision, to make a positive impact on the world!” Indrani Maitra’s journey exemplifies synergy, where passion, vision, and action converge to bring about transformative change.
