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Primer on Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) in India

In many parts of the world, the word ESOP carries different connotations and serves distinct purposes. In the United States, ESOPs are typically integrated into the retirement benefits system, regulated under laws like ERISA, and are designed to build long-term wealth as part of an overall retirement strategy. By contrast, Indian ESOPs are structured much

Philosophy and Employee Ownership: Keynote Talk at the Oxford Employee Ownership Symposium 2023

Dear Public Officials, Leaders of Employee Ownership Organizations, and Friends:

I am John Hoffmire, one of the founders of this symposium, and am going to speak for about 25 minutes about Philosophy and Employee Ownership. There will be time for questions and answers at the end of my talk, so please take out your phone or

Inclusive Business Models: Creating Economic Security for Low-Income Communities

In today’s rapidly evolving global economy, inclusive business models are emerging as a transformative force for addressing poverty, inequality, and systemic barriers to opportunity. Unlike traditional business strategies that prioritize profit above all, inclusive business models are designed to integrate low-income communities into the value chain as producers, employees, suppliers, and consumers. By doing so,

Creating an Informal Network of Employee Ownership Consultants to Help in Countries with Emerging Economies

As you know, we have long celebrated the power and potential of employee ownership to transform businesses and communities. From enhancing productivity to fostering a sense of belonging and mutual success, the benefits are immense. Today, we want to invite you to be a part of an exciting new initiative: starting an informal network dedicated

Beyond Philanthropy: How Businesses Can Create Lasting Economic Opportunities for Workers

In an era of increasing economic inequality and job insecurity, businesses play a pivotal role not just in creating profits but also in shaping the broader socio-economic landscape. While corporate philanthropy often garners attention for its efforts to alleviate poverty and support communities, businesses have a much greater opportunity to foster lasting change by directly

Bridging the Divide: Corporate Innovations in Fighting Poverty

In today’s world, the battle against poverty is not solely in the hands of governments and nonprofits. An emerging trend shows that corporations, often seen as profit-driven entities, are increasingly playing a vital role in bridging the gap between the wealthy and the impoverished. Through innovative business models and creative solutions, companies are contributing to

Profits with a Purpose: The Role of Business in Closing the Wealth Gap – A Comparative Look at China and India

As the global economy continues to expand, the wealth gap remains one of the most pressing issues, particularly in emerging markets like China and India. While businesses are often seen as engines of economic growth, the question arises: are they doing enough to close the widening wealth gap, or are they exacerbating it? While both

The Origins and Growth of Employee Stock Ownership in the United States

Employee stock ownership and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) have become a key component of corporate culture and economic participation in the United States. The concept traces its origins back to the early 20th century but gained significant momentum in the mid-1900s.

The first modern ESOP is credited to Louis O. Kelso, an investment banker and

An interview with Himadri Gangwar, Chief Risk Officer, DSP Pension Fund

Dr. John Hoffmire:  It’s a pleasure to reconnect with you, Himadri. You have over a decade of experience in risk management and consulting, can you share how your journey in this field began and what motivated you to specialize in enterprise risk management?

Himadri Gangwar: Thank you for this opportunity, John. My journey in risk management

An interview with Shantanu Gupta, Indian author, political analyst and founder of The Ramayana School

John Hoffmire: Shantanu, you started your career in the corporate world with prestigious organizations like Wipro, Mercedes-Benz, and Intergraph. What inspired you to leave this comfortable path and transition into the social sector and political analysis?

Shantanu Gupta: While my corporate career was rewarding, I always felt a deeper calling to contribute to society in a

An Interview with Prachi Garg, Market Access, Policy, and Communications Lead at Organon

Dr John Hoffmire: Prachi, it’s a pleasure to be back in touch and learn more about your work.  You are the External Affairs & Communications Lead at Organon, a global healthcare company focused on improving the health of women. Tell me more about your role at Organon and how it aligns with your long standing

An interview with Swagat Bhandari, Officer on Special Duty, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

Dr. John Hoffmire: Hello Swagat. I’m delighted to have a chance to reconnect and learn more about what you are currently working on. You have had an interesting career that spans diverse and challenging roles, from District Collector of Kasaragod to Managing Director of Kerala Water Authority. I want to ask you what drives you

An Interview with Samina Bano, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RightWalk Foundation

Dr. John Hoffmire:  Hello Samina.  It’s good to be back in touch and I’m honored to get to ask you some questions about your work.  I’ll start as I usually do by asking what inspired you to leave a successful career in management consulting and dedicate yourself to social change in education?

Samina Bano: Thank you, John.  You

An interview with Ravi Gadepalli, Consultant to The World Bank and Principal Consultant for Transit Intelligence LLP

Dr. John Hoffmire: Ravi, you’ve been actively involved in public transport and electric mobility reforms in India for over a decade now and you started working across South Asia in recent years. What inspired you to focus on this sector, particularly in a country as complex as India?

Ravi Gadepalli: Hello John.

An interview with Nrupal Das, Director, Product Management at Paysafe, a fintech company headquartered in London

Dr. John Hoffmire: Nrupal, it’s a delight to be back in touch with you. I want to start by talking about your work at Paysafe, which involves leading payment solutions for North and South America, along with anti-fraud initiatives. Could you tell us about the challenges you face in this space and how you navigate

An Interview with Chalinda Abeykoon, Managing Partner at nVentures PTE LTD

Dr. John Hoffmire: Hello Chalinda! I’m excited to have this opportunity to chat with you and catch-up.  I’m first going to site some impressive numbers. You have been working with startups for over 15 years now, mentoring over 3,000 entrepreneurs and have helped launch over 50 startups across South and Southeast Asia.  You also played

An interview with Shashanka Rayadurga Huliraj, Manager at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bengaluru, India (HAL)

Dr. John Hoffmire:  Shashanka, I love talking with aerospace engineers. You are all so practical. It’s a pleasure to reconnect even though it’s only been a season since you were in Oxford.  You have an impressive background in aerospace and digital transformation. Can you start by sharing what inspired you to pursue a career in

An Interview with Dr. Kamal Gulati, Senior Scientist at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)

John Hoffmire: We share something in common, you and I. We both wrote doctoral dissertations on topics we feel passionate about and then centered our careers around that topic and passion. For you, the focus has been medical leadership development in a low- and middle-income country, i.e. India. I’d love to know how your interest

An Academic Perspective on Blended Finance and Impact Investing

In this podcast episode, we delve into a deep conversation about the evolution of blended finance over the years. We explore early structures such as the world’s first social impact bond in Peterborough, among others, and discuss concessional finance’s role in uplifting individuals out of poverty through

Nirav Khambhati’s Journey to Blended Finance

One of the extraordinary attributes of Chevening fellows is the dynamic trajectory of their careers and the work they do. Their curiosity and passion compel them to expand their education, interests, and influence and pursue new opportunities and challenges. The arc of their work and interests is never static.  They may start out as an

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