Anita Patel: Leading with Heart, Purpose, and Impact
Photographed by Priyanca Rao | Trailblazers Empowerment Project
Drumroll, Please: Meet Anita Patel — A trailblazing nonprofit leader, community developer, and philanthropist.
“It all starts with one hour, one moment.”
Anita Patel has built a remarkable career balancing corporate roles in wealth management with deep, meaningful involvement in nonprofit leadership, community development, and philanthropy. From teaching financial literacy to second graders through Junior Achievement to leading impactful philanthropic initiatives at The Nanubhai Education Foundation and the University of Florida’s Alumni Association, her journey demonstrates how small, intentional actions can create lasting social change.
Watch this behind the scenes video from Anita’s Trailblazer shoot
“Having a good routine is the best way to make time for yourself. The 24 hours expire every day, so maximizing them is key to owning your time.”
Her approach to leadership is grounded in empathy, discipline, and servant leadership. Whether chairing boards, mentoring students, or guiding organizations in strategic philanthropy, Anita embodies the principles of modern community-focused leadership in every role she takes on.
Leadership Rooted In Vedic Philosophy
“Studying the Gita has built a strong foundation and framework for me, emphasizing removing ego and being a renunciating leader.”
Rooted in her interest studying scriptures, Anita is inspired to integrate the ancient teachings of Vedic philosophy into modern leadership practices. Principles such as emphasizing prioritizing others, managing emotions, and focusing on long-term, sustainable outcomes, would resonate with executives, nonprofit leaders, and emerging philanthropists.
“The famous image from The Bhagavad Gita of Lord Krishna pulling a chariot represents the body , passenger Arjuna as the soul, with the reins as the mind controlling the horses symbolizing the five senses.
Key aspects of renunciation leadership practices selfless giving and strives for the common good. Influencing with humility by strategically shifting from micromanaging to empowering a team to make decisions and find their own voice. This philosophy allows leaders to operate in “stealth mode,” achieving measurable results without being sidetracked by ego or external pressures, maintaining equanimity, keeping a steady composure in challenging times or busy seasons, making her a sought-after thought leader .
Growing Through Mentorship And Uplifting Others
“To create durable pipelines for women and first-generation talent, leaders should locate a way to be a mentor and become an ally.”
Anita encourages those looking to create durable pipelines for women and first-generation talent to engage with local nonprofits like the Fresh Air Fund or 1,000 Dreams , mentor students, support alumni from your own High School or College , and be an ally. t. For aspiring philanthropists, she recommends programs like Nanubhai’s EmpowHER Circle, a giving circle where you can sponsor a Nanubhai Scholar for $1,801 for 4 years of college and transform a Scholar’s future.
“As a tutor and mentor, I was able to plant seeds that grow into meaningful, long-term impact. A student at the Fresh Air Fund, whom I tutored during 7th grade, graduated from Boston University on a full scholarship.”
Her philosophy centers on the ripple effect of small, routine actions. Leadership, for Anita, is about kindness, alignment, and intentional action. She emphasizes that faith-driven values and community-minded philanthropy are powerful differentiators in professional and nonprofit spaces.
“Get up and set your shoulder to the wheel. How long is this life for? As you come into this world, leave some mark behind.” – Swami Vivekananda
Anita’s Trailblazer photoshoot with Priyanca Rao provided a rare opportunity to step into the spotlight, capturing the grit, rigor, and empathy behind her work in banking, philanthropy, and nonprofit leadership.
“The photos show the commitment behind my work, highlighting that leadership and service start with one small moment and routine.”
As a Dharma Ambassador through the Hindu American Foundation, she continues to lead with faith-driven purpose. She is the Co-Chair for the Hindu Faith Forum of North America for one of Wall Street’s largest investment banks. After support from the EMEA HFF Steering Co, Anita and her co-chair Rakhi Khanna, launched with an informative International Yoga Day event, sharing ancient wisdom and benefits of meditation. Seva, giving back, is a key aspect of the Hindu faith, and Anita was the Vice President of Philanthropy and Volunteers for the University of Florida’s Alumni Gotham Gator Club leading service projects throughout New York City for 8 years. Her projects included Carter Burden Senior Center Luncheon Club in East Harlem, The Meatloaf Kitchen, Meals on wHeels with CityMeals food delivery to our frail and elderly neighbors, Food Bank of New York, Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (K.E.E.N.), Earth Matters composting at Governor’s Island Lavender Field, and supporting local efforts like NYC Clean. Anita is building initiatives like a junior board at Nanubhai to involve young professionals, blending brand awareness, community engagement, and philanthropic action.
A Modern Trailblazer Leading With Heart
“I’m excited for this to inspire others and connect with social impact professionals doing similar development work.”
Through her work in banking, nonprofit leadership, community development, philanthropy, and Vedic philosophy-inspired leadership, Anita Patel exemplifies what it means to be a modern Trailblazer leading with heart, vision, and tangible impact.
Anita took a bold step out of her comfort zone by participating in the Trailblazers photoshoot. Often behind-the-scenes serving with organizations like Nanubhai, University of Florida Gotham Gator Club, and the Fresh Air Fund, Anita embraced the challenge of being front and center.
“I’m usually behind the scenes,” she shared, “but this photoshoot showed the grit and empathy behind my work.”
Becoming Her Own Muse
The experience, curated by Priyanca Rao, pushed Anita to share her story on a larger scale, climbing taxi cabs and blending Indian and Western outfits to reflect her multifaceted leadership. “It was a new experience that sparked taking up space,” she said, inspiring others to take small, courageous steps toward sharing their own journeys.
This project marked a personal transformation for Anita. Encouraged by her manager Anna Burns at her wealth management firm to “tell the story,” she began sharing more openly, starting with an internal post for International Women’s Day, speaking at a Women In Wealth NYC event, and sharing her story in an issue of her sorority , Delta Phi Omega’s newsletter. “I’ve seen the value in sharing my commitment to nonprofit leadership while building a two decade career in finance now,” she reflects, realizing that stepping into the light not only amplifies her mission but also connects her with like-minded individuals in philanthropy and community leadership. Through this, Anita changed from a behind-the-scenes operator to a visible philanthropist and speaker, proving that vulnerability can lead to greater impact.
Anita’s Trailblazers moment reminds us that stepping out of your comfort zone even for one hour can create ripples of impact. Whether it’s a one time project mentoring a student, volunteering at the senior center, serving meals at the local soup kitchen, or finding a virtual project, take that first step. As Anita’s favorite quote by Swami Vivekananda says,
“Get up and set your shoulder to the wheel… leave some mark behind.”
Dare to try something new, you never know who you’ll inspire! What a difference one hour can make.
GETTING TO KNOW Anita BETTER
Anita has worked in financial services for over 20 years. Beyond her dynamic operations roles in wealth management client service, she is on the Women In Wealth Community Engagement Committee, Co-Head of the Private Wealth Management Volunteer Club, and Hindu Faith Forum North America Co-Chair.
She oversees the annual Private Wealth Management Winter Wishes program granting wishes for Title One public school children in the local NYC community, and helped launch the PWM Volunteer Club in 2023. The club hosts projects for employees.
Anita is also an avid community volunteer. She serves as Chairwoman of The Nanubhai Education Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to empowering financially vulnerable students in rural India by providing higher education access. Anita joined NEF as Director of Grassroots Development and held several positions raising awareness, scaling the organization, and FUNdraising. NEF is the recipient of the I CAN 2019 Humanitarian Excellence Award in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Anita served as the Vice President of Philanthropy and Volunteers on the University of Florida Gotham Gator Club Executive Board of Directors from 2016 -2024, hosting the annual International Gator Day of service, and leads group projects for NYC Gators at Meals on wHeels via CityMeals, delivering nutritious meals to our frail, elderly homebound neighbors, fitness projects for special needs K.E.E.N.’s children, composting at The Lavender Field on Governor’s Island, The Carter Burden Network Luncheon Club, and more. Anita was awarded the 2023 and 2025 Outstanding Gator Volunteer Award by the University of Florida. She currently serves as the Vice President of Donor Relations.
Anita has been a tutor and mentor for The Fresh Air Fund’s College Connections Program in New York City since 2015 following a small group of first generation high school students on the journey to college.
Over the years Anita has volunteered at Junior Achievement, the soup kitchen at The Meatloaf Kitchen and The Bowery Mission, NY Cares project at PS 184 Shuang Wen School, New York Woman’s Foundation Breakfast, Doe Fund Mock Interview Night, and was a weekly volunteer with the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital Charna’s Kids Club Sibling Program.
Anita was named 2023 Women’s History Month 25 Influential Sisters by Delta Phi Omega Sorority, Inc., a South Asian interest Greek organization she chartered at the University of Florida and expanded to UNC-Chapel Hill, Texas A&M, UCSD, UTenn, and USF.
Anita holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Mass Communication from the University of Florida.
About the Trailblazers Empowerment Project
The Trailblazers Empowerment Project was created by Priyanca Rao, a portrait photographer who helps women step into their most powerful selves. Each session is designed to honor who you are and reflect back to you the strength that’s been there all along.
Priyanca combines luxury portraiture with deep listening and storytelling, creating images that not only look beautiful, but feel like truth. This project is about visibility, confidence, and transformation. You leave with powerful wall art that reminds you everyday of your highest self.
Apply here to be part of the project.
Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Remembered.
You have a story. You have something to say. Let’s show the world who you are becoming.
www.priyanca.com/trailblazers
@priyancaraophotography
Other trailblazers here
As part of the Trailblazer Empowerment Project by Priyanca Rao, we were honored to photograph Anita Patel, an inspiring leader whose work aligns deeply with our mission to celebrate women in leadership and philantropy through intentional, powerful imagery. Priyanca Rao Photography specializes in eco headshots and personal branding photography tailored for women in executive, creative, and leadership roles, including CEOs, COOs, therapists, coaches, artists, musicians, actors, and real estate professionals. Known as a top NYC and Westchester photographer, Priyanca also serves clients throughout Connecticut (CT), New Jersey (NJ), and Long Island, delivering branding photos that elevate websites and social media presence. Whether you’re a founder, healer, or change maker, this women’s empowerment project continues to spotlight authentic voices through meaningful portraiture designed to help you stand out and lead with confidence.
