Walking the Path, Then Lighting the Way
Executive Director
The SOL Foundation
Leadership isn’t about holding power—it’s about using knowledge and experience to uplift others, create opportunities, and spark change. Rizwana, Executive Director of The SOL Foundation, exemplifies this belief through her words and the daily impact she creates. Her journey from administration to leadership reflects a deeper calling—rooted in the idea that education is not just personal growth but a responsibility to pass wisdom forward, especially for women who become pillars of entire communities. With years of experience behind the scenes, Rizwana developed the operational skills to run an organization with precision. Fluent in multiple languages and having grown up navigating diverse cultural landscapes, Rizwana built bridges where others saw walls. At The SOL Foundation, she ensures that each initiative is shaped by those it serves, fostering a sense of ownership and sustainability in the process. Through community-led solutions, social entrepreneurship, and advocacy for systemic change, she has made it her mission to address immediate needs and build frameworks for lasting progress. In this exclusive interview with TradeFlock for our Most Empowering Women Leaders from the USA 2024 edition, Rizwana shares the experiences, values, and challenges that have shaped her leadership journey.
Business has always been in my blood, thanks to my father, a serial entrepreneur. In 2013, I jumped into one of his ventures—a travel franchise—and found my passion for building things from the ground up. From there, I helped with other startups, like a printing business and a salon, and realized I loved the variety and challenge of juggling multiple ventures. What keeps me balanced is my genuine passion for growth and learning. Every business I touch teaches me something new, which I bring back to GKM Coaching—where my heart truly lies, helping others on their entrepreneurial journeys. Time management, prioritizing, and aligning everything I do with my purpose ensures GKM Coaching stays at the forefront.
At The SOL Foundation, I believe impact isn’t just about today—it’s about building something that lasts. “Real change happens when the people it serves are the ones leading it,” which is why we focus on empowering local leaders to design their own solutions. Collaboration is another key pillar—strategic partnerships with organizations and policymakers help us scale impact efficiently. We’re also supporting social entrepreneurs whose ideas tackle real community challenges, blending purpose with innovation to create sustainable growth.
Balancing priorities like expanding education and healthcare with sustainable economic development requires thoughtful decisionmaking. “Every action has a reaction, and every choice a consequence,” so every path we take must align with The SOL Foundation’s mission. I rely on a priority matrix to evaluate urgency, impact, and feasibility, ensuring decisions are grounded in purpose. Collaborating with stakeholders— our team, board, beneficiaries, and experts—further enriches our choices with diverse insights. To make sustainable growth a reality, we integrate environmental assessments into every economic initiative, foster community participation through environmental education, and monitor outcomes for continuous improvement. This approach ensures that the programs we choose today not only meet immediate needs but also promote long-term ecological balance and social well-being.
“Every action has a reaction, and every choice a consequence,” and Tata’s legacy reflects this wisdom. During college, I was captivated by his story—he stood out on a class list dominated by global icons like Gates and Jobs as the only Indian Most Empowering Women Leaders From USA 2024 34 entrepreneur. His long-term vision, unwavering integrity, and deep commitment to social responsibility resonated with me, especially given my own cultural roots. Tata’s ability to blend business acumen with philanthropy inspired my leadership philosophy. His humility and approachability, paired with his willingness to take risks, remind me that leadership is not just about success but also about creating a lasting impact on others.
Leadership, for me, is where passion naturally meets purpose. Traveling has shaped my empathy, allowing me to see the world through many lenses, while my interest in technology and innovation keeps me adaptable in a fast-changing landscape. I’ve found that shared passions— like social entrepreneurship and international relations—foster meaningful collaborations, turning partnerships into friendships. Lifelong learning through these interests keeps me curious, helping me lead with fresh perspectives and forward-thinking strategies.
Empowering marginalized communities isn’t just a professional mission for me— it is a personal commitment. Growing up in a culturally diverse environment, I saw firsthand how authentic engagement can build trust and drive change. At The SOL Foundation, this translates into designing programs where communities don’t just participate—they lead, ensuring every voice counts.Having personally experienced systemic barriers, I know advocacy goes beyond rhetoric; it’s about shifting power dynamics. This fuels my passion for policy reform, ensuring the voices we serve aren’t just heard but actively shaping the decisions that impact their future.
We know that real impact often lives between the lines—felt in the morale of a community or the confidence of an individual. To capture these intangible outcomes, we combine data with human stories. Social network analysis lets us track how relationships evolve, and participation metrics reveal engagement trends. But the heart of our evaluation lies in personal narratives of transformation and feedback sessions, where communities share their experiences in their own words, giving us insights that numbers alone can’t provide.
Every decision I make is rooted in the values that shape who I am as a leader. “Never give up, you are your own cheerleader, cause every hardship comes with ease.” This mindset fuels my commitment to empathy—understanding diverse perspectives—and integrity, ensuring transparency and accountability at every step. Inclusivity is at the heart of my leadership, creating opportunities for marginalized communities to thrive. Social responsibility also guides my choices, balancing community well-being with environmental sustainability. These values don’t just inform what I do—they define how I lead, ensuring that our work at The SOL Foundation creates meaningful and lasting change.
I believe the next five years hold immense potential for The SOL Foundation to become a global force for social change. Our vision is to empower more marginalized communities, foster innovation, and promote global citizenship through expanded programs and impactful social entrepreneurship initiatives. Increasing our fundraising capacity will also be crucial to achieving sustainable growth. However, challenges like economic uncertainty, regulatory complexities, and shifting social trends are inevitable. But “Every hardship comes with ease,” and we’ll navigate these obstacles by forming strategic partnerships, investing in talent development, and staying agile through continuous research and innovation. With this approach, I’m confident we’ll turn our vision into reality.
What might surprise my team is that The SOL Foundation is more than a job for me—it’s a labor of love born from personal struggle. Early in my career, despite having the right education, I faced rejection after rejection. It left me questioning my worth and the value of my education. But The SOL Foundation became my turning point. Working here gave me the purpose I was searching for, and “The first step of success is being able to give to those who are in need of charity, not who wants charity.” That mindset drives me every day to empower marginalized communities, foster resilience, and provide real opportunities for growth. Every success story we create reminds me why I never gave up—and why I never will.
