Bhakti Salunkhe Puranik

Bhakti Salunkhe Puranik thrives at developing innovative ideas, programs, and services that engage students within the local and global community. As Executive Director of the Puranik Foundation, she oversees operations, program development, and partnerships with a creative vision to inspire the next generation to lead, serve, and connect.

Founded over 22 years ago by Bhakti’s grandmother, and headquartered in Houston, Texas, the foundation owns and operates a school in Pune, India, called Vision International Learning Center (VILC). At no cost to the families it serves, K-12 students receive academic instruction, living quarters, meals, uniforms, and enrichment training in mindfulness, critical thinking, and leadership.

The school, encompassing 27 acres, is sustained by solar, biogas, and water recycling systems to protect and preserve nature. In addition to educating the under-resourced in India, the Puranik Foundation’s mission is to provide unforgettable experiences that open minds, stimulate holistic perspectives, and inspire transformation.

A creative at heart, Salunkhe graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in Advertising with a minor in Service Design. Bhakti continues her education and is a certified 200-hour yoga teacher and a certified life coach. She is amid completing a Non-Profit and Leadership Certification from Harvard Kennedy School. Her unique background informs a design-centered approach along with the ability to lead and empower students as she develops innovative experiential learning programs for the youth in line with the Puranik Foundation’s mission.

As such, high school students participate in global service leadership programs that include Impact India – a 10-day study abroad program that focuses on cultural immersion, mentorship, and mindfulness at the VILC campus in Pune, India. The Energy project was launched in 2022 that enables youth activism through innovating sustainable products to impact the local community in Houston partnering with a Stanford professor, Rice University MBA mentors, TXRX labs and Junior Achievement. The newest program Classroom Clarity introduces mindfulness in the classroom and partnering with the local yoga community to bring a SEL + yoga and meditation to the classroom creating a safe space and bringing back strength in our communities since COVID-19.

Salunkhe is on a mission to share this life-changing experience. She recently worked with Houston Independent School District (HISD) to create its first Global Issues Summit. This initiative engages youth to discuss the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and enables underserved youth to study abroad every year. Salunkhe also partnered with HISD to co-found HISD Abroad and was integral in securing over $50,000 in funding to allowing for under-resourced high school students in Houston to study abroad. Recruiting supporters like Sister Cities of Houston and the Mayor’s Office of Trade and International Affairs made this initiative a huge success.

Bhakti Salunkhe was a featured guest speaker at the Asia Society Texas Center’s 2020 Houston Global Education Dialogue and is an ongoing member of the organization’s Global Education Steering Committee. Voyage Houston Magazine recently featured Salunkhe, driven by a long-standing passion for serving and establishing a legacy, values that were instilled as a child.

As a little girl, she watched both sets of grandparents start family businesses and social service organizations, committing their lives to establishing financial stability, and giving to those in need. In addition, her parents are entrepreneurs who volunteer an equal amount of time to lead community endeavors. Her family has received national acclaim for global impact. Salunkhe leverages this deep-seated business acumen to help others start their businesses and supports social causes.

A love for adventure consumes the majority of her free time. Salunkhe enjoys hiking, biking, sailing, racing, yoga-ing, and above all else, mothering her rescue dog Beans.