In 2009, Shalini Mahtani’s three-year-old son Zubin died due to medical negligence. The tragedy shattered her world but reshaped her purpose. From that heartbreak, Mahtani founded The Zubin Foundation in 2014 to reduce suffering and create opportunities for Hong Kong’s ethnic minority communities.
Today, the foundation provides support in education, job access, healthcare, and social equity. As part of this work, the Institute of Racial Equality Hong Kong trains companies and NGOs and provides policy recommendations to the government, helping to drive systemic change across society.
Before this, Mahtani was a trailblazer in corporate diversity and inclusion as the founder and CEO of Community Business, Asia’s first organisation dedicated to equity, representation, and inclusion in business. She has advised multinational corporations and leading investment banks on D&I policies, shaping workplace practices across the region.
Shalini Mahtani is one of Asia’s most authoritative and respected voices on the “S” of ESG, particularly equity and inclusion. She is a pioneer in civil society on women in leadership, racial and ethnic minority rights, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and support for those with neurological differences. She sees her greatest professional achievement as the ability to influence change through engagement and public policy.
Mahtani has served on numerous government advisory boards and advises local NGOs and universities, including Yew Cheung Community College and Baptist University College of International Education. Her work has been widely recognised. She is a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum, and a recipient of the Hong Kong Humanity Award and the Medal of Honour from the Hong Kong SAR Government.
As a speaker, Shalini Mahtani shares lessons on resilience, purpose-driven leadership, and inclusive communities, showing how personal tragedy can be transformed into lasting societal impact. She inspires audiences to act, equipping them with the insight and tools to drive meaningful change.
