Vedantik Leadership Training
Vedantik Leadership Training (VLT), led by Shri Vivek, bridges philosophy and practice to cultivate future leaders. VLT is a year-long immersive training designed to shape insightful, resilient, and service-driven leaders in any field. This engaging program will empower leaders with
- Guidance and individualized coaching rooted in Vedanta
- Deep inspiration through the practice of leadership skills in an inclusive space
- Meaningful connections with experienced, dedicated leaders and peers
Shri Vivek and the speakers have garnered invaluable insights and skills from a diverse range of experiences, both within and beyond Chinmaya Mission. Our goal is to pass on these learnings, empowering aspiring leaders from all organizations and backgrounds.
Why VLT?
VLT is designed to provide aspiring leaders with the opportunities and guidance they need to unlock their potential and become the leaders their communities require. Many possess inherent leadership qualities, but often lack the clarity on how to channel it. Through exposure to seasoned leaders and hands-on practice, the training will cultivate:
- Clarity of Purpose: By connecting participants with leaders who have dedicated their lives to seva, they gain insights that help define their personal and professional goals.
- Confidence of Self: Through service-learning and guidance from mentors, trainees will develop the confidence to trust their abilities, becoming more assured in their decisions and leadership capabilities.
- Conviction in Relating: Regardless of the career choices of participants, the training helps them develop a deeper understanding of working with people and communities. It will strengthen their interpersonal skills and prepare them to collaborate effectively in any environment.
VLT will empower participants to discover their direction, build confidence, and strengthen their community and team development skills. Most critically, participants will build a lasting, supportive network that they can rely on for years to come in every aspect of their lives.
Timeline
OPEN HOUSE
APPLICATION OPENS
APPLICATION END DATE
APPLICATION DECISIONS
TRAINING COMMENCEMENT
TRAINING ORIENTATION
FIRST DAY OF CLASS
Eligibility and Selection
- Ages 16–30 (applicants outside this range are encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis).
- Commitment to attend weekly live sessions every Tuesday morning from 6:30–7:30 am EST with faculty, CommUnity leaders, and peers. Repeated absences may result in the withholding of training certification.
- Willingness to dedicate 2–3 hours per week to a service leadership project, applying and practicing leadership skills.
- The application requires a 60-second video describing what Vedantik Leadership means to you, the qualities a Vedantik leader embodies, and the leadership skills you wish to develop. Additionally, applicants must provide a personal reference.
- Vivek Ji and the VLT team will review applications and select candidates based on the sincerity and authenticity of their responses.
Service Leadership Project
The primary intention of the service leadership project is to provide an inclusive space for developing and practicing leadership skills. The VLT team will collaborate trainees to design impactful service leadership projects that align with the interests, strengths, and commUnity needs. Trainees will be assigned to commUnity leaders and teams who will mentor them in executing the project. The trainees will be responsible for ensuring progress, adhering to timelines, and maintaining their commitment to achieving the project’s objectives.
Credential
Participants who successfully complete VLT by attending training sessions and fulfilling the service leadership project will earn an EQ Certification, recognizing their ability to serve their communities and organizations more effectively and efficiently.
Absence Policy
VLT is designed to develop leadership competencies through active participation and hands-on practice. Additionally, many esteemed leaders have committed their time to sharing their expertise. Given this, missing training sessions or failing to meet service project expectations will be taken seriously and may impact certification eligibility.
Attendance & Accountability:
- If a participant misses up to four sessions (excused or unexcused), they are expected to review session notes to stay up to date.
- If a participant misses five sessions, the VLT team will provide recordings of all five missed sessions for a two-week period. Participants must submit detailed notes and reflections for each session within this timeframe.
- If the assignment is completed on time, the participant will remain on track for certification.
- If the assignment is not completed within the stipulated time or if another session is missed, the VLT team will seek Vivekji’s guidance to determine whether the participant can continue in the program.
Service Leadership Project:
- Participants are expected to implement and follow through on their service leadership project according to the collaboratively planned timelines and goals.
Are you ready to unlock & channel your leadership potential?
Our Guides
Shri Vivek Gupta
Shri Vivek Gupta, renowned for his spiritual teachings, inspires individuals to pursue lives filled with purpose and independent joy. Combining formal monastic training with life experience, he makes philosophy accessible across cultures. Dissatisfied despite worldly success, he embraced monkhood at Chinmaya Mission’s monastery in India under Swami Tejomayanandaji’s guidance. Vivekji shares his insights through courses, workshops, and retreats, reaching diverse audiences globally. As a Hindu chaplain, he’s spoken at prestigious institutions and authored two books, including “The Seeker’s Wordbook”. Through podcasts, YouTube, and social media, his teachings resonate worldwide. Currently guiding Chinmaya Mission Niagara Falls and Cleveland, Vivekji resides in Canada with his family, expanding his spiritual influence globally.
Shri Kritika Chaitanya
Brahmacharini Kritika Chaitanya was born in Toronto, Canada. After studying International Development Studies and Philosophy at the University of Toronto and engaging in much social work and volunteerism, she joined the 2nd Residential Vedanta Course at Chinmaya Mission Trinidad and Tobago Ashram in 2013. After a year and a half of studying the highest knowledge and Sanskrit under the guidance of Pujya Swami Prakashanandaji, she has committed herself to serving Chinmaya Mission. She is currently posted in Trinidad, conducting public satsangas and classes for adults, seniors and young females, and assisting with Ashram activities and enterprises.
Shri Shashikala Dwarkanath
Shri Shashikala Dwarkanath, the person behind Chinmaya Mission Boston, one of New England’s largest spiritual centers, has played a vital role in the lives of thousands of people in the area. She was bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 by INDIA New England News, one of the nation’s largest print, online and video magazines covering the Indian and South Asian community.
She is an accomplished doctor, an excellent mother, a very supporting spouse, a community leader and more intensely seeking the very purpose of life. She is one of the most complete human beings in our community, inspiring hundreds and thousands of young and grown up adults with her calming presence. She currently leads our Devis in our CommUnity.
Shri Shankar Rajupet
Shankar Rajupet was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. He was a senior pursuing an undergraduate degree in Economics, just trying to figure out his way through life when he was first introduced to the simple, yet most profound teaching of Vedanta. Shankar was told that there exists a permanent state of independent joy accessible to all. This one idea took hold of his mind and completely reshaped his priorities. In an effort to abide in this state of independent joy, he sought to gain clarity in understanding this Supreme Knowledge by studying in a Vedanta course. At an ashram in Trinidad and Tobago he studied the Hindu scriptures for two years under the guidance of Swami Prakashananda. After completing the course in November of 2018 he is now studying and teaching in the Pittsburgh area.
Shri Suman Rajupet
Suman, driven by his parents’ wish for his happiness and independence, pursued various societal avenues but remained unfulfilled. Seeking deeper meaning, he attended a Satsang in Pittsburgh, where he encountered Advaita Vedanta through Shri Vivek Gupta. Convinced of its potential, he enrolled in a two-year residential Vedanta course under Pujya Swami Prakashananda in Trinidad & Tobago. Returning in 2018, Suman works as an IT Manager in Providence, RI, while actively contributing to Chinmaya Mission Niagara and Cleveland. He travels extensively to share the profound message he embraced: perpetual, independent joy constitutes one’s essence.
Our Facilitators
Annapoorna Murthy
Annapoorna Murthy, is a Family Medicine doc by trade. She lives in the suburbs of Seattle, WA with her husband and 2 daughters. She is passionate about bringing health back to healthcare as we treat the illnesses of the body. She owes her training in self development to the Guru Shishya Parampara and hopes to continue on the path of seva and sadhana.
Bobby Mukkumala
Bobby Mukkamala, MD, a board-certified otolaryngologist—head and neck surgeon, was voted president-elect of the American Medical Association in June 2024. A graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School, he is in solo, private practice in Flint, Mich.
Learn more on LinkedIn
Cindy Cornell
With over 20 years of experience in executive coaching, leadership development, and strategic consulting—grounded in a foundation of cross-functional, global corporate roles—Cindy bring unique perspective to the leaders and teams she supports. This blend of expertise enables her to deeply relate to their challenges and opportunities, fostering impactful outcomes through relevant, engaging, and actionable coaching and strategic guidance.
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Harika Nandikanti
Harika is a healthcare clinical operations and transformation consultant with over 10 years of professional experience helping health systems deliver high value care to their patients while managing costs and clinician experience. She is passionate about mentoring young leaders and showing them how to have socially impactful careers in the corporate world. She strives to embody the path of yoga in all that she does as a seeker, student of Vedanta, mom, wife, daughter, and friend.
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Juie Deo
Juie is a mom and macro social worker who trains leaders in workforce programs. After studying biochemistry at the University of Michigan, Juie supported Teach for India and youth programs with Indicorps and Boys & Girls Clubs.
Juie thrives in facilitating self-discovery with others. Efforts and mentors from LeaderShape, Children at the Well, Chinmaya Mission, and Women & Public Policy Fellowship have helped them be an intentional leader.
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Neha Kale
Neha launched Kale Consulting, partnering with mission-driven organizations to strengthen leadership and build thriving cultures that accelerate impact. Over 20 years, Neha has collaborated with diverse global organizations, from social enterprises to Fortune 100s, supporting leaders. Neha is a sevika for Chinmaya Mission across communities and has also served with CORD (Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development) in Bharat.
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Nina Bhattacharya
Nina is a psychotherapist and educator who co-creates joyful, reflective spaces that amplify agency and authenticity. She approaches clinical practice through an abolitionist and intersectional feminist lens that honors community and cultural influence. Nina has taught at Harvard University and communities nationwide. Her commitment to collective liberation is grounded in Vedanta. Over the last decade, Nina’s co-creations are reflected in Chinmaya Mission Niagara’s young adult and philanthropy efforts, and Live Vedanta Podcast
Learn more! https://radio-rani.com/bio/
Om Chitale
Om closes opportunity and mobility gaps and drives belonging as part of the powerful Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging team at LinkedIn. Om led the inclusion recruiting partnerships and communities work across the entire business for 3 years, and now serves as the Inclusion Recruiting Strategy Partner for LinkedIn’s corporate functions (Finance, Legal, Talent & Public Policy), marketing, communications, social impact, and emerging talent teams.
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Vignesh Sadras
Vignesh is a seeker of the Divine and Independent Joy, and is currently a resident physician training to be a psychiatrist who serves marginalized populations at the intersection of spirituality and mental health. His life and goals have been inspired by the spirituality of Sanatana Dharma, and he is committed to following and furthering the vision of his spiritual guides. The Enhanced Seva training has given him the mindset and tactile skills to nurture the spirituality of adults and children.
Vinay Mallikaarjun
Vinay is a professional educator, having taught high school science for several years. He is currently an Ed.D Candidate in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education at the University of Pennsylvania.
A lifelong Chinmaya Mission member, Vinay integrates educational best practices with the sacred science of Vedanta to create enriching classroom experiences. He has taught students of all ages in the CMWRC Balavihar and Summer Camp programs, and has also guided the creation of several Balavihar curricula.
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Contact Us
Got questions?
Email at VLT@chinmayaniagara.com for answers!