Nidhi helps
engineer social impact
with great passion

Nidhi Navadia started her career like many bright, young Indians. She studied computer science engineering. “That worked,” says Nidhi. “I got a job at IBM, one of the world’s top technology companies. I learned a lot about coding and engineering. I also realized I wanted to make a different kind of impact.” So she transitioned to corporate social responsibility (CSR). Today she’s helping to engineer social impact on a global scale and with great passion at DLL.

Feeling a part of the whole

Nidhi’s father worked as a central government official in India. During her childhood, he changed positions and locations several times. “We moved across various states in India,” says Nidhi. “This gave me a broader perspective and outlook. I do not identify myself with a single place or any dominant culture. It helps me to feel a part of the whole.”

Being part of the whole is central to her job today. Nidhi oversees DLL’s global Social Impact Program to enable a greener, more social and healthier future for all.

Renewed strategy and Global Transformers

The DLL program supports both local and global communities based on three pillars. First, by leveraging DLL’s business expertise. Second, by channeling the passion and skills of DLL members through purposeful volunteering. And third, by providing financial support to Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs).

“DLL has been proactive in their approach to create social impact,” says Nidhi. “My first assignment was to refresh DLL’s Global Social Impact Strategy. We have a strong, renewed commitment from our leaders to contribute towards societal development.”

Out in the field, Nidhi cooperates with a network of what she calls the Global Transformers. “These are wonderful DLL members across more than 25 countries,” says Nidhi. “They work with their local communities to identify social impact projects and enable us to make them happen.”

Nidhi oversees the DLL Global Social Impact Program to enable a greener, more social and healthier future for all.

Hard skills, soft skills and a feel-good job

People often ask Nidhi “How did you get such a feel-good job?” The answer is found in her heritage. Nearly 65% of India’s population is rural. When she decided software coding was not her cup of tea, she realized her passion was to help people in rural areas. Two years later, she finished her post-graduation from the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) in India.

Nidhi’s feel-good job demands a mix of hard and soft skills. She analyzes the data and investments DLL makes in various social impact projects. “This is an important challenge,” says Nidhi. “I need to ensure we are really making an impact for society. Further, I need persuasion, empathy and good communication skills to work with stakeholders across the whole organization.”

Indian food, electric trains and working in the soil

Moving to DLL meant moving to a new country. “Of course, I miss Indian food,” says Nidhi. “But I really like the sustainability focus here in the Netherlands. When I take the electric bus to the train station and commute to DLL headquarters in Eindhoven with the electric train, I feel like I am contributing towards a sustainable future. Most of the people bicycle here. It’s inspiring to see and contribute.”

As part of the Social Impact Program, each of DLL’s 5500 members can volunteer two days a year for a good cause. “It’s part of my job to connect our members to a purposeful cause. I’ve organized and participated in many,” says Nidhi.

One of her favorites is working with the Wasven, a small charity farm in the middle of Eindhoven, close to the train station. “We help with the sowing, planting and the harvest of vegetables. We shovel manure. It’s great for DLL teams to come together for a good cause. It’s good to work with your hands in the soil and feel the nature.”