'Mama has to go to office': Shloka Ambani candidly shares what it's like being a mum with a mission

Economic Times

19-07-2025

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In a rare and heartfelt interview, Shloka Mehta Ambani , businesswoman, philanthropist, and daughter-in-law of Mukesh Ambani, opened up about motherhood, ambition, and what it truly means to build a meaningful legacy.Speaking on Masoom Minawala's podcast, the co-founder of ConnectFor, a unique platform connecting volunteers with non-profits, shared a refreshingly honest take on juggling work and parenting.'I take a lot of pride in telling my kids, just like you go to school, mama has to go to the office. We're all doing something to better ourselves,' she said, her voice filled with purpose. 'You're creating something that someone you're fully invested in is going to be influenced by. That, I think, is the best legacy to leave your children.'Shloka, who studied anthropology at Princeton and law at the London School of Economics, could have chosen a conventional path. Instead, she followed her heart into the social sector, not for profit, but for purpose. In 2014, after returning to Mumbai, she co-founded ConnectFor with her childhood friend, Maniti Shah.Describing the platform, Shloka said, 'It's like a shaadi.com for volunteering. We wanted to be that bridge, connecting people who wanted to give their time to NGOs that needed help.'Ten years on, ConnectFor has clocked over 4.18 lakh hours of volunteering, collaborated with over 1,000 NGOs, and partnered with 120 corporates and 150 student groups across India. Their work has helped save over Rs 21 crore for non-profits.Despite these achievements, Shloka believes India's social sector still lacks recognition, and funding.'If you don't have money, you can't hire good people. Without talent, you can't make a lasting impact. It's a cycle that holds back real progress,' she said.She also pointed to a disconnect between government policies and on-ground realities, using the example of unused school toilets, 'They built toilets, great. But no one was maintaining them. Girls didn't get hygiene education. So the problem came back.'It's this blend of thoughtful critique and unwavering hope that defines Shloka's approach.Co-founder Maniti, who left behind a career in biomedical science and consulting, echoed the sentiment.'We were tired of ticking boxes. We wanted to build something that mattered.'At ConnectFor, passion often counts more than paper qualifications. Many team members begin as interns and grow into key roles. Every hour of volunteering is tracked, audited, and optimised, a 'return on time' as Shloka puts it.'We run it like a startup, but one with soul.'Shloka married Akash Ambani, her childhood friend and now husband, in a grand wedding in 2019. They have two children, Prithvi, born in 2020, and Veda, born in 2023. Even as part of India's most powerful family, Shloka's worldview remains grounded in empathy, equality, and the belief that all careers are worthy.'It's okay to start slow. What matters is showing up every day and believing you're building something of value.'In an age where wealth and fame often make headlines, Shloka Mehta Ambani's voice stands out, not just for what it says, but for what it seeks to do.She isn't just raising children. She's raising a generation that believes in doing good.Inputs from agencies