In this episode, of the Mission Driven podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Devika Malik, the visionary Founder of The Wheeling Happiness Foundation, about the shared mission she has with her mother to elevate the lives of individuals with disabilities in India.

An accomplished paraolympian, Devika approaches entrepreneurship with incredible tenacity, and is backed by crystal-clear vision for change.

Through our conversation we speak about the founding of the organization, the role of mentors (aka coaches) to help ensure accountability, and overcoming the challenges of being a young entrepreneur.

Prepare to be inspired as we uncover the entrepreneurial mindset driving her endeavors and the profound impact she is making in the lives of individuals with disabilities.

About Devika:
An international para-athlete, counsellor and co-founder of the Wheeling Happiness Foundation, Devika Malik is a resounding global voice in the sphere of inclusivity for people with physical, emotional and social challenges.

Born with hemiplegia, a condition that causes paralysis to one side of the body, Devika developed a sensitised worldview from early on. She not only overcame her disability to become an international para-athlete but has also become an inspirational role model through her work with people facing different types of challenges – educating economically under-privileged children; vocational training for rehabilitated sex workers & AIDS-affected children; and emotional and physical rehabilitative techniques for physically challenged individuals.

Today, she is a leading voice for young people with disabilities in the Commonwealth and the United Nations and has represented India at many international forums, including the Commonwealth Youth Forum and Bright Ideas Talk at Commonwealth Secretariat.

In 2021, Devika was awarded the National Youth Award by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports; and the Queen’s Young Leader Award in 2015 for her work with underprivileged people with disabilities and towards disability awareness and universal inclusion in India. She has been honoured amongst the Women Transforming India by Hon. Vice President and United Nations; and was listed as an honouree on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia List 2020. In her career as a para-athlete, Devika has won three medals at the IPC Athletics Grand Prix, and multiple golds at the National Para-Athletics Championships between 2010 and 2015.

Devika holds the unique honour of being one of only two youngsters, chosen from across the Commonwealth, to speak at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018 (CHOGM) in London in front of Heads of State of 53 nations, including the Indian Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi and the entire Royal Family. She also addressed high-level stakeholders at the first-ever global Disability Summit in London in 2018.

Follow Devika:
Website: https://www.wheelinghappiness.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devikamalik394
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devika.malikQYL/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/devikamalik_394
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devika-malik-a4377345

About Rich
Driven by the belief that change begins with a single step, Richard Brubaker has spent the last 15 years in Asia working to engage, inspire, and equip those around him to take their first step.

Acting as a catalyst to driving sustainability, Brubaker works with government, corporate, academic and non-profit stakeholders to bring together knowledge, teams, and tools that develop and execute their business case for sustainability.

Follow Rich
Website: http://www.richbrubaker.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.brubaker
LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richbrubaker
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/richbrubaker

Contact Rich
social@richbrubaker.com