Get to Know Your Executive Committee

This is a Q&A we will be doing with each of our BANA 2019 EC members.  This issue’s Q&A is with Ashish Shetty, President.

Where did you grow up?

AS: I grew up in the suburbs of Boston through high school and then moved to New York City for college. I have lived around New York City since graduation in various neighborhoods throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. Each neighborhood has such a different vibe that keeps it fresh. I now live in lower Manhattan. Prior to that, I lived in the Williamsburg and Bushwick neighborhoods of Brooklyn; I really enjoyed that time.  

What did you study and what are you doing for work?

AS: I was a dual major in economics & mathematics and also concentrated in pre-medical studies.  I was always fascinated by the world of business and finance, and thought a solid foundation in economic theory combined with mathematical rigor would prepare me well for a career on Wall Street.

After six years at an internal investment fund within Goldman Sachs, I recently started a new job at a private equity fund which invests in small and medium sized businesses.  We primarily help founder-owned businesses grow to the next level through investment, guidance and operational strategy.  It’s really rewarding to work directly with entrepreneurs and try to help them achieve their dreams of becoming major players within their industries.

What do you think of when you think of BANA?

AS: Community comes to mind first. Growing up, I always looked forward to the bi-annual summer conventions as a fun way to meet up with old friends and make new connections. There was a certain warmth and inclusiveness that was palpable.

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Additionally, there is an undefinable Bunt spirit that I always found stimulating – Bunts are full of life, engaging and enterprising. I always enjoyed hearing the stories of the older generation's journey from India to the U.S.; the ingenuity and persistence that drove their success inspired me. The older generation served as role models who reminded me that if I worked hard I could succeed like they did.  

I found that people were often very encouraging and always pushed you to be a better version of yourself.

What is your favorite BANA memory?

AS: Performing my first stand-up comedy performance at the Boston BANA sticks out. I had never performed stand-up comedy before but still thought that performing in front of several hundred fellow Bunts would be the right venue for my debut. My adrenaline was flowing and I still remember that day as one of my favorite performances.   

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Why did you want to be involved in the EC?

AS: I wanted to contribute to our great community and get more involved. I’m proud of my Bunt heritage enjoyed the support and warmth from the community growing up and wanted to do my part to keep the community going.  I realized at some point that my parents and their generation had taken the lead for long enough and put in a lot of time and effort to keep the community going. It was time for my generation to start contributing as well. I'm really proud of our team's contributions to the community and feel proud of our efforts to keep our vibrant community going for many generations to come.      

What are your hopes for BANA as it moves forward?

AS: My hope is that it continues to evolve in a direction which keeps it relevant with the changing times. When my parents first moved to the US, BANA served a certain purpose to provide some community for those who had just moved to the country.  

Now as the demographics shift, we need to evolve. We must always remember our heritage and culture, but also remain relevant to the community's needs, whether those needs are social or professional. When planning this BANA convention, our EC team wanted to provide a fresh feel with an authentic New York vibe that we hope all guests thoroughly enjoy.      

Most importantly, I hope that Bunts can continue to help each other and be there for each other. We are stronger as a community than we are as individuals.

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