What happens when a brilliant mind trained in electrical engineering turns her talents toward community service and humanitarian aid? In this thought-provoking conversation, Harbir Bhatia reveals the surprising connections between corporate experience and community impact.

Growing up in a Sikh tradition, Harbir was taught from age five that active participation in community service wasn't optional — it was a way of life. This foundation, combined with her father's feminist perspectives and her mother's strength, created a powerful template for leadership that would serve her throughout her career journey from Lockheed Martin to humanitarian aid for Ukraine and leadership at the Central Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The most illuminating aspect of Harbir's story is how skills developed in corporate environments become invaluable tools for community service. As she explains, "These are not two separate worlds; it's a continuum." The analytical thinking, crisis resolution, and negotiation tactics she honed in technology companies enabled her to mobilize resources quickly when Ukraine needed generators during wartime. Her ability to frame humanitarian needs in business terms created win-win scenarios that delivered real-world results.

Harbir and Tonya explore the changing landscape for small businesses in the AI era, suggesting we're at a pivotal moment where entrepreneurial ventures will accomplish more with fewer resources. They challenge the notion that enterprise is king, instead proposing that the pendulum is swinging back toward smaller, nimbler organizations that can leverage technology while maintaining the personal touch that creates community.

As Harbir powerfully states, "Small businesses are the heart of any community."For those seeking to make meaningful change, whether in business or humanitarian efforts, this conversation offers a masterclass in applying professional skills to community challenges. Harbir's journey demonstrates that purpose and possibility merge when we bring our whole selves—with all our skills and passions—to every endeavor we undertake.

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Check out my bestselling book, "AI and the New Oz: Leadership’s Journey to the Future of Work" [https://a.co/d/10u3wGf] available on Amazon. Go to the "AI and the New Oz" website to learn more at https://www.ai-and-the-new-oz.com/!

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