Ishita Gupta is an Indian entrepreneur and corporate executive who has built her professional journey around both luxury hospitality and social development. She currently serves as Director at Lavonne Hospitality Pvt Ltd, where she oversees areas including people management, partnerships, customer relations, branding and operations.
Alongside her corporate responsibilities, Ishita is actively involved with the Ishya Foundation, a non-profit organisation working to create sustainable opportunities for marginalised communities. She believes that a person’s success should also be reflected in the contribution they make to the community around them.
Early Values That Shaped Ishya Foundation
Ishita’s interest in social work was influenced by the values she learned at home during childhood. One principle she grew up with was to set aside ₹10 from every ₹100 earned for a good cause. The focus, she says, was not on the amount being donated but on developing a sense of responsibility towards society.
Her approach to social work also centres on creating long-term independence rather than providing temporary assistance. According to this philosophy, meaningful change happens when people who receive support eventually become self-reliant and are able to contribute to others within their communities.
Supporting Women Through Skills and Opportunities
Women empowerment and skill development are important areas of the Ishya Foundation’s work. Its programmes have helped women learn practical skills such as sewing, crocheting and computer knowledge.
For Ishita, empowerment extends beyond completing a training programme or receiving a certificate. The larger objective is to help individuals achieve economic independence, confidence and greater freedom to make their own choices.
The foundation follows a gender-neutral approach to its social initiatives. Its education, healthcare and vocational training programmes are based on individual needs rather than gender.
Project Udaan and Community Development
Among the initiatives undertaken by the Ishya Foundation, Project Udaan holds particular importance for Ishita. The programme focuses on children who have either dropped out of school or never had the opportunity to enrol, helping them enter mainstream formal education through full sponsorships.
Project Udaan also focuses on development beyond classroom learning. Children are introduced to creative and practical activities, including theatre, dance, stitching and computer education.
Ishita has also taken part directly in the foundation’s activities. During one summer workshop, she taught dance to around 50 children over a six-week period.
Bringing Hospitality Experience Into Social Work
Ishita sees a connection between hospitality and social development, even though the two fields may appear very different. Her experience in hospitality has taught her to observe people closely, understand their unspoken needs and appreciate individual differences.
She believes these skills can also strengthen social initiatives by bringing greater structure to the process. For her, social work involves more than having an intention to help; it also requires planning, action and effective execution to create meaningful outcomes.