By: Izabela Shubair
Simply looking for a way to enrich her post-secondary experience, Srushti Thaker joined the University of Windsor Enactus team during her undergraduate studies. But even eight years after graduating, Thaker is still feeling the transformative impact of one of the largest experiential learning platforms for post-secondary students.
Thaker, VP Partnerships at Kira Talent — a holistic admissions platform designed for higher education — credits some of her professional success to the foundational skills she gained through Enactus Canada. The relationships Thaker formed with fellow alumni and the organization itself strengthened her connection to the impactful Enactus community as a whole and influenced her career trajectory.
Thaker shares how, in addition to helping students tackle social, economic, and environmental challenges through entrepreneurship, Enactus nurtures a spirit of ongoing community contribution while demonstrating how to achieve a fulfilling career.
How were you involved with your Enactus team, and what projects did you work on?
During my time with Enactus Windsor, I had the opportunity to work on several projects. I initially started as a youth mentor for our Youthrive program, which was a 10-week mentorship initiative aimed at teaching high school students how to develop their own micro-businesses. After that, I took on an internal role with the HR team and quickly discovered my passion for working on projects and engaging directly with clients. In my final year, I managed a project called Cookstart, a social enterprise focused on addressing unemployment within the immigrant community in Windsor by helping launch new food businesses. During my time leading the project, we successfully launched 16 new food ventures. I also had the opportunity to present at the regional and national competitions and share the impact we had in our community.
What was the most significant benefit of getting involved with Enactus Canada?
Looking back, the most significant benefit of getting involved with Enactus was being part of something larger than myself, making a real impact, and discovering a community I could connect with. It really helped me step out of my comfort zone and provided me with valuable skills that have been foundational in my career.
Can you share an example of how Enactus influenced your career trajectory?
My journey to Kira Talent actually began through an Enactus connection—our founder and CEO is an Enactus alum. I was drawn to Kira because the company’s values aligned closely with those I had experienced in Enactus.
Enactus really broadened my perspective on career possibilities. When I was in university, the typical paths—like accounting, business, marketing—felt like the only options. But Enactus introduced me to the concept of social entrepreneurship, showing me that you can run a successful business that’s not just focused on profit but also on creating a positive impact. That shift in perspective made me want to be part of that kind of work.
What did you learn about leadership through Enactus?
Business school taught us the fundamentals – Enactus provided the perfect platform to cultivate leadership skills and gain practical experience.
What advice would you give to Enactus students?
You’ve already taken the first big step by getting involved—now it’s time to fully immerse yourself. Enactus offers countless opportunities, whether you’re looking to grow your network, make lasting friendships, impact your community, or gain practical experience. The more you invest in it, the more you’ll get out of it. I think most alumni would agree that their time with Enactus was truly transformative, and the impact stays with you,
Also, don’t hesitate to connect with Enactus alumni — you never know what opportunities might come of it!