At WeDoGood, we believe real change happens when passionate people come together for a purpose. Our mission is to enable growth for under-resourced organisations and under-served communities like nonprofits, social enterprises and even youth. By connecting them with skilled expertise (via volunteers) that is otherwise not accessible. We partner with corporates like CGI - where we work with them by either doing capacity building & solution development with skilled volunteers or engaging the corporate employees in volunteering and sharing their skillsets

Through this series, we’re celebrating our leaders from the sector who are the frontlines of change, and the volunteers who walk beside them. These are the stories of collaboration, purpose, and impact that inspire us to keep doing what we do.

One such inspiring journey is that of Surendran M. Krishnan, Manager- CSR & ESG at CGI and founder of V the Volunteers. From a successful career in IT to a life devoted to community engagement, volunteering, and sustainability, Surendran’s path is proof that purpose often reveals itself when you least expect it.

It’s collaborations like these that truly embody the WeDoGood vision, where skills meet purpose and partnerships translate into lasting impact.

Highlights from the Conversation

• The small U-turn that changed a life, from IT to impact

• How volunteering shaped a sense of purpose and leadership

• Challenges and joys of managing volunteers in the corporate world

• The unique value corporates bring beyond funding

• The gaps in corporate–NGO engagement and how to bridge them

• The power of authentic storytelling to sustain volunteer culture

The U-turn That Changed Everything

WeDoGood: Surendran, your career began in engineering and technology. What made you shift to the social sector?
Surendran: Like most people of my generation, I became an engineer because that’s what everyone did. I studied computer science, worked in IT for eight years, and while I was good at it, something felt missing.

Then, in 2011, I saw a group of volunteers from India Against Corruption on the street. I was riding my bike, passed them, and something made me take a U-turn to ask what they were doing. That one small U-turn changed the course of my life. I joined them and began spending my weekends volunteering.

Later, I started a small Facebook page to share volunteering opportunities. I had no idea about NGOs, FCRA, or any of that, it was just about showing up where help was needed. Those weekends became the most meaningful part of my week.

Eventually, I realized that this wasn’t just a hobby, it was something I wanted to dedicate my life to. In 2017, I joined Fidelity Investments to manage their volunteering program, and in 2020, I moved to CGI to lead CSR and ESG. Looking back, none of this was part of a plan—it just unfolded naturally as I followed my purpose

From Managing IT Servers to Managing People

WeDoGood: What challenges did you face when transitioning from IT to managing volunteers?
Surendran: Surprisingly, it didn’t feel like a completely new world, because I had already been volunteering for years. But yes, the key difference was dealing with people.

In corporate volunteering, everyone’s motivation is different, some join because their manager does, some for bonding, and some because they truly care. The challenge is aligning everyone to a common purpose and keeping that spark alive.

Earlier, my work was about managing IT servers; now, it’s about managing people. And people are far more complex! (laughs) But that’s what makes this work fulfilling. CSR can’t be managed through emails alone, it’s about empathy, connection, and genuine engagement.

On Building Purpose-Driven Teams

WeDoGood: What advice would you give to someone managing volunteers for the first time?
Surendran: Bring purpose to the table. Volunteers don’t stay for certificates or recognition—they stay when they understand why they’re doing what they do.

In my 13 years of running V the Volunteers, we’ve never given out certificates or payments. Yet people keep showing up, because they connect with the cause. If a leader can communicate the “why” clearly, volunteers will always figure out the “how.”

A Story That Stays With You

WeDoGood: Is there a story that stands out from your journey?
Surendran: There’s one I’ll never forget. A student once approached us after volunteering for a few hours, asking for a certificate. We told her we don’t issue any. She left, disappointed.

A few days later, she returned and said, “I’ll volunteer anyway.” She joined one of our reading programs, became deeply involved, and within six months was leading it. Later, she helped design a volunteering model for her university and went on to study at Oxford.

When I asked if she ever mentioned her volunteering in her application, she said, “They asked for proof, but I didn’t give it because I didn’t do this for a certificate.” That, to me, is what real volunteering looks like

The Corporate Role in Creating Impact

WeDoGood:  From your experience in CSR, what unique strengths can corporates bring to solving social problems?
Surendran: Funding is the most visible contribution, but corporations bring much more: process excellence. NGOs have deep field expertise and heart, but corporates understand systems, efficiency, and governance.

When both worlds collaborate with mutual respect, magic happens. Social change needs both empathy and structure, one without the other isn’t sustainable.

Bridging the Gap Between Corporates and NGOs

WeDoGood: What are some of the biggest gaps you see in corporate–NGO collaboration?
Surendran: The biggest one is connection. Too often, relationships are limited to monthly reports and dashboards. The real stories, the faces and emotions behind the work, get lost.

At CGI, we started something simple but effective: WhatsApp groups with each NGO partner. They share updates, photos, and small wins. These real-time glimpses keep our teams engaged and emotionally connected to the impact they’re enabling.

Partnership shouldn’t end with a cheque, it should evolve into shared ownership and learning.

The Bridge Builders: Volunteers

WeDoGood: What role do volunteers play in bridging this gap?
Surendran: A massive one. Volunteers are the human bridge between corporations and communities. When they visit the field, interact with beneficiaries, and share stories, they bring authenticity and emotion to CSR.

At CGI, we have “CSR Champions”, employees who are mapped to specific projects. They join review calls, visit NGOs, and share updates internally. This deepens understanding and trust on both sides.

The Secret to Retaining Volunteers

WeDoGood: You have many long-term volunteers who keep returning. What’s the secret?
Surendran: Be genuine and keep storytelling at the core. After every event, I share pictures and stories, not polished reports, just honest reflections. People connect to that.

Of course, FOMO helps too (laughs). When employees see others volunteering and sharing experiences, they get curious and want to join. But I always tell my team: don’t make volunteering just about fun. Fun is a by-product; purpose is the heart.

Final Reflections

WeDoGood: That’s beautiful. Any final message for aspiring changemakers?
Surendran: Don’t wait to “get settled” before doing good. Our society often teaches that social work is something you do later, but when does “settling down” really end?

Start where you are, with what you have. You don’t need a perfect plan. Sometimes, all it takes is one small U-turn to find your purpose.

Looking Ahead

Surendran’s journey is a reminder that purpose often reveals itself through action. His story is about courage, the courage to take a small turn that led to a life of impact.

At WeDoGood, we’re proud to stand beside changemakers like Surendran and organizations like CGI that champion volunteer-driven impact.  We have helped CGI’s partner NGOs strengthen their storytelling, communication, and outreach with skilled volunteers, bringing the same professionalism and creativity they would to any brand or business.

And this is just the beginning. We will continue to support such initiatives through our volunteer network, helping turn ideas into action and vision into impact. Together, we aim to celebrate stories that matter, spark conversations, and inspire others to act.

Because at the heart of all meaningful change lie people, their stories, and the communities they transform.