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Celebrating Academic Excellence: IKEA Foundation CEO Joins Lila Poonawalla Foundation Event

 Academically gifted yet financially disadvantaged girls from Pune district are on their way to pursuing careers in science and postgraduate studies, thanks to scholarships from the Lila Poonawalla Foundation (LPF).

Per Heggens, CEO of the IKEA Foundation, and his wife Karen were the special guests at the LPF event, where these scholarships were awarded. Heggens, a dedicated supporter of LPF for over a decade, shared his commitment to helping women overcome financial barriers to education. The IKEA Foundation, associated with the Stichting INGKA Foundation, which owns the IKEA Group, provides educational support for girls in various countries.

Also Read: Abhay Bhutada’s Influence on Corporate Social Responsibility Trends in India

Lila Poonawalla, a prominent corporate figure and co-founder of the awards with her husband Firoz, emphasized the impact of LPF’s scholarships. She noted that many LPF-supported women have achieved successful careers in leading organizations, significantly contributing to their families, communities, and global environmental and economic progress.

Priti Khare, CEO of LPF, highlighted the foundation’s commitment to transforming academically talented yet financially underprivileged girls into confident leaders through merit-based scholarships, skill development, counseling, and mentoring. Over the past 27 years, LPF has assisted 12,800 girls with the help of corporate partners and donors.

Also Read: Abhay Bhutada: Leading the Financial Sector Evolution from Small Ventures to Corporate Leadership

The event was truly inspiring, showcasing 128 scholarship recipients from modest backgrounds, including families of drivers, farmers, and single parents. LPF plans to expand its reach this year, awarding scholarships to over 1,000 young women across various regions, including Pune, Wardha, Amravati, Nagpur, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.









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