Archana Sahay: The Woman Behind Dell’s CSR Projects
We sat down with Archana Sahay, CSR Head, APJ – Dell EMC, over a cup of imaginary tea to find out more about her journey as a CSR professional and take a deeper look into the mind behind Dell Technologies’ social impact projects.
What made you decide to be a part of the CSR industry?
Initially, my aspiration was to join the Civil Services. It was during my time at Miranda House that my father asked me to consider working for organizations such as the UN and World Bank.
I wanted to be a part of such international organizations to bring about large-scale social change. My guide encouraged me to start working with local nonprofits while pursuing my M. Phil. at JNU.
My experience there, made me realize that the development sector is very dynamic. Working in this sector, I could directly impact many lives. Eventually, I got really immersed in the work I was doing.
I strongly believe that if I exist, I must do something for the betterment of others. At least, that’s how I’ve always looked at it.
How is a corporate setup different from an NGO setup?
I feel that there is not much difference since the objective is the same- Making a positive impact on society.
I moved to Bangalore after getting married. There, I worked with ActionAid International. We had many donors, one of the more prominent ones being Wipro. Wipro was in the process of setting up Wipro Cares with the intent of carrying out social development under its brand name. The program was in its nascent stage when I onboarded it.
That’s how I started working in the CSR space. I may have been in the corporate sector for a while now, but my world is still in social development.
Which cause areas do you support, both personally as well as under Dell’s CSR banner?
Personally, I feel deeply connected with the cause - ‘Women Empowerment.’ I strongly believe in doing so through education. Though I’m from a small town, Jamshedpur, my parents really emphasized my education in my formative years and believed that it is only education that can change one’s life. It was education that has brought me to where I am today, and I wish to give the same opportunity to other girls. My personal passion for the education of girls resonates very well with Dell’s CSR philosophy.
What do you think about ‘mandatory’ CSR? Do you think it helps companies meet their business objectives?
According to me, the intent and approach of the government is right. Public-private partnership is important for the development of society.
There were a few corporations that spent on philanthropic initiatives, but with the CSR law coming in, the whole process of giving has become more structured. Businesses have realized that in order to grow and flourish, it is important that they nurture the ecosystem. For instance, the government’s campaign to achieve digitization in the country cannot be successful till the time the people are financially literate, which is why financial literacy is being propagated through a lot of CSR interventions. With the enactment of this law, it has become a win-win situation for the government, businesses as well as society.
Also Read: The Importance and Scope of CSR
How has Goodera contributed to your company's CSR journey?
Goodera is a group of young and highly motivated individuals who are looking at solving social problems in an innovative manner. Goodera is a visionary company and it was among the first social consultants in the market. I value the inputs provided by the Goodera team and their contribution to helping Dell with its CSR journey. We rely on their dashboards and data-driven recommendations. Goodera helps us get in getting accurate data with multiple levels of checks, training NGOs for data entry and this helps in strategizing our programmes. They have been our reliable and trusted partners for a while now and we are truly thankful for their support and collaboration.
Tell us a little about your biggest accomplishment so far.
My biggest accomplishment would be - I can see the impact my work creates on human lives. This is incredibly rare for a corporate job and I feel that my role is a blessing. It gives me the opportunity to work for the betterment of society.
I feel a sense of accomplishment with each success story, beneficiary and impact metric. Through the CSR projects that I oversee, children are getting a better education, the youth is getting better jobs and I get to contribute toward the holistic development of the society.
How challenging is it to juggle your professional responsibilities with your personal ones?
Being a corporate employee and a full-time mother is a very challenging role and it’s difficult to juggle them. I believe that to accomplish one’s goals one must have a healthy ecosystem around. I am very thankful to have a supportive family and loyal domestic help. Nobody can be successful in isolation. With a good ecosystem around you, you can be successful both personally and professionally. I want to give credit to my family and my close friends for my success. The only thing that has changed since I became a mother is that it has become difficult to travel to the remote locations where our CSR projects are carried out – I do miss being in the field.
What message would you like to give to young minds (especially women) who wish to look at CSR as a viable career option?
My advice to the young girls who want to join the CSR space would be - Join this sector only if you are genuinely interested and passionate about social development. Do not perceive this field as just philanthropy as it is equally important to understand the skin of the business as it is to bring about social development. Aligning your passion for social development and understanding what is beneficial to the business are both very important. It is important to marry them, then only you can succeed in this role.
In this sector, I got various opportunities to see the meaningful change that CSR programs bring in people’s lives. These changes motivate me, and I do not feel disillusioned ever. I believe, it doesn’t matter how small your contribution may be, you should keep doing your bit for the betterment of the society.
You may also like: Manisha Patil: The Woman Carrying Amazon's CSR Banner
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Corporate CSR and why does it matter today?
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) refers to a company's commitment to creating positive social, environmental, and economic impact beyond profit. It covers philanthropy, community investment, employee volunteering, and sustainable business practices. Modern CSR is strategic rather than charitable, aligning long-term business goals with stakeholder value, employee engagement, and measurable outcomes for communities and the planet.
2. How can someone build a career in Corporate CSR like Archana Sahay?
Career paths into CSR often start in grassroots work, nonprofits, research, or development studies, before moving into corporate roles. Archana Sahay began with local nonprofits during her M.Phil at JNU, then worked with ActionAid before transitioning into corporate CSR via Wipro Cares. Relevant academic backgrounds include social work, public policy, sustainability, and international development.
3. What is the difference between working in Corporate CSR and a nonprofit?
The core objective is similar in both, creating positive social impact, but the scale, resources, and systems differ significantly. Corporate CSR teams operate with larger budgets, structured governance, and cross-market delivery, while nonprofits typically bring deeper community access and program expertise. The most effective initiatives pair corporate scale with nonprofit ground presence through structured partnerships.
4. Why is Women's Empowerment through Education a powerful CSR focus?
Education for girls and women has multiplier effects across households, communities, and economies. Educated women are more likely to earn higher incomes, invest in their children's schooling, and delay marriage. Dell's CSR philosophy and leaders like Archana Sahay prioritise this lever because it addresses gender equity, poverty, and workforce readiness simultaneously, making it one of the highest-ROI social investments.
5. What are Dell's key CSR programs in the APJ region?
Dell's APJ programs include Digital LifeCare, a technology-enabled non-communicable disease screening initiative, and Legacy of Good, the company's long-standing sustainability and community platform. Education-focused programs across the region support girls' access to schooling and digital skills. These programs combine Dell's technology capability with local nonprofit expertise for scale and depth.
6. What does India's Companies Act 2013 require for Corporate CSR?
The Companies Act 2013 requires qualifying Indian companies to spend at least 2% of their average net profit on CSR activities each year. Eligibility applies to firms meeting thresholds on turnover, net worth, or profit. Spending must go toward listed Schedule VII areas including education, health, gender equality, environment, and rural development, with public disclosure required.
7. How is the impact of CSR programs measured?
CSR impact is measured through a mix of output metrics such as participants reached and programs delivered, outcome metrics such as skills gained or health screenings completed, and longer-term impact indicators like income change and learning outcomes. Leading companies use frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals and third-party evaluations to validate results and refine program design.
8. Why does Public-Private Partnership matter in CSR delivery?
Public-private partnerships combine government reach, corporate resources, and nonprofit expertise to solve problems no single actor can address alone. Governments provide policy alignment and last-mile access, corporates contribute funding and technology, and nonprofits bring implementation depth. Archana Sahay emphasises that partnership quality, not just presence, determines whether CSR investments translate into durable social outcomes.
9. What skills help someone lead CSR at a large corporation?
Effective CSR leaders combine domain knowledge in development, program management skills, and strong stakeholder relationships across government, nonprofits, and internal business teams. Strategic thinking, measurement literacy, and cultural fluency across markets are essential in APJ roles. Personal conviction matters too, Archana Sahay's own path shows how lived experience of education's power shapes long-term leadership.
10. How has the role of Women in CSR leadership evolved?
Women increasingly lead corporate CSR functions, bringing lived perspective on gender equity, education, and community issues that shape program priorities. Leaders like Archana Sahay have driven focus on girls' education and women's empowerment across APJ. Broader diversity in CSR leadership also encourages more inclusive program design and stronger alignment with community needs on the ground.
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