Ajay Puri

Ajay Puri is a movement builder and social artist. He has 15 years experience in empowering communities and creating social change in the non-profit, academic, government and social innovation sectors.

Ajay was acknowledged for his work as a featured TEDx speaker and recognized as one of Canada’s top five volunteers in CBC’s Champions of Change contest. He has spoken to over 150 audiences nationally and internationally on topics dealing with social movements, social innovation, leadership, digital engagement, and healthcare transformation.

He has co-founded many movements including: LeadNow, #EastVanLove, BeeVancity, RangiChangi Roots and most recently Changemakers Vancouver. He has also worked in the healthcare system for 15 years in the fields of addictions, elder care, other marginalized communities and change management; most recently, he led the digital media and engagement team for the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council.

He currently sits on the Leadership Council of the David Suzuki Foundation and the Advisory Boards of 312 Main, Inner Activist, Urban Workers Project, Kwi Awt Stelmexw, Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week, and Social Change Institute at the Hollyhock Leadership Institute. He teaches social movement thinking at SFU RADIUS Ventures, Groundswell Social Ventures, Pearson and Bodwell Colleges.

Ajay holds his Masters of Health Administration from UBC and has published five peer-reviewed articles on health research. He started his PhD but decided to put it on hold while he sits with larger systemic issues.