Harvard University honours Kandeban Balendran with “Outstanding Volunteer Leadership Award”

In recognition of his unwavering dedication, service to the community, and remarkable contributions to the betterment of society, his country, and the region through intellectual and social growth, Kandeban Balendran has been awarded the Outstanding Volunteer Leade-rship Award — one of the highest honours presented by the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) of Harvard University.

Each year, Harvard celebrates the extraordinary contributions of Alumni Clubs and Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) and their dedicated volunteer leaders through annual awards at the Alumni Leadership Conference (ALC). The Outstanding Volunteer Leadership Award is a prestigious accolade that acknowledges an alumnus from over 120 Harvard Clubs or SIGs globally. It recognises a volunteer leader among hundreds of thousands of alumni who has gone above and beyond their regular responsibilities to make a significant contribution to their community and create a positive impact on the world.

This award not only celebrates Kandeban’s significant impact within the global Harvard community but also acknowledges his tireless work to transform lives across Sri Lanka and the Asia-Pacific region through intellectual and social growth and community development. His leadership and vision continue to shape the future for generations to come.

Kandeban Balendran has been a staunch advocate for education, community development, and economic empowerment, with a career spanning over 22 years. In 2021, he spearheaded the establishment of the Harvard Club of Sri Lanka as the 119th officially recognised Harvard Club in the world, a remarkable milestone that brought the global network closer to Sri Lanka. As the founding President and Chair of the Board of the Harvard Club of Sri Lanka, Kandeban has led numerous initiatives, along with his fellow board members, that bridge local and global communities, promoting the values of leadership, excellence, and service.

In 2024, Kandeban co-founded the BIG BOLD BRAVE Harvard APAC Regional Conference, a landmark event held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, which gathered participants from over 15 countries for a three-day forum. The conference became a platform for transformative ideas, bold initiatives, and courageous leadership, aimed at fostering collaboration in the Asia-Pacific region — home to half of the world’s population.

During the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis in Sri Lanka, Kandeban led a critical health initiative — #SaveLivesSriLanka — alongside the board members of the Harvard Club of Sri Lanka. This initiative provided medical supplies worth approximately Rs. 50 million to over 15 public hospitals, proving essential in saving lives during a time of national need.

Kandeban’s influence extends into the entrepreneurial and educational realms. He founded Academics Group, Sri Lanka’s first cross-sector education think tank, which is on a mission to create one of the region’s most impactful educational institutions. As President and CEO of Miami Ad School Sri Lanka and Maldives, he leads the world’s most awarded creative school network, shaping the minds of future innovators. He is also the founder of Mozhi.com, Ivy Future Leader Academy, and EMBRAX Innovations — ventures aimed at empowering the next generation of leaders through education and innovation.

Before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey, Kandeban was a media veteran in Sri Lanka and India, where he served as CEO and Director of subsidiaries of the Capital Maharaja Group. He hosted the globally renowned Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (Tamil Language Version) on MTV Sri Lanka, which aired for over five years and 250 episodes, and a prime-time socio-political talk show, contributing to national discourse. He remains the only Sri Lankan to have led a pan-India media network operation.

Balendran has also been a strong advocate for the Tamil language and community. As a key member of the leadership team behind the establishment of the Tamil Chair at Harvard University, he played a significant role in mobilising the global Tamil diaspora to support this initiative through a $6 million fund. The Tamil Chair’s vision is to preserve and promote the Tamil language and culture, furthering the research and study of one of the world’s oldest classical languages, spoken by over 120 million people globally, at one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world.

Kandeban was featured as the “Dreamer” by Harvard Business School among listed global leaders and has been interviewed several times for the remarkable impact he has made through his work. His efforts in media, entrepreneurship, education, and leadership have gained international recognition. In 2014, Kandeban was named among the “19 Young Global Leaders – Future Chasers of Australia” by the Australian Government, a prestigious accolade highlighting his influence as a young leader shaping the future. He is also a recipient of the Young Achiever Award from Victoria University and the Leadership Award from the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). Kandeban is the first and only Sri Lankan to be appointed to the Advisory Board of the New York Festivals, a globally recognised platform honouring the best in advertising and media.

Balendran holds an Executive MBA/PLDA from Harvard Business School, an MBA from Victoria University in Australia, and is an alumnus of Colombo’s Royal College. Kandeban firmly believes that nations thrive through their people driven by passion and vision. His passion for entrepreneurship and education as transformative tools continues to guide his efforts to build bridges between cultures and create a lasting impact for future generations.