Spark to Ripple: A Journey of Connection and Clarity
Some sparks arrive quietly. Others illuminate everything.
Over the past 9 months, I’ve committed a day a week and every weekend as well as holidays to figure out my where my spark will lead me. I've been guided by people whose belief in my mission and my potential has opened doors I never knew existed — each one creating a ripple that has shaped the DrSh!ka Leadership Academy and my mission to build the H! Human Intelligence™ Movement.
It all started with Lisa Mynheer who believed in my purpose to equip young people with leadership skills — helping them connect with curiosity, compassion, and confidence to open doors of opportunity they might not otherwise reach. At that time, it was only a concept.
Lisa introduced me to author Geoff Ribbens and Mark Abraham OBE who told me that my way of translating complex emotional and psychological leadership principles was fresh, relatable, and practical. We co-led an Emerging Team Leadership workshop for some postgraduate students where I found the confidence and energy I had built over my career for the boardroom, flew into the classroom.
To Emir Ozeren (PhD, FHEA) for trusting me to deliver value and giving me the space to test and adapt the DrSh!ka CAR model and exercises with a pilot session from the 2025 MSc class of Human Resource Management Students.
To Nan Jiang whose introduction to Farah Al Taji at Brunel Business School led to my invitation as a Dragon to support the year 2 and 3 Leadership and Entrepreneurship undergraduates - A moment to inspire future leaders.
To @Roopa Prabhuswamy, for entrusting your daughter to the Shine Your Light™ programme this summer and connecting me to Be Bold Girls which led to meeting Susana Valverde Solano from Microsoft who embraced Aanya as volunteered to lead a 'Be the Change' workshop at the Festival of the Girl and enlisted me as their next motivational speaker in April 2026.
To Abhay Dharamsi and the faculty at Bhaikaka University Karamsad Teaching Hospital, , for welcoming me home to my father’s hometown to host two Human Intelligence (H!) workshops for over 100 Doctors of Physiotherapy Students across the two days — exploring how to connect humanity and AI with intention.
To Chris Stump, for giving me space to shine my light with the girls at Northwood College for Girls GDST in the test-and-validate phase of Shine Your Light™ before Summer.
For the harder climbs, my gratitude to my dear friend and ex PWC L&D colleague Michelle Morrison, MBA, PMP for helping me shape the reflective Networking Masterclass™ and for inviting me to the Project Management Institute’s Annual Conference, where I’ll soon share the message in the US that I shared in the UK during AI week 2025:
H! > AI Strategic Connections for Career Capital
And to my guide on this journey, Jesse Karjalainen, for believing in me, supporting me, and bringing creativity and enthusiasm to every step. You reminded me that I could do what I always dreamed of — to write a book. Your partnership brought clarity and structure, guiding me through every chapter and encouraging me to rise after every stumble - It's almost there - I just need to get to the finish line ... 'Connect with Impact' coming soon.
Recommended by LinkedIn
Finally, to Professor Steve Mostyn who planted the first spark at the close of my Oxford Executive Leadership Programme with a question that became my compass:
“How will you grow leaders?”
Every spark since has been part of that answer.
A Spark of Clarity
One of the most powerful sparks came from my daughter, Aanya, when she asked Sara Davies MBE
“What’s the best marketing strategy?”
Sara smiled and replied, “People buy people.”
That moment changed everything. It brought absolute clarity. I realised that if I wanted to inspire others to connect with impact, I had to show up as myself — authentically, visibly, and wholeheartedly.
It was the sign to launch not just a programme, but a movement.
What began in NYC over 15 years ago as the annual DrShika Diwali Ball — a celebration of light, purpose, and community — has now evolved into the DrSh!ka Leadership Academy, officially launched on Diwali 2025.
This launch is more than an event. It is a heartfelt and deeply personal milestone — the transformation of light into leadership.
The Academy now stands as a global call to action: to create sparks of Human Intelligence that ripple into empowered, connected leaders who access opportunities, open doors in rooms they are not yet in, and build networks no machine can ever replicate.
Inspiring Leaders | Illuminating Futures
Each spark — a conversation, a challenge, an act of belief — has created ripples that continue to grow.
✨ Shine Your Light™ prepares tomorrow’s leaders to step forward with curiosity, confidence, and compassion.
✨ Connect with Impact™ empowers today’s professionals to lead with authenticity, clarity, and purpose.
Together, they form one shared mission — to grow Human Intelligence (H!) as the quiet force that connects people, bridges generations, and transforms potential into lasting impact.
When we lead with heart, curiosity, and intention, we don’t just develop leaders.
We inspire leaders. We illuminate futures. And we create ripples that light the world.
Join the movement message me to book a complementary session and let's uncover your H!
Shine Bright & Happy Diwali,
Darshika
Can I help you reconnect you with your H! so you can start to make ripples or waves in 2026?
Human Intelligence is the light!
very inspiring😀
Having had the opportunity to sit in several of your sessions Darshika Patel 💫 🌎 I’ve seen first-hand the incredible energy, creativity, and connection you bring into the classroom. Each session has been unique! You truly flex with the energy of your audience, creating an inclusive and engaging space where diverse international students feel empowered to participate, reflect, and discover their HI Superpower. Your work continues to spark meaningful learning and professional growth - not just for students, but for educators like myself who draw on your models for developing leadership and human intelligence in our own teaching. Keep shining and spreading that ripple of positive impact! 🌍👏
Inspiring as always, Darshika Patel 💫 🌎your reflections on Human Intelligence and the power of connection resonate deeply. Excited to see how your new chapter amplifies these sparks into meaningful impact across global communities.
Thank you Darshika Patel for sharing ripples of light in this moment of humanity! May your enlighten initiative replicate and inspire the new generations!