At a time when the world is marked by fractures- be it conflict, inequality, or climate anxiety- voices that champion both economic progress and human compassion stand out as beacons of hope. Dr. Huzaifa Khorakiwala exemplifies this rare intersection. As Executive Director of Wockhardt and CEO of the Wockhardt Foundation, he has steered a global healthcare and pharmaceutical enterprise while dedicating his life to advancing humanitarian causes. His most prominent endeavor, the “I Am Peacekeeper” movement, has already united over two million people worldwide in a collective commitment to dialogue, compassion, and peace.
For Dr. Khorakiwala, business and humanity are not parallel pursuits but interconnected responsibilities. Whether through the Peace Charter—framed as a “Love Letter to Humanity”—or through initiatives like “Billionaires for Peace,” his mission is to mobilize influence, innovation, and resources toward reconciliation and justice. Rooted in Indian values of resilience, spirituality, and community, he advocates for a global order where economic growth and social healing reinforce one another.
In this exclusive conversation with TheCSRUniverse, Dr. Khorakiwala reflects on his personal journey, the evolution of his peace initiatives, and the values that can inspire a more compassionate generation of leaders.
Scroll down for this deeply insightful, reflective discussion:
Q. You lead a highly successful global organisation while dedicating your life to global humanitarian causes. How have your personal life experiences shaped this dual path of creating both economic value and societal impact? How do you balance these two completely different roles?
A. Personal life experiences, especially growing up in a family deeply committed to both business excellence and humanitarian service, have instilled in me a responsibility to use economic value as a force for social good. Early encounters with diversity and adversity taught me empathy and resilience, motivating my dual focus on both profit and purpose. Balancing these roles requires clarity of vision, strong teams, and a philosophy where business growth is inseparable from meaningful impact for communities and the world. Over the years, I have found that the lessons learned from challenging situations, whether overcoming failure, navigating cultural differences, or witnessing the effects of inequality firsthand, have been instrumental in shaping a holistic approach to leadership.
The line between economics and humanity should be blurred; the same strategic foresight that grows a company must be deployed to build hope, dignity, and empowerment in society. My schedule, my decisions, and my commitments revolve around a larger purpose, and the discipline to nurture both commercial innovation and humanitarian vision comes from surrounding myself with purpose-driven collaborators who share a belief in elevating not just human potential but also quality of life for the whole of humanity.
Q. The “I Am Peacekeeper” movement now unites over two million people worldwide. What was the original spark behind its inception, and how has its vision evolved over the years to address today’s increasingly polarized world?
A. The movement began from a simple hope: empowering individuals to be proactive peacekeepers rather than passive bystanders. Witnessing the pain of global divisions inspired the idea that every person, regardless of background, can contribute to healing. As the world became more polarized, our vision evolved to unite millions, fostering dialogue and mutual respect across borders, religions, and ideologies. Initially, it was the small gestures of kindness and the daily acts of peacemaking that formed the bedrock of our mission, simple, accessible actions that anyone could adopt. As more joined, the collective energy crystallized into platforms for constructive dialogue, educational initiatives, and partnerships that bridge barriers. Today, the movement’s vision is to resist cynicism and divisiveness with hope and solidarity, actively adapting tools and approaches to address digital misinformation, youth alienation, and mistrust, with every member empowered to champion peace within their sphere of influence.
Q. The movement is built on seven values—Truth, Gratitude, Forgiveness, Love, Humility, Giving, and Patience. Which of these values has been the hardest to practice personally, and how do you translate these ideals into actionable change at a global scale?
A. Of the seven values, Forgiveness has always posed the hardest personal challenge, letting go in the face of injustice is not easy. The key to translating these values into action globally is to embed them within the movement’s programs and partnerships, ensuring that gratitude, love, and truth become guiding principles for individuals, organizations, and societies at large.Forgiving can feel counterintuitive, especially for leaders who must make difficult decisions and sometimes face harsh criticism or betrayal. Yet, it is precisely this struggle that makes forgiveness transformative, it allows for healing, collaboration, and progress where resentment could otherwise breed stagnation. Globally, these values are operationalized through curriculum, training modules, peace dialogues, and public campaigns targeting education, workplaces, and communities so the message of compassion and understanding is never theoretical, but a lived reality.
Q. In an era of rising global conflicts and humanitarian crises, what role do you believe business leaders can play in driving peace and fostering collective well-being?
A. Business leaders today must move beyond shareholder value and see themselves as stewards of societal well-being. By prioritizing ethical leadership, transparent dialogue, and inclusive partnerships, businesses have a unique platform to drive peace and shape collective futures. Their influence can transform communities when harnessed for empathy, trust, and reconciliation. Corporate responsibility extends to shaping social narratives and driving innovation that benefits all stakeholders, not just investors. Businesses possess resources, reach, and credibility that few institutions can match, positioning them to model the behaviors of conflict resolution, sustainable growth, and bridge-building. By visibly championing causes such as access to education, mental health, and environmental stewardship, business leaders can set standards, influence policy, and foster industry-wide movements that make peace a concrete outcome of economic activity.
Q. India is emerging as a global economic and diplomatic force. How do you see Indian values like spirituality, community, and resilience shaping the country’s role in peacebuilding and influencing the global discourse today and in the future?
A. India’s roots in spirituality, community, and resilience are shaping its rising leadership in global peace initiatives. These values promote openness, harmony, and perseverance, becoming increasingly vital as India assumes larger diplomatic and economic roles on the world stage. Indian philosophy, with its collective spirit and focus on inner transformation, offers a model for peaceful coexistence globally. India’s heritage, celebrated through festivals, spiritual practices, and diverse languages, encourages unity in diversity and reframes adversity as an opportunity for collective strength. This ethos is reflected in the growing influence of Indian-origin leaders in multilateral organizations, peace negotiations, and transnational dialogues. As youth connect globally, India’s enduring principles of mindful action and inclusive society are positioned to not only elevate domestic progress but also to inspire new frameworks for partnership, sustainable development, and universal peace abroad.
Q. The Global Justice, Love & Peace Summit unveiled the Peace Charter as a symbolic “Love Letter to Humanity.” What were the most profound insights gained from convening 10 Nobel Peace Laureates, and how do you envision translating the Charter’s ideals into tangible policy or grassroots action?
A. The Summit’s most profound insight was the shared conviction that real change begins with personal transformation, echoed by Nobel Peace Laureates. The Peace Charter, as a collective “Love Letter,” underlines actionable compassion, justice, and respect for all. Translating its ideals means integrating them into policy advocacy and grassroots partnerships to create sustainable and inclusive communities. Hearing directly from laureates reinforced that the deepest peace comes from inner resolve, courage to foster understanding even during profound conflict. The summit offered practical models, community reconciliation projects, leadership mentorship, and youth engagement for peace, which have since guided our advocacy and strategic outreach at both governmental and civil society levels. Implementing the Charter’s values has been about empowering local champions, providing resources for marginalized voices, and working with institutions to codify love and justice into actionable goals.
Q. Through “Billionaires for Peace,” you aim to mobilize wealth and influence for a higher purpose. What has been your experience engaging global business leaders on peacebuilding, and what barriers still exist in making compassion a non-negotiable priority?
A. Engaging global business leaders on peacebuilding has been both inspiring and challenging. Many embrace the mission, but barriers persist, preconceptions about philanthropy, competing priorities, and the misconception that compassion undermines business rigor. Creating forums and alliances helps break down these barriers, highlighting how compassion and commercial success are deeply compatible. Some leaders are beginning to see that their legacies will be defined not just by profit, but by positive societal contributions. We have developed ecosystems for collaboration where thought leaders and entrepreneurs can share best practices, challenge assumptions, and invest in scalable peace initiatives. Fear of reputational risk, lack of measurable outcomes, and entrenched competitive mindsets are challenges that persist, but continuous engagement, storytelling, and peer-led advocacy are shifting attitudes toward making compassion an integral cornerstone of leadership.
Q. With escalating conflicts, political divides, and climate-driven challenges worldwide, where do you see the greatest need for collective healing, and how can movements like “I Am Peacekeeper” contribute meaningfully to this process?
A. The world’s greatest need lies in healing social and emotional divisions intensified by conflict, political discord, and climate anxiety. Movements like “I Am Peacekeeper” serve as catalysts for personal and societal reconciliation by encouraging dialogue, service, and shared civic responsibility. Collective healing calls for platforms that invite listening rather than judgment, and safe spaces for communities to work through trauma and restore trust. Climate-related suffering, displacement, and injustice highlight the urgency for cross-border solidarity and compassionate action. “I Am Peacekeeper” provides a global narrative, tools, and connections for people to move from awareness to action, promoting community service, outreach programs, and peace education that lead to systemic change.
Q. What do you believe are the most critical values and mindsets we must instill in the next generation of leaders to create a more compassionate and peaceful world? Would you like to share any insights on how to inculcate these values in the younger generation?
A. Values such as empathy, integrity, and courage are essential to nurture compassionate leaders. This demands mentorship, experiential learning, and exposure to diverse perspectives, helping the younger generation internalize values rather than simply memorizing them. Guiding them toward service, mindful dialogue, and community involvement will ensure a lasting commitment to peace. Education must go beyond academics, immersing youth in environments where ethical dilemmas are discussed openly, and empathy is cultivated through hands-on work with those facing adversity. I believe that story-sharing, volunteering, and structured dialogues on peace and justice help young people develop emotional intelligence and resilience, the foundations for forward-thinking, inclusive leadership. Ongoing support from family, schools, and mentors is the key to sustaining their commitment in a changing, often uncertain world.
Q. How do you personally define success and legacy today? When you reflect on your journey, what do you hope future generations will take away from your life’s work?
A. Success today means leaving a legacy grounded in love, justice, and collective upliftment, not just commercial achievement. I hope future generations remember my journey as one of building institutions and movements whose ultimate mission was to serve humanity, with compassion, resilience, and unwavering hope. Defining legacy requires constant reflection on impact. True success, for me, lies in nurturing sustainable systems that outlive one’s own tenure, where communities continue to flourish, build peace, and pursue justice. The most important takeaway should be the courage to blend enterprise with empathy and evolve as a relentless force for collective good.
