In a world increasingly marked by division and disconnection, voices like Neil Ghosh’s offer a steady compass—rooted in empathy, purpose, and action. A seasoned global development leader, philanthropist, and social entrepreneur, Neil has spent decades shaping systems for equity and inclusion across continents. His new book, Do More Good, is not just a title—it’s a clarion call to move beyond performative gestures and into the heart of sustained, meaningful change.
At alotusinthemud.com, we seek out changemakers who embody the spirit of conscious living—those who bridge the personal with the political, the spiritual with the systemic. Neil Ghosh does just that. With decades of experience across the nonprofit, government, philanthropic, and private sectors, he brings a rare and deeply informed perspective to the work of social change.
Neil’s forthcoming book, Do More Good (Post Hill Press, June 2025), is a powerful reflection on purposeful leadership, featuring a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Distilling the wisdom of 30 extraordinary individuals—from Malala Yusufzai, Mother Teresa, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Joe Biden, John McCain, John Glenn, Hillary Clinton, Ross Perot, Dr. Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Shimon Peres, José Andrés, Darren Walker, among others—the book is part memoir, part manifesto. It invites readers to lead lives of deeper meaning through service and empathy, offering stories that move beyond inspiration into practical, lasting impact, leaving those who are here today to build a better tomorrow for all.
Currently, Neil serves as President of MGR Professional Services, Inc., a columnist at Patheos , and Senior Advisor to both the Ousri Foundation and the Healthy Climate Initiative. His previous leadership roles include CEO of SOS Children’s Villages USA, Executive Vice President of the Global Fund for Children, and CEO of SNV Netherlands Development Organisation USA. His insights have been featured in leading media outlets such as CNN, Devex, The Washington Post, Voice of America, and the Stanford Social Innovation Review. His life’s work exemplifies what it means to lead with empathy, humility, and a commitment to justice.
In this exclusive interview, he reflects on his formative years, the sacred paradoxes of India, the power of micro-altruism, and why the call to do more good is both urgent and universal. His insights will resonate with anyone longing to contribute to a more just and compassionate world, one small act at a time.
“This book contains Neil Ghosh’s experiences with people and shows how they have positively impacted him. May this book provide positive inspiration to its readers.”
~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama
RAJI MENON PRAKASH: Your journey spans global development, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship, but what shaped you in the early years?
NEIL GHOSH: My parents and my city (Kolkata).
We didn’t have much—no gas stove, refrigerator, or TV—but we had empathy. My mother cooked on a clay stove fuelled by cow dung and coal. Still, she always found enough to share. My father took on side projects to supplement his income and often hired struggling youth from our neighborhood. These ventures were rarely profitable but always purposeful.
From them, I learned that generosity doesn’t come from abundance—it comes from empathy.
As a teenager, I founded the Calcutta Youth Club. We organized neighborhood cleanups and cultural programs. I didn’t know the word “agency” back then, but that was my first taste of it—that even a group of kids could come together and spark change.
With its complexities and spiritual undercurrents, how has India shaped your sense of purpose?
NEIL GHOSH: I moved to the US at 22, like many of my peers. However, a decade later, I returned to India to establish a factory in Kolkata and create employment opportunities. Although the venture didn’t succeed, I stayed as head of the Australian Trade Commission for Eastern India for five years.
India gave me my first lessons in paradox—the sacred and the profane, the ancient and the modern living side by side. It taught me that solutions don’t come in neat boxes. I’ve seen poverty and generosity coexist in the same alley. Every return trip to India is a spiritual and moral reset.
My father went to jail for his beliefs. My own journey has included failures, discrimination, and depression. But each low point became a turning point.
India lives in me—not just as a place of origin, but as a compass for humility, resilience, and pluralism.
More recently, I’ve reconnected in new ways. With a friend, we are supporting the Calcutta Social Project. As an advisor to the Ousri Family Foundation, I’m exploring ways to do more in India to support vulnerable children.
“Do More Good is an inspiring reminder that in our interdependent world, everyone has the power— and the responsibility—to make a difference in the lives of others. It couldn’t come at a more important time.”
~ President Bill Clinton
Why “Do More Good” and not just “Do Good” as the title of your book?
NEIL GHOSH: Because good isn’t a finish line—it’s a practice.
Do More Good is both a challenge and a call to action. It says: don’t just donate—ask why inequality exists. Don’t just praise heroes—become one in your own story.
The word more reflects the urgency of our times. It’s about pushing past performative gestures into consistent, courageous action. It’s about growing our circle of concern—and digging deeper into what “good” really means.
Was there a common quality among the quiet changemakers in your book?
NEIL GHOSH: Absolutely. Inner steadiness and radical empathy.
Every person featured in the book treats empathy not as weakness, but as a force for leadership.
Their lives reminded me—and I hope remind readers—that empathy, when paired with courage, can drive systems change and inspire both individuals and institutions to build a more just and inclusive world.
Have there been small turning points that became pivotal for you?
NEIL GHOSH: At a critical point in my life, my mother helped me to turn my anger and shame into a moment of obligation that fundamentally reoriented my life.
That moment became my North Star. I believe the time is now for us, as nations, to turn our collective anger into a collective moment of obligation. This obligation is not only to the world but also to ourselves.
It was 1976. The government was arresting leaders of the political opposition. My father, a labor union leader, was jailed. There were big issues involved, but I was 14 years old, and for me, the most traumatic aspect was learning that we had to go to my middle school and appeal for a waiver because we could no longer afford the tuition. It was embarrassing, and I was angry – at my parents. I was afraid that my friends in school would find out about our disadvantaged financial situation.
Then my mother told me that my father, as a champion of the vulnerable population, gave voice to those who could not be heard, and I had no reason to feel ashamed. With a simple phrase, my mother transformed a moment of humiliation and resentment into a moment of pride and obligation.
A few years after that conversation, I started the Calcutta Youth Club to work with the children and youth in my community. It was the beginning of my dedication to social justice.
“Why the title ‘Do More Good’? Because good isn’t a finish line—it’s a practice. Do more good is both a challenge and a call to action. It says: don’t just donate—ask why inequality exists. Don’t just praise heroes—become one in your own story.”
~ Author Neil Ghosh
What would you say to someone who wants to help but feels overwhelmed?
NEIL GHOSH: Start small—but start.
Micro-altruism matters. One hour of mentoring, one kind word, one weekend of volunteering can have a ripple effect.
Here’s a simple guide:
- Start small: A kind word or act can transform someone’s day.
- Lead by example: Model empathy and inclusivity at work and home.
- Bridge divides: Compassion connects us across ideologies and identities.
- Pay it forward: Acts of kindness are contagious.
What practices help you stay anchored in times of uncertainty?
NEIL GHOSH: keeps me afloat, but discipline and perseverance keep me moving.
Music is my sanctuary—from Rabindra Sangeet and Spanish music to jazz, classical music, and hip-hop. I stay connected to friends, make plans, and find joy in the small things.
My mantra is simple: Live and let live. But it’s not about apathy—it’s about empathy with boundaries. It’s about creating space for others without losing my own voice.
What’s one thing you hope readers take away from Do More Good?
Neil Ghosh: That they matter.
Their voice is not too small. Their story is not too late.
I hope readers feel not just inspired—but activated.
Whether it’s mentoring someone, speaking up at work, or simply leading with empathy, I want them to finish the book believing they hold more power than they thought.
What inspires your work in interfaith and intercultural dialogue?
NEIL GHOSH: Because I’ve seen the cost of silence—and the power of dialogue.
Raised in India and later living in the US, I’ve traveled on six continents, experiencing many worlds—religiously, culturally, and professionally. I’ve learned that understanding doesn’t require agreement. It just requires presence.
Interfaith and intercultural dialogue allow us to see each other, not as ideas, but as people. That’s the first step to healing.
I’m deeply honored that His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote the foreword to Do More Good. His lifelong message of compassion and service aligns with every page of this book.
In Closing
Neil Ghosh reminds us that every individual has the power to create positive change, no matter how small the action may seem. In Do More Good, he offers not only inspiration but also practical pathways to turn empathy into impact. His words urge us to move from good intentions to conscious action, from momentary kindness to sustained service.
In today’s world, marked by global crises, widening inequalities, and spiritual fatigue, Neil’s work serves as a gentle but urgent reminder: our stories matter, our choices matter, and our ability to do more good is both a privilege and a responsibility. Whether you are a changemaker, a seeker, or someone simply trying to live a more meaningful life, this conversation is for you.
Title: Do More Good: Inspiring Lessons from Extraordinary People, Paperback
Author: Neil Ghosh
Publisher: Post Hill Press
Publication date: June 3, 2025
Number of pages: 368
Genre: Volunteer Work
Notable contributions: Foreword by the Dalai Lama
Official Site: www.neilghosh.org and LinkedIn
