Dr. Ashu Handa

I have always believed that learning and unlearning is a lifelong journey. That belief has shaped both my career and my life — from boardrooms and lecture halls to the everyday financial decisions each of us has to make.

I qualified as a Chartered Accountant (CA) and Company Secretary (CS) in 2006, earned my Ph.D. in Economics in 2012, and completed my LL.B. in 2026. Every qualification has broadened my perspective, but my biggest lessons have come from practical experience.

I began my professional journey at the age of 23 with a boutique investment banking firm in Delhi, where I was introduced to the world of corporate finance, project financing and capital raising.

In 2011, I moved to Hyderabad to join a renewable energy Independent Power Producer listed on the London Stock Exchange. During my tenure, I helped raise nearly ₹8,000 crore of debt financing, built relationships with over 28 public and private sector banks, financial institutions and four multilateral agencies, and had the privilege of mentoring talented professionals — including graduates from premier institutions such as the IIMs and ISB.

In 2017, I joined KSK Mahanadi Power Company Limited as its Chief Financial Officer. The company operated India's fourth-largest private thermal power plant. During this period, I raised over ₹2,000 crore of financing, led complex negotiations with lenders and stakeholders, and played a key role in steering the company through one of the largest acquisitions in the Indian power sector — culminating in its acquisition by JSW Energy.

While my professional expertise was growing rapidly, I also realised that understanding corporate finance did not automatically translate into mastering personal finance. Like many professionals, I learned several personal financial lessons through experience rather than formal education. Those lessons would later become the foundation of my mission.

After nearly two decades in corporate leadership, I made a conscious decision in 2024 to step away from executive roles. I chose to dedicate my time to advising businesses on complex financial matters while pursuing a larger purpose — helping individuals build financial confidence and long-term wealth.

That purpose gave birth to BeSampann. The mission is simple: to bridge the gap between earning money and managing it wisely. Young professionals today are exceptionally skilled at building careers, yet very few receive structured guidance on protecting wealth, investing sensibly, managing risk or achieving financial independence.

If my corporate experience — the successes, mistakes and learnings — can help even a few thousand people make better financial decisions, then I believe I will have made a meaningful contribution beyond the boardroom.

Because true success is not measured only by the wealth we create for ourselves, but by the knowledge we pass on to others.

Dr. Handa speaks at universities, colleges, corporate offsites and HR forums across India. Sessions range from a 60-minute keynote to multi-week financial wellness programs delivered with internal teams.