GISA Spring Election 2025 Candidate Profiles: Jahnavi Eluru for Professional Development Committee President

In conversation with Jahnavi Eluru, MINT Migrations and Mobilities 1st Year.

Q. What makes you the ideal candidate for your role, and how do you believe your background will help you succeed in this position?

With a background in philosophy, public policy, and communication strategy, I’ve led and contributed to student-focused initiatives in India and in Geneva, from coordinating TEDxGVAGrad to designing knowledge tools at CCDP centre at the institute. These experiences, along with my focus on inclusive development and intercultural dialogue, uniquely position me to shape a PDC that supports the diverse ambitions of our student body. 

Q. How do you plan to approach the role in a way that ensures the smooth running of GISA’s operations and fosters a collaborative atmosphere?

I believe in balancing structure with creativity. I’ll build on existing PDC strengths through clear internal workflows, early planning, and collaborative tools. Having worked in cross-cultural teams both remotely and in-person, I understand how to maintain open communication and shared ownership while ensuring that operations remain student-centered and efficient. 

Q. What past experiences have prepared you for the challenges of this role, and how will you use these experiences to improve GISA’s  efficiency?

At CEAS Initiative, I managed social media and digital outreach across the Institute, coordinating with multiple stakeholders to promote events and foster engagement. At NGOs like Care India and Defence for Children International, I worked on strategic communication, advocacy, and donor relations. These experiences have strengthened my ability to manage complex timelines, stakeholder coordination, and inclusive messaging – skills I’ll bring to PDC leadership.

Q. If elected, what would be your primary goal and how would you ensure its successful implementation during your tenure?

My goal is to make professional development more responsive to the lived realities of our diverse student body – especially international and mid-career students. I’ll co-develop programming with Career Services, integrate feedback loops through student consultations, and curate events that go beyond conventional career paths, including fields like photography, videography, visual storytelling, social media management, and other creative industries. Students at our institute possess wide-ranging talents, and our career services should reflect that diversity. I will work with the career services to bring these options to the forefront through events and workshops.

Q. How do you plan to make GISA more accessible and transparent for students, particularly when it comes to administrative processes and decision-making?

I would advocate for multilingual resources, regular transparency updates, and clearer pathways for student input. Drawing from my experience building knowledge-sharing platforms and managing newsletters, I’d introduce student-facing summaries of PDC decisions and create opportunities for open dialogue with the committee throughout the semester.

Q.What are three core values you bring to your role?

● Equity: Centering marginalized voices in access to opportunities. 

● Clarity: Communicating processes, expectations, and feedback openly. ● Commitment: Following through with care and accountability. 

Q. Lastly, a few creative ways or plans of action (chance to do something different )

I will advocate for a global skills exchange where students teach each other practical tools – be it grant writing, podcasting, or photography and spotlight creative careers through student-led panels. I’d also like to partner with alumni on informal ‘coffee chats’ to demystify non-linear career paths and expand professional imagination.