Ashish Gadnis is the Co-founder / CEO of BanQu, which was recently named to the TIME Magazine 2019 Innovations List and MB 2020 Leaders List. In February 2021 BanQu was named to be one of the top innovation for circular economy by World Economic Forum and Accenture. BanQu is the first-ever blockchain-based (patented) Supply Chain & Economic  Passport platform that enables transparency, traceability, equity, and sustainability for farmers (especially women), workers, waste pickers/recyclers living in extreme poverty. BanQu has also become the leading platform for ensuring COVID-19 supplies are reaching the most vulnerable nations and communities in the MENA region. BanQu is being used in 50+ countries and over 2 million last-mile-first-mile beneficiaries today. Prior to his current engagements, Mr. Gadnis was the founder and CEO of multiple technology startups, the last one of which was acquired by a $1.5 billion global consulting firm in 2012. Over the past 25 years Ashish has been recognized for his private/public sector contributions with awards such as – MIT Innovate for Refugees (Syrian refugees) award, Young Global Leader (World Economic Forum), Minority Business Leader (Twin Cities Business), 40 under 40 (Business Journal), Change-Makers Innovator Award (Coding Schools in Refugee Camps in East Africa) and Battery Ventures Innovation Award – Democratic Republic of Congo (for Asili: a mobile / cloud-based business focused on reducing infant child mortality, improving maternal health and increasing livelihood in conflict zones). Ashish has a Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering from Bombay University, MBA in Finance and Marketing from the Carlson School, and Executive Education in Global Leadership and Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School.