Meet The Founders
Ascendance was founded by four Malaysian youngsters aged 13 to 19 years old (in the year 2015) to inspire their peers to live more holistic lives. They became role models, excelling in their education and careers while motivating other youngsters to do so as well.
First Malaysians to receive the Diana Award 2019
In recognition of their efforts to foster change and develop youngsters, the 4 founders of Ascendance were awarded The Diana Award in 2019 for Social Action and Humanitarian Works. The Diana Award is a prestigious award given to young changemakers worldwide by The Diana Foundation.
Global Education Fuels Ascendance Leaders
The co-founders of Ascendance are studying at prestigious global institutions, including Ivy Leagues, to elevate their perspectives and position Ascendance on the international stage.
Harsha, Ascendance’s CEO, holds a 4.0 CGPA as an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania, USA. Sanadtkumar, the COO, is refining his expertise with a diploma in Video Production at Toronto Film School, Canada. Heerraa, Ascendance’s Advisor, is undertaking a Bachelor of Liberal Arts at Harvard University, USA. Mathura, currently a class participant at Harvard Extension School, is on her path towards a Masters in Liberal Arts, Finance.
Let’s Find Out More About The Founders
Harsha Ravindran, 21
CEO & Co-Founder of Ascendance
CEO & Founder of StartMyName.com
President of ASEL Club, University of Pennsylvania
Vice President of Finance, Wharton Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Club
Reporter & Podcast Host at The Daily Pennsylvanian
Host of Changing Reality Radio Show, WQHS Radio
Author of ‘The Makings of A Teenage Entrepreneur’ Book
Undergraduate Student at University of Pennsylvania, USA (4.0 CGPA)
3 Times TEDx Speaker & International Conference Speaker
Skoll Foundation Fellow
Featured on Prestige 40 Under 40 in 2022
Sanadtkumar Ganesan, 23
COO & Co-Founder of Ascendance
International Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker
Director, Wanted: Shades of Life Documentary Series
Creative Content Creator at ET Boost Studio
Pursuing Diploma in Video Production at Toronto Film School, Canada
Winner: Best Inspirational Film for the Los Angeles Film Awards
Finalist: Best Documentary Feature for the New York International Film Awards
Top 30 Films of the Year at Filmmakers Connect Awards, USA
Finalist For Emerging Filmmaker Award at FilmHaus Berlin
Top 50 Asia Young Talents at Monstar Awards 2021
Featured in The Edge Weekly, Malaysia's Top Business Newspaper
Heerraa Ravindran, 23
Advisor & Co-Founder of Ascendance
Award-winning International Singer-Songwriter & Performer
Dean's List Honors 2021-2023 and Undergraduate at Harvard University Extension
Voting Member at the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs®️)
Harvard Extension School's Global Ambassador 2023
Prestige Malaysia's 40 Under 40 Most Successful, Innovative & Influential Young People 2022
ICon Award & Best in North America (Pop) at InterContinental Music Awards, LA 2022
Best in Pop Original (Young Adult) at International Red Carpet Awards, Netherlands 2023
Best Female Solo Artist at California Music Video Awards, San Francisco 2023
Judge for International Singer-Songwriter Association (ISSA) Awards, Atlanta 2023
Written & Composed Song Featured on the Official Game Soundtrack of 'Simulacra 2'
Mathura Kannan, 26
Advisor & Co-Founder of Ascendance
CEO of Social Business Incubator, ET Ideas Group
Junior Director at Simply Empowering
Author of ‘Money Matter$: A Guide to Finance & Life for Gen Zs
Host of ‘Money Matter$’ Talk Show
ICAEW Chartered Accountant (ACA)
Class Participant at Harvard Extension School
Asia Regional Finalist of Commonwealth Youth Awards 2023
Runner Up for Best Financial Influencer in the MAIAwards 2022
EO Global Student Entrepreneur Awards 2020 Malaysian Top 4 Finalist
Recipient of Top 10 Student Key Opinion Leader Award at Monstar Award 2019