Williams Executive-in-Residence Shares Expertise to Empower Undergraduates

SHERMAN, TEXAS — On Wednesday, October 15, 2024, Austin College welcomed Chairman and CEO of Access Healthcare, Anurag Jain, as the 2024 Williams Executive-in-Residence. Faculty, staff, and students across the spectrum of academic programs attended the luncheon to listen and learn from Jain as he shared his practical experience and invaluable lessons learned throughout his career.

Anurag Jain, CEO, is the co-founder and Managing Partner of Dallas-based venture capital firm, Perot Jain, and co-owns the Texas Super Kings cricket team. Jain opened the conversation by thanking his mentor, Robert Campbell ’71, “The most important person here is Bob Campbell. He is one of your most distinguished alumni, and has been a mentor to me for the last 10 years.” In his talk, facilitated by President Steven P. O’Day, Jain emphasized the importance of teamwork, continuous improvement, and adapting to changing circumstances, drawing parallels between sports and business. “You're always honing your craft,” said Jain when connecting sports and business, “and that's the same thing in business. There is no ceiling, there is no end. You're always trying to get a little better.” Jain discussed the evolving landscape of venture capital, highlighting trends like human longevity, AI, energy transition, and material sciences. He stressed the need for a mental framework for decision-making, balancing work and personal life, and respecting cultural differences. Jain left his audience words of wisdom and a key question, “If you want to be successful, you need to balance perspiration and inspiration. The question is, ‘Where does the inspiration come from?’ That inspiration can come from community, family, or spirituality. Where does your inspiration come from?”

Jain holds an MBA from the University of Michigan and a B.E. (Hons.) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences, Pilani. He and Ross Perot Jr. have established the BITS Perot Jain Centre for Advancement in Entrepreneurship. Jain currently serves on the Board of Directors of the US India Chamber of Commerce and as Chairman-Emeritus of the North Texas Food Bank. In March 2020, he launched a COVID-19 food relief and recovery program, Get Shift Done, which was named the #1 Most Innovative Not-For-Profit Organization in 2021 by Fast Company magazine. Along with fellow entrepreneurs, he has also mobilized medical equipment and supplies to India for the Indian Red Cross, Oxygen for India, and Give India. Read more about Anurag Jain here.

The Williams Executive-in-Residence Lecture is organized under the guidance of Dr. David Griffith, Professor of Business Administration and Economics, and Gillian Locke, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. This event is part of the annual speaker series designed to connect students with leading business executives who share their practical experiences, personal success stories, and invaluable lessons learned throughout their careers.

Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 44 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.