Dr. Vatsala Gururaj is a distinguished academician, administrator, and thought leader in the domains of Commerce, Management, and Educational Leadership. She joined the Seshadripuram Educational Trust (SET) in 2001 as a Professor of Management and has since contributed significantly across multiple institutions of the Trust. She currently serves as the Director of Seshadripuram Academy for Global Excellence (SAGE), Yelahanka, where she leads strategic initiatives aimed at academic innovation, global exposure, and holistic student development.

An alumnus of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Dr. Vatsala completed her Bachelors and Masters in Commerce from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru. She began her career as a Financial Analyst in the corporate sector before discovering her passion for teaching and research. She transitioned into academia in 1996 and later completed her Doctoral Degree from Shivaji University, Kolhapur, specializing in Small Industries Finance.

Since joining SET, Dr. Vatsala has held several pivotal roles across the Seshadripuram Group of Institutions. Her academic leadership, student-centric approach, and administrative excellence have shaped multiple programs, departments, and institutional initiatives. She has been actively involved with:

Seshadripuram Academy for Global Excellence – Director

Seshadripuram Institute of Management Studies – Head

Editorial Board, PG Department of Commerce & Management, Seshadripuram First Grade College

Economic Research Advisory Board, Government of Karnataka

Her multi-dimensional contributions span curriculum development, faculty mentoring, accreditation processes, international collaborations, and institutional expansion.

Dr. Vatsala has guided numerous student projects in Finance and Accounting, contributing to the academic growth of several cohorts. She has published multiple research papers in reputed national and international journals and is the author of textbooks on:

Microfinance

Small Industries Finances

Her research background strongly complements SAGE’s vision of fostering analytical thinking and industry-relevant learning.

Known for her humility and dynamic leadership, Dr. Vatsala is widely recognized for incubating a wide array of academic and developmental initiatives under the Seshadripuram Educational Trust. She believes deeply in the principle that “actions speak louder than words” and is admired for her ability to empower teams, nurture innovation, and maintain a low-profile leadership style that inspires many.