Aanshul Bafnaa, known as ModMonk, was born in India. From a young age, she showed a keen interest in exploring both modern life and spiritual wisdom. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor's in Business Administration (BBA) from Bharti Vidyapeeth Institute of Management, where she graduated with distinction in 2004.
Following this, she pursued a postgraduate qualification in Marketing and Communication from Mudra Institute of Communication (MICA), Ahmedabad, from 2009 to 2011, where she earned an A-grade distinction. Her educational journey didn’t stop there. Aanshul furthered her knowledge with a Master's in Business Psychology from the University of Westminster, London, where she completed the program in 2014.
During her time in London, she gained significant insights into conflict resolution, team facilitation, and understanding personality types. This was followed by a Master’s Certification in Vedic Sciences and Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) from MIT School of Vedic Sciences in 2021, expanding her expertise into ancient wisdom and its applications in modern management.
Aanshul's professional career began in 2005, when she worked as a Research Executive for RONIN International, London. Here, she was involved in carrying out research for different sectors like IT, medical, and manufacturing, gathering data for clients such as IBM and Cummins. She quickly moved to roles of increasing responsibility, gaining hands-on experience in marketing, public relations, and research.
Between 2009 and 2012, she worked in various roles such as Assistant Manager for Brand Solutions at Bloomberg UTV in Mumbai, where she focused on managing media properties and event management, while also strategising for brand positioning and image building. During this time, Aanshul worked on several high-profile events and campaigns, gaining exposure to diverse marketing strategies.
In 2015, Aanshul founded The ModMonk Consultancy, focusing on blending modern business practices with spiritual teachings. As ModMonk, she set out to guide people in balancing their professional and personal lives through a deeper connection with their inner selves. Her work revolves around three core areas: Workspace Spirituality, Spiritual Leadership, and Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) & Modern Management.
Aanshul has spent over 17 years conducting workshops, coaching, and training corporate leaders, academic professionals, and students. Her focus is on spiritual leadership, emotional intelligence, and stress management.
She teaches that modern management should integrate principles from Indian spiritual texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, and Vedic frameworks, aiming to build a more conscious and emotionally stable workforce. Under The ModMonk Consultancy, Aanshul has developed several programs and workshops, such as Spiritual Coaching, Mindfulness & Stress Management, Leadership & Capacity Building, and IKS & Modern Management. She works with corporate leaders, executives, SMEs, and academic institutions to enhance personal and professional development by blending Eastern spiritual wisdom with contemporary business practices.
In addition to her consultancy work, Aanshul has been actively involved in academia. Since 2017, she has served as a professor at Flame University in Pune, India. There, she teaches MBA students and trains professionals in business communication, leadership, and diversity. She has also taught at Symbiosis Centre for Corporate Education and Indira Institute of Management Pune, where she focuses on leadership, capacity building, and corporate culture.
Aanshul’s expertise is further recognised in her role as a mentor at MICA – The School of Ideas, where she provides guidance to future leaders on personal and professional growth. Her teachings encourage integrating wisdom from both modern management and ancient Indian knowledge systems.
Aanshul’s commitment to spreading spiritual awareness in the corporate world has made her a prominent speaker. She has delivered keynotes at numerous TEDx events, including TEDx Pune and TEDx Agra, where she addressed topics like leadership, emotional intelligence, and spiritual growth.
Her sessions often explore how spiritual intelligence can influence leadership styles and improve overall workplace culture. She has been invited to speak at various prestigious forums, such as the National Human Resource Development (NHRD) forum, LinkedIn Locals, and CII IWN. Her insights are regularly featured in leading media outlets, including Femina, The Guardian, and Business World.
Aanshul has authored several publications, including the upcoming book "Walking Inward – A Spiritual Wanderlust", which explores the integration of spiritual practices into daily life. This book guides readers to navigate their work, relationships, and personal challenges with a mindful and spiritually aware approach. She is also working on two forthcoming books: "Daily Spiritual Guide – In Modern Life" and "Spirituality in the Modern Workplace".
In addition to books, Aanshul contributes to various online and offline platforms, where she writes on topics related to mindfulness, work-life balance, and leadership. She is featured in popular publications such as Rediff, PinkVilla, and Pune Mirror, sharing her expertise on stress management, emotional intelligence, and the application of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) in modern life.
Throughout her career, Aanshul has received several accolades for her work in spiritual leadership and business coaching. Some notable recognitions include India Icon 2019 Award for being the Most Impactful Spiritual Mentor by Zee Business, Nari Shakti Awards in 2019, recognising her as one of the 51 Most Influential Women in India, Women’s Planet Pride Award in 2018 for Spiritual Guidance, and Lokmat Women Achiever’s Award in 2020 for her contribution to education and leadership.
Currently, Aanshul continues to lead The ModMonk Consultancy, offering a range of corporate and personal development services, including personal coaching, mindfulness workshops, spiritual leadership programs, and stress management retreats. Her programs aim to help individuals and organisations find balance between their professional responsibilities and spiritual well-being.
She is actively involved in mentoring corporate leaders and teaching students, while also hosting the Conscious Leadership Circle (CLC), a LinkedIn Live series where she engages with global thought leaders, spiritual guides, and industry experts on how spiritual intelligence and energy consciousness can shape the future of leadership and work.
Aanshul remains dedicated to integrating spirituality with everyday professional life, helping people lead more balanced, focused, and spiritually fulfilling careers. Her work continues to evolve as she seeks to bridge the gap between the practical and the spiritual in the modern world. Through her programs, Aanshul aims to cultivate workplaces that are more conscious, connected, and compassionate, ensuring that every individual can thrive both personally and professionally.
