Surbhi Luthra: “I found my inner voice”

By day, Surbhi Luthra MInstD might be crunching numbers, but it’s having a sense of purpose that keeps her motivated. 

Born in Northern India, Luthra’s upbringing had an emphasis on strong family and community values, which underpin her desire to make a difference. She came to New Zealand eight years ago as a 22-year-old, and has been on the Neuro Connection Foundation board for just over a year, following an invitation to join because of her background in finance. 

“I wasn't looking to get into governance, and I didn't even know that there was such a big, wide scope to help people and give back,” she says.  

With seven members on its board, the West Auckland organisation provides rehabilitation support to adults with neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and those recovering from a stroke. 

Approximately 80-100 people use its services, and Luthra says the approach to education using Conductive Education “focuses on the brain’s capability to learn and use different sets of nerves to carry out certain functions, even when some of the nerves may be damaged”. 

“These are exceptional people who are constantly working towards increasing their regular motor functions through our classes, which assist people to do activities that enhance their everyday lives. It can be walking, or simple tasks like picking up a glass of water. It’s very basic, but it makes a huge difference in their lives,” she says. 

Board members are encouraged to visit the facilities to get an insight into the challenges clients face, ensuring issues and feedback aren’t missed. Luthra says watching people’s progress is “brilliant and you go through a whole variety of emotions”. 

“As part of the policy, one board member also needs to be a representative of the clients to make sure as a board that our work aligns with what's actually happening,” Luthra says.  

Currently studying for her CPA on top of a full-time job, Luthra was looking to do some additional courses when the chair of Neuro Connection Foundation suggested she apply for the IoD scholarship fund, launched last year. 

“I'm very new to not-for-profit organisations and governance, so I was looking for active mentorship, or any sort of online resources. When I received the news that my application was successful, I was sitting in the office… I was so happy because it’s my first scholarship,” she says. 

The scholarship allowed Luthra to attend the Strategy Essentials course, which inadvertently helped her find her inner voice. 

“When I'm sitting in the board room and I have a gut feeling, I need to talk about what I'm thinking, even if I might think it's insignificant, because the board is relying on my experience, and if I don't speak out, I’m not doing my job properly.”

As the youngest member on the board, the scholarship opportunity and training has filled the young director with more confidence, as well as reinforcing that effort equals reward. And she has a new way of seeing strategy. 

“What I experienced on the course was not about what you're ‘supposed to do’ or about the rules you need to follow when you’re forming a strategy, but more about how you need to think, and why it’s okay to question things when they don’t sit right with you, even when everyone else is agreeing with them,” Luthra says.  

Being on a health sector board, she says it is important that the organisation continues to provide a high-quality service to the people who need it.   

“The ultimate goal is to reach out to more people because they’re not just suffering from neurological conditions, but they’re also in a very lonely place.”

Luthra is determined to see positive change in the organisation which, in addition to helping people’s health and mobility, creates a sense of belonging and community where concerns can be raised.   

“It does feel good knowing that the work I’m doing is helping to change lives in some sort of sense,” Luthra says. 

Find out how you can apply for the IoD Scholarship Fund here.