Connecticut

Rajeev Pahuja

Corporate Leadership. Civic Advocacy. Cultural Impact.

A Connecticut native whose professional journey spans corporate leadership, compliance, community engagement, and advocacy for cultural recognition.

Explore His Journey
  • Corporate Leadership
  • Legal & Compliance
  • Civic Advocacy
  • Community Leadership
Rajeev Pahuja in a dark suit

About Rajeev

Leadership Across Business & Community

MBA

Quinnipiac University

BS

Marketing, Quinnipiac

Raised in Hamden, Connecticut, Rajeev learned early that strong systems are built on trust, preparation, and shared purpose.

At Hamden High School, he played football and basketball, and he later coached, contributing to a state championship in football. Those lessons in discipline and mentorship carried into his career.

He earned a BS in Marketing from Quinnipiac University, then an MBA there in management and strategy, with a growing interest in civil rights and employment law shaping how he approaches compliance, governance, and ethical responsibility.

The result is work that crosses areas usually kept apart: business, compliance, culture, public policy, and community leadership.

Professional Journey

A Multidisciplinary Career

  1. 01

    Corporate Leadership

    A corporate career focused on compliance, marketing, and community leadership, including a role at ESPN, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.

  2. 02

    Broadcast Media

    Sports broadcast training and an internship with ABC affiliate News Channel 8 (WTNH) in New Haven, Connecticut.

  3. 03

    Legal & Compliance

    A long-standing interest in civil rights and employment law informs his approach to governance, treating compliance as a framework for sustainable growth and reputational trust.

  4. 04

    Business Strategy

    He holds an MBA from Quinnipiac University, with training in management, strategy, and organizational leadership that connects business goals with regulatory awareness.

  5. 05

    Community Leadership

    Active in Connecticut initiatives on cultural awareness, civic participation, and immigrant inclusion, including dialogue between state institutions and the South Asian American community.

  6. 06

    Fashion Consulting

    His fashion-industry work includes tailored menswear consulting, where brand integrity and personal presentation meet client trust.

Film & Television

Work on Screen

Rajeev is a member of SAG-AFTRA and trained in the Meisner Technique, bringing the same preparation to performance that he brings to the boardroom.

His work spans American television, Bollywood cinema, dance-based television programming, and commercial and print campaigns.

SAG-AFTRA Member

  • Television

    Law & Order

    Appearance on the long-running American television series.

  • Feature film

    English Vinglish

    Role in the Bollywood feature film.

  • Feature film

    Anjaana Anjaani

    Role in the Bollywood feature film.

  • Feature film

    Master Daddy

    Feature film role alongside Wesley Snipes.

Video

Video & Multimedia Work

A selection of video projects by Rajeev Pahuja, drawing on his multimedia training and his interest in Bollywood dance and cinema. Each project opens on Vimeo in a new tab.

Dancers in colorful traditional dress performing in an ornate hall beneath floral arches

Final Bollywood Video Project

Watch on Vimeo

A woman walks through a sunlit market street with a camel at the left

Bollywood Dance Montage

Watch on Vimeo

A vintage illustrated poster for the film Alam Ara

103 Years of Bollywood Cinema

Watch on Vimeo

Cultural Advocacy

Advancing Recognition of Diwali in Connecticut

Rajeev spearheaded advocacy supporting the recognition of Diwali, the festival of lights, as a Connecticut state holiday through Senate Bill 1519.

Working alongside the Hindu American Foundation and other community organizations, he supported public awareness of the proposal. With its passage, Connecticut became the second U.S. state to formally recognize Diwali as a state holiday.

He has described the recognition as a way to encourage cultural understanding in schools, workplaces, and public institutions.

Signed into law

June 10

2025

Governor Ned Lamont signed SB 1519 into law.

  1. Community

    Supported awareness efforts with community organizations, including the Hindu American Foundation.

  2. Legislature

    Advocated for the recognition of Diwali as a Connecticut state holiday through Senate Bill 1519.

  3. Passage

    SB 1519 designated Diwali a Connecticut state holiday.

  4. June 10, 2025

    Governor Ned Lamont signed SB 1519 into law.

Connecticut × India

Building Bridges Between Connecticut & India

ConnecticutIndia

Rajeev advocates for stronger economic, cultural, and business relationships between Connecticut and India, including testimony in support of proposals for a permanent Connecticut–India Trade Commission.

The idea behind that work is straightforward: cultural relationships create the trust that economic relationships depend on, opening doors to investment, business partnerships, and community engagement.

Connect

Follow Rajeev Pahuja

Civic & Legislative Advocacy

Sustained Civic Participation

Legislative testimony

Has participated in legislative hearings and submitted testimony on immigrant protections and civil rights.

Connecticut Trust Act

Supported revisions limiting local cooperation with federal immigration authorities without judicial warrants, focused on due process and community trust.

Cultural recognition

Advocates for recognitions that reflect the lived experiences of Connecticut's diverse residents.

Dialogue over division

Frames advocacy around clear legal standards that strengthen relationships between communities and public agencies.

Impact & Milestones

MBA
Business leadership credentials
SB 1519
Diwali designated a Connecticut state holiday
2025
SB 1519 signed into law June 10
2nd
U.S. state to recognize Diwali as a state holiday

Recognition

Recognition & Community Impact

Notable alumnus

Recognized by Quinnipiac University among its notable alumni for community engagement and public advocacy.

Community voice

Listed among Indian American activists and philanthropists, reflecting the reach of his advocacy.

Press

Media & Press

Selected coverage of the work of Rajeev Pahuja — his featured profile in American Worthy, together with photographs from performances, festival stages and print features.

In the news

Diwali recognition in Connecticut

Rajeev Pahuja with a television reporter beside an NBC Connecticut and Telemundo news vehicle
Connecticut Media CoverageRajeev Pahuja participating in Connecticut television coverage surrounding Diwali recognition and his advocacy efforts across the state.
Rajeev Pahuja holding an official document with two Connecticut leaders in a wood-paneled room
Official Recognition at the Connecticut State CapitolRajeev Pahuja receiving official recognition alongside Connecticut government and community leaders following his advocacy for Diwali recognition.
Rajeev Pahuja and Governor Ned Lamont with two family members in front of wooden doors
With Governor Ned Lamont and FamilyRajeev Pahuja with Governor Ned Lamont and members of his family during the events surrounding Connecticut’s historic recognition of Diwali.
Rajeev Pahuja beside a Happy Diwali banner at Greenwich Town Hall
Diwali at Greenwich Town HallRajeev Pahuja celebrating Diwali at Greenwich Town Hall while continuing his work to promote cultural recognition, inclusion, and community engagement.
Governor Ned Lamont seated signing Senate Bill 1519 with Rajeev Pahuja standing behind him among community members
Historic Diwali Bill-Signing CeremonyGovernor Ned Lamont signing Senate Bill 1519 into law as Public Act 25-59, formally recognizing Diwali in Connecticut state statute. Rajeev Pahuja helped lead the effort behind the legislation and advocated for its passage with lawmakers and community leaders.
Governor Ned Lamont holding a dark blue folder beside Rajeev Pahuja as attendees applaud
Recognition Following the Diwali SigningRajeev Pahuja alongside Governor Ned Lamont and community leaders following the signing of Senate Bill 1519, a landmark moment in Connecticut’s official recognition of Diwali.
Clay diya oil lamps being lit for DiwaliReligion News ServiceThree states now recognize Diwali as a holidayRead coverage Rajeev Pahuja speaking at a podium bearing the seal of the Governor of ConnecticutHindu American Foundation on XRajeev Pahuja speaks at the Governor of Connecticut's podiumRead coverage

From the archive

Performances, festival stages and print features

Photographs documenting Rajeev Pahuja’s cultural work — from Bhangra performances and Deepavali celebrations to a 2008 print feature.

India SE magazine, March 2008: the two-page feature “Happy feet”, with Rajeev Pahuja pictured in a blue turban
India SE · March 2008Print feature — “Happy feet”
Dancers in Bhangra costumes performing on stage at the Association of Indians in America Deepavali Festival
Deepavali Festival stageAssociation of Indians in America, New York Chapter
Rajeev Pahuja in a white kurta posing with two performers among auditorium seats
In the auditorium
Three dancers performing in traditional costume against a blue stage backdrop
On stage
Rajeev Pahuja in a blue turban on a city street

Personal

Beyond the Boardroom

Style is part of how Rajeev carries his heritage and his profession, from tailored suits to a traditional turban.

He stays close to athletics, following New York and Connecticut teams, and is fluent in Hindi.

He also practices Bollywood and Bhangra dance, an expression of heritage that carries into his cultural and community work.

Moments

Leadership in Action

Rajeev Pahuja professional headshot