By Surbhi Bhatia
Ravi’s faith-driven principles are especially evident in his work with the Surrey Food Bank. Spurred by his own experience as a father, he started a baby product drive.
Like any good banker, Ravi Kochhar knows that wise and timely investments go a long way. He is investing his time and commitment in the community to sow seeds of growth and kindness that will bear fruit for years.
Ravi is a banker who understands the actual value of investing. Whether in finance or the community, Ravi believes that just as a wise investment in the bank yields future returns, investing time and heart in the community pays dividends that last a lifetime. With this mindset, despite his busy schedule as a Branch Manager, Ravi dedicates his time to initiatives that strengthen the community’s foundation. From tree-planting drives to collecting baby products for food banks, Ravi has nurtured these “saplings,” confident that taking care of something at the beginning yields a healthy future. His philosophy is that a seed well-tended at the start will grow into something solid and lasting.
Born and raised in Punjab, Ravi holds a Bachelor’s in Science degree and a Master’s in Biotechnology. His ability to organize various events and bring together a community at a very young age has also been reflected in his career growth. As one of his university’s earliest biotechnology students, Ravi organized seminars, establishing himself as a leader. His efforts eventually led him to become one of the youngest professors in his department before pursuing further education in London. There, he completed his M.Sc in International Business before later setting his sights on an MBA at Vancouver Island University.
In 2012, he settled in Surrey with his wife and joined Finance industry, where he quickly became known for spearheading initiatives. He was leader and main force behind opening new locations for his organization Ravi also played a crucial role in organizing community events like Vaisakhi and Diwali celebrations and supporting his organization’s tree-planting initiatives.
But Ravi’s urge to give back goes beyond his work responsibilities. “From day one, I’ve always felt the need to serve others, and that feeling runs deep,” he says, attributing his dedication to his upbringing and faith.
When asked why giving back is so essential to him, Ravi references his Sikh faith. Born in the holy city of Amritsar, he was raised with the teachings of the Sikh Gurus.
“Our Gurus taught us to give our tan, munn, and dhan to the community. Tan is our physical presence; mun is our sincere heart; and dhan means financial contributions.”
Ravi explains the principle of Dasvandh, or giving 10 percent of one’s income to charity, and adds, “But money comes later—time and commitment come first. And most important is timing. Serving and caring for something initially is crucial for a healthy future.”
Ravi’s faith-driven principles are especially evident in his work with the Surrey Food Bank. Spurred by his own experience as a father, he started a baby product drive.
“With two young kids, I know how costly baby formula and diapers can be. It struck me that if I find these expenses challenging, it must be harder for families with limited income. An adult can skip a meal, but a baby cannot. Babies are our community’s future; we must nourish them.”
His involvement doesn’t stop at collecting donations. Ravi has encouraged local business owners and even politicians to support food banks. He played a significant role in organizing the Surrey Food Bank’s annual food drive with Sher-e-Punjab Radio and visits the food bank regularly, often with his young son by his side.
“I want my son to grow up seeing the importance of giving back,” he shares.
He has also worked on various community events, such as organizing Vaisakhi and Diwali and participating in his organization lead tree-planting initiative. However, the urge to do more has pushed him to volunteer with various charity organizations beyond work since day one.
As someone who’s seen the impact of rising costs, Ravi feels strongly about addressing food insecurity, especially as Canada’s immigrant and refugee populations grow.
“Inflation hasn’t spared anyone, and new immigrants feel the pinch even more,” he explains. With food banks, including Surrey Food Bank, struggling to keep up with demand, Ravi has mobilized South Asian community leaders and businesses to contribute, noting, “Our local farmers and grocery stores have been incredibly generous. But more needs to be done.”
Through his work and volunteer efforts, Ravi invests in what he values most—his community’s well-being and future. With every effort, he sows seeds of growth and kindness that will bear fruit for years.
