Akash Kalia

Akash Kalia studied business with a focus on Entrepreneurship at the University of Oregon before returning home to save his family business. While still in high school and in college, Akash started a number of small businesses in the technology sector. After college, Akash bought and overhauled his family’s hotel; nearly doubling the profits within a year while paying each employee a living wage. 

Akash saw the innovative value of leveraging existing housing vouchers to convert his Palms Inn into permanent supportive housing.  Akash was very hands-on in the conversion, particularly with the collaborative efforts to build a sustainable community, and in fostering positive respectful relationships between the residents and staff during the transition. 

Akash had the honor of being awarded the Merit Award(PDF) for the innovative conversion of the Palms Inn by the City of Santa Rosa at the 35th annual Merit Awards. 

Aptly named a “social entrepreneur” by the India West newspaper, Akash is focused on creating sustainable opportunities for business owners to serve their communities while maintaining business viability.