Naveen C Shah
Founder and President
Navika Group | New York, USA
Janam Bhumi:
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Dharma Bhumi:
Sirohi, Rajasthan, India
Karma Bhumi:
Uniondale, New York, USA
Eight Dollars & a Dream – Ruling American Skylines
The ‘Naveen’ Factor: “Set your direction. Work tirelessly. With sincerity, success must follow.”
THE MAN
The accurate measure of a man lies in how he honours the first woman in his life – his mother. For Naveen C Shah, it goes beyond just honouring. He credits his mother with being an “unparalleled and extraordinary” force in his life. From his father, who was a deeply religious man, Naveen learned how to “be a good human being.” Naveen was born in Jaipur, Rajasthan as the eldest of three siblings. The family, originally from the culturally rich town of Sirohi, had settled in Jaipur. Encouraged by his mother – who emphasised the importance of education and resilience – Naveen excelled academically, topping his school classes in Jaipur and then Jodhpur. By the age of 21, Naveen had earned dual professional qualifications as a Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary from Mumbai. This was no ordinary feat for such a young man, who would later set out on a global journey to claim his place among the top entrepreneurs in the US.
THE JOURNEY
Naveen joined A.F. Ferguson & Co. in Mumbai. This was his first step towards the land of dreams – US. In 1982, Naveen immigrated to the promised land. He had US$8 in his pocket, but an abundance of grit, determination, and ambition. “Reaching the biggest economy in the world with nothing but dreams,” Naveen stayed with his maternal aunt and pursued his accountant licensing process. By 1985, he was legally certified to practice in New York and soon became a trusted adviser within South Asian business circles. Naveen made his mark by demonstrating exemplary ethical grounding, rising through. The ranks to become a partner at Rosen, Seymour, Shapps, Martin & Co, one of the top 100 US firms. But he didn’t stop there. In 1990, he co-founded ‘Character Loan,’ offering capital based on moral standing, not collateral. In 2005, he moved to real estate, launching Navika Group, now managing over 70 hotels and assets across the US, along with Blue Sky Hospitality.
He says, “For over two decades, we’ve managed our hotels end-to-end — from development and acquisitions to daily operations — allowing us to optimise every resource. This hands-on, vertical approach has not only expanded our portfolio but also strengthened our partnerships with leading brands like Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and InterContinental.”
As a well-respected business leader, Naveen is committed to strengthening not just diaspora relationships across the US but also Indo-American ties. He along with Dr Raj Bhayani recently announced the launch of the National Alliance of Indian Organizations (NAIO), an ambitious initiative aimed at uniting the Indian diaspora across the United States and strengthening business ties with India. He says, “Our goal is to bring together diaspora leaders to create a single, powerful voice for the Indian-American community as we collectively navigate our future”.
THE SPIRIT WITHIN
Naveen was recently honoured with the ‘Entrepreneur Par Excellence Award’ by the Association of Indians in America (AIA-NY). A well-deserved recognition that not only celebrates the multibillion-dollar conglomerate he has built but also the principles that underpin its growth.
Be it business or life, his moral compass of integrity, vision, and relationships guides Naveen’s success. He also believes that one cannot be happy without being of service to others. He often says, “Help others achieve their dreams, and you will achieve yours.”
As a philanthropist, he has empowered communities, having supported over 200 charitable institutions, and has served on many nonprofit boards. In 2025, Navika Capital was recognised at the 10th Annual Gala of Gift of Life USA for its dedicated support toward differently abled individuals.
As a community leader, he is committed to promoting religious harmony, often organising sacred ceremonies that celebrate spiritual inclusivity. It has garnered him praise from institutions like the Indian Association of Long Island, and the Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA) – which he co-founded to preserve and promote Rajasthan’s cultural heritage.
He says, “Philanthropy is a continuous journey for me—I support organisations both financially and with my time to advance their missions.”
THE LEGACY
Balance sheets, boardrooms, real estate deals, Naveen’s influence is one that holds weight in the global and Indian communities. After all, not everyone can proudly proclaim that they met Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. In 2023, Naveen met PM Modi to discuss ways to continue and foster bonds between Indian Americans and their homeland.
Naveen is firmly attached to his Indian roots, and this has always been his biggest asset, and it is something he has ingrained in his children as well. Naveen is someone who leads by example. “Your children will become who you are; so be who you want them to be,” he says.
The children – Anjali, Arpit, and Aashma – are all charting their own path, guided by their father’s wisdom and mother’s support. Anjali, the eldest daughter, is a radiologist, and son, Arpit, is Navika’s Chief Commercial Officer. The youngest daughter is pursuing a PhD at Harvard University in a new programme combining artificial intelligence with medical science.
Children are our legacy. But beyond that, what is one’s legacy? The financial success, the fame, the recognition, the philanthropy? Perhaps, one can summarise that the way a man carries himself and the gratitude he extends to those who support him and walk behind him define one’s legacy. Just as his mother is his inspirational force, Naveen could not have been the man he is without his wife, Rajshree, who is his “most motivating and encouraging companion.”
The true legacy of Naveen C Shah lies in his ability to, above all, recognise that one man’s success is built on the support of many.
MAPPING THE INDIA WITHIN
Bharat: Then and Now
“When I was growing up in India, opportunities were limited. Today, opportunities are tremendous and with technology, communication has become the key driver of growth. Indians are extremely smart and very good at adopting and adapting. Despite challenges like corruption, capable people find their way forward. Even with population pressure and limited land, India has progressed rapidly and continues to evolve.”
Bharatiya Values that Travelled
“Education, culture, tradition, core values, and religion are deeply rooted in us from childhood. These foundations stay with us wherever we go. These values have guided whatever I have been able to accomplish in life so far.”
Generations Abroad: A New Bharatiya Identity
“We maintain our Jain traditions at home without enforcing them. Religion, to me, is another form of science. One can adapt wisely to any culture while preserving your values.”
Pride, Progress, and the Spirit Of Bharat
“India’s greatest wealth is its manpower. Manpower creates productivity, productivity creates value, and value creates wealth. India has both tangible and intangible wealth, with the latter being far greater. Indians are talented and intelligent, working not just hard but smart, which is why they lead some of the world’s largest organisations.”
Dreams for the Youth and Future of Bharat
“My dream for Bharat is clean air, clean water, clean food, and a healthy environment with equal access for all. My advice to the youth is to maintain integrity, business ethics, family values, and tradition, while adopting Western culture wisely, not blindly. India will not just grow—it will thrive.”
BACK TO THE FUTURE – IN FIVE MOMENTS
Food Cravings
THEN
I have fond memories of eating at simple highway ‘dhabas’ where food was cooked in front of me.
NOW
Even now, I prioritise authentic taste over fancy ambience.
Sport Spirit
THEN
We played ‘kabaddi,’ ‘gilli-danda’ — sports that cost nothing but kept us fit.
NOW
I enjoy golf, table tennis, and the flexibility to try any sport I want.
Music Tastes
THEN
I listened endlessly to Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar.
NOW
I still play those old classics while working; their charm never fades.
Holiday Life
THEN
Holidays meant visiting grandparents and cousins, soaking in love and care.
NOW
We travel with friends and family, exploring new countries, but the best holiday is still going back to India.”
Leisure Habits
THEN
Leisure was temple visits, meeting spiritual scholars, and spending time with family and friends.
NOW
I continue those rituals, spending time with people who understand me and expand my values.
AKA
Naveen Shah, CPA | President & CEO of Navika Group of Companies | Founder/CEO of Navika Capital | President of Blue Sky Hospitality Solutions |
Entrepreneur Par Excellence (Awarded by AIA-NY)
