Venkatesh graduated with an engineering degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and earned his master’s degree in business administration at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. He entered the civil construction business at age 23 and currently heads a construction firm with more than 1,400 employees. He has been a member of the Builders’ Association of India since 1998.

Venkatesh, whose Rotary call name is Venky, has served RI in roles that include International Assembly training leader, Rotary coordinator, and lead trainer of Rotary coordinators at the Regional Leaders Training Institute for three years. He represented his district at the 2016 Council on Legislation and has also served as a president’s representative, both in India and overseas.

A frequent speaker at presidents-elect training seminars and district assemblies throughout India, Venkatesh has attended more than 10 Rotary International Conventions and was chair of the South Asian reception event at conventions in Montreal, Canada; and Seoul, Korea.

Venkatesh has a keen interest in literacy projects and has served as joint secretary and national executive committee member for the Rotary India Literacy Mission, which supports teacher training, e-learning, and literacy for children and adults in nearly 3,000 schools throughout India. Venkatesh has also been active as director of the Rotary Action Group for Family Health and AIDS Prevention and the Rotary Action Group for Community Economic Development. He is an avid bridge player and traveller.

Venkatesh and his wife, Vinita, are Major Donors to The Rotary Foundation and many of his family members are Paul Harris Fellows.