Shabir Bhegani is a civil engineer by trade and a community-centered soul at his core. This Nashville native, guided by a family-first ethos, is carving out a lane of helping to solve organizational problems and closing the gap within STEM career fields through Bhegani Execution. Learn more about Shabir.
Shabir Bhegani, Bhegani Execution
Title: Founder/Lead Strategist
What brought you to Nashville? I was born and raised here. Nashville Natives are still here!
Tell us what you are creating in Nashville? I get to use my skills to solve various problems. My background in civil engineering has helped me learn the technical way to solve infrastructure problems. Additional education experiences brought me more opportunities to solve system problems, which helped me translate those skills across industries. At the State of Tennessee, I work as a Business Analyst, leading training efforts to upskill employees across the State. In the community, I get to serve as Vice Chairman of Bhegani Education and Advisory Board Member to the local professionals chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, both of which allow me to pursue closing the ethnic participation gaps in STEM career fields, which has a high correlation with closing the wealth gap. This work looks like programming for youth and young adults to get access to scholarships, professional development, and overall career exposure opportunities via site tours and more.
Another way I’m bringing value to Nashville is through my business, Bhegani Execution. As the Founder and Lead Strategist, I help organizations set, achieve, and exceed their goals through strategic planning, operational excellence, and business optimization. We partner with businesses and nonprofits to transform ideas into actionable strategies that create measurable results. I’m actively working to build community around supporting the talent that enables business success, especially those that are rooted in their responsibility to the community and culture.
What inspires you? Seeing my parents work very hard to cultivate the strengths and talents of my siblings and me has created a strong sense of work ethic and endurance. I’m grateful for their example and perpetually glean from their lessons learned. I garnered a strong sense of faith and grace from my mom and fortitude and grit from my father. Together, they instilled the value of education and service to the community. What makes a strong community is strong families, and a strong family has strong individuals. I aspire to be one of the strong individuals, doing my part to build a strong community, particularly amongst those in the diaspora.
I’m inspired by the possibilities ahead for my community and myself. When we align ourselves with intentional collaboration toward a shared vision, much can be accomplished. I continue to be fueled and empowered when I see that level of commitment to the work take place in a way that lifts us all and carries us further. I am inspired by those around me who continue to do the work. They really contribute to the greatness of this city!
Coffee, lunch, brunch, or happy hour? Brunch
What excites you about Nashville? I’m excited about seeing more collaboration taking place in the city. There is so much growth and opportunity, especially from an engineering and cultural perspective. I’m seeing more and more pockets of folks building and creating together. As the city continues its growth, more will continue to unfold. I want to be a part of spurring more collaboration through Bhegani Execution. As a native, it is nice to see my city finally being put on the map for the greatness it has always possessed.
What is your favorite Nashville spot you are digging right now? Makeshift and Dukos. I like that it’s locally founded, owned, and operated. I know I’m bound to run into friends and fellow Nashville Natives when I’m there. You also can’t go wrong with one of the smash burgers/pizzas and a curated beverage.
Bonus: Shabir is hosting his first workshop from the Execution Series titled Building Partnerships That Last: A Strategic Guide to Building, Managing, and Sustaining Successful Partnerships. It will take place on Tuesday, August 18th, from 1-2:30pm at the Pruitt Branch Library located at 117 Charles E Davis Blvd, Nashville, TN 37210. You can register to attend this free workshop here.
If you’re a business owner, nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, project manager, or anyone responsible for building partnerships, make sure to check out. This workshop is being presented in partnership with Bhegani Education.
To get more guides and stories of the people behind the culture and soul of Nashville, subscribe to our weekly newsletter HERE.
