Priya Haji: Loved and Remembered

Priya Haji passed away a year ago July 14, 2014 at the age of 44. Priya was a serial entrepreneur known for her focus on socially-minded ventures in both for-profit and non-profit organizations.

“If you have an idea to solve a problem using business or technology or some other creative approach, don’t just sit there and don’t doubt yourself, just do it. The best possible ideas are still out there”. — Priya Haji

July 15, 2014, I was in New York on a business trip. It was evening at the end of the day. I was having drinks with colleagues and decided to post a photo on Facebook when I read right there about Priya’s passing. I was in shock at the same time crying hysterically. Part of me could not take it in and the other part of me was inconsolable.

One year later, honestly, I am still in a similar place. A week doesn’t go by that I don’t think of Priya - her voice, her laugh, her infectious smile and those caring eyes. Her presence is still deep inside my soul. She still influences the way I think about business, friendships, family and love. During her life, she became a very close friend and colleague. It wont surprise anyone who knew Priya the story I’m about to tell and how she was such an incredible friend.

Priya and I met in a parking lot walking into a conference. We started talking as we walked and we became instant friends. And we never stopped talking — that was 2006. The next few years we would see each other at conferences and speak at the same events. In 2009, I moved back to San Francisco and was going through a personal crisis in my life. Priya would text, call and invite me over weekly to make sure I felt connected. We met up regularly for walks along the water near the Ferry Building and would talk deeply about love, loss, friendships, family and work. We originally met and became friends because we both had businesses focused on impact with artisans throughout the world. But our friendship really was about sharing the other aspects of our lives and our hearts. She was a true friend.

Priya’s unique way of combining strength and vulnerability, impeccable standards and acceptance, critical thinking and unconditional love made her so outstanding in her businesses and her friendships. There was so much love, understanding, inclusion, listening and respect in how she was with people. And she treated most of her friends as family.

Priya was with us for only 44 years but what she did in those 44 years is extraordinary. Time moved differently for her. Priya seemed to be in a hurry: a hurry to create businesses that impacted as many people as possible, to have friendships that would last a lifetime and to contribute to a better world for all of us including her children. So glad we had the time we did with her. She left an indelible mark on our hearts.