Alumni Spotlight: Vijay Mehra '00
A Conversation with Vijay Mehra '00
October 8, 2025
We are proud to shine our October Alumni Spotlight on technology and real estate entrepreneur, Vijay Mehra '00! As the CEO of LenderBox, Vijay's career exemplifies innovation and purpose-driven leadership. We're excited to welcome him back to campus soon as the featured speaker for our October Eagles Real Estate Club.
Join us at our October Eagles Real Estate Club Networking Breakfast on Thursday, October 16, from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. in the North Dining Room at ESD. Vijay will be speaking on the impact of AI on the commercial real estate market. Visit our registration page below for information and to RSVP.
RSVP TO OUR OCTOBER EAGLES REAL ESTATE CLUB BREAKFAST
Purpose: A Legacy of Example
Vijay’s personal definition of purpose has evolved over time, but it currently centers on being a role model for his children—not just in what he says, but in how he lives.
I discovered this through the profound responsibility I felt when I became a father," he shares. "My purpose isn't just about personal success—it's about creating a legacy through the people I'm helping to shape.
This core mission informs everything he does. As an entrepreneur, he models the value of perseverance and innovation. As a husband and community member, he models the importance of relationships and giving back.
Career and Achievements
- Undergraduate: Southern Methodist University, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics
- Current Role: CEO, LenderBox
- Recognitions: Recognized multiple years on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing companies; Voted Best Places to Work in multiple U.S. cities; Named the 2nd fastest-growing company in North Texas
- Community Involvement: Serves on the ESD’s Board of Trustees Building & Grounds Committee
The Foundation of Service at ESD
Vijay credits his time at ESD with helping him understand that purpose is fundamentally about how you use your talents to serve others.
The school's unwavering commitment to service initiatives taught him a crucial lesson: "success without service is hollow." This principle now guides his entrepreneurial ventures, pushing him to ask how his work can benefit his community, not just his bottom line.
He views his ESD teachers as exceptional role models who demonstrated that leadership means holding yourself to the highest standards while actively lifting others up. "The moral compass that ESD instilled in me helps me navigate the complex decisions I face as an entrepreneur and investor," he says. "I’m not just looking at financial returns—I’m considering the impact on communities."
Lasting Lessons and Lifelong Friendships
Three aspects of his ESD experience continue to shape Vijay today: lifelong friendships, the transformative experiences at Wolf Run, and the genuine care teachers showed for students.
Friendships: Taught him that success in business requires building trust and authentic, long-term relationships—a core value in his entrepreneurial journey.
Wolf Run: Taught him the value of vulnerability and emotional intelligence, which translates in business to being honest with his team and creating a safe environment for others to share ideas.
Teachers: Witnessing teachers invest in students' potential showed him that true impact comes from genuinely caring about the people you're responsible for, a principle central to his leadership style and approach to fatherhood.
Advice for Current Students
For a current student hoping to follow a similar career path, Vijay shares advice inspired by Steve Jobs, with an ESD twist:
Stay hungry. Stay foolish. Not just for your own growth, but for ways to serve others.
He urges students to channel their "inner child's sense of curiosity" toward understanding problems and asking, "what if we could make this better for people?" He believes that willingness to be "foolish"—to take risks and look silly in service of something bigger than yourself—is where real fulfillment lies.
Every day, our alumni are fulfilling ESD’s mission by making an incredible impact on the world. From innovative entrepreneurs to community leaders to creative trailblazers, their stories are a testament to the power of our community and the values we share. This series is dedicated to showcasing the diverse paths our alumni have taken and the meaningful work they are doing. We believe their journeys will inspire you and highlight the many ways our alumni are living lives of purpose.
Are you an alum with a story to share? We want to hear from you!
Each month, we feature a new Alumni Spotlight, and we're looking for alumni stories to highlight your success, purpose, and impact. Whether you've launched a new business, led a community initiative, achieved a personal goal, or made a difference in your field, we want to celebrate your accomplishments. Ready to be featured? Submit your updates and achievements through the form below for a chance to be our next alumni spotlight.
