Akshar Patel is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in higher education and career coaching. Currently serving as a Senior Implementation Specialist at Airtable since January 2022, Akshar has also held various roles at the Illinois Institute of Technology, including Adjunct Professor, Career Development Coach, and Director of Alumni Engagement & Giving Programs. Akshar's work emphasizes design thinking principles, volunteer engagement, and experiential learning strategies. As Managing Director at the Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship, Akshar successfully developed student startup programs and implemented new technologies to enhance educational experiences. With a Master of Education from the University of Vermont and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology, Akshar combines academic expertise with a passion for fostering innovation and supporting student success.