Akruti Desai

Akruti Desai is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in philanthropy and investment management. Currently serving as a Senior Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation since August 2016, Akruti has held three senior positions within the Philanthropic Partnerships team, focusing on strategic donor engagement to enhance charitable giving and advance equity. Previously, Akruti worked as an Associate Director at the Clinton Foundation, where significant contributions were made to the expansion of global impact investing through the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership. Akruti began a career in finance as an Associate at LP Capital Advisors, leading due diligence efforts for private equity funds, and also gained valuable experience at Dasra as a Fellow, assisting social entrepreneurs in India. Early career development included roles as an Analyst at Pacific Corporate Group, specializing in research and due diligence on private equity investments. Akruti holds a BA in Economics and English from UCLA and an MS in Investment Management from Boston University.