Harish I. Patel

Through organizing, leadership on racial and gender justice, and a commitment to connecting on-the-ground perspective to policy, Harish Patel moves big ideas forward that have the power to transform the economy. Previously Harish founded and served as the director of Economic Security for Illinois. Harish started his career working in community organizing and then shifted to craft policy at innovative nonprofits such as New America Chicago and Accelerate Change. He co-founded Chicago Votes, a non-profit organization that has played a critical role in the passage of a few landmark voting rights laws in recent years in Illinois. Harish is a New Leaders Council fellow, a former small business owner, and a proud immigrant. Harish holds a Masters Degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.