Dr. Mehta holds a Ph.D. in Operation Research and Computer Science from Case Western Reserve University and a B.Tech from Indian Institute of Technology(IIT),Bombay. Dr. Mehta was the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Providian Financial Corporation, from 1986 to 2001 (now merged with Washington Mutual corp.) when Dr. Mehta departed, Providian was $30 billion in assets and over 18 million customers. Dr. Mehta also served as operating general partner of WestBridge Capital (2001-2004) (Now Sequoia Capital India). He was also the president and COO of Capital Holding which was the 10th largest shareholder-owned insurance company in America. Dr. Mehta is Managing General Partner of Granite Hill Capital Partners (2007 – present) Dr. Mehta has received several awards for excellence in leadership as an individual and as a community leader. Dr. Mehta was awarded Hon. Doctorate from California State University. (Doctor of Humane Letters). Dr. Mehta is also known for his philanthropic activities. He has formed the Shailesh J. Mehta and Kalpa S. Mehta Charitable Foundation, which has given millions of dollars in grants to various institutions and causes such as: Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay – Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management, Asian Art Museum, American Indian Foundation, Case Western Reserve University, California State University at East Bay, and UC Berkeley.