Lakshmi Karan Biography

Dr. Lakshmi Karan is Director, Global Strategy, at Riders for Health, a social enterprise that delivers health services to over 10 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. Most recently, she was Director of Impact Assessment at the Skoll Foundation where she led program strategy and review of grant investments. Within the social sector, Lakshmi served as a strategy consultant to a variety of organizations including Reebok Human Rights program, Oxfam America and the Alchemy Foundation. In the private sector, she was a management consultant to fortune 500 companies working with senior executives around the world in the finance, health and retail industries. Her expertise was in systems design and knowledge management. Lakshmi grew up in South India, where she completed a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a master's degree in computer science. Subsequently, she earned a master’s and Ph.D. in international relations from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Her doctoral dissertation was in the fields of nonprofit effectiveness and organizational learning.

Multi-sector, global expertise: Proven track record in the business, non-profit and philanthropic sectors. Led global projects, with multiple internal and external stakeholders to create large-scale outcomes. Strong networks in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Thought leader in social innovation and entrepreneurship: Deep knowledge of business models, growth strategies and challenges organizations face as they innovate to scale. Skilled at designing and building a learning-enabled organization to create cross-program and cross-functional synergies.

Results-driven strategist and advisor: Extensive experience working with CEOs, board directors and senior executives to define strategies and translate them into operational imperatives. Advised government agencies, enterprises, foundations and non-profits on program strategy and assessment.

Stellar communicator: Presented to audiences ranging from leadership committees to hundreds at conferences. Moderated sessions, facilitated workshops and learning-circles. Strong public speaker and writer.

Exceptional systems thinker: Routinely analyzed complex information to delineate trends/knowledge/ insight and present appropriate and actionable information to all levels of decision-making. Talented in envisioning and building networks and models that maximize leverage. Fluent with technology.

Quick learner and effective collaborator: Adept in learning new concepts proven by success in multiple careers. Advance organization’s interests/influence by fostering meaningful relationships.

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