Vikram Gandhi is the Founder of Asha Impact, an impact investing platform.
He is a member of the Faculty of the Harvard Business School where he teaches in both the MBA & Executive Education programs. He is a Senior Advisor to The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (www.cppib.com).
Asha Impact (www.ashaimpact.com), a platform set up by socially-conscious individuals led by Vikram, leverages their combined capital, networks and expertise to address the critical development challenges facing India and other emerging economies through impact investing, venture philanthropy and policy advocacy. Currently based in India, Asha Impact is focused on providing equity and grant capital to social enterprises as well as engaging with government, business and civil society on key policy issues.
Prior to his current activities, Vikram was Vice Chairman of Investment Banking and Global Head of the Financial Institutions Business for Credit Suisse, in New York and Hong Kong. He was a member of Credit Suisse’s Global Investment Banking Management Committee and the Fixed Income Operating Committee.
Prior to his tenure at Credit Suisse, Vikram worked at Morgan Stanley, where he was Co-Head of Global FIG in New York; his prior work at Morgan Stanley included heading the Firm’s institutional strategy area, its Global E-commerce Committee, and as Country Head and President of Morgan Stanley India. During his 23 year career in investment banking, Vikram has focused on advising Board of Directors and CEO’s around the globe on strategic direction and the implementation of major mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising initiatives.
Vikram has been involved with various developmental activities in India and globally. He is a Board Member and Chairman of the Asian Regional Committee of Grameen Foundation, a Board Member of Jana Small Finance Bank, and a member of the Investment Committee at Gawa Capital. Vikram is a Founding Member of Harvard University’s South Asia Initiative and also a Founder of Ashoka University, the first liberal arts college established in India. He is a member of The Global Leaders Circle and associated with the Social Entrepreneurship initiative at Harvard Business School. He is also a Founding Board member of Social Finance India, that is part of the pioneering global Social Finance network in impact investment creating products for positive social and environmental outcomes. He was a Member of the Standing Council of Experts under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. The Council helped in assessing the Indian financial sector and made recommendations for enhancing its international competitiveness. Vikram is also a member of the Bretton Woods Committee, Washington DC, which plays an important role in promoting economic growth, reducing poverty and maintaining global financial stability.
Vikram holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School where he was designated a Baker Scholar, and a B.Com with high distinction from the University of Mumbai. He is also a qualified Chartered Accountant.
