Vikram Gandhi combines his roles as a financial expert, academic, and social entrepreneur. With over two decades of experience in global finance, he has held leadership positions at Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse. At Harvard Business School, he shares his expertise in leadership, finance, and sustainable investing through both MBA and Executive Education programs. As the founder of Asha Ventures, Asha Trust and The Blended Finance Company, Vikram addresses social challenges via investment and policy. Additionally, he serves on various boards, including the Grameen Foundation, promoting economic growth and social development globally.
My work in sustainable investing is driven by the belief that integrating sustainability into the investment process is not just a choice, but a necessity for creating and preserving long-term value and fostering global progress.
- Vikram Gandhi
Professional Background
During his 23-year career in investment banking, Vikram Gandhi played a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of some of the world’s leading financial institutions. He specialized in advising Boards of Directors and CEOs on strategic direction, as well as implementing major mergers, acquisitions, and capital-raising initiatives. He served as Vice Chairman of Investment Banking and Global Head of the Financial Institutions Business at Credit Suisse and a member of the Global Investment Banking and Fixed Income Operating Committees. Prior to Credit Suisse he spent 15 years at Morgan Stanley in various roles including Co-Head of the Global Financial Institutions Group, Head of the Global E-Commerce Committee and President of Morgan Stanley India.
Academic Contributions
At Harvard Business School, Vikram Gandhi is the Gerald P. Kaminsky Senior Lecturer of Business Administration and teaches in the MBA and Executive Education programs. He has developed two new elective courses in the MBA program – Sustainable Investing and Development While Decarbonizing: India’s Path to Net Zero. The latter is an immersive course where, in addition to classes on the HBS campus, students spend 10 days in India visiting various companies to identify climate-related opportunities and risks within a rapidly growing economy. As a Founding Member of Harvard University’s South Asia Initiative and a Founder of Ashoka University, Vikram is deeply committed to fostering educational excellence and social impact. He is also actively engaged with the Impact Co-Laboratory, where he conducts research on impact investing, blended finance, and exploring transformative strategies that align capital with positive social and environmental outcomes.
Harvard Business School
An educator who shapes future leaders through innovative courses.
Ashoka University
A founding member committed to advancing liberal arts education.
Sustainable Investing
Developing frameworks for impactful and responsible investment strategies.
Impact Research
Conducting research to identify strategies for sustainable impact investing.
Impact Investing
At the intersection of finance and social responsibility, 
Vikram’s work through Asha Ventures exemplifies a comprehensive approach to addressing pressing development challenges in India and emerging economies. 
By leveraging extensive capital networks and deep expertise, Asha Ventures invests in entrepreneurs who are leveraging technology to build scalable businesses focused on India’s emerging middle class. 
Additionally, Asha Trust, the non-profit affiliate of Asha Ventures, co-founded The Blended Finance Company, 
which specializes in structuring innovative financial transactions designed to tackle societal challenges effectively. This multifaceted approach empowers communities and drives sustainable growth, underscoring Vikram’s commitment to impactful investment strategies.
Thought Leadership
Vikram’s unwavering commitment to social and economic development is evident through his active involvement with numerous boards and committees that drive meaningful change. He serves on the boards of the Grameen Foundation and Gawa Capital, where he contributes his expertise to enhance financial inclusion and empower communities. As a co-founder of The Blended Finance Company and a member of the Bretton Woods Committee, Vikram’s influence reaches the Global Leaders Circle, the Business and Environment Initiative and the Social Entrepreneurship initiative at Harvard Business School, amplifying his impact on the global stage.
Vikram’s academic credentials are equally impressive; he holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was honored as a Baker Scholar, and a B.Com with high distinction from the University of Mumbai. He is also a qualified Chartered Accountant, blending rigorous academic training with practical financial expertise to inform his thought leadership in the field.