Kartik Desai, Founder & CEO of Desai & Associates, is a prominent figure in social finance within India. With almost two decades of experience spanning investment banking, private equity, venture capital, social entrepreneurship, and economic policy, he has become a leading voice in the field. Desai has held key roles in four impactful impact investing organizations, advising various stakeholders including investors, donors, corporates, policymakers, and academics. Over the past 15 years, he has demonstrated a consistent record of successful impact investments and exits. Recognized as a thought leader, Desai actively writes and speaks, serving as Visiting Faculty at institutions such as Ashoka University, Ambedkar University, ISDM, and the Naropa Fellowship. He has lectured internationally, including at prestigious universities like Oxford University and New York University. His recent role as a Partner at KOIS, a global innovative finance firm focusing on impact investment and blended finance, saw him leading the advisory business across Asia. Prior to this, he founded and led Asha Impact, a prominent multi-family office and think tank focusing on impact investment and policy advisory in India. His career includes impactful roles at Lok Capital and Aavishkaar, influential funds shaping the impact investment landscape in India. Throughout his career, he has actively contributed to the growth of impact enterprises, serving on numerous boards and mentoring NGOs across various sectors. He has been recognized by the Government of India for his contributions and is a sought-after speaker and participant in professional seminars, educational forums, and government consultations on development finance. Kartik holds a BSc in Economics (Finance and Management) from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (2002) and a Masters in International Affairs (International Finance & Business) from SIPA, Columbia University (2004). He is currently based in New Delhi, India, continuing to shape the landscape of social finance with innovative approaches and leadership.\\r\\n

Nitin Desai is an Indian economist and international civil servant. He was Under Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations from 1992 to 2003 and Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India from 1987-1990. He is widely credited as one of initiators of the concept of 'Sustainable Development' in the landmark report 'Our Common Future' and through his substantive work at the UN from the Rio to Johannesburg Summits. Since his retirement from the United Nations, Mr. Desai has been active on a number of causes and served in various senior leadership posts including as the UN Secretary General's Special Representative on Internet Governance, member of the Indian PM's Council on Climate Change and National Security Advisory Board, co- chair of the Indo-UK Roundtable, Chairman of Board of Trustees of Oxfam International and Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics. He remains active in global climate governance and research with leadership roles at institutions such as the Foundation for Ecological Security, The Energy and Resources Institute, Shakti Foundation and writes a column for Business Standard. Mr. Desai completed his Bachelors from the University of Bombay in 1962 and earned a Masters in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1965.