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    • Home
    • ABOUT
    • CV
    • MEDIA
      • PUBLICATIONS
      • WORLD AS FAMILY
      • VIDEO ARCHIVE
      • PODCASTS
      • PHOTO GALLERY
    • EVENTS
    • CONTACT
  • Home
  • ABOUT
  • CV
  • MEDIA
    • PUBLICATIONS
    • WORLD AS FAMILY
    • VIDEO ARCHIVE
    • PODCASTS
    • PHOTO GALLERY
  • EVENTS
  • CONTACT

CURRICULUM VITAE

EDUCATION

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Bombay University, Elphinstone College

Bombay University, Elphinstone College

PH.D., History of Art, 1984 

M.A.,  History of Art, 1975 

Bombay University, Elphinstone College

Bombay University, Elphinstone College

Bombay University, Elphinstone College

Degree in Political Science with distinction, 1970

Columbia University

  • Senior Advisor to Columbia Global (2023-Present)
  • Senior Fellow, Committee on Global Thought (2021-Present)
  • Senior Advisor for Global Affairs to President Lee C. Bollinger (2013-2023)
  • Chair, Committee on Global Thought (2018-2022)
  • Vice-Chair, Committee on Global Thought (2013-2018)
  • Senior Research Scholar, Global Studies, SIPA (2013-Present)


Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation

  • Abu Dhabi Acquisitions Committee (2015–2020)
  • Senior Advisor for Global Programs (2013–2015)


Tällberg Foundation

  • Trustee (As of 2024)
  • Juror for the Tällberg/Eliasson Global Leadership Prize (2015-Present)
  • Tällberg Fellow (2018-Present)


Mahindra & Mahindra

  • Independent Director (2013-2023)


Asia Society

  • President (2004-2012)
  • Senior Vice President and Director of the Museum and Cultural Programs (1990-2004)


Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

  • Assistant Curator in Charge of Indian, Southeast Asian, and Islamic Collections (1981-90)
  • Head of Academic Programs (1981-88)
  • Acting Director, Department of Education (1980-81)
  • Head of Exhibition Resources, Dept. of Education (1977-80)


University of Michigan

  • Teaching Fellow (1974-77)


The Brooklyn Museum

  • Coordinator of Public Programs and Instructor, Education Department (1972-74)


The Cleveland Museum of Art

  •  Instructor, Education Department (1970-72)

Current Board of Directors Appointments:

  • Chair, Board of Trustees, AFS Intercultural Programs, (2013-Present)
  • Trustee, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, (2017-Present)
  • Trustee, Teach for All, (2018-Present)
  • Member, Governing and Academic Councils, KREA University (2018-Present)
  • Director, Corporate Board of Directors, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (2012-Present)

Past Board of Directors Appointments:

  • Chair, Advisory Board, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, (2012-2019)
  • Auroville Foundation, India, (2006-2017)
  • Bertelsmann Foundation, USA (2010-2015)
  • Trustee, Brookings Institution (2005-2012)
  • Asian University for Women (2004-2008)
  • American Federation of Arts (2002-2008)
  • American India Foundation (2002-2006)
  • Citizens Committee for New York City (2000-Present)
  • President, Association of Art Museum Directors, (1995-98)
  • Board member, Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts (1995-2000) 
  • Board member, LEAP (Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics)
  • College Art Association
  • South Asia Council
  • Association of Asian Studies
  • Board member, ArtTable Inc. 
  • Board member and President, Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities (nominated by Governor Dukakis) 
  • Japan Society, Boston. 


Notable National and International Appointments:

  • National Board of Museums and Library Services; appointed by President Barack Obama, (2012-2017)
  • Advisory Committee – House of World Cultures, Berlin, 2005-2011
  • Scientific Advisory Council, Fondazione Intercultura, 2008-2011
  • Juror for the 50th Venice Biennale for the Golden Lion Awards, 2003
  • Head of Exhibitions Committee, American Federation of Arts, 2002-2008
  • Senior Museum Associate for the Museum Management Institute, 1995-97
  • Juror, Visual Arts Fellowship Program, American Academy of Rome, 1996
  • Advisor and selection committee member for “World Monuments Watch,” an international program of the World Monuments Fund, 1996
  • Advisory committee member, Visual Arts and Museums Division of the NEA, 1994-95
  • Juror for “Transculture” exhibition at the Venice Biennale, 1995 


HONORS AND AWARDS

For her work on Asian American issues, she has received awards from the University of Massachusetts, City University of New York, Asian Americans for Equality, and Leadership Education for Asian Pacific Americans (LEAP).


For her leadership in the arts, she has been honored by ArtTable, a national organization of women leaders in the arts, and has received a Gold Medal from the National Institute of Social Sciences. 


Dr. Desai was selected by Crain’s New York as one of the “100 most powerful women leaders” in New York, and by India Abroad, the leading national weekly for Indian Americans, as one the “50 most distinguished Indian Americans,” and was honored by Zee T.V. (India) as the outstanding International Woman of the Year.


In 2012, in recognition of her leadership in the museum field, President Barack Obama appointed her to serve on the National Commission on Museums and Libraries.

HONORARY DEGREES

Williams College, 2014

Williams College, 2014

Williams College, 2014

Doctor of Humane Letters

Pace University, 2009

Williams College, 2014

Williams College, 2014

Doctor of Humane Letters

Centre College, 2008

Williams College, 2014

College of Staten Island, 2006

Doctor of Humane Letters

College of Staten Island, 2006

College of Staten Island, 2006

Doctor of Humane Letters

     

Susquehanna University, 1996

Doctor of Fine Arts

Additional Honors and Awards:

  • Leadership Award - Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, 2011
  • Distinguished Service to the Visual Arts - ArtTable, 2008
  • Most Powerful Women in New York - Crain's, 2007
  • Asian American Leadership Award - Asian Americans for Equality, 2004
  • Distinguished Graduate Student Award - University of Michigan (On occasion of 50th anniversary of Rackham School), 1988
  • Museum Sabbatical Award - National Endowment for the Arts, 1983
  • AFS Scholarship, 1966-67
  • Indian National Merit Scholar, 1965


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