Sonal Shah
Head of Global Development Initiatives

Websites:

• http://www.visualcv.com/sonalshah

A skilled economist and dedicated advocate for global development, Sonal Shah is the Head of Global Development Initiatives for Google.org. In this capacity, Sonal Shah leads two teams in implementing solutions to global development problems by utilizing Google's many powerful technological resources. Prior to joining Google, Sonal Shah served as Vice President for the investment bank Goldman Sachs and Co., where she worked directly with the company's leaders in creating the firm's environmental policy. In addition to these positions, Sonal Shah also co-founded the non-profit organization Indicorps, which provides one-year fellowships to Indian-Americans to travel to India and work on developmentally focused programs. Sonal Shah is also a respected thought leader on global development and economic issues, having served in several important Washington, D.C. think tanks. Specifically, Sonal Shah was an Associate Director of the Center for American Progress, where she worked on policies relating to trade and outsourcing among other important economic issues, and Director of Operations and Programs for the Center for Global Development, where she worked on policies relating to development issues. Prior to these roles, Sonal Shah led the African Nations office of the United States Department of Treasury, where she developed many important policies related to the global economy. Due to her impressive and wide-ranging experience, Sonal Shah was recently appointed to co-chair the Technology, Innovation & Government Reform Policy Working Group for the incoming Obama-Biden Presidential Administration. In addition to being recognized as a global development expert, Sonal Shah is also a highly sought after speaker on the subject. In her current role with Google.org, Sonal Shah has lectured on development initiatives at leading conferences, such as the University of Texas Global Leadership Program, the EMPEA conference, and the Harvard University Corporate Social Responsibility Conference. Additionally, Sonal Shah spoke and acted as a moderator for Former President Clinton's "Clinton Global Initiative" in 2007 and 2008.

Duke University: MA, Economics, 1994 - Thesis on Key Determinants for Economic Growth in East Asian Countries.

University of Chicago: BA, Economics, 1990.
- Awarded research grant for work on economics of rural development. - Full scholarship for four years.

Lead two of five Google.org Initiatives for the Global Development Team: Inform and Empower (IE) and Fuel the Growth of SMEs (SMEs). Led rapid, comprehensive landscaping of economic development space, then conceptualization, development and implementation of both Global Development Initiatives. Leveraged networks in E. Africa and India to identify gaps, needs, and challenges both in rural and urban settings. Consulted over 70 non-profits, companies, entrepreneurs as well as local Google offices in designing initiatives. In fall 2007, developed and managed ten week Google.org Global Development Course curriculum and speaker series from Sept-Nov 2007. Core member of Dotorg management team helping to create grant and investment approval process, hiring process, and focus on initiatives. Prior to Google, helped start several organizations, including a new division within Goldman Sachs (reporting to the Chairman), and a new think tank (Center for Global Development). Founded non-profit, IndiCorps, a 'peace corps' for Indians from around the world. Over 200 fellowships awarded.