Vilas Dhar
The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation
New Orleans, LA USA
"Why social movements are so powerful is because we quickly move from a ‘me’ to an ‘us.’ And when we do, we create things that last, that create legacies."
Career Roadmap
Vilas's work combines: Technology, Non-Profit Organizations, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Biomedical Engineering
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor's Degree
Computer Science
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Doctorate
Business Law
New York University School of Law
Graduate Degree
Public Policy Analysis
Harvard Kennedy School
Doctorate
Law, Moral and Political Economy
University of Birmingham
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
I grew up in rural Illinois, raised by immigrant parents and shaped by the contrast between my town, rural India, and a nearby supercomputing center.
2.
Early on, I became fascinated by technology’s potential and its limits, especially when I saw who was being left out.
3.
My first computer science project used AI to uncover untold community histories in East St. Louis, combining tech with social justice.
4.
After working in tech, I went to law school and chose a path in human rights, traveling globally to support communities in crisis.
5.
I built a law firm, founded tech startups, and later became a fellow at Harvard University, focused on social change and equity.
6.
Frustrated with how traditional philanthropy worked, I began speaking out—which eventually got me in the door at the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.
7.
At the foundation, I lead strategy across boardrooms and codebases, building AI tools that embed dignity and justice.
8.
Looking back, I’ve realized there’s no single path—just a series of bold steps guided by purpose, community, and hope.
