The international education nonprofit Pratham USA has announced that Raj Shah will become the new Chair of its National Board of Directors, effective April 1.
The leadership transition marks a significant milestone for the Southern California-based executive, who will succeed the outgoing Board Chair, Dhiren Shethia. Shethia is scheduled to complete his three-year term at the end of March 2026, though he will remain an active participant in the organization’s governance as a continuing member of the National Board. According to official statements from the organization, this change in leadership is the result of a long-term, planned succession process designed to ensure institutional stability and strategic continuity.
Raj Shah currently serves as the Vice Chair of the National Board, a role that has allowed him to develop a deep understanding of the organization’s operational complexities and its broader mission to improve education quality across India. His professional background brings a wealth of corporate expertise to the nonprofit sector. As the co-CEO of MSI, a prominent Southern California firm, Shah has demonstrated extensive leadership in the private sector. His resume also includes high-level experience in the financial industry, having previously held senior roles in investment banking at Lehman Brothers.
Beyond his national responsibilities, Shah has been a fixture in the regional philanthropic landscape for many years. He holds a seat on the board of the Los Angeles chapter of Pratham USA and is actively involved with the Orange County chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization. This combination of local community engagement and global strategic vision has made him a natural choice for the chairmanship as the organization seeks to expand its reach in the coming decade.
The outgoing chair, Dhiren Shethia, leaves behind a legacy of institutional strengthening. During his three-year tenure, Shethia was credited with overseeing comprehensive efforts to modernize board governance and enhance the diversity of representation within the organization’s leadership ranks. His term was characterized by a focus on long-term growth strategies, ensuring that the organization remained resilient and capable of meeting its ambitious fundraising and program goals during a period of global economic shifts.
In his first formal statement regarding the appointment, Shah expressed his commitment to the organization’s core objectives. He noted that the mission of providing quality education to underserved children has long resonated with him on a personal level. Shah emphasized his intention to build upon the existing foundation established by his predecessors, working in close coordination with the professional leadership team to maximize the impact of the organization’s various educational interventions.
Manisha Bharti, the Chief Executive Officer of Pratham USA, spoke highly of both the incoming and outgoing chairs. She highlighted Shethia’s instrumental role in providing strategic counsel that bolstered the organization’s overall effectiveness. Regarding Shah, Bharti pointed to his long-standing dedication and deep institutional knowledge as key assets that will facilitate a smooth transition. She expressed confidence that his thoughtful approach to leadership would guide the organization effectively through its next phase of development and resource mobilization.
The organization itself represents one of the largest and most successful education-focused nonprofits in the world. Pratham USA operates a vast network of chapters across the United States, which serve as the primary engine for mobilizing resources and raising awareness for its programs in India. These programs are specifically designed to address gaps in the formal education system, focusing on foundational literacy and numeracy for millions of children who are currently enrolled in school but not learning at grade level.
Education experts often cite the organization’s “Teaching at the Right Level” methodology as a gold standard for evidence-based intervention. By transitioning into this new leadership phase under Shah, the organization aims to refine its data-driven approaches and expand its vocational training programs for youth. The shift in the National Board’s leadership is expected to further align the organization’s American fundraising efforts with the evolving educational needs on the ground in South Asia.
As the April 1 start date approaches, the board is expected to finalize its strategic priorities for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. With Shah at the helm, there is an anticipation of continued focus on technological integration in learning and the scaling of early childhood education initiatives. The transition serves as a reminder of the influential role the Indian-American diaspora plays in driving global social change through structured philanthropy and professionalized nonprofit management.
Under the new leadership, the organization is also expected to strengthen its partnerships with corporate donors and family foundations, leveraging Shah’s extensive network in the business community. This focus on sustainable funding models is critical as the demand for scalable educational solutions grows. The continuity provided by Shethia’s presence on the board, combined with Shah’s fresh mandate as Chair, positions the organization to maintain its trajectory as a leader in the international development sector.
The official handover will take place following a series of regional chapter meetings intended to introduce the new leadership’s vision to the broader community of supporters. These meetings will serve as a platform for discussing the organization’s multi-year goals, including the expansion of digital learning tools and the enhancement of community-based monitoring systems. As the organization moves forward, the synergy between its professional staff and its volunteer-led boards remains the cornerstone of its success.
In conclusion, the appointment of Raj Shah signals a period of renewed energy for the organization. By blending corporate rigor with a clear philanthropic mission, the new chairmanship is poised to tackle the complex challenges of global education. The transition reflects a mature organizational culture that prioritizes succession planning and leadership stability, ensuring that the primary focus remains on the millions of children who benefit from its programs every year.
