Meghana, hailing from India, embarked on her academic journey by attaining an undergraduate degree in Statistics, where she cultivated a deeper understanding of the power of numerical data. Her academic pursuits, however, left her yearning for a more tangible connection between the world of statistics and evidence-based policy. In pursuit of bridging this gap, Meghana made the decision to pursue a Master's degree, where she could explore the intricacies of challenges in the development sector. Her tenure in academia, coupled with hands-on experience in the field, proved to be pivotal in nurturing her understanding of social impact.

Meghana has a rich and diverse professional background, having engaged with the government in India, the private sector, and various non-governmental organizations. Her work with the government was multi-sectoral, including education, gender equity, GovTech, public health, social protection, and climate change. Thereafter, her involvement with an EdTech social enterprise provided her with the opportunity to harness conversational AI to bridge the learning and skill gaps on a large scale. Throughout her professional journey, Meghana has continually deepened her expertise in technology, social protection, and honed her quantitative and management competencies.

At GHD, she is further enriching her skill set by pursuing a certificate in Social Innovation and Global Development, complemented by a specialization in quantitative analysis. Meghana's areas of particular interest include climate change and energy transitions, development finance, and social protection. Meghana's internships and academic endeavors during her time at Georgetown University have equipped her to be a global practitioner, poised to effect positive change on a global scale.

Summer Internship Experience

World Bank, Morocco and Social Impact, Vietnam

During the summer, Meghana worked with the Poverty and Equity Global Practice team at the Morocco country office of the World Bank. In a context marked by substantial economic growth and notable enhancements in the quality of the female labor force, Morocco continued to confront one of the lowest female labor force participation rates globally. In her capacity, Meghana was tasked with conducting comprehensive research to prepare for a pivotal national consultation meeting with the Minister of Economy and Finance. She drafted primary thematic concept notes for both a roundtable discussion and the annual meetings of the World Bank Group, which were held in Marrakesh. Her contributions were instrumental in addressing critical issues and fostering discussions aimed at addressing gender disparities in the Moroccan labor force.

Meghana also traveled to Hanoi, Vietnam, where she worked with the global development management consulting firm, Social Impact. Her involvement revolved around supporting the USAID Learns project, where she crafted a data dashboard. This dashboard played a pivotal role in offering invaluable insights into the project's objectives, enhancing the overall project management process. Furthermore, Meghana drafted a paper titled "Artificial Intelligence for Development." In this paper, she outlined innovative strategies for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the organization's developmental initiatives, thereby contributing to the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in the field of international development.

Meghana's summer internships provided her with the opportunity to collaborate with multifaceted teams, actively participate in critical dialogues concerning social impact, and substantially enhance her comprehension of the intricacies of international development.

Why GHD?

Because it is practitioner oriented and the community and experiences it offers.