Indians at Princeton University - 14

Rishi Jaitly: An Inspiring Journey of Unlocking Potential and Leading the Way

Rishi Jaitly is in perpetual awe of the power of people and places, and he has dedicated his career to unlocking shared potential. His journey has been one of entrepreneurial and executive experiences spanning the globe and encompassing diverse sectors. Rishi has had the privilege of building and leading teams in the United States and across the Indian subcontinent, the Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.

Principal of Alchmy LLC:

As the Principal of Alchmy LLC, Rishi advises a wide range of causes and companies worldwide. His work involves evangelizing and nurturing excellence for organizations seeking their treasure in the United States, India, and beyond. Among the companies and causes he has had the honor to advise are Umby, Starchive, Hora.AI , Thevasa, Pinemelon, Symita, MOGO, Third Security, and many more.

Virginia Tech and the Institute for Leadership in Technology:

Rishi's journey of leadership and impact extends to Virginia Tech, where he founded and leads the Institute for Leadership in Technology. This institute stands as a testament to his belief that the humanities are the superpower of the future. Every year, he offers a one-year, low-residency fellowship to a select group of rising leaders from around the world, culminating in an Executive Leadership Certificate grounded in the liberal arts. Rishi's inaugural Class of 2024, comprising leaders from Microsoft, Boeing, Amazon, and other organizations, represents the future of leadership literacy in the technology landscape.

Co-Founder and CEO of Times Bridge:

In the role of CEO at Times Bridge, Rishi envisioned, architected, and scaled this venture capital firm, aiming to facilitate the global expansion of purposeful ideas, particularly into India. His diverse portfolio included transformative companies like Airbnb, Coursera, Uber, and many more. Times Bridge became a beacon for the world's best ideas, connecting them with the Indian market.

A Journey Across Twitter and Google:

Rishi's career also includes stints at Twitter and Google, where he played pivotal roles in the company's expansion and partnerships across India and the broader Asia Pacific and Middle East regions. He led Twitter's operations in India, Twitter's growth, and media partnerships across Indonesia and Southeast Asia, and even served as Twitter's first employee in India and mainland Asia. His roles focused on leveraging technology for meaningful societal impact, openness, and innovation.

Championing the Humanities:

As an advocate for the humanities, Rishi currently serves as a Trustee of the National Humanities Center, Virginia Humanities, Village Capital, PRX, and others. His commitment to higher education is evident from his contributions at Princeton University, where he served as a Trustee nearly two decades ago. During his time there, he chaired the Alumni Association's Communications and Technology Committee and founded Princeton's annual "Orange and Black Day."

Awards and Recognition:

Throughout his journey, Rishi has had the privilege of being recognized with awards such as the Class of 1901 Medal, Spirit of Princeton Award, and the honor of being featured in renowned publications like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, CNN, and MSNBC. He has had the honor of delivering speeches at prestigious institutions worldwide, including Princeton, Harvard, Michigan, UChicago, MIT, Notre Dame, Duke, Northwestern, UVA, IIT, Global Entrepreneurship Congress, TiE, UN, CES Asia, VT, and UT.

In conclusion, Rishi's career is a testament to the belief that the enduring capacity and creativity fostered by institutions like Princeton University are integral to success and meaningful contributions. He's excited about the transformative potential of technology, the humanities, and the power of connection, and he looks forward to continuing his journey in service of these ideals.