Ashok Alexander is director of Avahan, the foundation's HIV prevention initiative in India. He leads strategy development for the initiative, identifies effective programs, and oversees grantmaking. Alexander works closely with India's central and state governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the field, and corporate partners.

Alexander joined the foundation in 2003, with 24 years of experience in the private sector, working in Hong Kong, the United States, and India. He was a senior partner and head of McKinsey and Company's New Delhi office. Alexander joined McKinsey in 1986 in New York and moved to India in 1992 to help establish its highly successful India practice. He has worked across a broad spectrum of industries and business issues as a senior management consultant.

Alexander has extensive experience working with NGOs in India. He was part of the leadership team that created the American India Foundation (AIF), and serves on AIF's India board of advisors. He has worked closely with the Ashoka Foundation and is personally involved with several local NGOs.

Alexander holds graduate degrees in economics and management from Delhi University and the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.