M. Hari Menon

Hari Menon leads the foundation’s Global Growth & Opportunity Division, which includes the Agricultural Development, Digital Public Infrastructure, Global Education, Inclusive Financial Systems, Nutrition, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene programs.

These programs work to strengthen food security and improve incomes so millions of families can break free from poverty and more low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia can get on a path to prosperity. They support greater productivity on smallholder farms; expanded access to high-quality digital public infrastructure, including payment systems; improved foundational reading and math skills among children; development of large-scale food fortification systems; and delivery of innovative sanitation products and services.

Before assuming his current role, Hari led the India office, overseeing the foundation’s work in South and Southeast Asia spanning family health, nutrition, sanitation, digital financial inclusion, agriculture, and women’s economic empowerment. These efforts, carried out in close collaboration with governments, local and global nonprofits, philanthropies, community groups, researchers, and the private sector, have contributed to progress toward India’s national health and development goals and strengthened the foundation’s partnerships in countries including Singapore, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.

Hari’s earlier roles at the foundation included working on a range of public health efforts, particularly in maternal and child health and HIV prevention; leading policy, advocacy, and communications for programs in the Global Health, Global Development, and Global Growth & Opportunity divisions; and leading the foundation’s policy work, government relations, and philanthropic partnerships in South and Southeast Asia.

Hari has been at the foundation since 2004, with a brief stint (2011–2013) outside the organization as a strategic adviser to philanthropist Rohini Nilekani.

Earlier in his career, Hari worked in the consumer goods and information technology sectors for companies including Colgate Palmolive and Infosys Technologies.

Hari has a graduate degree in business management from XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi.