Over the last decade, Nandan has worked in varied roles across impact investing, sustainability, consulting, non-profits, academia and politics in Asia, Africa and Europe.
Based in the United Kingdom, he is currently a Programme Lead at Climate Catalyst, an international non-profit start-up dedicated to galvanising the collective power of businesses, investors and civil society to influence and accelerate policy change.
In his previous role at India Climate Collaborative, he led India Climate Leaders (ICL), an initiative focused on building the climate philanthropic ecosystem in India, working with partners like Rockefeller Foundation and Climate Lead.
Between 2020-23 at Omidyar Network India, he sourced and managed investments across the areas of Digital Society, Governance & Citizen Engagement and Property Rights initiatives. He also led the firm’s Non-Profit Sector Development and Migration portfolios.
In consulting engagements at FTI Consulting, he was advising clients like Virgin Hyperloop One, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, DP World, Responsible Mica Initiative, etc. on their public affairs and communications strategy.
Between 2016-18, Nandan was based in Berlin as a German Chancellor Fellow (Alexander von Humboldt Foundation) and was a visiting scholar at WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management.
Nandan began his career managing legislative strategy for over a 100+ Members of Parliament from both the houses, while serving as Chief of Staff to Member of Parliament Professor Rajeev Gowda. He has also been a LAMP Fellow (Legislative Assistant to an MP) with PRS Legislative Research.
He is a visiting faculty in several media and policy schools in India and internationally. He has taught courses and workshops in public policy, design thinking, international development, negotiation strategy and political communication at the MIT School of Government, University of Minnesota, Jindal University etc.
In the past, his writings have appeared in several national and international magazines and portals including The Conversation, Huffington Post, U.S News, The Diplomat, Scroll, Mint etc.
Nandan holds a Masters’ degree in International Studies and Diplomacy, majoring in International Economics and Energy & Climate Policy from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Media and Communication from Symbiosis International University, India.
In 2016, he was a Fred J Hansen Leadership Fellow at the University of San Diego’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences.
Outside of work, Nandan enjoys playing badminton, finding joy in cricket and Bollywood trivia, reading business non-fiction, savouring South Asian cuisine, and sharing his interests as a podcast host.
Nandan alternates his time between Manchester, United Kingdom where he is currently based with his wife Dr. Radhika Acharya and Bangalore, where he calls home. His early years include 14 years spent living in Nigeria.
Nandan hopes that one day he will be able to backpack across 100 countries (58 more to go!), that the Royal Challengers Bangalore will win an IPL trophy, and that he will start a South Indian snack bar — all of which seem like distant dreams today!
