Ashish Dhawan
About Ashish Dhawan
Ashish Dhawan is the co-founder and chairman of Central Square Foundation (CSF), a founding member of Ashoka University, and co-founder of CEGIS, focusing on educational and governmental reforms in India.
Co-Founder of Central Square Foundation
Ashish Dhawan co-founded and is the Chairman of the Central Square Foundation (CSF). Founded in June 2012, CSF aims to reform school education in India through evidence-driven and innovation-led approaches. The foundation's goal is to improve the quality of education by identifying and scaling effective educational practices, thereby achieving overall system reform.
Founding Member of Ashoka University
Ashish Dhawan is a founding member of Ashoka University, one of India’s renowned liberal arts universities. The university focuses on providing a multidisciplinary education and aims to cultivate critical thinking and leadership skills among its students. Ashoka University is a collective initiative by several visionaries, including Dhawan, to drive excellence in higher education in India.
Investment Management Career
Before dedicating himself to educational reform, Ashish Dhawan spent twenty years in the investment management business. He was at the helm of ChrysCapital, one of India's leading private equity funds. Under his leadership, ChrysCapital gained prominence in the industry, securing substantial investments and driving significant growth for its portfolio companies.
Transition to Education Reform
In June 2012, Ashish Dhawan transitioned from his full-time role at ChrysCapital to start the Central Square Foundation. This marked a shift from investment management to focusing on education reform. Dhawan's decision to move into this sector was driven by his desire to implement evidence-based and innovative methods to improve the education system in India.
Co-founder and Funding of CEGIS
Ashish Dhawan co-founded and funded the Center for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS). He believes that enhancing state capacity is essential for improving development outcomes at scale in India. CEGIS works toward strengthening governance and policy implementation at the state level, aiming to create a significant impact on development indicators.