Jamila Janakiram
About Jamila Janakiram
Jamila Janakiram serves as the Director of the Racial Justice Impact Fund at IDEO, where she focuses on promoting inclusion and equity through systems design. She has a diverse background in education, non-profits, and startups, complemented by degrees from Stanford, Harvard, and Yale.
Current Role at IDEO
Jamila Janakiram serves as the Director of the Racial Justice Impact Fund at IDEO, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she collaborates with both clients and internal teams to drive behavior and culture change through a people and operations lens. Her work focuses on designing systems that promote inclusion and equity, particularly in the context of learning design.
Experience at IDEO
Janakiram has held multiple positions at IDEO, including Senior Systems Design Lead from 2021 to 2022 and Business Design Lead from 2018 to 2020. Her tenure at IDEO has been characterized by a strong emphasis on systems design and strategic growth, contributing to various projects aimed at fostering inclusive practices.
Professional Background at Clever Inc.
Janakiram worked at Clever Inc. in various capacities, including Director of Operations in 2013, Head of Operations for the Distribution Team in 2016, and Head of People Operations from 2014 to 2016. Her roles at Clever Inc. involved overseeing operational strategies and managing internal processes to enhance organizational efficiency.
Educational Qualifications
Janakiram holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Studio Art from Stanford University, completed in 2006. She also earned a Master of Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education, focusing on Arts in Education. Additionally, she obtained a Master of Business Administration from Yale School of Management, specializing in Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management.
Previous Roles and Contributions
Prior to her current role, Janakiram gained diverse experience through various positions, including Education Pioneers Fellow at Level Playing Field Institute, Development Assistant at Human Rights First, and Director of Strategic Growth at Level Playing Field Institute. Her background in education organizations, non-profits, and startups informs her approach to systems design and strategy.