Gaurav Vashist

Managing Director, Finance, Operations, and People

Gaurav is the managing director of finance, operations, and people at Climate Lead. Gaurav also serves as a member of the leadership team. With more than 25 years of experience working in multinational corporations and mission-oriented organizations, Gaurav brings a wealth of knowledge in finance and operations. Throughout his career, he has held various finance roles, successfully scaling organizations and managing complex transitions to drive growth and profitability.

Prior to joining Climate Lead, Gaurav served as the chief financial officer at the Kapor Center, a tech-focused organization dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion. During his tenure, he designed and implemented systems that facilitated the organization’s growth from a small team to more than 100 employees. Additionally, Gaurav managed the family office of Mitch Kapor, overseeing investments, venture capital funds, and the operations of a private operating foundation and a 501(c)(3) organization. Before his time at the Kapor Center, Gaurav worked with non-profit organizations in various sectors—social justice, community design, and health care—leveraging his expertise in technology to implement innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency.

Gaurav also has experience in the private sector, at Lucent Technologies, a telecom multinational, as well as in the banking industry. An inspirational sabbatical in the poorest villages of India during his tenure at Lucent motivated him to transition into the nonprofit sector. 

Originally from India, Gaurav came to the U.S. to pursue an MBA at Loyola University Chicago. Gaurav shares a deep passion for the outdoors with his spouse and two young daughters. He is also an avid open water swimmer. Gaurav’s daily mission revolves around fostering a sense of belonging with people and the planet, and he strives to create a more inclusive and sustainable world.

Gaurav Vashist Headshot