Sharada Srinivasan — Business Analyst
The throughline of my career has been ensuring digital technologies—broadband connectivity, cloud and data infrastructure, and artificial intelligence—benefit the many, not just a few. Over the past decade, I've traveled to nearly 60 countries and translated this mission into actionable policy across 15+ countries in Africa, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Beyond professional impact, this drives my academic interest. At the University of Oxford, I'm completing a DPhil in Public Policy on 'Inequalities in a Digital World,' advised by Stefan Dercon and Christian Meyer. I create knowledge that shapes strategic priorities. At the World Bank, I lead Country Digital Diagnostics, our internal methodology to identify key market and regulatory indicators that inform new business development and $6 billion in lending. I also spearhead the knowledge pillar of the $10 million Digital Empowerment and Equity Program, a strategic partnership with the Gates Foundation. My research has directly contributed to flagship reports that drive institutional thought leadership, such as The World Development Report 2021: Data for Better Lives and Advancing Cloud and Data Infrastructure Markets: Strategic Directions for Low- and Middle- Income Countries. For the upcoming Digital Progress and Trends Report 2025 focused on Artificial Intelligence, I analyzed trends in AI adoption and innovation, and led a deep dive on AI applications in education systems in India and Nigeria, informed by 150+ stakeholder consultations over the last year. I transform knowledge to drive real-world impact by working directly with governments across Africa, Asia, and Europe. By deploying funds to expand digital infrastructure in Afghanistan, evaluating the EU's investments in the IT sector in Romania, or designing innovative geospatial analytics to drive school connectivity in Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Malawi, I've worked through the full policy cycle from diagnostics to completion. This hands-on experience, especially in fragile and conflict-affected states, has taught me how to adapt global knowledge to challenging local realities. Lasting impact requires both deep expertise and collaborative execution. As the first hire at Penn's 1 World Connected, I helped build research spanning 125 case studies across 52 countries. Joining the World Bank's Digital Practice in its founding year, I've also coordinated across corporate, regional, and research teams to forge strategic partnerships, both in early initiatives during COVID-19 and our most recent with the Gates Foundation.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a Public Policy expert focused on digital infrastructure and equity.
Experience: 10 yrs 1 mo
Skills
- Program Management
- Public Policy
- Research
- Policy Analysis
- Project Management
Career Highlights
- Led $6 billion lending strategy at the World Bank.
- Contributed to flagship reports on digital policy.
- Built strategic partnerships for digital equity.
Work Experience
The World Bank
Economist, Digital Vertical (1 yr 8 mos)
Digital Development Specialist (On Academic Leave) (1 yr 8 mos)
Young Professional, Office of the Chief Economist (Infrastructure) (1 yr 2 mos)
Young Professional, Digital Development Global Practice (3 yrs)
University of Pennsylvania
CTIC Research Fellow (Non-Resident) (6 yrs 6 mos)
CTIC Research Fellow (3 yrs 3 mos)
R Street Institute
Associate Fellow (Non-Resident) (4 mos)
Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi)
Intern, Global Internet Politics (3 mos)
Government of Karnataka
Intern (2 mos)
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD at University of Oxford
Master of Public Policy at National Law School of India University
Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) at Ramaiah Institute Of Technology
