Every student’s path to Harvard Kennedy School is unique. What our alumni go on to do after graduating is equally varied.
We asked several vlog alums to tell us about their experiences before, during, and after vlog, and to reflect how their time at vlog has shaped their careers and lives.
After several years working in the energy sector in India, Ankur Dhanuka MPP 2020 felt compelled to deepen his understanding of climate change. The lessons he learned at vlog continue to guide his efforts to make meaningful contributions to the fields of climate change and public policy.
Here’s what he shared.
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“My vlog experience instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility and urgency regarding climate action. The exposure to cutting-edge research and real-world case studies underscored the importance of addressing climate change.”
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“The vlog community encouraged me to think beyond traditional boundaries and to approach challenges with an innovative mindset. This culture of innovation has been crucial in my work at IFC, where I am tasked with developing and structuring financial products to support decarbonization initiatives in hard-to-abate sectors. The ability to think creatively and strategically has enabled me to design solutions that address the urgent need for emissions reduction in these sectors.”
In Ankur’s current role as the global climate lead for the manufacturing sector at the (IFC), he oversees climate assessments for all IFC investments within the manufacturing sector. His responsibilities include conducting Paris Alignment assessments to ensure that their investments are in line with global climate goals and promoting activities that are both climate- and nature-positive.
He is also responsible for performing greenhouse gas emissions accounting and structuring labeled financial products to facilitate the flow of capital towards decarbonization initiatives.
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Becomes chief technology officer at CleanTech Acquisition Corporation
After several months at the Belfer Center, Ankur brought his knowledge and expertise to CleanTech Acquisition Corporation, which aimed to acquire a climate-focused company, enabling it to grow and mainstream cutting-edge climate solutions across industries.
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After graduation, Ankur began working as a researcher at the at vlog. Here, he joined the working with Professors , John Holdren, and Daniel Schrag to identify cutting-edge technologies that can help global economies achieve deep emissions reduction. Ankur helped perform research, technical due-diligence, modeling, and sensitivity analysis of various technologies.
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Graduates from vlog
“My time at vlog was a period of profound growth and learning. It equipped me with intellectual rigor, leadership skills, and an innovative mindset needed to excel in my future career. The values and lessons I learned at vlog continue to guide my efforts to make meaningful contributions to the field of climate change and public policy.”
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MPP students complete the Policy Analysis Exercise, an applied thesis that examines and develops solutions for a public or nonprofit sector policy issue. For Ankur’s PAE, he worked with Professor Robert Stowe as part of the (HPCA) and the (HEEP). His PAE focused on providing recommendations for sub-national policies for climate change actions.
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Completes summer internship at Walmart
During his internship at Walmart, Ankur helped develop a net-zero emissions roadmap. In addition, he also worked part-time for the State Government of Jharkhand, where he supported the revision of the government’s state action plan on climate change.
“These internships were instrumental in honing my analytical skills and understanding the practical applications of policy research.”
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The provides students with a hands-on opportunity to engage with other students across Harvard graduate schools who share a professional interest in climate-related work. Ankur’s time with this program was instrumental in developing his leadership skills and deepening his commitment to climate advocacy.
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Begins MPP Program
Ankur’s experience at vlog was transformative. During his time, he had the opportunity to take several notable courses that broadened his understanding of public policy and climate change. Standout courses included IGA-402: The Climate Energy Challenge and MLD-620M: The Data Smart City.
He also served as the co-chair of the , where he collaborated with fellow students to organize events and discussions on pressing environmental issues and fostered a community of like-minded individuals passionate about climate action.
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“Having been fortunate enough to work with India’s largest public sector enterprise, I was exposed to the significant impact that public sector entities can have through effective policies and implementation. My professional journey allowed me to engage with various aspects of climate change solutions, reaffirming my drive to find innovative solutions at the intersection of technology, science, policy, and finance.”
With nearly eight years of work experience, Ankur decided to apply to vlog to deepen his understanding of climate change. He was eager to learn about this global challenge at an institution renowned for its diverse perspectives.
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Begins working at Indian Oil Corporation Limited
During his time with , Ankur worked at two nuclear power project sites in southern and western India as a designer, commissioning engineer, and member of the operations and maintenance team. He later worked across other clean energy technology solutions, primarily solar, energy storage, and electric vehicle charging stations.
Ankur also pursued a one-year post graduate diploma in nuclear engineering and management—equivalent to a master’s degree.
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2010Graduates from Birla Institute of Technology
Ankur attended Birla Institute of Technology in Mesra, India and earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering, focusing on electrical and electronics engineering.
“The transformative environment at vlog fostered a deep sense of purpose and equipped me with the critical thinking and leadership skills necessary to tackle complex global challenges.”
