Premal Shah

Premal Shah, best known as a co-founder of Kiva, renewables.org, and Branch International, has significantly impacted social entrepreneurship. His work with Kiva has led to raising over $1 billion for low-income entrepreneurs across eighty countries, demonstrating Shah's commitment to poverty alleviation and economic empowerment. His success in this role has earned him a place on Fortune Magazine's 40 Under 40 List and recognition as an Obama White House Champion of Change. Shah has also been a major player in the renewable energy sector and is currently a co-founder and chair at renewables.org, an investment platform dedicated to supporting renewable energy projects in emerging markets. Shah is the president of Branch International, an AI-driven microfinance app that uses the power of data science to reduce the cost of delivering financial services in emerging markets.

In addition to his work with Branch International and renewables.org, Shah sits on the board of several notable non-profits, including the Center for Humane Technology, Change.org Foundation, Watsi, and VolunteerMatch. These roles further illustrate Shah's dedication to creating positive change and his active involvement in various areas of social impact. Numerous institutions have recognized his leadership and innovative thinking: he was nominated as a Visionary of the Year by the San Francisco Chronicle, selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, and honored with the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship. Shah's influence extended to the global stage when he carried the Olympic Torch for the 2008 Summer Games.

Shah's background includes roles as Principal Product Manager at PayPal and strategy consultant at Mercer Management Consulting, positions that provided him with valuable insights into the business and tech industries. His academic credentials include a B.A. in Economics from Stanford University. His expertise and leadership have been sought for major events such as the Clinton Global Initiative and Global Microcredit Summit in 2006, where he served as a featured speaker. Shah's diverse experiences and achievements position him as a well-rounded leader and innovator, qualities that have likely contributed to his selection as a Great Immigrants Award honoree by the Carnegie Corporation of New York in 2024.