Vishakha N. Desai

Vishakha N. Desai is an Asia scholar with a focus on art, culture, policy, and women's rights. She currently serves as senior advisor for global affairs to the president of Columbia University, senior research scholar in Global Studies at its School of International and Public Affairs and chair of the Committee on Global Thought at Columbia University. She is president emerita of the Asia Society (2004–2012). In recognition of her leadership in the museum field, President Barack Obama appointed her to serve on the National Commission on Museums and Libraries in 2012. Desai has been recognized as one of the "Most Powerful Women in New York" by Crains Magazine, and for her Distinguished Service to the Visual Arts by ArtTable. She is a recipient of five honorary degrees from Centre College, Pace University, the College of Staten Island, Susquehanna University, and Williams College.