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 HKS alums to tell us about their experiences before, during, and after HKS, and to reflect how their time at HKS 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 HKS 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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Ankur Dhanuka
“My HKS 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.”
Ankur Dhanuka MPP 2020
  • “The HKS 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 International Finance Corporation (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. 

    Ankur Dhanuka at conference representing International Finance Corporation
  • 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.

  • After graduation, Ankur began working as a researcher at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at HKS. Here, he joined the Energy Technology Innovation Policy (ETIP) research group working with Professors Henry Lee, 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. 

  • Graduates from HKS

    “My time at HKS 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 HKS continue to guide my efforts to make meaningful contributions to the field of climate change and public policy.” 

  • 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.” 

  • Begins MPP Program

    Ankur’s experience at HKS 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 Climate, Energy, and Environment Professional Interest Council, 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. 

    Ankur Dhanuka in front of HKS main campus
  • “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 HKS to deepen his understanding of climate change. He was eager to learn about this global challenge at an institution renowned for its diverse perspectives.

  • Begins working at Indian Oil Corporation Limited

    During his time with IndianOil, 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.

  • Graduates from Biria Institute of Technology

    Ankur attended Biria Institute of Technology in Mesra, India and earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering, focusing on electrical and electronics engineering.

“The transformative environment at HKS fostered a deep sense of purpose and equipped me with the critical thinking and leadership skills necessary to tackle complex global challenges.”
Ankur Dhanuka MPP 2020
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