Karthik Venkataraman

Karthik is the Chief Operating Officer of Accion, a nonprofit with a mission is to create a fair and inclusive economy where underserved people have quality financial choices and opportunities to improve their economic well-being. He leads global operations and strategy for Accion. Previously with Bain & Company, he was a Partner in Bain’s Social Impact practice, where he focused on economic development and led the ‘Social’ aspect of the firm’s ESG offering.

With nearly twenty years of consulting experience globally, Karthik has lived and worked across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East prior to serving as a founding member of Bain’s Washington, DC office. He previously led Bain’s Travel & Leisure Practice and has worked on numerous large-scale global transformation efforts across financial services, retail, higher education and other industries and sectors. He also has experience providing portfolio support to investors through Bain’s Private Equity practice and deep expertise in organizational leadership and DE&I. Finally, and most importantly, Karthik is passionate about culture and teams and held many people-related roles within Bain, including leading Bain’s DE&I transformation; working as a leader in the firm’s Asian-American affinity group; and serving as HR Partner for the firm’s Washington office. Prior to Bain, Karthik worked in technology and HR consulting.

Outside of work, Karthik is deeply committed to youth empowerment. He serves on the board of Education for Employment—focusing on job training and placement across the MENA region—and also supports the Dudamel Foundation’s work to transform young people’s lives around the world, via access to music and the arts.

Karthik holds a graduate degree from Princeton University and post-graduate degrees from Johns Hopkins SAIS and The Wharton School, where he was a Palmer Scholar. He is the son of Indian immigrants and grew up outside Philadelphia.