When we talk about leadership that transcends boundaries, combines intellect with empathy, and redefines the role of education in global development, one name stands tall—Tarun Khanna Harvard Business School professor, author, and strategist. His life story is more than an academic biography; it is an inspirational journey of perseverance, vision, and impact that continues to inspire entrepreneurs, students, policymakers, and dreamers around the world.
Early Life of Tarun Khanna: A Global Thinker in the Making
Born in India in 1966, Tarun Khanna’s early life was grounded in Bombay and Bangalore before destiny carried him to the United States. With curiosity as his compass, he pursued electrical engineering and computer science at Princeton University, graduating summa cum laude in 1988, and earning the honor of Phi Beta Kappa. But instead of following the traditional path of a technologist, he sought to answer bigger questions about economies, societies, and leadership. This led him to Harvard, where he completed his Ph.D. in Business Economics in 1993.
These early years shaped a thinker who was not only brilliant in numbers and logic but also deeply committed to understanding people and societies.
Academic Career: Building Bridges Between Knowledge and Practice
In 1993, Tarun Khanna joined the faculty at Harvard Business School, marking the beginning of an extraordinary academic career. His teaching and research spanned strategy, international business, entrepreneurship, and the complexities of globalization. Rising quickly through the ranks, he became the Jorge Paulo Lemann Professor of Economics and one of the most respected voices in strategy and development.
At Harvard, he has chaired programs on leadership, governance, and strategy, taught the core MBA strategy course, and mentored countless students. But his role has gone beyond the classroom.
Since 2010, he has directed Harvard’s South Asia Initiative—later named the Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute—turning it into a global hub of research and collaboration. Under his leadership, the institute expanded to include projects across South Asia, setting up offices in New Delhi and Lahore, and connecting over 150 faculty across disciplines.
Tarun Khanna: Author and Thought Leader – Shaping Global Conversations
Tarun Khanna is not only an academic but also a storyteller of economies. His books have inspired policymakers, corporate leaders, and entrepreneurs across continents.
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Billions of Entrepreneurs (2008): A landmark book that explored how India and China, through entrepreneurship, were reshaping their futures—and the world’s.
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Winning in Emerging Markets (2010): A roadmap for global firms navigating new markets, co-authored with Krishna Palepu.
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Trust (2018): A continuation of his insights on China and India, focusing on the social fabric necessary for innovation and growth.
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Leadership to Last and Making Meritocracy: Collections that draw lessons from the lived experiences of entrepreneurs and the historical foundations of merit-based systems.
Through these works, Tarun Khanna established himself as a bridge between theory and practice, guiding nations, corporations, and individuals to see emerging markets not as challenges but as opportunities for innovation and inclusion.
Entrepreneurship and Social Impact
Beyond academia, Tarun Khanna embodies the spirit of an entrepreneur. In 2014, he co-founded Axilor Ventures, a vibrant incubator in Bangalore nurturing young innovators. He also co-founded Aspire Institute, focused on empowering youth with tools to become leaders of tomorrow.
His free online course, Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, has been taken by over 750,000 students worldwide. This global reach reflects his belief that knowledge should not be locked in classrooms but spread across borders to create lasting change.
Recognition and Honors
Tarun Khanna’s impact has been recognized globally:
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Named Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2007.
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Elected Fellow of the Academy of International Business in 2009.
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Honored as Eminent Scholar for Lifetime Achievement by the Academy of Management in 2016.
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Advisor to the Government of India on policies shaping entrepreneurship and economic inclusion.
These accolades are not just trophies but reflections of a career built on commitment to service, knowledge, and empowerment.
Personal Life and Values
Despite his global stature, Tarun Khanna remains rooted in humility and values. He lives in Newton, Massachusetts, with his wife and children, balancing family life with his demanding professional commitments.
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