Trisha Ballal-Sardesai has established a distinguished career in research administration, dedicating more than two decades to the field. Since 2022, she has excelled as the director of finance and administration at Harvard Medical School, where she provides strategic leadership in managing research funding, ensuring compliance with sponsor regulations, and maintaining the integrity of financial processes. She oversees financial support from federal, state, and private donors while guiding faculty in setting realistic milestones for grant applications.
Before joining Harvard Medical School, Ms. Ballal-Sardesai contributed significantly to Montclair State University until 2022. Further honing her skills in managing complex research projects, she served a distinguished tenure at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Prior to these positions, Ms. Ballal-Sardesai also held key roles at Columbia University and New York University. In 2001, she began her career at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she played a pivotal role as an administrator, helping expand the foundation’s reach into different countries.
Ms. Ballal-Sardesai laid a strong academic foundation for her professional success, earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Pune University in 2000, a master’s degree in bioinformatics from Pune University in 2001, and an Executive Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 2024. Alongside her primary roles, Ms. Ballal-Sardesai is committed to contributing to cancer research and ensuring the effective handling of COVID relief funds during critical times. She serves on the alumni board of the Gates Foundation, volunteers with nonprofit organizations focused on education and mobile teaching, and is a donor to education funds supporting children in need.
Reflecting on her path, Ms. Ballal-Sardesai’s career has been shaped by remarkable opportunities and experiences. She began at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she played a key role in establishing its India and Africa offices during a period of rapid expansion. Moving to Canada to be with her family, she later returned to the U.S. to manage research portfolios at New York University and Columbia University, where she modernized financial systems. At Memorial Sloan Kettering, she oversaw research budgets supporting groundbreaking oncology work before transitioning to Montclair State University, where she managed HEERF emergency funding during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms. Ballal-Sardesai’s most notable career achievement has been her success in mentoring her subordinates, with most of those she has managed advancing into leadership roles. She is also proud of her role in handling COVID relief funds, which involved distributing millions of dollars during a chaotic time. Another major achievement was helping expand the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation into different countries, strengthening its global impact.
In light of her impressive undertakings, Ms. Ballal-Sardesai has been honored with accolades such as employee recognition and manager of the year awards. She attributes her success to a relentless commitment to learning and growth, believing that maintaining curiosity and a willingness to evolve is essential at every stage of one’s career. This constant drive to stay hungry for knowledge has been a guiding principle throughout her journey.
Ms. Ballal-Sardesai also notes that, in her experience, those who listen more than they speak often gain deeper insights and uncover valuable opportunities to make a meaningful impact. By prioritizing the perspectives of others and fostering open dialogue, she has navigated challenges, built strong collaborations, and led effectively in her field. Additionally, her unique perspective stems from her experience in both developing and developed countries, giving her a deep understanding of global health care challenges. This insight enhances her work in research funding, where she has navigated both sides of the process. She believes that her dual perspective allows her to approach research administration with a comprehensive strategic advantage.
Outside of her professional life, Ms. Ballal-Sardesai finds joy in cooking, working out, reading, and learning Indian classical music. She values family above all else and draws inspiration from her mother, who was a pioneering figure in the Computer Society of India during the 1960s. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Ms. Ballal-Sardesai cherishes her role as a stepmother while honoring the memory of her deceased daughter.
Looking to the future, Ms. Ballal-Sardesai’s short-term goal is to continue mentoring others and helping them reach their full potential, with a particular focus on developing the next generation of great managers. She believes the professional world often equates subject matter expertise with managerial ability, and she hopes to guide more individuals toward becoming effective leaders. Her long-term goal is to find additional ways to give back to society. Having been involved with several nonprofits in India, Ms. Ballal-Sardesai hopes to return there upon retirement to expand her efforts.