Harshvardhan
Upadhyaya
A commitment to educational innovation for equitable access
Welcome to my Website
What Sets Me Apart
I have a background in product development, stakeholder engagement, and leadership across a variety of domains. My mission is to transform and democratize education through technology, particularly within the contexts of adult learners. In 2017, The Economist declared lifelong learning an “economic imperative”. With the rapidly evolving demands of job roles and a shift in focus to a skill-based economy, there is an increasing need for professional skill development opportunities. This is true not only in the American context, but even more so in the Indian context, where the demographic dividend presents both a significant opportunity and a pressing challenge.
At the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill I am pursuing a Masters in Educational Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (MEITE), where I have developed a deep understanding of learning science based educational technologies and the usage of learning analytics to further improve learner outcomes. My experience in developing AI agents to supplement administration, academic advising and education delivery, aligns with my mission. I see opportunities to further improve learner outcomes, engagement, and completion rates by refining the user experience and implementing AI meaningfully across mobile and desktop platforms, areas where I think my perspective and expertise would be valuable. Having been a learner using a variety of education technologies over the years, I've seen the evolution of offerings from individual courses to a comprehensive ecosystem, that also looks at the socio-emotional needs of learners. I'm particularly interested in how we can leverage AI for personalized learning paths and assessment tools.
In my product role at Minfy Technologies, I led initiatives in product marketing, customer engagement, and competitive analysis, driving adoption and retention strategies. I’ve led engagements with leaders both internal and external to the organization to shape the product (Swayam, a Cloud Infrastructure Management Platform) roadmap, feature development and prioritization informed by data-driven insights. Prior to that, my experience in the CEO’s office as the Chief of Staff and Special Projects Team Lead, enabled me to navigate complex organizational landscapes, spearheading high-impact branding, people enablement, and alliance initiatives with organizations like AWS, Intel, and CNBC. This breadth of experience has honed my ability to adapt to a variety of contexts as well as translate strategic visions into actionable outcomes. My passion for making a tangible impact, coupled with my experience in working with cross-functional teams and exploration of AI-driven solutions, makes an opportunity in the edtech space very compelling.
Having grown up in both the U.S. and India, I have a deep understanding of diverse cultural nuances and sensitivities, allowing me to navigate diverse perspectives. What sets me apart is my ability to listen deeply and employ empathy to design solutions that resonate with users. Whether developing a career discovery tool, implementing AI agents in instructional design for project based learning, or leading various strategic initiatives at Minfy Technologies, I have consistently leveraged my diverse experiences to drive meaningful impact. I am keen on bringing this holistic, human-centered approach to an organization operating at the intersection of education and technological innovation.
Harshvardhan Upadhyaya is a dynamic professional with a unique blend of expertise in psychology, marketing, emotional intelligence, and educational innovation. With a passion for leveraging emotional intelligence and design thinking, Harshvardhan is committed to transforming education to ensure equitable access for learners everywhere.
Equitable access to education is a powerful catalyst for social and economic mobility. My mission is to reimagine educational delivery through innovation, ensuring that every learner, regardless of background, has the tools and opportunities to succeed.