Neeraj Mehta joined the McKnight Foundation in 2018 as its inaugural director of learning. In this role, Neeraj supports how our programmatic efforts use strategic learning and adaptive action to drive greater impact, better understand complex change and design, and evolve our strategies. During his tenure, Neeraj has supported the strategy review process for all our programs and has helped shape a coherent and equitable approach to learning and evaluation across the Foundation.
Prior to McKnight, Neeraj served as the director of community programs at the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs at the University of Minnesota, supporting the intersections of research justice and community organizing in partnership with community-based organizations and government across Minnesota. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, teaching courses focused on equitable urban planning and neighborhood revitalization. Neeraj also worked at Nexus Community Partners, where he helped lead the expansion of its work in north Minneapolis from 2008 to 2012. He currently serves on the board of TU Dance in St. Paul.
Neeraj has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs. He was awarded a Bush Foundation Leadership Fellowship in 2011. Neeraj is passionate about building stronger, healthier, and more equitable communities everywhere, but especially in north Minneapolis, where he lives with his wife and two sons.
