2 Indian-Americans elected to top Harvard boards amid row with Trump. Who are they?

Anjali Sud and Sanjay Seth have been elected to join Harvard University's Board of Overseers and the Harvard Alumni Association, respectively. Their appointments come amid ongoing legal and political challenges faced by the university under the Donald Trump-led administration. Notably, Anjali was born in Michigan to Punjabi immigrant parents, while Seth was born in Australia to Indian-origin parents read more
Anjali Sud and Sanjay Seth have been chosen to join Harvard University's Board of Overseers and the Harvard Alumni Association, respectively. Image: Harvard University
Amid an ongoing legal fight with the Donald Trump-led administration, Harvard University's top committees have brought in two Indian-origin alumni.
Anjali Sud and Sanjay Seth have been chosen to join Harvard University's Board of Overseers and the Harvard Alumni Association, respectively.
Anjali takes the place of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who left the university's board on March 9. That was also the day the Liberal Party selected him as its new leader, replacing Justin Trudeau.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
ALSO READ | Harvard wins temporary reprieve from Trump administration's foreign students ban. What happens now?
Who are Anjali Sud and Sanjay Seth? What roles have they been given, and what do those roles involve? We break it down in this explainer, along with the latest on the Trump vs Harvard case.
Here's a look:
Who is Anjali Sud?
The Indian-American business leader is the CEO of the streaming service Tubi and has been elected to Harvard University's Board of Overseers.
She will serve a two-year term starting on 30 May 2025, stepping into the role left vacant by Mark Carney.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1983 to Punjabi immigrant parents, Anjali was raised in Flint.
39 yrs ago my parents tied the knot. Grateful to be with them during this pandemic. Happy anniversary you crazy kids ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ziimPLm4Gk — Anjali Sud (@anjsud) April 27, 2020
She completed her undergraduate studies in finance and management at the University of Pennsylvania and earned her MBA from Harvard Business School in 2011.
Anjali started her career with roles at Amazon, Time Warner, and in mergers and acquisitions. In 2012, she joined Vimeo as Vice President of Global Marketing.
She later became Vimeo's CEO, guiding its shift into a software platform for video creators and leading its public listing in 2021.
In 2023, Anjali took charge as CEO of Tubi, which has become one of the most popular free streaming platforms in the US, attracting close to 100 million monthly users.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
She is the CEO of the streaming service Tubi. Image: Instagram/Anjali Sud
Outside her corporate work, she serves on the boards of Dolby Laboratories and Change.org (where she is chair). She also sits on the executive committee of Phillips Academy Andover's development board, working on financial aid efforts.
She lives in New York City and is a mother of two.
The Board of Overseers is one of Harvard's two main governing bodies, alongside the President and Fellows, also called the Corporation.
Set up in 1642, the Board plays a key role in the university's leadership. One of its main responsibilities is overseeing the visitation process, which allows for regular external reviews of Harvard's schools and departments, according to the university's website.
Anjali's appointment comes at a time when Harvard is facing pressure from the US government over policies related to international students and academic freedom.
Who is Sanjay Seth?
The Indian-American expert in climate and sustainability has been elected as one of the new directors of the Harvard Alumni Association (Haa).
His three-year term will begin on 1 July 2025.
The Harvard Alumni Association board works to strengthen alumni ties, build community, and support volunteer leadership across Harvard's global network of graduates. Seth will be part of this effort through his new role.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Seth was born to Indian-origin parents in Australia and grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota.
He has been elected as one of the new directors of the Harvard Alumni Association. Image: Harvard University
He holds two master's degrees from Harvard: a Master's in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government and a Master's in Urban Planning from the Graduate School of Design, both completed in 2019.
He earned his undergraduate degree at Goldsmiths, University of London.
Seth's career has focused on climate policy, public service, and community organising. He worked as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor for Climate and Equity at the US Environmental Protection Agency's New England office. Before that, he led climate resilience projects for the City of Boston and was involved in similar efforts in New York City.
ALSO READ | Trump's crackdown on foreign students at US universities may hurt India and China the most. Here's why
Seth also co-founded the Harvard Alumni for Climate and the Environment group and was a fellow with the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
As a student, he helped develop joint climate-focused courses across Harvard's schools and launched the Climate Leaders Programme, encouraging students from different fields to work together on environmental issues.
Donald Trump vs Harvard University
The appointments of the two Indian-origin individuals come at a time when Harvard University is caught in legal and political disputes with the Trump administration.
The university is under pressure following demands to provide records of international students who were part of recent campus protests.
After Harvard declined to comply, the Trump administration launched a move to revoke the university's certification to enrol foreign students.
In a letter from acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement director Todd Lyons, the administration gave Harvard 30 days to respond to the allegations. These include claims that the university worked with foreign groups and did not do enough to address antisemitism on campus.
On Thursday, a federal judge extended an order that temporarily blocks the Trump administration from stopping Harvard from enrolling international students.
This dispute over international student enrolment marks the latest flashpoint in a growing conflict between the White House and the country's oldest and wealthiest university.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
More than 7,000 international students, visiting scholars, and alumni on post-graduate training programmes depend on Harvard for both sponsorship and legal status in the US.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Time of India

12 minutes ago

• Time of India

Investors brace for oil price spike, rush to havens after US bombs Iran nuclear sites

A US attack on Iranian nuclear sites could push oil prices even higher and trigger a knee-jerk rush to safety, investors said, as they assessed how the latest escalation of tensions would ripple through the global economy. The reaction in Middle East stock markets , which trade on Sunday, suggested investors were assuming a benign outcome, even as Iran intensified its missile attacks on Israel in response to the sudden, deep US involvement in the conflict. US President Donald Trump called the attack "a spectacular military success" in a televised address to the nation and said Iran's "key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated". He said the US military could go after other targets in Iran if the country did not agree to peace. Iran said it reserves all options to defend itself, and warned of "everlasting consequences". Speaking in Istanbul, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran was weighing its options for retaliation and would consider diplomacy only after carrying out its response. Investors said they expected US involvement would cause a stock market selloff and a possible bid for the dollar and other safe-haven assets when major markets reopen, but also said much uncertainty remained. "I think the markets are going to be initially alarmed, and I think oil will open higher," said Mark Spindel, chief investment officer at Potomac River Capital. "We don't have any damage assessment and that will take some time. Even though (Trump) has described this as 'done', we're engaged," Spindel said. "I think the uncertainty is going to blanket the markets, as now Americans everywhere are going to be exposed. It's going to raise uncertainty and volatility, particularly in oil," he added. One indicator of how markets will react in the coming week was the price of ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency and a gauge of retail investor sentiment. Ether was down 8.5 per cent on Sunday, taking losses since the first Israeli strikes on Iran on June 13 to 13 per cent. Most Gulf stock markets, however, seemed unconcerned by the early morning attacks, with the main indexes in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait up slightly or flat. Israel's Tel Aviv main index was at an all-time high. Oil prices, inflation A key concern for markets centers around the potential impact of Middle East developments on oil prices and thus on inflation. Rising inflation could dampen consumer confidence and lessen the chance of near-term interest rate cuts. Saul Kavonic, a senior energy analyst at equity research firm MST Marquee in Sydney, said Iran could respond by targeting American interests in the Middle East, including Gulf oil infrastructure in places such as Iraq or harassing ship passages through the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz lies between Oman and Iran and is the primary export route for oil producers such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Kuwait. "Much depends on how Iran responds in the coming hours and days, but this could set us on a path towards $100 oil if Iran respond as they have previously threatened to," Kavonic said. While global benchmark Brent crude futures have risen as much as 18 per cent since June 10, hitting a near five-month high of $79.04 on Thursday, the S&P 500 has been little changed, following an initial drop when Israel launched its attacks on Iran on June 13. Jamie Cox, managing partner at Harris Financial Group, said oil prices would likely spike before leveling off in a few days as the attacks could lead Iran to seek a peace deal with Israel and the United States. "With this demonstration of force and total annihilation of its nuclear capabilities, they've lost all of their leverage and will likely hit the escape button to a peace deal," Cox said. Economists warn that a dramatic rise in oil prices could damage a global economy already strained by Trump's tariffs. Still, any pullback in equities might be fleeting, history suggests. During past eruptions of Middle East tensions, including the 2003 Iraq invasion and the 2019 attacks on Saudi oil facilities, stocks initially languished but soon recovered to trade higher in the months ahead. On average, the S&P 500 slipped 0.3 per cent in the three weeks following the start of conflict, but was 2.3 per cent higher on average two months following the conflict, according to data from Wedbush Securities and CapIQ Pro. Dollar woes An escalation in the conflict could have mixed implications for the US dollar, which has tumbled this year amid worries over diminished US exceptionalism. In the event of US direct engagement in the Iran-Israel war, the dollar could initially benefit from a safety bid, analysts said. "Do we see a flight to safety? That would signal yields going lower and the dollar getting stronger," said Steve Sosnick, chief market strategist at IBKR in Greenwich, Connecticut. "It's hard to imagine stocks not reacting negatively and the question is how much." Jack McIntyre, portfolio manager for global fixed income at Brandywine Global Investment Management in Philadelphia, said it was uncertain whether US Treasuries would rally after the US attack, largely due to the market's hypersensitivity to inflation. "This could lead to regime change (which) ultimately could have a much bigger impact on the global economy if Iran shifts towards a more friendly, open economic regime," said McIntyre.

Business Standard

19 minutes ago

• Business Standard

Fake-out in the skies: How US fooled Iran before launching B-2 bombing raid

In the early hours of Saturday, the US military launched Operation Midnight Hammer, a large-scale and highly coordinated airstrike targeting three of Iran's key nuclear facilities. But before the actual mission began, it was a calculated deception in the skies that helped the US achieve what Pentagon officials are calling a tactical success. A fleet of B-2 stealth bombers appeared to be heading toward Guam from their base in Missouri, in a movement that analysts believed was routine or possibly part of pre-positioning for any potential conflict. But this group was a decoy. The real operation involved seven B-2 bombers flying east—undetected—for 18 hours. According to details shared by the US Department of Defense on Sunday, June 22, the stealth aircraft kept communication to a minimum, refuelled mid-air, and stayed off radar. As the bombers approached Iranian airspace, a US submarine launched more than two dozen Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles to soften air defences. American fighter jets flew ahead as decoys, scanning for any Iranian aircraft or surface-to-air missiles that might be activated. Largest B-2 strike till date The mission marked the largest ever operational strike by B-2 stealth bombers and the second-longest flight in the aircraft's history—only exceeded by sorties conducted after the September 11 attacks. The bombers deployed 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators—each weighing 30,000 pounds—specifically designed to hit heavily fortified targets. In total, the Pentagon confirmed that more than 125 aircraft were involved in the operation. From a military standpoint, the US says the mission met its objectives. General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at the Pentagon, 'Iran's fighters did not fly, and it appears that Iran's surface-to-air missile systems did not see us throughout the mission. We retained the element of surprise.' Caine added that early assessments indicated "extremely severe damage and destruction" at all three nuclear sites targeted. However, he declined to confirm whether Iran's nuclear capabilities had been fully eliminated. 'Clear devastation', says Pentagon US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was more direct in his assessment: 'It was clear we devastated the Iranian nuclear program,' he said, speaking alongside General Caine at the Pentagon. Operation Midnight Hammer was executed with a high level of secrecy. According to Caine, 'very few people in Washington' were aware of the plan's timing or scale. Many top US officials only learned of the strikes through a social media post by President Donald Trump on Saturday night. Regional tensions high In the aftermath of the strike, Gulf nations—many of which host US military bases—were on high alert, assessing the potential for further escalation. The US military has also repositioned its assets across the region and increased security measures around American personnel. While the Trump administration has said it is not seeking a wider conflict, it has also made clear that any retaliation from Iran will be met with force. 'Iran would be smart to heed those words. He said it before, and he means it,' Hegseth said, referring to Trump's warning about future US responses. At the same time, Hegseth mentioned that backchannel messages had been sent to Tehran, encouraging diplomatic dialogue over confrontation.

Mint

19 minutes ago

• Mint

Samsung's 2025 Bespoke AI Appliances: What Indian consumers can expect from the new launch

Samsung is all set to launch its 2025 Bespoke AI appliance range in India on June 25, and the message is clear: your home is about to get a whole lot smarter. The company is combining advanced AI with thoughtful design to create appliances that don't just respond, they anticipate. And they're building it specifically for Indian households. This launch marks another major step in Samsung's push to bring seamless, intelligent living into everyday homes. The 2025 Bespoke AI lineup includes refrigerators, washing machines, washer-dryer combos, and air conditioners, each upgraded with a layer of intelligence and personalization. Smart, intuitive displays that show real-time updates and let you control other smart devices Two-way natural voice interaction, so you can talk to your fridge or washing machine like you would to a virtual assistant Samsung Knox security, which protects your appliance data the same way it protects Galaxy smartphones SmartThings integration, allowing all your appliances to work together through a single connected ecosystem Across the board, the focus is on energy efficiency, user-friendly automation, and personalized features tailored to the routines and preferences of Indian families. AI isn't just a buzzword in this line up, it's doing real work behind the scenes. In the new Bespoke refrigerators, AI controls cooling zones, detects usage patterns, and optimizes energy based on when and how you use the appliance. The AI Wash feature in Samsung's top-load washing machines detects load size, fabric type, and dirt levels. It automatically adjusts water, detergent, and wash cycles to deliver better results with less waste. Some models also come with hygiene steam and auto tub cleaning, addressing cleanliness concerns often raised by Indian consumers. For air conditioners, AI enables climate control that learns your schedule and temperature preferences, all while optimizing energy usage. All of these devices communicate via SmartThings, so your home becomes an ecosystem that's easier to manage, more cost-effective, and responsive to your lifestyle. Samsung has long been a leader in India's home appliance segment, and this AI-focused range shows where the market is headed. With the Bespoke AI Technical Seminar scheduled ahead of the launch, the company will showcase how these appliances work together. Offering a full demonstration of their smart ecosystem in action. It's a strong move in Samsung's mission to make Indian homes smarter, more energy-efficient, and secure. Samsung's Bespoke AI range isn't just an upgrade, it's a new way of living with your appliances. If you're looking to future-proof your home, June 25 is a date worth marking. Expect innovation, convenience, and a smart home experience that's actually built with Indian users in mind.