Trump vs Harvard: Indian-American media executive Anjali Sud has been elected to the prestigious Harvard University Board of Overseers, stepping into the role vacated by former Canada PM and former Bank of England governor Mark Carney. Her appointment comes at a crucial time as the university faces heightened tensions with the Trump administration over issues related to international students and academic freedom.
Who is Anjali Sud?
Anjali Sud is currently the CEO of Tubi, a free streaming platform with nearly 100 million monthly active users. She took the helm of the company in 2023, following a successful stint as the CEO of Vimeo, where she led the transformation of the company into a profitable SaaS platform for video creators. Recognized among Fortune’s “40 Under 40,” Sud has made a name for herself as one of the most dynamic media leaders in the US.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, to Punjabi immigrant parents, Sud grew up in the American Midwest. Her story has often been highlighted as a powerful example of the American Dream. She currently resides in New York City.
Trump vs Harvard controversy
Sud’s election to the Board of Overseers comes amid political controversy. Harvard has found itself at odds with the Trump administration over a crackdown on foreign students allegedly involved in campus protests and unrest. The federal government demanded access to the records of international students from the past five years—an order Harvard refused to comply with. As a result, the university’s international student exchange programs were suspended, leading Harvard to file a lawsuit. The court has granted a temporary stay on the suspension while the case proceeds.
Sud will begin her term on May 30, stepping in for Mark Carney, who resigned from the board after becoming the leader of Canada’s Liberal Party.
In a statement before the election, Sud expressed deep gratitude for her education and a desire to give back. “My parents came to this country to give me a shot at the American Dream. I achieved that dream through the power of a transformative education, and I want to pay it forward for the next generation.”
She added that Harvard must now lead a “creative transformation” in education amid changing global dynamics.
Another Indian-origin leader joins Harvard community
In a related development, Sanjay Seth, another Indian-American and Harvard alumnus, has been elected as a director of the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA). Seth will begin his three-year term on July 1.