Arlington, V.A. --- On December 12, 2021, Atlas Network’s board of directors voted to elect Parth Shah, founder of the New Delhi-based Centre for Civil Society, as its newest member. As the founder of this accomplished Atlas Network partner—and more recently, the Indian School of Public Policy—Shah brings decades of public policy and entrepreneurial experience. The addition of Shah comes as several prominent board members leave the organization due to term limits for board service as specified in the bylaws of Atlas Network. Gerry Ohrstrom, Linda Whetstone, and Dan Grossman’s transformational leadership of Atlas Network stretches back decades, and Joe Lehman (of Mackinac Center for Public Policy) vacates a board position reserved for representatives of Atlas Network’s partner organizations, now being filled by Parth Shah.
“It is indeed a great honor to be invited to join the board of directors of Atlas Network,” said Shah. “Atlas Network has played a pivotal role in my training as a think tanker and in the success of the Centre for Civil Society. I look forward to being part of the global conversation on dignity and liberty and learning about innovative ideas and experiments of our partners across the world. I am excited to build on my learnings in India and work with the dedicated team and board to accomplish our global mission. While I am rather disappointed that Linda Whetstone and Dan Grossman are leaving the board—two members I have been most fortunate to work with over the years—I take solace in the fact that they are always just an email away. Linda is the heart and soul of our movement and her energy is inspiring and infectious. Dan has taught policy entrepreneurs around the world how to think systematically and strategically, plan for succession, how to be frugal and always honor donor intent.”
Shah is the founder of Centre for Civil Society, a think tank in New Delhi that promotes individual choice and institutional accountability. He is a co-founder of Indian School of Public Policy with a mission to democratize policy education in India. His research and advocacy work focus on the themes of economic freedom (Law, Liberty & Livelihood Campaign), choice and competition in education (Fund Students, Not Schools), property rights approach for the environment (Terracotta vision of stewardship), and good governance (New Public Management).
“Our board members have worked very hard over the past decade to recruit great new members, to implement term limits, and to develop practices to make Atlas Network a model of effective non-profit governance,” remarked Atlas Network CEO Brad Lips. “As the organization turns 40 years old, it is great to know we are in a real position of strength, even as we lose members who have made critical contributions to our organization. Attracting someone of the caliber of Parth Shah certainly speaks to this fact.”
About Atlas Network:
Atlas Network increases global prosperity by strengthening a network of independent partner organizations that promote individual freedom and are committed to identifying and removing barriers to human flourishing.