Fatema Basrai, MBA

Fatema currently serves as the Managing Director of InnovateHealth Yale and the Sustainable Health Initiative at Yale University, where she leads initiatives to support ventures in global health innovation. With over a decade of expertise in these sectors, she is a passionate advocate for social change, mentoring the next generation of social entrepreneurs and guiding innovators to turn their lived experiences into impactful ventures.

At Yale, she works closely with students, faculty, and staff to develop and scale innovations that address pressing societal needs. Her leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to empowering the next generation of innovators, helping them transform their vision into tangible impact.

With over a decade of experience in both the health and education sectors, Fatema brings a strategic and holistic approach to leadership, venture development, and mentoring. Her expertise spans from guiding social impact leaders to overcome internal barriers and harness their unique strengths, to coaching them through the complexities of launching and scaling ventures that create sustainable change.

Fatema’s career began in education, where she held leadership roles in nonprofits and public service, including serving as Vice Chair of the San Antonio Independent School District’s $450 million bond initiative. She has been a recognized voice on national platforms such as DreamWeek and Leadership for Educational Equity, and co-founded SA RISE, a community organization focused on educational equity.

Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in Education, Fatema’s work is driven by her lived experience as a first-generation US college student and immigrant, and her passion for creating transformative, inclusive change.