Description
Kavita currently serves as the assistant vice president of Health Sciences Development at the Keck School of Medicine. Additionally, Kavita has been senior executive director of foundation relations at the Keck School of Medicine of USC for over twelve years, fundraising for the clinical and basic science priorities, the Broad CIRM Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck Hospital of USC and medical education initiatives. Additionally, Kavita has added responsibilities in the area of principal gifts, with a focus on international relationships, for the Catherine and Joseph Aresty Department of Urology.
Kavita has a Masters degree in International Communication and Development from the School of International Service at The American University. She completed her certificate coursework in South Asian Affairs at Georgetown University. Her B.A. is in Psychology and Political Science with a minor in Business Administration. Kavita has worked for a diverse array of multi-national companies such as Citibank and Discovery Communications. Immediately out of graduate school, Kavita was selected for a highly competitive Global Management program for Citicorp. In 1995, Kavita joined Discovery Communications and was a core member of the team that launched Discovery Channel in the Asian market. In charge of press and consumer marketing, Kavita was an instrumental member of the team responsible for Discovery Channel becoming a top brand name in Asia. In 1998, Kavita resigned from Discovery and moved to Los Angeles when Lemon Tree Films decided to set up its North American presence in Hollywood. While at Lemon Tree Films, Kavita produced a highly successful independent feature film, Leela — receiving major acclaim on the international film circuit. In 2000, Kavita became Head of Marketing for a South Asian on-line portal, Chaitime.com, the first online ethnic community to receive significant funding – $25 million in first-round funding from e-Ventures. She has consulted for global entertainment companies such as Columbia Tristar International Television and National Geographic.
Since the fall of 2005, Kavita has been a key member of the Development team at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, serving as both a major gifts officer as well as taking charge of her own foundation relations team. She has been successful in raising over $200 million dollars from individuals and foundations towards the Keck Medicine campaign initiative, the largest fundraising campaign at an academic medical center launched in 2010. Kavita serves in an advisory capacity to multiple start-up ventures in both the biotech and new media space.
