Dr. Prakash is the founder and CEO of Bridging Nations, a global think tank founded in 2002 and based in Washington. Bridging Nations is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that empowers leadership for an interconnected world and concentrates on forming and executing innovative approaches to bridge peoples and nations. Bridging Nations follows the belief that a healthy economy at all levels is the ultimate bridge capable of spanning across divisions between nations and peoples. This economic bridge is upheld by two primary pillars, technological innovation and visionary leadership.
Under Dr. Ambegaonkar's leadership, Bridging Nations has entered the education sector, embarking on an exciting project called the College of Energy Environment and Sustainability, which will offer Certificate Programs in Energy Technology and Policy. The mission of the College of Energy, Environment and Sustainability is to provide students with career-centric learning in an affordable global environment. The College of Energy, Environment and Sustainability's distinguished faculty has expertise in all aspects of clean energy technology and policy, providing first-hand knowledge of the alternative energy industry. The program will thereby prepare students for the rapidly expanding green jobs sector.
Dr. Ambegaonkar's nonprofit work follows his highly successful entrepreneurial career, which is highlighted by the formation of three high-tech companies, Frontier Technologies, Tellus Technologies, and E-Lock Technologies. Frontier is a pioneer in Internet networking protocols, and has been named one of Information Weeks Top 25 Intranet Companies, as well as one of Upside Magazine's Hottest 100 Companies. Tellus is a fully owned subsidiary in India, and was one of the country's first software companies. E-Lock works in the expanding field of information security, and created the digital signature product that President Clinton used when signing the E-signature law that makes transactions legally enforceable. In all, Dr. Prakash's companies have won over 30 industry awards, including LAN Magazine's Product of the year three times. Dr. Prakash was also named Inc. Magazine's Regional Entrepreneur of the Year in 1995.
Dr. Ambegaonkar has been active for many years in philanthropic, civic, and political affairs. Together with his wife, Nunda, he has contributed to numerous causes including the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Asia Society, the Smithsonian, the Orphan Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, the National Museum of Women and the Arts, the World Affairs Council, George Washington University, and Georgetown University.
Dr. Ambegaonkar obtained two Masters degrees in electrical and industrial engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He received his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Marquette University. Dr. Ambegaonkar currently lives with his wife, Nunda Ambegaonkar, in McLean, VA.
LinkedIN Profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dr-prakash-ambegaonkar/0/615/b84
