What inspired you to join Project ECHO?
In 2017, I had the opportunity to learn about Project ECHO and its hub-and-spoke model. After attending Partner Launch Training, I was struck by the potential for this simple yet transformative idea of “moving knowledge, not people” by building communities of practice.
The vision of combining this with a robust, scalable digital platform resonated with me. After several workshops and interactions with ECHO leadership, I was inspired by their bold commitment to using technology for good – I knew I wanted to be a part of it.
How does your background prepare you for this role?
I started my career as a management consultant at Bain & Company, where my focus was technology and health care. Later, I started my first venture, a digital platform for boutique stores, that brought together software engineering and business strategy.
The combination of my experience in consulting, entrepreneurship and technology gave me a unique perspective to create a digital strategy to help take the ECHO movement to a global scale.
What’s one moment at ECHO you’re especially proud of?
At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, we launched the first version of the iECHO platform in just 180 days. Despite immense challenges, including lockdowns and sickness, the team came together to build a population-scale digital infrastructure that is now used in 200 countries and areas. It was a proud milestone that demonstrated the strength, resilience and dedication of the ECHO team.
What excites you most about the future of ECHO?
ECHO’s success stems from its people and the amazing global community that has been built over 20 years. Every day, I see this vibrant community in action, and it keeps growing across sectors. What excites me the most is seeing the recent expansion beyond health care into the UN Sustainable Development Goals, covering climate change, education, sustainable agriculture and water security. We can truly change the world with a simple idea of moving knowledge and not people.
ECHO’s trusted human network, amplified with generative AI technology, can be truly transformative in achieving our mission with speed, at massive scale, and in a sustainable manner by democratizing access to knowledge further than ever before.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Music has been a big part of my life, as a former professional keyboard and piano player. I still enjoy playing the keyboard and piano at home and jamming with friends. I’m also an avid badminton player and enjoy staying active.
To learn more about Kartik Dhar, find him on LinkedIn or email the Project ECHO Communications Team. iECHO.org is Project ECHO’s proprietary telementoring platform, free for all ECHO participants and partners.