Ajith Nagaraj is Founder and Principal of Daanalytica, LLC, a consulting firm focused on philanthropy operations. The company’s name, Daanalytica, blends Daana, which is the Sanskrit word for “donate,” and analytica, which reflects the company’s focus on data and strategy.

Ajith was most recently Associate Vice President for Advancement Services and Analytics at New York University from 2024 to 2025. In this role, he led 35 staff across the Data and IT Services, Business Intelligence and Analytics, Gift Administration, and Strategic Initiatives functions supporting a division of 250+ fundraising, constituent relations, and marketing staff. He also project managed the conversion to Blackbaud CRM which included its integration with over 25 technology systems and tools at NYU.

From 2017 to 2024, he served as an Assistant Vice President in the Advancement division at Stony Brook University, where he led teams focused on introducing automation to business processes, leveraging data and analytics to target alumni and donors with more personalized content, and preparing the university for the launch of a comprehensive campaign. He also led the redesign and implementation of the institution’s Grateful Patient Program.

Prior to joining Stony Brook, Ajith served as Senior Consultant and Director with EAB Global (then a division of The Advisory Board Company). He worked with over 150 organizations on everything from fundraiser hiring and performance management to donor data and technology management. After surveying 1,200 fundraisers at 90 institutions and interviewing over 125 development leaders, he created the Curious Chameleon fundraiser persona, which has been covered by The Chronicle of Philanthropy and The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Earlier in his career, Ajith worked in human capital strategy roles at DC Public Schools and Teach For America. He holds a Master of Education from Harvard University, where he focused on education leadership and policy analysis, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Southern California..