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Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju is a member of the Social Impact practice at Boston Consulting Group. She rejoined BCG in 2018 after previous stints with the firm in 2015 and 2012 to 2014. She is an expert in food systems, agriculture, and nutrition, with extensive experience leading agricultural development work across Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Shruthi is passionate about food systems, innovation in resource-constrained environments, and the impact of consumer behavior on development in both developed and emerging markets. In her client work, Shruthi is focused on bringing systems-based approaches to global agricultural markets, and believes in multi-sectoral approaches grounded in deep partnerships to solve the complex challenges that affect our food systems today. She has worked on several aspects of the ecosystem to design holistic, sustainable solutions to create long-term change. 

Previously, Shruthi worked with the UN World Food Programme, as the Mission Lead for the Patient Procurement Platform, and as Special Assistant to the Director of Innovation & Change Management.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

EDUCATION

  • MBA, Stanford Graduate School of Business (Miller Social Change Award recipient)
  • MS, Stanford School of Earth Sciences, E-IPER Program (focus on agriculture and energy)
  • BS, civil and environmental engineering, Pennsylvania State University (Schreyer Honors Scholar)

Publications and Videos

The Unsung Heroes Fighting Malnutrition

BCG's Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju explains how best to preserve Africa's vital pastoral communities—and why they're key to solving nutritional challenges impacting African children.

Impact in 60: Improving the Livelihoods of Africa’s Nomadic Herders

Integrating pastoralists into livestock markets increases their compensation and contributes to an improved food system across the continent.

A Great Awakening Is Mobilizing Support for Sustainable Food Systems | Rectangle

A Great Awakening Is Mobilizing Support for Sustainable Food Systems

The public and private sectors are seeing the need for drastic changes to the status quo in order to sustainably produce enough food to feed the world.
Four Futures for the Global Food System | Rectangle

Four Futures for the Global Food System

The cost of food is rising rapidly, and hunger is on the increase. What will it take to build a better way to feed the world?
The War in Ukraine and the Rush to Feed the World | rectangle

The War in Ukraine and the Rush to Feed the World

In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, our global food systems are struggling to feed those most at risk.
The Digital Agriculture Revolution Will Take More Than Innovation - rectangle

The Digital Agriculture Revolution Will Take More Than Innovation

The promise of digital agriculture to boost farmers’ income and enhance food system resilience remains largely unrealized. But acting on three key insights can unleash the digital ag revolution.