Mugdha Gavali

Mugdha Gavali (she/her/hers)
Program: Master of Public Administration
Concentration: International Finance and Economic Policy
Minor: International Security and Diplomacy
Hometown: Mumbai, India

Mugdha is a first-year Master of Public Administration candidate at Columbia University’s School 
of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), concentrating in International Finance and Economic 
Policy, with a minor in International Security and Diplomacy. At SIPA, she serves as the Financial 
Director of the Journal of Internatonal Affairs.

A Chartered Accountant by profession, Mugdha brings professional experience spanning 
corporate finance, nonprofit management, and public policy research. Her career journey has 
given her the opportunity to work across finance, organizational development, community 
initiatives, and policy analysis, ultimately leading her to SIPA as she explored new ways to connect 
her financial expertise with broader quetions of economic policy and global affairs.
At SIPA, Mugdha’s specialization in International Economics and Policy, she is particularly 
interested in international trade and the intersection of economic policy and geopolitics. She is 
curious about how trade, economic interests, and geopolitical dynamics influence countries’
policy choices and shape their position in the global economy. She hopes to contribute to 
research and analysis that connects economic data with the broader political and geopolitical 
context.

As an admissions ambassador, Mugdha looks forward to connecting with prospective students, 
sharing her SIPA experience, answering questions about navigating a career pivot into policy 
school, and making the most of the SIPA community. Outside of academics, Mugdha enjoys 
exploring New York City, visiting art exhibitions, backpacking in the mountains, and crocheting.