Dhaval Monani is the Director of Anant Fellowship, Affordable Housing and an Associate Professor at Anant National University. His teaching and research interests lie in the intersection of urban studies, affordable housing and technology. While he primarily focuses on examining urban solutions with housing as the focal point, his policy-related efforts aim to incorporate sustainability into construction practices.
Dhaval is a graduate of the IESE Business School in Spain, where he earned his MBA degree. Additionally, he holds a Masters in Design from the Domus Academy in Milan, an MA in Design from the University of Wales and a Post Graduate Diploma in Interior Architecture from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia.
He leads the Investment Committee at Green City Homes, an impact fund focusing on emerging markets. Additionally, he serves as a board member at Reall, a UK-based organisation and on the International Board of the Terwilliger Centre for Innovation in Shelter. Professor Dhaval is also a strategic advisor to MAHAPREIT, a Government of Maharashtra Enterprise focused on housing and sustainability. He has co-founded First Home Realty Solutions, an innovative real estate and renting company. He has also set up affordable housing and urbanisation verticals at the Indian School of Business.
Previously, Dhaval was the Country Head for International Housing Solutions, a private equity investor for India and part of the international investment committee. He has also worked with different government projects in Africa, South Asia and the Pacific as a consultant for developing housing policies.
Beyond academia, Dhaval is an aspiring chef with a passion for the art of pizza making. His restaurant-grade kitchen serves as his workpad, where he often crafts an array of delicious condiments, generously sharing his creations with friends and loved ones.
Dhaval is also a fervent traveller and an automobile enthusiast, with cars being his true passion.