Sunita Desai C09 GRW15

30; assistant professor of health policy at New York University, where she studies market structure in the health-care system

Toughest obstacle you’ve overcome? Learning to code. But now I find it almost meditative!

Role model? My mother. Her verve, capability, and selflessness inspire me to not shy away from big, complex problems—like taking on the healthcare system—and to work with the aim of improving our society.