As we kick off May’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we’re proud to spotlight SDI Presence CEO and Illinois EDC Board Member Hardik Bhatt, who has lived and worked in Illinois for 28 years, in our latest Economic Drivers installment.
In his profile, he noted that his family “is a Chicago-first family. My wife is a Chicago Public Schools special education teacher. Both my kids were educated in CPS schools and at Illinois universities (Northwestern and Loyola). I have worked on national and global roles, but have never moved out of Illinois since we moved here in June 1998. Illinois is home for us.”
What inspired your career path and industry involvement?
I received a degree in computer science and an MBA from Kellogg (Northwestern University); I worked at the Chicago Police Department, for the City of Chicago, and the State of Illinois; I worked globally at Cisco and nationally at Amazon Web Services, with a focus on Smart Cities and bridging the digital divide.
As an AANHPI leader in your field, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
Being a first-generation immigrant, I took every opportunity that came my way, that has led me to where I am today. I have continued to be an active part of the civic community and have received a lot in return as well.
Can you share a key moment in your career that shaped who you are today?
When I decided to move from Oracle Corporation to the Chicago Police Department. It led to me being picked by Mayor Daley to become the City CIO, which launched my career and civic engagements in Chicago.
Who are (or have been) some of your mentors, role models, or inspirations?
Mentors include Mike O’Grady (CEO, Northern Trust); Jay Shekhawat (Founder, Fieldglass); Michael Krauss (Founder, Market Strategy Group). Role Models and inspirations include my parents: Vinaykant Bhatt and Chandrika Bhatt; the current Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi; and the spiritual leaders of BAPS: Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj.
What does success look like to you—professionally and/or personally?
To me, success looks like a well-balanced life where I actively accomplish professional milestones while spending quality time with my family, and giving my time for civic and non-profit commitments.
How does being in Illinois contribute to your success as an AANHPI leader (if it does)?
Chicago, Illinois has been my home since I immigrated from India. My larger-than-life success story started when I became the CIO of the third-largest U.S. city—Chicago—even before I became a U.S. citizen. The State of Illinois gave me another big breakthrough opportunity to lead a major transformation.
What do you love most about living and working in Illinois?
It is really the heart of the country. The Midwestern culture is close to what I grew up with in India. There is a strong AANHPI community present in the region that allows me to thrive in the U.S., while still maintaining my heritage and culture.
What policies, programs, or networks in Illinois have supported your professional growth or your organization’s mission?
Being on the boards of Fermilab, World Business Chicago, Illinois EDC, and Chicago Innovation allow me to learn from the best civic leaders of Chicagoland. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)’s Angel Investment Tax Credit program has made it a bit cheaper for me to invest in startups through Hyde Park Angels.
How do you or your organization support your local community or underrepresented groups?
In my Chicago CIO days, I focused on bridging the digital divide. I was the first Chicago CIO, and a very early champion nationally of this effort. It also led me to play a key role in founding ChiTech Academy. Since 2024, we have co-founded Xchange apprenticeship program, which have created family-sustaining IT careers for nearly 100 adults on Chicago’s South Side, in and around the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood. We have also spent over 50% of our money with small and minority-owned businesses in Chicago.
Are there any initiatives or organizations in Illinois that you’re proud to support?
Xchange Chicago, Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council, Illinois EDC, World Business Chicago, the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, Civic Consulting Alliance, and Chicago Innovation.
What inspires you to continue to affect change in your world?
This city, state, and country have given me a lot. Anything I can do to return the favor is not enough. I am not looking to change the world. I am focused on the South and West Sides of Chicago—and trying to eliminate/limit the “tale of the two cities.”
What does AANHPI Heritage Month mean to you personally?
I live as an American with Indian heritage, and work hard to maintain my Indian heritage and culture every day through how we live as family. For me, every day is an opportunity to build our American heritage and preserve AANHPI heritage.
What would you say to a young AANHPI professional considering launching or relocating their career to Illinois?
Mingle with open heart and mind. Give your time to the society without expecting anything in return. If you put in your effort with good intentions—every day—you will receive a lot in return, in due time.
Favorite Illinois historical figure:
Barack Obama
Favorite book of all time:
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Best business advice you’ve ever given (or received):
It takes years to build reputation, but takes a few minutes to ruin it. So be present and mindful of what you do every day, every hour, every minute.
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