Kunal Merchant
CO-FOUNDER
In Lotus initial phases, Kunal provided leadership, management and strategic support to a select portfolio of clients in sports, technology, real estate, entertainment, public policy, and social enterprise. He specializes in cross-sector collaborations, having advised over $8B in public-private partnerships nationwide.
Prior to co-founding Lotus Advisory, Kunal was Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for the Sacramento Kings; Executive Director of Think BIG Sacramento; and Chief of Staff to former Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson.
Kunal has worked as a Senior Associate at Katzenbach Partners, Director of Selection for the New York City Teaching Fellows program, and Founder and Director of Washington DC chapter of Health Leads.
Kunal sits on the Board of Directors for the Green Sports Alliance and taught coursework on the intersection of sports and politics at the University of San Francisco Graduate School of Sport Management.
Kunal graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with an A.B. in Economics, and earned his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Kunal was a member of the inaugural Presidio Cross-Sector Leader Fellowship, and the Sierra Health Leadership Program Class IX.
Kunal was born and raised in Colorado, where he developed an incurable addiction to his beloved Denver Broncos. He now lives in San Francisco and has almost forgiven the 49ers for Super Bowl XXIV.
INTEREST AREAS
Sports & Entertainment Venues
Sports Team Ownership, Expansion & Relocation
Public-Private Partnerships
Economic Development & Mobility
Opportunity Zones
Sustainability
Nonprofits
Philanthropy
FUNCTIONAL EXPERTISE
Strategy
Leadership
Project Management
Public Policy
Government Affairs
Media & Communications
Marketing & Public Relations
Executive Coaching