Schellman CEO Avani Desai Named to 2026 Class of Henry Crown Fellows

Desai joins select cohort of entrepreneurial leaders committed to creating lasting impact beyond the boardroom

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:12pm

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A photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a polished, geometric metal trophy or award object, symbolizing the honor and significance of Avani Desai's selection as a Henry Crown Fellow by the Aspen Institute.A prestigious leadership award honors Schellman CEO Avani Desai's commitment to driving positive societal change.Today in Tampa

Schellman, a leading global provider of attestation and compliance services, announced that CEO Avani Desai has been named a 2026 Henry Crown Fellow by the Aspen Institute. Desai is one of 23 leaders selected for this year's class, joining a cohort of proven entrepreneurs and executives from across the private sector who have committed to applying their expertise toward building a more equitable and sustainable society.

Why it matters

The Henry Crown Fellowship is a prestigious program that selects established leaders between the ages of 30 and 46 who have achieved professional success and are ready to direct that experience toward meaningful societal impact. Desai's selection highlights her leadership in the compliance and cybersecurity industry, as well as her commitment to using her expertise to drive positive change.

The details

As a Henry Crown Fellow, Desai will spend four weeks over two years in structured retreat, examining her core values, leadership philosophy, and vision for the future. She will also launch a leadership venture designed to drive change in her community, the country, or the world. Desai has led Schellman for more than 14 years, guiding the firm's growth into one of the most credentialed compliance and cybersecurity assurance organizations in the world.

  • Desai was named a 2026 Henry Crown Fellow by the Aspen Institute on March 31, 2026.

The players

Avani Desai

CEO of Schellman, a leading global provider of attestation and compliance services.

Tonya Hinch

Executive Director of the Henry Crown Fellowship.

Schellman

A leading global provider of attestation and compliance services, enabling enterprises to build trust, meet regulatory demands, and scale with confidence.

Aspen Institute

The organization that runs the Henry Crown Fellowship, the flagship program of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

Henry Crown Fellows

A cohort of proven entrepreneurs and executives from across the private sector who have committed to applying their expertise toward building a more equitable and sustainable society.

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What they’re saying

“I've always believed that our job as leaders is simple in theory, but powerful in practice: leave the place better than you found it. This Fellowship is an opportunity to take that mindset beyond the organizations we lead and think more intentionally about the impact we can have on the world around us.”

— Avani Desai, CEO of Schellman

“The greatest challenges of our time require solutions from innovative, effective, and thoughtful leaders. This class embodies those ideals: they are a force for good, poised to channel their talents and energies into tackling these challenges.”

— Tonya Hinch, Executive Director of the Henry Crown Fellowship

What’s next

Desai will begin the two-year Henry Crown Fellowship program, which includes structured retreats and the launch of a leadership venture designed to drive positive change.

The takeaway

Avani Desai's selection as a Henry Crown Fellow underscores her leadership in the compliance and cybersecurity industry, as well as her commitment to using her expertise to create a more equitable and sustainable future. This prestigious fellowship will provide her with the opportunity to expand her impact beyond her organization and contribute to addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges.