Avaap Founder Dhiraj Shah Joins NJIT's Board of Trustees

Dhiraj Shah, a transformational business leader, high growth investor and passionate entrepreneur who founded global IT services company Avaap, has joined NJIT’s Board of Trustees.

Shah is executive chairman of Avaap, a technology and management consultancy that provides software services to help organizations modernize and transform their operations for the digital world. Its clients are concentrated in healthcare, higher education and government. Shah founded the Edison-based firm in 2006.

The new trustee — one of two appointed this summer — has strong ties to NJIT, as an alumnus and member of the Board of Advisors of its Albert Dorman Honors College (ADHC). In 1999, Shah earned a bachelor’s in computer science as a student in ADHC. He also supports its Early Career Faculty Fellowship.

“Being a trustee is a great way for me to serve the NJIT community,” said Shah. “I look forward to having a positive impact by working closely with other esteemed trustees and building on the legacy of previous trustees to progress the mission of the university.”

NJIT President Joel S. Bloom described Shah as an accomplished leader who brings an outcome-orientated approach to the board. “Dhiraj embodies what our best and brightest scholars can accomplish once they’re out in the world,” Bloom added.

Under Shah’s leadership, Avaap was recognized for its growth, service and work environment. Computerworld named it one of the Best Places to Work in IT for eight straight years, Inc. listed it among the 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies for six straight years and Infor named it Alliance Partner of the Year for five straight years. Shah served as president and CEO for 15 years before becoming executive chairman in July.

Beyond Edison, Avaap has offices in Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, India, Spain, France, the U.K. and The Netherlands.

Earlier in his career, Shah was a project leader at Lawson Software, where he helped establish a global center of excellence in Chennai, India. He’s also a member of the New Jersey chapter of YPO, a global organization of business leaders who strive to improve themselves and their communities. Shah chairs the chapter’s board.  

The other new NJIT trustee, Elisa Charters, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the university and is a principal in the consultancy EAC Business International and president of Latina Surge. The board is chaired by alumnus Robert C. Cohen ’83, ’84, ’87, the president of digital, robotics and enabling technologies at Stryker.