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Gayatri Datar receives Stanford President’s Award
She received the honor alongside plant geneticist Pamela Ronald.
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Bhavana P - Wed, 11, Jun 2025
- 11:26 EDT
- 23
Gayatri Datar / Stanford
Stanford University has named Indian-American alumna Gayatri Datar as one of the recipients of the 2025 President’s Award for the Advancement of the Common Good.
The award recognizes her pioneering efforts in sustainable housing for underserved communities in East Africa.
Also read: Stanford University unveils bust of mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan
Datar is the co-founder and CEO of EarthEnable, a social enterprise that has improved living conditions for over 250,000 people by replacing hazardous dirt floors with cost-effective, earthen alternatives. The enterprise, launched in 2014, trains local masons to construct sealed earthen floors using natural, locally sourced materials like clay, sand, and gravel. These floors are safer, more hygienic, and better suited to extreme weather than traditional options.
Datar’s journey began during a spring break trip to Rwanda as part of Stanford’s “Design for Extreme Affordability” course at the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school). A conversation with a single mother living in unsafe conditions inspired her to take action. That moment sparked the idea for EarthEnable, which she launched with support from the university’s Social Impact Founder Fellowship.
“Every single person on this Earth is here to support other beings to self-actualize, and to do that through love and service,” Datar said. “And that can happen in business, government, NGOs, and social enterprise by providing services to people who need them,” she added.
In addition to leading EarthEnable, Datar co-founded Unlock Impact and helps manage The Creativity Fund Rwanda. She also serves on the board of Water Access Rwanda.
The Presidents Award honors alumni who use their talent and education to positively and sustainably change the trajectory of people’s lives, the University said in a statement.
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