Bhavini Patel

Executive Director

Bhavini Patel is the Executive Director of Sustainable Pittsburgh, a nonprofit committed to building the knowledge, perspective, and ability needed to create a better tomorrow for our region. Sustainable Pittsburgh collaborates with businesses, government, nonprofits, and other key stakeholders in its mission to empower decision-making that builds a fundamentally equitable, resilient, healthy, and prosperous southwestern Pennsylvania.

A dedicated public servant and community leader, Bhavini brings extensive experience in public service, community outreach, and civic technology. She has driven impactful initiatives that strengthen civic engagement, enhance transparency, and foster inclusive community development.

Previously, Bhavini served as Community Outreach Manager in the Office of Allegheny County Executive Fitzgerald, where she played a pivotal role in connecting communities with county resources and programs. She also serves as an elected official on Edgewood Borough Council.

In the realm of civic technology, she co-founded and led Beamdata, a pioneering civic tech company that operated at the intersection of policy and data. The flagship platform, Be the Change, empowered thousands of citizens to share ideas and legislative feedback directly with state legislators, fostering greater civic participation and government transparency.

In 2020, Bhavini was appointed to the PA Medical Marijuana Advisory Board by Minority Leader Senator Jay Costa, where she continues to contribute to policy discussions and regulatory frameworks for PA’s medical marijuana program.

Bhavini’s deep-rooted connection to Pittsburgh fuels her volunteer efforts on several boards, including the Pitt Master of Quantitative Economics Advisory Board and Footbridge for Families. She previously served on the Boards of Sustainable Pittsburgh, the Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh, and the Pitt Alumni Association Board. Through these roles, Bhavini has worked to advance educational opportunities, support immigrant communities, and foster civic engagement.

Raised in Monroeville and a graduate of the Gateway School District, Bhavini is a first generation college graduate. She earned an MPhil in International Relations from the University of Oxford as a Rotary Global Scholar and a BPhil in International Area Studies, Sociology, and Africana Studies from the University of Pittsburgh.

Bhavini has been recognized by the Pittsburgh Business Times’ 30 Under 30 and Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 Under 40.