A Conversation with Incoming Minerva Graduate Student Ajay Sinha

This is part of a series of profiles introducing students from Minerva’s incoming Fall 2025 graduate class. If you would like to learn more about our programs, please visit our website.

Ajay Sinha has spent his career navigating complex situations, from large-scale renewable energy projects to strategic organizational management in both military settings and in the corporate world. With extensive experience in leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving across various domains, he has developed a deep understanding of managing high-stakes environments. Now, as a student in Minerva’s Master in Decision Making and Applied Analytics (MDA) program, he is eager to refine his skills and apply structured methodologies to the challenges he encounters.

Ajay’s journey has taken him through diverse professional experiences, requiring him to quickly adapt to changing situations and make crucial decisions with limited resources and time constraints. His time in the military instilled in him a deep appreciation for the importance of problem-solving under pressure, from complex situations, logistics, finances to human resources. Working in unpredictable and resource-constrained environments, he learned that decisions often have to be made swiftly, with limited information and no clear path forward. 

“You don’t always have the luxury of waiting for the perfect solution—you have to make the best decision possible with what you have.”

Leading teams in complex situations required him to break down problems into manageable parts, assess risks, and trust his judgment. These experiences shaped his ability to navigate uncertainty, a skill that continues to influence his approach to leadership and decision-making.

Over the years, Ajay's responsibilities have grown to encompass leadership of large organizations in conflict zones, the training of officers and soldiers, as well as the management of schools, tea plantations, commercial enterprises, and major infrastructure projects—each demanding strategic insight and strong organizational leadership. His dedication and outstanding service have earned him three military awards. Driven by a deepening curiosity about human behavior and decision-making, Ajay began seeking an academic program that could offer a structured, analytical approach to solving complex problems.

“Every decision is linked to countless others. You don’t make choices in isolation—you navigate a network of factors, people, and outcomes.”

At the Solar Energy Corporation of India, Ajay has taken on multiple leadership roles, overseeing key departments such as Solar Division, HR, Corporate Planning, IT, Contract & Procurement (C&P) and new business development. His work in renewable energy has placed him at the forefront of India’s transition toward sustainable power solutions, requiring him to integrate data-driven decision-making with policy considerations. Managing diverse projects, from gigawatt-scale solar contracting & award to public-sector procurement processes, he continuously applies his expertise in analysis and execution.

Ajay discovered Minerva’s MDA program while searching for an academic opportunity that would align with his professional commitments. The program’s emphasis on decision science and its flexible structure made it an ideal fit. Additionally, Minerva’s support for professionals in transition helped solidify his decision to apply.

“The course content excites me the most. I’ve been solving problems intuitively, but this program will give me a structured way to break down challenges and make better decisions.”

For Ajay, the MDA program represents both professional growth and a commitment to lifelong learning. He views the program as a chance to refine his analytical skills while engaging with a community of intellectually curious peers.

“What I love about problem-solving is that you have to work with what’s available, not wait for the perfect resources,” Ajay reflects. “If you can break down a problem into its smallest parts and put it in the right sequence, you can solve almost anything. Nothing compares to the power of the human mind—and that’s exactly why I’m so drawn to understanding how it processes information and makes decisions.”

With a lifetime of experience navigating complex challenges, Ajay sees Minerva as a place to sharpen his thinking and explore new perspectives. As he embarks on this next chapter, he remains driven by curiosity, problem-solving, and a commitment to continuous learning—ready to apply his insights in ways that make a lasting impact.