Akhtar has been painting for over 40 years, sketching, creating murals, and working in acyclic on canvas and layered plywood.

Over the last 20 years he has created his own abstract style.   His work focuses on forms and figures using a vibrant color palette derived from his experience in India, and creating paintings that evoke a multitude of emotions.

Since May 2020 Akhtar has been working on a series of paintings that depict the strength, resilience and purpose in women as they have been thrust into playing multiple roles in extraordinary circumstances.

Akhtar has authored Our Urban Future: New Paradigms for Equity and Sustainability, co-authored Technology at the Margins – How IT Meets the Need of Emerging Markets and co-edited Connected for Development – Information Kiosks for Sustainability.  He has also published numerous articles in international journals on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Information and Communications Technology for Development (ICT4D, megacities and sustainability, housing, and urban development. 

Akhtar research is currently focused on issues related to Democratizing Innovation and Catalytic Philanthropy.

He is also working on a new book reflecting on his 30+ years of travel and his experience in international development.  The working title of his book is Endless Journeys -- The Art of Travel as the Art of Life.

Akhtar has taught and lectured on various subjects at universities around the world including:

Design for Islamic Architecture and Urban Design at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  

Technology and Innovation and Columbia University, Fuchs School of Engineering

Business, Government and Society at the University of Washington, Bothell Campus

Akhtar is also a sought after speaker having spoken to audiences all over the world, including addressing 50,000 students at a soccer stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia. 

"His research interest lies in the areas of Democratizing Innovation, Harnessing Technology Disruption, and Catalytic Philanthropy.

He has launched a summer continuing education certification program -- Accelerating Social Transformation held September 10-13, 2017, in Seattle at the University of Washington.

For more information see:

AST18 Accelerating Social Transformation

Accelerating Social Transformation 2018 Sessions:

Go to this Sway

Akhtar is a social entrepreneur who has launched a number of socially relevant organizations starting with Digital Partners Foundation, a Seattle-area nonprofit organization whose mission was to utilize the digital economy to benefit the poor, in 2004 Digital partners merged with the Grameen Technology Center.  He also launched the Social Enterprise Laboratory focused on supporting social entrepreneurs using digital technology.  

Currently he is working on launching the Catalytic Innovation Lab for undergraduate and graduate students who are ready to be social innovators and entrepreneurs. He is particularly interested in building bridges between Innovation, Policy and Market.

Akhtar has deep experience in philanthropy having led Microsoft's global philanthropic efforts for the last ten years where he administered the company’s global community investment and employee programs that included: monetary grants, software and curriculum donations, technology solutions, and employee volunteer hours, supporting programs and organizations that address the needs of communities worldwide.   Akhtar oversaw investments of around $5 billion in cash, services and software to nonprofits around the world through localized, company-sponsored giving and volunteer campaigns during his time at Microsoft.

Currently he is curating The Seattle Philanthropy Forum an exclusive gathering for emerging and committed philanthropists from around the world.  These global leaders will have the chance to exchange ideas and strategies with some of their peers who are among Seattle’s best known philanthropic leaders to explore proven practices, share insights and stimulate high-level conversations on the opportunities, challenges and emerging trends in investing in local communities. This inaugural forum is an opportunity for global philanthropic actors to deepen their own giving experiences by learning more about the personal journeys of Seattle’s local philanthropists in an informal and candid setting where leaders with a shared commitment to philanthropy can explore what it takes to achieve impactful and transformational giving, and to determine a path that is most appropriate for their respective goals. 

www.seaif.org/SeattlePhilanthropyForum.asp

Akhtar has provided advice to a number of organizations by serving on their Board or Advisory Board.  Current organizations include: Telecentre.org Foundation (Chair of the Board), Microsoft Alumni Foundation, Global Washington, Youth Empowerment and Sustainability, US Chamber’s Corporate Citizenship Center, and Bellevue Life Spring.  He has also served on the Board of the Council on Foundation (Vice Chair) and on the Board of United Way King County.

He has also advised international organizations such as the United Nations, Organization of American States, Inter-American Development Bank, International Telecommunication Union among others.

Currently he is consulting with the Trust for the Americas on the Democratizing Innovation in the Americas project and with Global Impact on developing the Impact Creative a leadership workshop for the development community.