Policy Fellow
Early Learning and Care, Children's Health
Hometown
Kolkata, India
What was your favorite toy or game to play with as a child?
Play-Doh, a big red ball, puzzles and activity books.
What was the most valuable lesson you learned as a child, and how has it influenced your life today?
Growing up in a deeply patriarchal society, one of the most valuable lessons I learned came from my father, that my gender should never define the limits of my ambitions. He encouraged me to be fiercely independent, to trust my abilities, and to believe that I could achieve anything I was willing to work hard for. That confidence shaped how I approached education, career opportunities, and major life decisions.
Even today, that lesson continues to guide me. It gave me the courage to move across countries in my mid-twenties in pursuit of my goals, earn a PhD, and build a career focused on creating positive change through research and policy. It also instilled in me the belief that challenges are meant to be tackled, not avoided, and that mindset continues to shape both my personal and professional life.
What was your favorite hobby or extracurricular activity as a child, and did you pursue it further later in life?
Growing up, I trained in Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form, for almost 14 years. Dance was a significant part of my childhood and adolescence. While I stopped formal training as higher education became more demanding, I still appreciate the art form and take every chance I get to dance! What was your favorite thing about being a child, and do you try to hold onto that spirit as an adult?
What was your favorite meal or dish that your family would make, and do you still enjoy it today?
One of my favorite meals growing up was 'bowal macher jhol' (a Bengali fish curry) made by my grandmother, whom I love dearly. My grandmother is now almost 90 and no longer cooks, and I live far away from home, so I rarely get to enjoy that dish anymore. I still miss it, and whenever I think of it, I’m reminded of family dinners around the table at my childhood home in Kolkata.
What was the most challenging experience you faced as a child, and how did you overcome it?
Growing up in a lower-middle-class household, money was often tight, and there were many things I wanted but couldn't always have. At the same time, I was fortunate to always have food on the table and a roof over my head. My mother taught me to focus on gratitude and that the things that matter most in life cannot be bought with money. That lesson continues to shape how I view success and happiness today as an adult.
What advice would you give to your younger self, based on what you've learned throughout your life so far?
If I could give my younger self some advice, I would say, dream bigger than you think is possible, spend more time with your grandparents, and trust that things will work out the way they are meant to. Looking back, many of the opportunities and experiences that shaped my life were things I could never have planned for!
Biography
Kriti Roy, PhD is an economist committed to utilizing data and research for meaningful policy impact. She grew up in Kolkata, India, where she earned her B.S. in Economics, before moving to New Delhi, India to pursue her M.A. and M.Phil. in Economics. Prior to relocating to Utah for her doctoral studies, Kriti taught undergraduate economics courses at Delhi University. Kriti earned her PhD in Economics from the University of Utah in 2026. Her research examined race, leadership evaluations, and decision-making in public K–12 schools using nationally representative data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Kriti joined Voices in 2025. She brings more than a decade of experience in higher education, including teaching undergraduate economics courses at both the University of Utah and Delhi University, as well as conducting quantitative academic research. She is passionate about bridging the gap between data, research, and policy implementation to improve outcomes for children, families, and communities. Outside of work, Kriti enjoys cooking, learning about nutrition and culinary science, and spending time with her family.
