Harish Kotecha stands as the esteemed founder and president of Hindu Charities for America, also known as HC4A and doing business as Hindu Charities for America (EC4A). Founded in 2010 and based in Austin, TX, EC4A is driven by its mission to mitigate income disparity through education across the USA, encapsulated in its motto “Serve Where You Live.” The organization has notably raised over $2 million, aiding more than 14,000 students experiencing homelessness with school supplies and providing upwards of 800 scholarships for vocational training. This success is attributed to forming strategic partnerships with leading organizations to assist economically disadvantaged students until they secure employment.
Originally from Uganda, Harish, alongside his wife Shobhna, embarked on a new chapter in the United States, where he joined IBM. They are the proud parents of Sonia Kotecha, a psychotherapist, and Savan Kotecha, an Oscar and Grammy-nominated songwriter. Harish’s multifaceted identity is African by birth, Indian by heritage, British by nationality, and American by naturalization. At IBM, he was recognized for holding over two dozen US patents. Following early retirement, Harish dedicated his time to volunteering across various sectors, including religious, cultural, civic, refugee, arts, and music organizations.
Throughout his journey, Harish has been the recipient of numerous accolades acknowledging his profound impact. These include the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Office of the President of the USA in 2018, the “Sandra Neese Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2020 for his dedication to addressing the needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness in the US, the Perseverance Award from First Tee of Austin in 2022, the Communitarian Award from the Fund-Raising Association of Austin in 2023, and a Humanitarian Award presented by Martin Luther King III also in 2023. Harish continues to work tirelessly with like-minded individuals, extending his services both nationally within the USA and globally.