Meet the Board Monday: Raj Iyer, BRHS Parent

Originally from Mumbai, India, Raj Iyer found roots in Baton Rouge, LA, when he attended Lee High School his senior year. He earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering in 1989 and a Master of Business Administration in 1999 from LSU. He has worked for Motorola Solutions since 1990 and is currently serving in his newly appointed position as Vice President & Sales Director of Strategic Sales. Raj has garnered awards, including the Motorola Solutions CEO Circle Winner and the Motorola Solutions Leadership Awards.

Raj is also the Co-Founder & President of MIND Relief, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization with a mission to provide support to caregivers and family members of those suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. He is married to Usha Iyer and has two sons, Jay (a junior at BRHS) and Dev.

BRHSF: Why did you choose BRHS for your child and describe briefly the significance of that choice.

RI: BRHS has a long tradition of excellence in academics continuously fueled by some of the most brilliant minds our great city has to offer.  Upon completing middle school at Glasgow Middle, we wanted Jay to not only be immersed in a college preparatory environment that offered him a challenging and rigorous program, but also one that would harness his passion to become the best he can be.  BRHS teachers, staff and administrators have done a phenomenal job of creating a world-class environment that is conducive to enabling Jay’s success.  We are very thankful for this great opportunity for Jay to attend BRHS.

BRHSF: What made you decide to join the BRHSF Board?

RI: Jay has been a member of the Science Bowl and Science Olympiad teams at BRHS since his freshman year, and I would attend several competitions with Mr. Underwood and Ms. Mathur.  Additionally, I had the opportunity to see Ms. Cao lead a number of students at STEM day events. I was able to witness firsthand the passion with which each of these wonderful teachers would lead the students and put forth incredible efforts to ensure these events were possible, despite very limited resources.  I wanted to provide a lending hand and was pleasantly surprised when I was invited by the board to serve as a Parent Board Member.

BRHSF: Why is the Foundation’s mission of philanthropic support for BRHS important to you and to the community?

RI: BRHS is a crown jewel of our community, with a very long history of producing leaders at a local, state and national level. Our foundation plays a very critical role in providing our students the important tools needed to differentiate themselves when competing at a national level.  The Foundation helps expand philanthropic support to provide opportunities and enhance the great things happening at BRHS.

BRHSF: As a Board member do you have any personal goals for your service? What do you see as your most important role as a Board member?

RI: My personal goal as a Board member is to help raise funds for the Foundation.  My most important role will be to help create programs that enable the foundation to grow its capability to support BRHS with needed funds.

Fun Fact! He enjoys playing an instrument called the Harmonium, which is used extensively in Indian music. He has been playing the instrument since he was a child growing up in Mumbai.