Ravi Rajani’s story begins with global roots and the courage of two people who took a leap of faith. His father, born in Africa to Indian parents who had moved to Malawi to build a business and later relocated to England, came to Madison in 1980 to attend UW–Madison. His mother, born in India, arrived in 1990 after marrying Ravi’s father in a traditional family-arranged marriage. “They both took big leaps to build a life here,” Ravi said. “And Madison is the only place they’ve ever lived in the U.S. It’s where they’ve built their community.”
Ravi grew up on Madison’s west side, where his family found community and planted deep roots. He spent nine formative years at Orchard Ridge Elementary and Toki Middle School, two schools that share a building and a spirit of continuity that made his transition seamless.
“I was in the same building for the first nine years of my K–12 experience,” he said. “That sense of community was really strong. A lot of my neighborhood friends were with me from the beginning, and it just made the experience that much more meaningful.”
Growing up in a multilingual household, Ravi spoke Gujarati before he learned English and credits MMSD with helping him thrive academically and socially. He’s especially grateful for the strong ESL resources the district provided, which helped him build fluency and confidence at a young age. His upbringing, shaped by his parents’ international experiences, fostered a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and friendships that transcended backgrounds.“My dad especially built friendships with people from all over the world,” Ravi said. “That openness really shaped the way I see the world and the people in it.”
At Orchard Ridge and beyond, Ravi found educators who left a lasting mark. Dr. Hertting, the principal during Ravi’s elementary years, is one who stands out. Years later, they unexpectedly crossed paths and shared a beer, reminiscing about their days at Orchard Ridge. “It says something that he remembered me,” Ravi said. “He was someone everyone looked up to. One of those rare principals you were actually excited to see in the hallway.”
Other memorable figures include Mr. Perry, a favorite fifth-grade teacher his mom still runs into around town; Mr. Query, the warm, welcoming librarian who made the school library feel like a second home; and Mr. Rickman, his orchestra teacher (Ravi played cello through 8th grade), who brought humor and joy into the classroom. “Obviously these teachers make a positive impact on you,” he said. “You may not necessarily realize it at the time, but through conversations, you can reminisce and learn a little more about the true impact they had.”
At Memorial High School, Ravi continued building on those early connections. He played soccer throughout high school, forming a tight-knit friend group that, impressively, remains intact to this day. “Seven of my groomsmen were people I knew from high school, some even from middle school. Most of us played soccer, and though we’re at different stages in life now and scattered around the country, we still stay in touch.”
Those friendships took center stage when Ravi got married in a traditional Indian wedding in Austin, Texas. “Of the seven groomsmen, six of them are not Indian. And they fully embraced the experience, they flew across the country, and took part in multiple events. It speaks to the depth of our friendship and the community we built at such a young age.”
After graduating from Memorial in 2011, Ravi attended UW–UW-Whitewater, drawn by its strong business program and with an initial plan to play collegiate soccer. Though he ended up pursuing amateur soccer instead, the decision still proved right. He juggled a full class load, played on an amateur team, and coached soccer at Middleton High School, all while working on campus and interning in state government.
He majored in finance and began gaining professional experience early, working in the Department of Administration and the Department of Transportation during his junior and senior years. Those early roles led to a successful career in public service. He began full-time work at the Department of Health Services on Medicaid financials, a field he calls “a beast in itself.” “I was just 22 at the time, surrounded by experienced professionals. But they took me under their wing. Through their mentorship, I was able to learn quickly and grow.”
Ravi steadily rose from budget analyst to operations budget lead before transitioning into higher education, first with the UW–Madison Budget Office and now as Associate Budget and Finance Director for the UW–Madison School of Education. He now works closely with faculty and administrators on academic financial planning, many of whom have strong ties to MMSD and other public school systems. “It’s been really rewarding to learn from them and better understand the decisions that must be made to help academic departments succeed. I’m working on pulling all of that together, my state and university experience, my connection to public education, to help align our work for greater impact.”
Outside of work, Ravi and his wife enjoy cooking vegetarian meals, traveling, and spending time with loved ones. Their honeymoon took them to Vietnam, and they’ve since visited Costa Rica, with Mexico next on their list. Ravi is also a lifelong soccer fan, still playing when he can and cheering on Leicester City, his family’s hometown team in England. He visits England often to see his aunts and uncles and also travels to India to spend time with his mother’s side of the family. His wife’s family is in Texas, so that’s another frequent stop.
Reflecting on his journey, Ravi expresses gratitude for the role MMSD played in shaping who he is today.
“For someone like myself where Gujarati was my first language, MMSD helped me become fluent in English, build confidence, and connect with others. I had an incredibly positive experience. I appreciate the good work of the educators I encountered and all those who continue to build community through the district. And I really appreciate the work the Foundation team is doing to help capture these stories and strengthen those ties.”
Madison’s public schools are proud to count Ravi Rajani among their alumni!
