Amita Vempati serves as AFI’s Development Manager. A lifelong performer with musical training in South Asian, Central Asian, and East European traditions, she uses her passions for social justice and art to connect with communities all over the world.

Prior to joining AFI, Amita was a Senior Program Officer for the Western Balkans and Moldova at the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative. She has also worked closely with the East European Folklife Center, the Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center, and American Councils for International Education directing outreach programming based in the United States and Central Asia.

Amita completed her B.A. in Government, History, and Russian Studies at the University of Texas and her M.A. in Central Eurasian Studies (focusing on post-Soviet Central Asia) at Indiana University. In addition to her role at AFI, she leads the Uncovered/Recovered series at Brooklyn Raga Massive working to platform underrepresented voices, decolonized art, and critical activism in South Asian music.