Gaurav Vasisht is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF), one of the largest workers’ compensation, disability, and paid family leave insurers in the United States. In this role, Gaurav leads NYSIF’s overall strategic direction and operations, including oversight of its approximately 2,000‑employee workforce and mission‑driven delivery of coverage that serves more than 2 million workers and 200,000 New York State employers.
As the first Asian and Indian American CEO in the 110‑year history of NYSIF, Gaurav’s leadership reflects a deep commitment to inclusive public service and operational excellence at a large, competitive insurance enterprise. He joined NYSIF after serving for more than six years as Senior Vice President and Director of the Volcker Alliance, a non‑partisan public policy think tank established by former Federal Reserve Chair Paul A. Volcker, where he directed financial regulation programs and advised on financial stability and systemic risk.
Earlier in his career, Gaurav held senior legal and regulatory roles in New York State government, including Executive Deputy Superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services, where he led the agency’s Banking Division, and Senior Deputy Superintendent of Insurance. He also served as First Assistant Counsel and Assistant Counsel to three Governors of New York, and as Assistant Attorney General in the Investor Protection Bureau of the New York Attorney General’s Office.
Gaurav is known for his thought leadership in insurance, financial regulation, and public policy. He is co‑author of research on regulatory excellence and “Shining a Light on Long Covid,” a report contributing to understanding of Long Covid’s impacts—work that has been cited in national media and industry forums.
A graduate of New York University and St. John’s University School of Law, Gaurav frequently speaks on issues including insurance innovation, public sector leadership, regulatory strategy, and workforce resilience—bringing invaluable insight to audiences focused on the intersection of insurance, public policy, and organizational transformation.
