Piali De
Piali De. (Courtesy photo)
I am the CEO and co-founder of Senscio Systems, a health care technology company built to empower individuals living with chronic conditions to optimally manage their own health. I earned my Ph.D in physics from Brown University and have devoted my career to advancing ideas that improve lives. Harvard has been my home for over 34 years. My husband, Hugh Stoddart, and I have raised two sons, Keiron and Brenton, who graduated from the Bromfield School. I have proudly served on the boards of several community organizations. I believe strongly that the Warner Free Lectures are a vital part of our town’s cultural heartbeat, and I am eager to help this treasured institution.
What led you to run for a seat on the Warner Free Lecture Trustees?
I am running for trustee because I believe the Warner Free Lectures have incredible untapped potential to inspire, educate, and connect our town. Harvard is filled with lifelong learners, curious minds, and creative spirits—and the Warner Free Lectures can be a vibrant home for all of them.
My commitment to public service in Harvard has been long-standing. I served three years on the board of trustees for the Village Nursery School, seven years on the School Committee for Harvard Public Schools, six years as a trustee for the Harvard Conservation Trust, and multiple years on Harvard’s Fourth of July Committee. Through these roles, I have seen firsthand how important strong community traditions are to maintaining the fabric of our town.
Now, I am eager to bring my energy and strategic focus to the Warner Free Lecture series. I want to help it grow into an even more dynamic program—one that reflects the diversity of interests, passions, and ages in Harvard today.
What specific ideas do you have for what you’ve called ‘family-friendly’ programs?
One of my priorities is expanding the reach of the Warner Free Lectures by making them more inviting to families. Family-friendly programs build stronger communities by creating shared experiences across generations.
Some specific ideas include:
- Science and discovery nights featuring exciting demonstrations.
- Storytelling and author events with local writers and performers.
- Music and arts workshops that blend performance and participation.
- Living history projects that make Harvard’s rich past come alive.
- Innovation showcases that spark curiosity and deepen understanding for all ages, particularly in the field of AI.
How would you go about improving attendance at Warner Free Lectures?
Growing attendance is about creating a movement that people want to be part of. I would focus on broad community outreach to hear what topics and speakers would excite residents today, organize lectures around captivating seasonal themes, modernize communications, build strategic partnerships with town organizations, and create a few “must-attend” flagship events each year.
My commitment is to make the Warner Free Lectures an enduring and valuable town tradition—something we talk about, gather around, and feel proud of. With energy, new ideas, and strong outreach, we can keep this great institution thriving for the next generation.
I am honored to have the opportunity to serve and look forward to working together to keep Harvard’s spirit of learning alive and thriving.
