An alumnus of Flinders University, Adelaide and University of Leeds, wherein he acquired advanced degrees in International Relations and Development Studies, Rishi is a Public Sector and Political-Risk Consultant. He holds a Certificate in Consulting from the United Kingdom’s Chartered Management Institute. He has worked in academic research within the public sector, as also international organisations, in the fields of consulting and risk analysis. He has served in the Governance Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat, where he worked on Public Sector Reform, and Democracy. He has rendered yeoman service in the areas of development assistance and technical cooperation. Mr Athreya is a widely published author and has written on various topics related to governance, security and diplomacy. He has also been the editor of several publications published by international organisations, think-tanks, and legislatures. His co-authors have included, amongst others, civil servants, officers of the defence services, and diplomats.