Tanuja M. Dehne, Esquire

Tanuja Dehne is a public company director, managing director of a global executive search firm, former foundation President and CEO, and a former C-level executive at NRG Energy, Inc., a Fortune 200 power company. Tanuja brings perspective and experience from her cross-disciplinary roles to the C-suite and boardroom. She is a purpose-driven leader, a talent cultivator, and a proven strategist. Tanuja is also an award-winning corporate attorney, human resources professional, and community volunteer who thrives on making a positive difference in people’s lives.

As a Managing Director at DSG Global, Tanuja collaborates with boards and executive teams, advising organizations across the leadership lifecycle, from assessment and succession planning to executive recruitment. As an experienced governance professional, she is expanding the firm’s advisory services for boards and C-suite executives by delivering tailored governance solutions and facilitating critical conversations on leadership effectiveness, culture, and long-term organizational strategy.

Tanuja‘s leadership as President and CEO of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation was transformative. Leading the organization through numerous national and statewide crises, from a global pandemic to natural disasters, Tanuja remained steadfast in her vision of ‘Imagine a New Way.’ Under her leadership, the Foundation moved the majority of its funding to support social justice nonprofits addressing some of the most challenging and pervasive root causes of inequity.

As a public company director, Tanuja serves on the Board of Directors of Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. (NYSE: GPMT) and chairs the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. She previously served on the Boards of Advanced Disposal Services (NYSE: ADSW), where she chaired the Compensation Committee (2017–2020); Silver Bay Realty Trust Corp. (NYSE: SBY), where she chaired both the Compensation and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees (2012–2017); and Climate Real Impact Solutions II Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: CLIM.U), where she served as Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (2021–2022).

Tanuja is an Executive Fellow at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, where she teaches organizational transformation, governance, and human capital strategy. She also serves on the faculty for NACD’s Board Advisory Services. Tanuja previously served as a Senior Advisor on corporate governance for The B Team, an NGO dedicated to mobilizing global leaders to drive a better way of doing business for the well-being of people and the planet. Tanuja, an active community member, has volunteered her expertise to several nonprofit boards, including New York Public Radio, Philanthropy New York, and the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund. She serves on the Boards of Trustees of Lafayette College, the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, and AAPIP (Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy), and chairs the Advisory Board of Drexel University’s Gupta Governance Institute.

Tanuja’s 12-year tenure at NRG Energy, Inc. spanned roles of increasing responsibility, including Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, and Chief of Staff. She oversaw NRG’s HR (11k+ employees), IT, Communications, Sustainability, Corporate Marketing, charitable giving, M&A integrations, and the construction of NRG’s sustainable headquarters in Princeton, N.J. Prior to these promotions, she led NRG’s Human Resources Department and served as Deputy General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Her professional journey reflects leadership, strategic thinking, versatility, and the ability to drive impactful change. Tanuja’s legal career began at Saul Ewing in Philadelphia, practicing corporate and securities law.

Tanuja is an NACD Board Leadership Fellow and was recognized as one of the “2018 NACD Directorship 100.” In 2017, she was named a “Director to Watch” by Directors & Boards. She earned her undergraduate degree from Lafayette College, a master’s in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Juris Doctor with honors from Syracuse University College of Law. She is a 200-hour (RYT) Certified Yoga Instructor integrating mindfulness and movement into her personal and professional life.