About Aditi

Aditi Srivastav Bussells, PhD, MPH is a healthcare strategist, public voice, and former elected leader bringing a fresh Southern perspective to politics, policy, media, and modern leadership.

As the first South Asian millennial woman to hold citywide office in the region, Aditi has built a reputation for challenging outdated systems, translating complex issues into plain language, and connecting policy decisions to what they actually mean for families, communities, and everyday life.

With more than a decade of experience spanning government, nonprofit, and industry, she works at the intersection of strategy, influence, and impact. Her background includes management consulting, strategic communications, branding, data-driven evaluation, human services transformation, and enterprise platforms like Salesforce—all grounded in a practical focus on performance, accountability, and results.

During her time in public office, Dr. Bussells chaired the Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee, led the Taskforce to Prevent and End Homelessness, and launched Rapid Shelter Columbia, which has already helped move more than 200 residents into permanent housing in four years. She also championed a stolen firearm ordinance later adopted at the state level and advanced initiatives focused on walkability, public safety, first responder wages, and emergency infrastructure. Her leadership earned her recognition as Best Local Politician by readers of the Post and Courier/Free Times for three consecutive years.

Today, Aditi serves as vice chair of the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund Board, helping oversee the distribution of $360 million to address the opioid epidemic, and as a trustee for the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina.

Aditi brings a rare mix of research rigor, governance experience, media fluency, and cultural relevance. She is equally at home advising organizations, shaping public conversations, and helping audiences make sense of the systems that shape their lives. As a mom, researcher, consultant, and former elected official, she offers a voice that is smart, grounded, stylish, and unafraid to challenge the status quo.

 

Education

  • PhD, Health Promotion Education and Behavior, University of South Carolina

  • MPH, Health Policy, George Washington University

  • BA, American Government, Minor, Public Health,  University of Virginia

Community

  • Vice Chair, South Carolina Opioid Recovery Settlement Fund

  • Board of Trustees, USC College of Arts and Sciences

  • Board Member, Richland County Public Education Partners (RCPEP)

  • Former Board Member, Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR)

  • Former Board Member, National League of Cities

  • Deans Executive Advisory Committee Member, USC School of Medicine

  • Former City Liaison, Columbia Museum of Art & Historic Columbia

Honors

  • South Carolina Distinguished Women in Business Award (2026)

  • 100 Most Influential Indian Americans IndiaToday (2025)

  • Free Times Best Local Politician (2021, 2022, 2023)

  • The Post and Courier Most Influential Power List (2022, 2023)

  • USC Arnold School of Public Health Distinguished Alumni Award (2023)

  • South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Athena Young Professional Award (2022)

  • The State Newspaper Best and Brightest (2021)

  • Columbia’s Best and Brightest Under 35 (2020)