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Though their paths didn’t cross at Whitman College, Blake Bratt ’92 and Shilpa Goradia Bratt
’91 were united by a shared spirit of service and adventure. Both served in the Peace Corps in
Latin America—Shilpa in Honduras (1991–1993) focusing on adult education in remote
communities and Blake in Bolivia (1993–1996) working with remote Guarani communities on
sustainable agricultural practices. Eventually, they met in Bolivia and returned to the United
States before working abroad for a decade in Singapore. Today, they hope to help future
Whitman students blaze their own trails. The Bratt Family Scholarship Endowment provides
need-based support to students from rural communities, with a special focus on Montana, where
Blake grew up and which Shilpa has come to love.

Both Blake and Shilpa have enjoyed long careers at Microsoft, working for global change and
public safety. They attribute their career advancement to the critical thinking and communication
skills they developed as students at Whitman. Blake graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in
English, and Shilpa graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. They were involved in a
variety of activities that enriched their Whitman experience, and like so many Whitties before
and after them, they formed lifelong friendships that continue to bring them joy.

For over 30 years, the Bratts have given back to Whitman, not just through their generous giving
to The Whitman Fund, but with the gift of their time as volunteers, despite their demanding
schedules. Most recently, Blake helped lead Whitman’s first Cycling and Wine Weekend in May
2025 ( for the 2026 event), and Shilpa is currently a member of the
President’s Advisory Board.

The Bratts’ next adventure is watching their children, Uma Bratt ’26 and Roshan Bratt, begin
their post-college journeys. They also plan to continue traveling, enjoying new cultures and
nurturing the spirit of service that brought them together.