Our late Director, Setti Warren, was a cherished mayor, pillar of the Harvard community, loving father and husband. He brought service to life at the IOP, and led with curiosity, humility, and an endlessly generous spirit that touched everyone who had the honor of knowing him.
Setti kindled in generations of students the passion and courage to dedicate their lives to service. He taught us to believe in ourselves and in the power of our voices to make change.
To the students he mentored with such joy, Setti opened a world of possibility. And all who met him can attest—he was a rare, electric presence. You knew when Setti was in the office—the laughter was louder, and the lights somehow brighter.
His humor, his counsel, and his boundless warmth will be deeply missed. Yet the memory of a dear mentor, friend, and fighter will live on in every life he shaped and every future he guided toward service.
Each of us will carry forward, at Harvard and beyond, the spirit of a man who gave us confidence when we doubted, brought joy when we feared, and lent an ear when—more than anything—we needed to be heard.
We will always picture him as we so often saw him: arms crossed, smile beaming, rooting on his students from the back of a packed nightly Forum.
In our hearts and memories, Setti will remain as he did in life—a force for good, and a force for others.
The Institute of Politics Executive Team is led by President Tenzin Gund-Morrow ’26, Vice President Summer Tan ’26, Treasurer Kevin Bokoum ’26, and Communications Director Lorenzo Ruiz ’27.