Meet Our Team

Admin Whiz | Foodie at Heart with over a decade of experience as an Executive Assistant to senior leadership in renowned organisations such as Yum! India (Pizza Hut) and Niine, Aanchal brings a wealth of expertise in driving efficiency and excellence.  When not taming tables, catch her devouring street food, whipping up fusion magic, and chasing adventures.

​

Book Recommendation: Ikigai & Choose Life

​

She-ro: I deeply admire my mother for being a pillar of strength and unity in our family, especially during the toughest times. Her unwavering dedication and resilience have been a constant source of inspiration, and I'm grateful for her selfless love and support. She's the glue that holds us together.

Adrian  is a strategic communications and visual storytelling professional with 8+ years of experience helping organisations connect with audiences, mobilise communities, and turn stories into measurable impact.

He has worked across grassroots nonprofits, social enterprises, and international creative brands — building communications systems from the ground up and producing narrative-led content that drives visibility, engagement, and fundraising.
His creative portfolio spans continents and industries. As creative with Guerrilla FC, he helped build a globally recognised football culture brand featured in FIFA 22, with partnerships including Olympique Marseille and Umbro. He has collaborated with award-winning teams at Meridian Hill Pictures and Stone Soup Films on projects including The First Step and a Gates Foundation video series.

Adrian's work sits at the intersection of visual craft and strategic communications — always purposeful, always people-first.

​

Book Recommendation: Home and Away: Writing the Beautiful Game by Karl Ove Knausgaard and Fredrik Ekelund

​

She-ro: Yagazie Emezie Photographer/ Artist

Apurva Vurity brings over eight years of experience shaping strategy, narratives, and partnerships across the social sector in India. She has worked in community-based organisations, international NGOs, and political and social impact consulting, leading work grounded in the realities of communities most impacted by structural inequity.

She has led and managed initiatives in organisations like Dasra, Girl Effect, MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Prerana, and the Indian Political Action Committee, working on gender, youth, education, and social justice. Her motivation is rooted in an intersectional feminist lens, being attentive to caste, gender, sexuality, class, geography, and how they shape power, access, and outcomes. Her approach to program management and strategy prioritises community-led knowledge, grounded in the belief that those closest to structural problems are best placed to define solutions.

With an academic background in Literature and Women's Studies, Apurva brings a critical and reflective perspective to her work. 

​

Book Recommendation: bell hooks, Savitribai Phule

​

She-ro: The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin, In the Dream House by Carmen Machado

​Bilha is an educator and peer mentor whose work is rooted in a deep belief in education as a tool for empowerment, growth, and social change. With a background spanning education and youth development initiatives, she brings both lived experience and professional commitment to the spaces she works in.

She is currently completing a double major in English and Literature at Mount Kenya University, a pursuit that reflects her enduring passion for language, storytelling, and the power of ideas to shift perspectives.
Outside of work and study, Bilha finds joy in reading novels, exploring fashion, and watching — and occasionally playing — netball.

​

Book Recommendation: The Someday List by Stacy Adams.

​

She-ro: Milly Odhiambo, a member of parliament in Kenya, for her unapologetic confidence as a woman in leadership. She is so vocal, assertive and committed to her convictions. She inspires me to own my voice.

Ceci is the Director of Programs for the Girls First Institute, with over ten years of experience designing and leading girl-focused programmes. She holds a master's degree in Mental Health and Development Studies, and spearheaded the launch of the Girls First Institute, managing teams in Kenya and Guatemala.
She works with community-based organisations across Latin America, Africa, and South Asia, providing training in girl-centred programme design, mentorship, and reproductive health education. Originally from Guatemala, now based in the Netherlands, she is committed to advancing girls' rights through locally led, community-rooted approaches.​

Book Recommendation: We Will Be Jaguars: A Memoir of My People by Nemonte Nenquimo​

She-ro: Andrea Coché and Norma Baján, two feminist leaders (and friends!) who have transformed education for Indigenous girls in Guatemala. 

Christina is the co-founder and Co-CEO of Girl Rising. She came to this work as a documentary producer, serving on the team that created the original Girl Rising film. She served as a Supervising Producer, then Managing Director and CEO beginning in 2015, helping to architect the organization's global programming and leading its transformation from a film production company to a nonprofit in 2017.As Co-CEO, she co-leads the organization, guiding global strategy and execution, partnerships, and fundraising. Christina is passionate about narrative storytelling as an engine of social change, a commitment rooted in decades of documentary film and television experience. Christina holds a B.A. in Comparative Literature from Brown University and a Master's in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Texas, Austin—a unique combination that informs her approach to centering girls and the communities we work with and using media as a tool for global change. She lives in New York's Hudson River Valley with her husband and three children.

​

Book Recommendation: Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo

​

She-ro: My mom - the most competent woman I know, ready to roll up her sleeves and get to work, no matter the task at hand. Has walked 10,000 steps a day for more than 2 years straight. I hope I'm like her when I'm in my eighties! 

Cristina is responsible for overseeing the organisation’s financial health and administrative operations. She provides strategic leadership in financial planning, budgeting, accounting, compliance, and internal operations to support the organisation’s mission and long-term goals. Her experience includes working for over 6 years at Pro Mujer, a women’,s development, health and Microfinance nonprofit that provides its clients with a set of integrated services. Her latest position was as Finance and Grants Manager. Previously, she had worked as a Business Development Trainee at Citibank. Cristina holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Universidad Federico Santa Maria and a Master's in Marketing from Universidad Pontificia Comillas, ICADE. She is also fluent in Spanish and lives in Miami, Florida, with her husband and two daughters.

​

Book Recommendation: Snow Flower and The Secret Fan

​

She-ro: Tránsito Amaguaña, she was an Indigenous Ecuadorian leader and social activist who fought for Indigenous rights, land reform, and education.

Cristina (Cris) is passionate about storytelling as a catalyst for social change and gender equity. With over seven years of experience in international development and fundraising, she serves as Development Director at Girl Rising, where she leads fundraising strategy and partnerships. She works closely with institutions, corporations, students, and individual supporters to advance the organisation’s global impact. Central to her work is building long-term relationships and mobilising resources to support girl-centred education programs and storytelling that reflect girls’ voices and lived experiences worldwide.

Raised in Barranquilla, Colombia, Cris brings a background in communications and international development. She holds an M.A. in Communication and Development Studies from Ohio University, with a focus on Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, and has led development efforts for nonprofits supporting initiatives globally.
In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, journaling, and traveling.

​

Book recommendation: All About Love by bell hooks

​

She-ro: Débora Arango Pérez - a pioneering Colombian artist whose bold, socially critical work challenged political, religious, and gender norms in 20th-century Colombia.

Dania is Girl Rising's Latin America Coordinator, holding a degree in Anthropology and a deep curiosity about culture, history, and human experience. She believes growth begins with discomfort — a mindset that shapes her work advancing girls' education and gender equity across the region.

The first in her family to earn a university degree, Dania has often been the youngest person in the room and frequently the only woman — experiences that have sharpened her voice and deepened her commitment to challenging inequity.

Outside work, she competes in Muay Thai with four victories from five official fights — a practice that mirrors the discipline and resilience she brings to everything she does.​

​

Book recommendation: The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins (the trilogy) 

​

She-ro: Nefertiti from ancient history and bell hooks from contemporary/actual time.

Daya brings over six years of experience in education programming, with a focus on research and program implementation in India. In her late teens, Daya had the opportunity to volunteer with an education nonprofit; since then, she has been interested in what helps adolescents and children, particularly those from challenging backgrounds, to thrive.
Daya’s academic background is in Journalism (B.A.) and Development Studies (M.A.), and she began her career as an educator with Teach For India. Her diverse roles across nonprofit organisations, government collaborations, and independent consulting have enabled her to build a strong understanding of public education systems and their complexities.

Through her work, Daya has used research, storytelling, and impact documentation to inform program design and stakeholder decision-making in areas such as life skills education, student and teacher wellbeing, and foundational learning. Outside of work, she tries her hand at writing children’s stories and absolutely loves exploring nature. She needs at least two big cups of chai to power her day.

​

Book recommendation: Totto-chan, The Little Girl at the Window by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi

​

She-ro: Ammachi, my grandmother, who touched everyone around her with her generosity, and, at 99, fought to secure her land!

Debborah has led the organisation’s work in Kenya since its inception in 2019. She is a passionate educator and advocate for girls’ education, leadership, and empowerment, with over 18 years of experience in the education sector and more than 10 years in development work. She previously managed the Girl Rising Global Education Fund (GR-GEF), a six-year new venture philanthropy fund housed at Girl Rising that concluded in December 2024. She also led the successful accreditation of the Girl Rising Life Skills and Gender Sensitisation Curriculum by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).

Before joining Girl Rising, Debborah served as Education Program Officer at Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO). Earlier in her career, she taught in national and international curriculum schools and worked with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in various administrative roles within public schools.

Debborah studied Education at Eregi and Kaimosi Teachers’ Training Colleges, the Kenya Institute of Special Education, and Kenyatta University.

​

Book recommendation: Unbowed - Wangari Maathai.

​

She-ro: My Late mum, who was also an educator.

Devisingh Dangi grew up in an agricultural family, where he witnessed firsthand the weight of traditional social practices, limited education, and unemployment — experiences that set him on a path of community service.

​

Since beginning his studies, he has worked closely with communities on issues including education, health, life skills, child marriage prevention, Nata practice, and water access. He finds purpose in people — in being present for the small shifts that lead to lasting change.

His measure of success is simple: if his efforts improve the life of even one family, he considers it a victory worth working towards.

​

Book recommendation: Gandhi ki Kahani    Author - Louis Fischer

​

She-ro: I admire my mother the most because, even though she did not receive a formal education herself, she understood the importance of education. She not only ensured that I, as a son, continued my studies, but also made sure that my elder sisters completed their education. Despite limited resources and difficult circumstances, she always encouraged all of us to study and supported us in moving forward. My mother has made the greatest contribution to the inspiration I have for education and progress in my life.

Emma Mogaka is an experienced trainer, mentor, and program strategist with over 13 years of experience in program management, leadership development, curriculum design, and community organising. She is deeply committed to advancing the leadership and agency of girls and young women by equipping them with the skills, confidence, and networks needed to drive lasting social change.

Emma specialises in designing and delivering high-impact training programs that promote cross-learning, collaboration, and organisational capacity strengthening. She has a strong track record of partnering with grassroots organisations to develop tailored curricula and lead initiatives that amplify young women’s voices and leadership. Known for her inclusive and participatory approach, Emma facilitates engaging, practical, and transformative learning experiences that help organisations build sustainable strategies while centring girls and young women at the heart of their work.​

​

Book recommendation: Women, Resilience and the Will to Lead — Linda Kasonde

​

She-ro: My eldest sister Josephine. She leads from a place of love and compassion! 

Florence Sidi is the Global Initiatives Coordinator for Girls' Leadership Programs at Girl Rising, where she works closely with girls to support youth-led leadership, advocacy, and storytelling. With four years of experience in development and a Bachelor's degree in Development Studies from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, she designs programs and campaigns that help girls lead, speak up, and shape the spaces built for them.

She believes meaningful change starts with listening, curiosity, and genuine connection.
Outside work, Florence loves travelling, safaris, and bowling — drawn equally to bold expression and growth, much like her favourite colours: black and green.​​

​

Book recommendation: Woman, A Vessel of Honour by Peninah Mumbi

​

She-ro: Mekatilili wa Menza, from the Giriama community(my community), was a fearless leader who stood up to protect her people’s land, culture, and independence. 

Janae is an artist and organiser from the Sonoran Desert. She designs accessible, joyful, care-centred trainings to advance equitable, anti-oppressive movement building. For over a decade, she has facilitated workshops for thousands of activists, from elementary schoolers to elders, and, currently, for teenage girls representing over 50 countries.

She holds a B.S. in Family Studies and Human Development, concentration in Leadership Studies and Practice, an M.S. in Educational Technology, and is an Odyssey Works-certified Experience Designer. She spends what some would consider too much (and what she considers exactly enough) time in thrift stores.​

​

Book recommendation: Rest is Resistance, Tricia Hersey

​

She-ro: The girls we work with!

Kate Kiama is a lawyer, feminist leader, and social impact champion committed to advancing the rights of women and adolescent girls. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of London and completed the Advocates Training Program at the Kenya School of Law.

She currently serves as Co-CEO of She's the First, and has previously held roles at the Nike Foundation's Girl Effect Movement and Akili Dada. She also serves on the boards of Make Every Woman Count and Kuza Dada.

Kate was named one of Kenya's Top 40 Under 40 Women by the Business Daily and, in 2023, one of the 25 Most Impactful African Women Leaders by the African Union.

​

Book recommendation: The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

​

She-ro: “I draw inspiration from my grandmothers, whose wildest dreams I now live, as well as from my mother, aunties, and sisters—brilliant, supportive women whose shoulders I stand on today.”

Kenny has over 7 years of experience providing database management and development support to educational nonprofits. He received his BA in Visual Media Arts from Emerson College, which, along with his previous work at organisations like the Tenement Museum in NYC, has given him a strong belief in the powerful roles that empathetic storytelling and education play in liberation. He lives in Los Angeles with his partner and their dog, Zeppo. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to ambient music, watching old movies, and walking to the farmers' market for some citrus and a spam musubi.

​

Book Recommendation: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

​

She-ro: Clara Lemlich - labor organizer, suffragist, and lifelong activist

Khuzama Khan is the Director of Programme Quality and Learning at Girl Rising, where she brings together educational programming and monitoring, evaluation, and learning to strengthen how evidence informs program design, assessment, and continuous improvement.

With over 20 years of experience in international development, Khuzama has worked across child protection, gender equity, life skills education, youth development, and women’s economic empowerment in both development and humanitarian contexts. She brings a feminist, systems-thinking lens to strategy, learning, and research. A firm believer that “soft skills” are the real drivers of lasting impact, she is often found balancing spreadsheets with stories.

Khuzama holds a Master’s degree in Psychology from Pakistan and a Master’s in Development Studies from the University of Melbourne. Outside of work, she finds clarity on sunrise hikes or reading in a quiet park, gentle reminders that slowing down can sometimes be the fastest way to see the bigger picture.

​

Book Recommendation: Manto Nama by Saadat Hassan Manto 

​

She-ro: My mother, who inspires in me respect, tolerance, and perseverance. My sisters and friends, who reinvented themselves with incredible strength and dignity once they realised they deserved better

​Margarita holds over 12 years of accounting and finance experience in diverse industries in her home country, Ecuador, and across America and Asia. Her latest position was as Chief Accountant for a large Chinese company, and she has also worked as an advisor for Ecuadorian SMEs.

Margarita holds a master's degree in Business Administration from ESPAE ESPOL and a bachelor's in Public Accounting. She strongly believes that learning foreign languages changes people’s lives, which is why she is fluent in Spanish and English, and she is learning Italian. In her free time, she enjoys teaching, music, theatre, and going to the beach with her husband and her daughter.

​

Book Recommendation: The Silver Sword

​

She-ro: My mom: Mother of 4, helped our family by giving education and love.

Naomi Ramos Imuro is a Programme Manager at Girl Rising, where she has led and supported initiatives across multiple regions, including Mexico, Guatemala, and Ghana. She played a key role in developing the latest update to Girl Rising’s curriculum, RISE. She currently collaborates with the Girl Leadership Programme as a community engagement manager.

With a background in social and clinical psychology, she specializes in socioconstructivism and narrative therapy, exploring how the stories we tell shape our sense of self and our relationships with others. Her professional experience spans international education, nonprofit organisations dedicated to advancing women’s rights, and teaching at universities in Mexico. In addition to her organisational work, she maintains a small private therapy practice supporting women through narrative-based approaches to healing and growth. She has designed, facilitated, and contributed to workshops and programs addressing topics ranging from body image and self-perception to territorial defense and community leadership.

​

Book Recommendation: Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa

​

She-ro: Olimpia Coral Melo, Mexican activist who spearheaded the criminalization of digital sexual violence

Nidhi is a global gender equity leader with over 25 years of experience advancing the rights of women and girls across health, education, and social justice. Her work spans Asia and Africa, with a focus on addressing systemic inequities and supporting marginalised communities, including people living with HIV and religious and sexual minorities.

She has led high-impact advocacy and behaviour change initiatives supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and USAID, and previously served as Senior Vice President at Global Health Strategies.

​

Over the past decade at Girl Rising, she has designed community-based interventions, strengthened girls' leadership, and guided impact evaluation strategies. As Co-CEO, she helps steer Girl Rising's global strategy toward lasting, community-led impact.
Outside work, Nidhi loves the mountains, long walks, and reading.

​

Book Recommendation: The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese,

Educated by Tara Westover, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

​

She-ro: My mother, a teacher, Daya Shukla

Nipa is a communications and advocacy professional with over 16 years of experience in the development sector, having built and led high-impact communications functions at organisations including CHILDLINE India Foundation, Leher, Cipla Foundation, and Railway Children India.

She brings expertise in organisational strategy, digital ecosystems, campaign design, and narrative building, with a track record of mobilising cross-sector partnerships for meaningful social impact. She believes lasting change requires intersectional, sector-agnostic approaches — and her work consistently reflects that.

Outside work, Nipa is passionate about photography, design, and sport. A mother to a spirited toddler, she finds joy in creating, exploring, and storytelling in all forms. Her practice of Nichiren Buddhism anchors her values and shapes her approach to purpose-driven work and life.

​

Book Recommendation: Our Women on the Ground: Essays by Arab Women Reporting from the Arab World 

​

She-ro: Every mother who pushes herself...physically, mentally, emotionally, to give her child everything she can. In her quiet sacrifices, her relentless strength, and her refusal to give up, she is raising the next generation. She is my superhero, every single day.

Prita brings over 15 years of experience across organisations including Room to Read, PRADAN, The Hunger Project, GIZ, and IWWAGE, holding portfolios that centre women and girls. She has worked extensively on gender-based life skills for adolescent girls and on strengthening women's capacities and leadership.

Her work spans programme design and management, government gender mainstreaming initiatives, gender analyses, and the development of training content and knowledge products. She holds an MPhil in Sociology and combines strong technical expertise with a deep commitment to advancing gender equity.

Outside work, Prita enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and catching up over coffee with friends — alongside her 14-year-old daughter and her very handsome four-legged companion.

Book recommendation - A Burning by Megha Majumdar, Purple Hibiscus and Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie and A Golden Age Trilogy by Tahmima Anam

​

She-ro - I admire so many women, but my all time favorite is my mother for her resilience, her happy bubble and her wisdom

Richa oversees programme strategy and execution across Girl Rising's global geographies, leading the design and delivery of initiatives that advance girls' education and gender equality. With more than a decade at the organisation, she has been central to shaping programme strategy, strengthening partnerships, and helping regional teams adapt work to diverse contexts — always with a focus on evidence, learning, and long-term systems change.

Before joining Girl Rising, she worked with Indus Action on a campaign to bridge information gaps around India's Right to Education Act, improving access for children from economically weaker sections. Earlier, at the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA), she developed communication models to amplify women's voices and advocate for girls' education.

Book recommendation - Desperately Seeking Shah Rukh: India's Lonely Young Women and the Search for Intimacy and Independence by Shrayana Bhattacharya

​

She-ro - I have deep admiration for my mom and my sister, for the trials and tribulations they have faced, and for the strength, resilience, and love they continue to carry in their hearts.

I am 18 years old, a young indigenous woman. I speak 3 languages: Kaqchikel (indigenous language), Spanish and English. I grew up in Solola, Guatemala, in a family of six, where I learned the values of hard work and resilience from my mother, who supports me through seamstress work, laundry services, and small-scale sales. As the eldest daughter, I often care for my siblings, which has strengthened my leadership and caregiving skills. I attended MAIA Impact School for five years, earning a High School Diploma in Science and Letters and graduating with the second-highest academic average in my class. I help lead community initiatives through my youth group to support local youth. I am passionate about learning, and I constantly seek opportunities to grow. My passion for social justice stems from the lack of educational and professional opportunities I have witnessed in my community. Currently, I get a scholarship to continue my studies in college in the USA.

Book recommendation - Becoming - Michelle Obama

​

She-ro - I admire my mom because she is a single mother with 5 children, and despite that, she always gives us the best and invests in our education, even though she did not have the opportunity to go to school. 

Simran Gupta is an Advocacy Intern at Girl Rising, where she supports the organisation’s Girl Leadership Programs and contributes to advocacy efforts advancing gender equity. She is a student in the Honors Program at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbour’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, and hopes to incorporate what she learns into future work at the intersection of advocacy and health.

Before joining Girl Rising, Simran served as a She’s the First chapter leader at her high school and has been actively involved in philanthropy and advocacy through student organisations and community initiatives. These experiences strengthened her leadership skills and reinforced her passion for amplifying girls’ voices and supporting girl-led change. She is driven by a belief in the power of education and advocacy to create lasting, equitable impact for girls and young women, and is excited to collaborate with the Girl Rising team in service of this mission.

​

Book Recommendation: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

​

She-ro: Marie Curie

Tammy is a philanthropic leader whose entire career has uplifted girls. She co-founded She’s the First, serving as CEO/Co-CEO for 16 years. She's also the author of "Impact: A Step-by-Step Plan to Create the World You Want to Live In." Tammy’s passion for building girls' power traces back to being voted “Most Shy” in her high school yearbook. She became a first-generation graduate and later a Trustee of The College of New Jersey. Before her nonprofit career, she was the first-ever social media editor of Seventeen magazine and led innovative girl-centred projects for Hearst Digital Media. Tammy is a DVF (Diane von Furstenberg) People's Voice Award winner, a three-time TEDx speaker, a former International Women's Forum Leadership Fellow, and a member of the Women's Forum of New York.

​

Book Recommendation: The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré

​

She-ro: Gloria Steinem

Virginia has more than two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, communications, and development. She has worked across organizations focused on education, mentorship, and community opportunity, including iMentor, which supports first-generation college students, and GallopNYC, which serves children and adults with disabilities. Earlier in her career, Virginia worked as a sustainability consultant, advising companies on environmental and social performance. Her work today centers on storytelling, partnerships, and building support for initiatives that expand opportunity for young people around the world. She is a mother of three and lives in Brooklyn.

​

Book Recommendation: A Thousand Splendid Suns — Khaled Hosseini
 

She-ro: My daughter, Charlotte Jacobus,  a PhD candidate in biomedical engineering innovating cancer-fighting drug delivery systems - kind, courageous, hilarious.