Leslee was voted by the NY Times the No 2 Most Impactful Woman of 2015 (second to Hillary Clinton), and has been awarded the prestigious Swedish Anna Lindh Human Rights Prize (previously won by Madeleine Albright). In 2019, she received the Activism in Arts and Education award from the UN Women for Peace Association, UN Association USA’s Global Citizen of 2019, and the Gandhi Foundation International Peace Award. She has also been named Safe’s Global Hero of 2015, and Global Thinker by Foreign Policy. A BAFTA and multi-award winning filmmaker and Human Rights Campaigner, Leslee’s documentary “India’s Daughter”, has been critically acclaimed around the globe, won 32 awards (including the Peabody Award and the Amnesty International Media Award for Best Documentary 2016) and sparked a global movement to end violence against women and girls. The searing insights yielded by the 2 and a half year journey making “India’s Daughter”, led Leslee to turn her back on filmmaking and devote herself to Think Equal.

Craig Barth is the Head of Finance for Think Equal. Previously, Barth served as Chief Financial Officer for University Enterprises, Inc., the commercial services auxiliary for Sacramento (California) State University, and the Vice President of Finance for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation in Scottsdale, Arizona. He has worked in corporate and public accounting for 31 years, of which 27 has been spent in the non-profit arena. He obtained his Master of Science in Taxation (Accounting) from the University of Rhode Island in 1992 and a bachelor’s degree in French from the University of Michigan in 1989. Barth became a Certified Public Accountant in 1993. He is the proud father of two sons and in his free time enjoys hanging out in Portland-area coffee shops and studying new languages.

Priyanka Devani is a Global Education Director, charity founder, and board chair with over 15 years of experience in the education and human development sectors. She has held senior leadership positions in prominent organizations, advising and collaborating with governments, educational institutions, civil society groups, and multilateral agencies. Currently, she leads Global Programmes at Think Equal for Africa, Middle East and Asia. A passionate advocate for social causes, Priyanka has received several international humanitarian awards, including recognition from the Government of Barbados. She is the Chair of Trustees at Solace Women’s Aid and founded the Silk Road Music Group, a global movement dedicated to creative arts and education.

Paloma Dowell is the Director of Partnerships and Programmes Development at Think Equal. With over a decade of experience in the education and child rights sectors, she has led successful partnerships and secured multi-million-pound funding to bring high-impact programmes to life across the world. Her expertise spans early childhood development, foundational learning, teacher professional development, and systemic reform, with a proven track record in designing solutions and building strong alliances with funders, governments, and civil society. Paloma brings a strategic, relationship-driven approach to her work, shaped by years of experience in global development – including six years based in East Africa – and her deep commitment to equity and social justice. Outside of work, Paloma enjoys running and rediscovering the world through the eyes of her young daughter, who inspires her every day to champion a more inclusive, compassionate future.

With a passion for managing and implementing projects that create a meaningful impact, Tinotenda possesses a diverse skill set and experience in project management. Having completed her Master of Management Degree in Development and Economics at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, she has successfully coordinated and executed a diverse range of projects spanning from non-profit organisations, corporate social responsibility, and in international organisations such as UNHCR. This and many other valuable experiences have equipped her with a solid foundation in project planning, implementation, and monitoring while honing her ability to forge strategic partnerships and drive the delivery of impactful programs. As Africa Programme Coordinator at Think Equal, her key priority is to facilitate efficient project management and build collaborative partnerships that contribute to achieving project goals across the African continent.

Luisa is an international education and development specialist with over 9 years of experience driving systemic K–12 reform across Central Asia, the Gulf, and Southeast Asia. She has worked closely with Ministries of Education and leading donor organisations to design and implement inclusive, context-driven education reforms that promote equity, access, and long-term sustainability.
Previously, Luisa was the Director of Education and International Development at British Expertise International where she played a key role in supporting over 60 UK education organisations in expanding their reach into global markets. Prior to that, she led the South-East Asia and the Pacific region for Cambridge Partnership for Education, a unit of the University of Cambridge, where she drove the organisation’s regional commercial and strategic Direct-to-Government/Donor strategy.
Her work spans government advisory, education policy, and global business development. Luisa holds an MSc in Social Development from UCL and a BSc in Business and Finance from Cass Business School, London.

Ishbel brings a multi-faceted background to her role as Country Director for Scotland. As a former commercial lawyer, she has over twenty years of experience advising multi-national organisations and acting for individuals and boards in complex, challenging and innovative circumstances. Believing in the power of clear, authentic and strategic communications, she founded her own communications consultancy and has worked with major foundations, national charities, senior leaders and individuals in the private, public and third sectors. Her experience in working alongside those directly impacted by trauma, violence and inequality inspires her to strive to help enable systemic change. She believes education can – and must be – a force of change for good. A former vice-chair of one of Scotland’s largest educational NGOs, she is currently a board member of a local charity and in her spare time, enjoys running in the Pentland hills, reading books and holding space for others to create, share and listen to the stories of others.

Ms Manjushree Patil is the Founder and Director of Aatman Academy, a customized learning and specialized instruction school for students with Learning Disabilities (LD) and Differences, and the Country Director of Think Equal India. A two-time TEDx Speaker, a TEDx performer and a recipient of the ADA Anniversary Fellowship on Inclusive Education in 2017 by the US State Department of Education at the University of Minnesota, Ms Patil has also been selected for the Fulbright Distinguished Awards International Fellowship (2021-22), awarded by the USIEF and the US Dept. of States Teachers Exchange Branch, at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. With over three decades of experience in the field as a teacher and a teacher educator, Manjushree has been an Advisor, Consultant and Chief Trainer for a year-long state-wide programme on Inclusive Education with the Gov. of Maharashtra, impacting more than 500,000 teachers from 36 districts of Maharashtra. Manjushree has been an Indian classical vocalist from a very young age and is now a music composer.

Shahida brings over 30 years of experience in senior roles, spearheading developmental and emergency education initiatives with leading organizations. Her expertise includes managing USAID and FCDO-funded projects while collaborating with the Provincial Education Department, Higher Education Commission, and various institutions. She has provided strategic and technical guidance, technical in curriculum development, advocacy, and training, strengthening policy implementation and enhancing teacher capacity from pre-primary to university levels.
Dedicated to inclusive education, she has managed large-scale portfolios across multiple provinces, ensuring equitable access for marginalized children, particularly girls. Her contributions include designing teacher training programs, developing instructional resources, and incorporating child protection and diversity into education strategies. Recognized for her strong leadership, she has effectively led national and provincial teams, with her best practices adopted by the government, demonstrating their lasting impact on education systems.

Ms. Lemogang Chisiyanwa is an accomplished professional with a Master of Education in Research and Evaluation, complemented by a Bachelor of Education. With over 12 years of distinguished experience in renowned organisations, she has consistently excelled in effective project management, research, training, and development. In her diverse career, including academic positions, Lemogang has made significant publications in journals and even self-published a book she authored. Her skill set extends beyond teaching, encompassing proficient research supervision, monitoring and evaluation, bilingual language translation, and exceptional writing capabilities. She has also worked as a newsreader and news-writer for the Department of Broadcasting Services in her home country, Botswana.

Annmarie Hogan is a passionate educational leader with over 32 years of dedicated experience in elementary education in the City of New York public schools. In her role as the New York Manager for Think Equal, she supports the implementation of this transformative Social and Emotional Learning program for Pre K children in New York. She believes that teachers are champions for children and has devoted her career to creating impactful and engaging learning experiences for students and teachers. Her extensive background includes leading a network of elementary school coaches as a Field Liaison with the U.F.T. Teacher Center, where she developed exceptional skills in communication, action planning, and fostering engagement. Her efforts positively impacted school culture and student achievement. Known for her deep appreciation of people, Annmarie is committed to empowering educators to cultivate nurturing learning environments that will inspire the hearts and minds of young learners, allowing them to thrive at their fullest potential.

Natalia has a degree in Psychology and is currently doing a Master’s in Transpersonal Psychology. Her background creatively combines children’s book illustration and design, education and technology. After participating in making +10 educational and literacy projects with the UNHCR, the Panamanian government and independent authors, she believes art and education are the sunflowers of the present. She is the guardian of Think Equal’s program materials and oversees the charity’s Digital Department.

Bianca’s career is marked by a passion for organisation and a deep appreciation for working with people. Throughout her journey, Bianca has honed her skills in coordinating and executing projects, ensuring they are delivered efficiently and effectively. Her dedication to HR stems from her genuine interest in fostering positive workplace environments and nurturing the growth and development of individuals within organizations. She strongly believes in the power of compassion and empathy in both personal and professional interactions. She is excited to bring her skill sets to the organisation as a Global Coordinator for Think Equal.

Vikram Ghandeeswaran Narayanan is passionate about creating a world where every child can thrive. As Think Equal’s Business Development Coordinator, he works on building partnerships and fundraising to help expand our movement globally – with a special dream of seeing Think Equal flourish across India (his home country).

Vikram brings over five years of experience from the social impact space, including his time as Education Collaboration Lead for Catalyst 2030, where he helped develop “Pathways to Transforming Education” for the UN Transforming Education Summit. At Dream A Dream, he led global advocacy efforts and supported initiatives focused on empowering young people to overcome adversity and thrive. Working closely with founders and NGO leaders has profoundly shaped his understanding of what it takes to create meaningful change.

What drives Vikram is his belief that when we put children at the center, everything else follows. He’s a natural collaborator who loves working across cultures and contexts to make this vision a reality. When he’s not championing social-emotional learning, you’ll find him on the soccer field or contemplating his next chess move; he’s a FIDE-rated chess player!

Mahad Salad Mohamud is an experienced educator, researcher, and leader in education and curriculum development. With a Master’s degree in Education, specializing in Curriculum, and over a decade of experience in teaching, training, and academic leadership, Mahad has significantly contributed to enhancing educational quality and pedagogy.
He served as the Director of Research Development at Galmudug Research & Dialogue (GRD) and is now the Somalia Programmes Coordinator at the Think Equal. In these roles, he leads initiatives focused on educational research, curriculum design, teacher training, and the implementation of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programs.
Dedicated to promoting inclusive and effective learning environments, Mahad has actively participated in several capacity-building programs and is strongly committed to empowering educators through training and mentorship. His research work emphasizes the importance of clarity in teaching, effective classroom management, teachers’ and students’ performances, and curriculum development.
Mahad continues to advance his professional growth and contribute to educational improvement through research, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

Vanessa has over five years of experience in primary education and is a qualified teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Sunderland, as well as a postgraduate degree in Education with QTS from Middlesex University.

Vanessa’s unwavering commitment to equality and education is evident in all aspects of her work. During her time in schools, she made it her mission to foster safe and nurturing learning environments for children to flourish. She firmly believes that the early years are critical in shaping a child’s social and emotional development.

In her spare time, Vanessa enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, exploring museums and visiting theatres.

David Kwabena Essien is an experienced Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) professional with a strong background in assessing programmes that advance social development and inclusive education. He has worked extensively in designing and implementing M&E frameworks, conducting data analysis, and producing evidence-based reports that support programme improvement and decision-making.
David’s expertise lies in developing practical tools for tracking progress, ensuring accountability, and translating data into actionable insights for stakeholders. His work has contributed to enhancing the effectiveness of projects focused on community development, equity, and child-centred outcomes.
David brings a deep understanding of how education and social initiatives impact communities at both household and institutional levels. He is passionate about using evidence and learning to strengthen programmes that foster equality, empathy, and life skills among vulnerable groups.

Alhagie Taal is a Gambian by birth and lives in The Gambia.
He obtained a Higher Teacher’s Certificate (HTC) and a Bachelor’s in Education. Currently, he is working on his Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) research. He taught in different upper and senior secondary schools nationwide for over six years. Also, he served as a Cluster Monitor and Early Childhood Focal Point, respectively, for over five years in the Regional Education Directorate 2 under the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE). His core mandates in these positions were monitoring, supervising, and supporting school administrators and
teachers in teaching and learning matters, policy compliance, and other Education-related issues. He became the liaison officer between schools under his purview, the Regional Education Directorate office and, by extension, MoBSE. In addition, he assisted the Human Resources Focal Point in the region with teacher recruitment, posting, and other HR functions. During his leisure time, he loves watching and playing football.

Iris is a designer with over 10 years of experience in graphic and information design. She holds an MA in Design from the Faculty of Architecture – School of Design, and a BA in Visual Communication Design from the Arts Academy. Iris is passionate about typography and books, and a strong believer in the importance of early education. She’s also a firm supporter of non-profit organisations, especially in her local community, with emphasis on children’s education and art.