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.

Angelica has worked in the field of Early Childhood Education for over eight years. She has experience implementing projects with governments, nonprofits, universities, and international organizations in countries like Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, and the US. She holds an undergraduate degree in Government and International Relations completed in Colombia and France, and an MPA from BYU. She has expertise in finding and implementing innovative solutions for education projects. Through her work she aims to expand access to literature, art, and cultural resources for children, since she believes they are key components for positive and life lasting socioemotional learning (SEL). She’s in charge of expanding the reach of Think Equal’s impact over Latin America and the US.

Lina Benete has 20 years of experience in education strategy development, programme design and management, monitoring and evaluation, and knowledge management in UNESCO, the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education. She has led teams to support education planning, financing and implementation in diverse country contexts in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Lina has managed country programmes with projects on strengthening transversal competencies, teacher training and teaching and learning materials. She believes that the best way to strengthen education quality is to focus on human values and develop socio-emotional competencies from an early age to ensure sustainable development.

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.

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.

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.

Anna Volokhova has a Medical Degree and worked as an Emergency Medicine Practitioner for 3 years. Afterwards, she shifted to the educational field, specifically Montessori education. She is a passionate advocate for early childhood education and a dedicated humanitarian. With a unique blend of medical expertise and Montessori education experience, Anna has made significant strides in early childhood socio-emotional learning.
Currently serving as a Programme Coordinator at Think Equal, Anna coordinates the implementation of social-emotional learning curricula in Ukraine and Moldova. Her efforts have reached 1400 children aged 3-6 and 160 educators across Ukraine. Anna’s ability to collaborate with local education authorities and community stakeholders has been crucial in adapting Think Equal’s materials to the Ukrainian context.
Anna has led initiatives that have provided educational support to over 22,000 people, including teachers, parents, and children. Her leadership extends to managing a team of 20 people.
Anna’s commitment to education and humanitarian causes and her skills in cross-functional coordination, project management, and team leadership make her a dynamic force in shaping the future of early childhood education in challenging environments.

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.

Memory has 15 years of experience in project planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), program management, and development communication. She has successfully led teams in implementing programs and projects focused on human rights, leadership, gender justice, and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), particularly addressing sexual violence. As an Organizational Development Specialist, Memory has a proven track record in managing organizational change, fostering effective teams, and developing policies and Information Management Systems (IMS). Memory is passionate about mental health and its radical safeguarding, promoting well-being within organizations and communities. She is also dedicated to climate justice and actively supports efforts to preserve the environment. Her academic background in Journalism and Media Studies, Project Management, Systems Family Therapy, Feminist Leadership for Justice, Equity and Ecology, Conflict Transformation, and Peacebuilding further enhances her expertise. Additionally, she is currently pursuing legal studies, expanding her knowledge and skills in the legal field.

María is from Paraguay and has lived in the UK since late 2021. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Institutional Communication and a Master’s in Educational Innovation. Maria has worked as a teacher for about 13 years, mainly in Primary Schools, and coordinated a charity programme to support children from deprived communities in literacy and math. She has also volunteered for different charity organizations since 2005. Besides being very passionate about education, in her free time, she likes taking walks, being with her cat and dog, and hanging out with her friends.

Lottie brings over a decade of experience in education, community development, and social enterprise management. With a background as an Early Years teacher and a deep commitment to fostering emotional literacy and mental wellness, Lottie has worked in diverse settings, including mainstream and complex learning difficulty schools across the UK, Africa, and India.
As the Founding Director & CEO of Clanwell Hive, a Community Interest Company, Lottie has successfully designed and delivered outreach programmes focused on empowering families and building community support networks in rural Scotland. She has extensive experience in project management, stakeholder engagement, and developing innovative educational programmes that drive social impact.
With strong skills in programme coordination, workshop facilitation, and community engagement, Lottie is dedicated to expanding Think Equal’s reach across the UK, ensuring more children benefit from essential SEL education. She holds a BSc in Psychology with Education and a PGCE in Early Years Education, bringing a holistic understanding of child development and educational best practices to her work.
Lottie is mum to two busy girls, neither of whom believe in silence or sleep! Outside of work, Lottie enjoys yoga, being outside, and a strong coffee (or glass of wine!)

Ram is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of education, fueled by the core values of love and reflection. Based in Hyderabad, India, he excels in grant management, donor engagement, and data processing. He also manages executive-level administrative responsibilities with grace and efficiency. With a keen ability to interpret complex data and deliver actionable insights, Ram has significantly impacted the organizations he has served. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Finance from Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. His dedication to empowering others and fostering positive change is the heart of everything he does.

Thelma is a seasoned Marketing and Communications Professional with a rich background in executive assistance, boasting over seven years of experience in nurturing startups and scale-ups. Based in Accra, Ghana, her expertise spans project management, community engagement, and digital marketing, alongside her adept handling of executive-level administrative duties. Thelma’s contributions have consistently led to notable increases in brand awareness and market expansion for various organizations.

Thelma skillfully blends her marketing acumen with executive support skills, demonstrating a unique ability to manage high-level tasks while driving strategic marketing initiatives. Her approach combines strategic planning with innovative marketing techniques, optimizing competitive advantages in rapidly evolving environments. Thelma’s blend of marketing savvy and executive assistance prowess makes her an invaluable asset in any dynamic professional setting.