Leslee Udwin 🇬🇧
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.
Ruby Jewitt 🇬🇧
Ruby has extensive experience at Think Equal, including coordinating projects, managing the partnerships and fundraising department, and currently managing our Africa and Eastern Europe programmes on an internal secondment. Ruby has an MA in International Political Economy and a BA in International History from The London School of Economics and Political Science. Throughout her studies and career, Ruby has maintained a keen interest in global systems and development, with her interest in education catalysed by its ability to create better outcomes for people and wider societies. On a personal level, Ruby loves exploring the Peak District on her doorstep in Sheffield.
Angélica Aguilar 🇨🇴
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.
Priyanka Devani 🇬🇧
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.
Lina Benete 🇱🇹
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.
Craig Barth 🇺🇸
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.
Manjushree Patil 🇮🇳
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.
Emma Estelle Welsh 🇦🇺
Emma has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Melbourne University and an MBA from INSEAD France. She is a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Emma spent quite some time in the corporate world with Cargill, Mars, LEK Consulting and in banking with the National Australia Bank. In 2003 she left the corporate world and started the healthy drinks and snacks company Emma and Tom Foods- a registered B Corporation of which she is the CEO and Managing director. She is also a non-executive director of the Australian Food and Grocery Council, a not-for-profit representing the food industry. With Yale and Federation Universities, Emma managed a Think Equal Randomised Control Trial (RCT) research project in Australia in 2019. The impact of the Think Equal Programme was assessed on the behaviours and attitudes of the children in the trial compared to those in a control group over 30 weeks across approximately 40 kindergarten services in Melbourne and Brisbane. The RCT found a strong positive impact.
Ishbel Smith 🇬🇧🏴
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.
Diego Villamizar 🇨🇴
Diego has extensive experience designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating social programmes. He has worked mainly with government organizations and as a consultant in agencies such as UNICEF, The World Bank and UNDP in Colombia. Diego has experience in childhood development, family services, food security, displaced populations, and poverty alleviation. He holds undergraduate and master’s degrees in economics from Universidad de Los Andes in Colombia, and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the London School of Economics. Diego is convinced of the relevance of the early years’ development and the family as fundamental determinants of children’s future.
Tinotenda Chigeza 🇿🇦
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 🇺🇦
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.
Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame 🇸🇴
Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in project planning and management across non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government institutions in Somalia. He has a proven track record of designing, managing, and implementing complex projects, with expertise spanning project management methodologies, financial management, organizational change management, and risk mitigation strategies.
Throughout his career, Mohamed has demonstrated a commitment to social impact by leading initiatives that empower women and youth, equipping them with critical technical skills to enhance their capacities and competitiveness in the job market. His leadership has been instrumental in driving meaningful change and fostering sustainable community development.
Currently, Mohamed serves as the Programme Manager for Think Equal Somalia, where he oversees the strategic development, implementation, and monitoring of programs aimed at promoting social equity and inclusion. His role involves coordinating with diverse stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of initiatives that align with Think Equal’s mission.
Annmarie Hogan 🇺🇸
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.
Shahida Maheen 🇵🇰
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.
Soham Banerjee 🇮🇳
Soham is a Film School graduate, with a BA in Media Practice from the University of Sussex and an MA in Directing and Film Production from the Metfilm School. He has always been attracted to the art of film as a medium for change, and over the course of his studies, developed an affinity towards documentaries that make a difference in the world. Soham enjoys all facets of filmmaking, especially editing and screenwriting; as Video Editor, his responsibilities include the filming and editing of the online training videos that comprise the Online Training Platform, as well as working on the Think Equal animation series. Soham also manages the dubbing process for the Online Training Platform in languages other than English.
Natalia Tertusio 🇦🇷
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.
Elena Prieto Sulleiro 🇪🇸
Elena Prieto Sulleiro is a dedicated Head of Research with over a decade of experience leading impactful international projects. With a passion for community engagement, cultural studies, and project leadership, Elena excels at integrating AI methods and data visualization to turn complex data into actionable insights. Currently, she serves as an M&E and Sustainability Project Manager at Think Equal, where she is deeply committed to advancing social and emotional learning in education systems worldwide. In her role, Elena develops and implements Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks that measure impact and align with the organization’s sustainability goals. Known for her collaborative approach and innovative mindset, Elena ensures that every project she leads fosters continuous improvement and creates meaningful, lasting change.
Bianca Fletcher 🇿🇦
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.
Joanna Ainsworth 🇬🇧
Joanna is a qualified Early Years Montessori Teacher and passionate advocate for creating responsive, joyful learning environments and pedagogical cultures accessible to all children, enabling them to thrive, learn, and practice care of self, community, and planet. Joanna holds a Master of Arts in Education with specialisms in ‘Critical International Perspectives on Special and Inclusive Education’ and ‘SEN Learning, Teaching and Assessment’. She has extensive international experience in early years teaching and has a track record of designing, implementing, and disseminating innovative mixed-methods research celebrating children’s voices across a broad range of Early Childhood Education (ECEDU) stakeholders.
Joanna has a deep passion for the arts and holds a BA (Hons) in Fine Arts. She has London and international art gallery management and exhibition curatorship experience and continues to practice sculpture and photography.
Joanna loves wild places, running, and animals and is a proud mother to three boys.
Onezwa Ndzimande 🇿🇦
Oniey is passionate about the development sector and has over seven years of experience designing, managing, and developing monitoring and evaluation systems for education and community development programs. She holds a BA Honours in Psychology from the University of South Africa and a BA in Psychology and Sociology from the University of the Witwatersrand, equipping her with a strong academic foundation in understanding human behavior, social dynamics, and community development. Onezwa has honed her skills across various roles, including Senior Associate Consultant, Social Investment Analyst, and Programme Manager, to drive positive change in communities, education, and leadership development. As a South African Programme Coordinator, she will support the development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of Think Equal’s programmes within South Africa. In addition to her professional commitments at Think Equal, she serves as a freelance researcher and volunteers for a mental health wellness initiative, demonstrating her commitment to championing transformative developments.
Maria Galiano 🇵🇾
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.
Mahad Mohamud 🇸🇴
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.
Tania Bañuelos 🇲🇽
Tania deeply believes that personal transformation is necessary to achieve collective transformation and puts her efforts into generating experiences that enhance the well-being of girls, boys, teenagers and adults. Her particular focus is on developing social-emotional and leadership competencies.
For years, he has been dedicated to designing, coordinating and managing projects with different organizations that seek to close the gaps of educational inequality and promote well-being.
She is a sociologist with a Master’s degree in Leadership and Education. It also has various diplomas in intelligence development through art, culturally-based pedagogy, trauma-sensitive work, and diversity, equity, and inclusion training. It is part of the Teach for All network. She is certified as a wellness instructor and has been dedicated to the study and practice of contemplative techniques for almost 15 years. She is currently studying for a Master’s degree in Coaching, Emotional Management and Mindfulness at the European Higher Institute of Barcelona.
Vanessa Cathline 🇬🇧
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.
Lottie Reeves 🇬🇧
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!)
Alhagie Taal 🇬🇲
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.
Ram Kamisetty 🇮🇳
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.
Iris Klarić 🇭🇷
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.
