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.

Katie Cohen is the UK and Europe Programmes Director at Think Equal.
A senior third-sector professional, she brings extensive experience across education, programme development, grant-making, fundraising, and the creation of innovative initiatives. Katie has worked across local government and multiple regions of the UK, collaborating with a wide range of partners to embed impactful, equity-driven approaches in education and community settings.
Her work is grounded in a strong belief that we can build a better world for future generations through inclusive, systemic change. Throughout her career, she has led transformative programmes, developed educational toolkits, and forged meaningful partnerships to advance emotional literacy and social justice.
Katie also serves as a trustee of a charitable trust and is the proud mum of two teenagers and a dog. In her spare time, she enjoys taking care of her wellbeing with yoga, gardening and making art.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.