Managerial Board
FOUNDING TEAM MEMBERS
Our dedicated team of young leaders are utilizing their unique skills and passion to move the work of our Women Empowerment Non-Profit Organization forward. We’re always pushing ourselves to stay ahead of the curve and striving to perfect our programs to achieve Gender Parity globally.
Simran MASSEY
FOUNDER AND CEO
Ms. Simran Massey recently pursued her MSc. in International Social and Public Policy (Development) at the London School of Economics, while interning at the House of Commons, UK Parliament (2021-2022). During Lent Term, she was also a Don Lavoie Fellow 2022 in Political Economy at George Mason University’s Mercatus Center. Simran holds a Bachelor’s in Economics (Honours) from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi (2015-2018) and a Master’s in Public Policy (MPP 2018-2020) from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. Prior to joining LSE, she lived in Switzerland as she was awarded the ‘ThinkSwiss Scholarship 2020-21’ to conduct policy research at the Institute of Economics & Econometrics, Université de Genève.
Simran’s global academic training in Economics and Public Policy alongside her extensive work experience of being a Research Intern at the Ministry of External Affairs (Government of India, 2019), Centre for Civil Society (CCS, 2019), National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog, 2017), Bureau of Energy Efficiency (Ministry of Power, Government of India, 2016) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI, 2016) furthered her niche interest in the development sector. In 2020, she was selected to be a 'Commonwealth Young Researcher' for a research study on the "Impact of COVID-19 on Education Systems in the Commonwealth using an Intersectional and Intersectoral Framework" recently published by the Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with Jet Education Services, South Africa.
Being a recipient of the ‘Young Leaders Creating a Better World for All’ award, Simran was invited as a Speaker at the Women Economic Forum (WEF 2019) annual global conference at the age of 23. In 2020, while speaking on ‘Leveraging Diversity beyond Gender’ at the Women Economic Forum award ceremony, Simran realised how we have all grown up in a world that provides us with a huge set of ready-made prejudices about people of different ethnicities, gender identities, ages and so on. They can sometimes run so deep that we may be unaware of them, but they inform our actions nonetheless. Taking action does not require us to stop living comfortable, interesting, and fulfilling lives and hence, she founded Rising Gaea.
Manal LADRIF
FOUNDER
Ms. Manal Ladrif showed her passion for Logistics and Supply Chain earlier in Middle School. In 2016, she joined ESITH Casablanca MA for a Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management. Meanwhile, she developed an interest in Machine Learning and other technological fields, a reason why she pursued, in 2019, her Master's in E-Logistics in the same school.
As a huge lover of Arabic poetry and literature, she discovered through it the fight that educated women and writers expressed in their sheets to empower others and make their voices heard. She didn't stop advocating for the same causes ever since that time.
Isioma NKWONTA
FOUNDER
Ms. Isioma Nkwonta pursued Economics at the University of Nigeria and is currently an Investment Banking Summer Analyst at the Bank of America, London office. She chose economics because she has always wanted to understand why things are the way they are and how she can leverage that knowledge to make things better. To add value. To create. To grow. It enabled her to understand and cultivate my passion - creating value for others, individuals and businesses alike, and helping them achieve their maximum potential.
Through her experience in KPMG, as well as other organizations, she strengthened my research and analytical, communication, leadership and collaboration, financial analysis and valuation, econometric analysis, and project management skills. What's more, these experiences taught her the psychology of people. What people like, how they like it, and how she can leverage that to tell stories that speak to just them. Stories that sell. So, she became a freelance content writer and copywriter as well. The best of both worlds: two things she does remarkably well: financial analysis and writing.
Ms. Nkwonta found that, at her core, she truly enjoyed helping others. To achieve gender equality at scale, she joined organisations fostering change and also began tutoring. As she grew, she found that inequality was - and still is - very much prevalent in her community, hidden under the glaze of "inclusion". Thus, Isioma decided that she wanted to do something tangible about it, rather than just talking as it got her nowhere. Luckily, the lockdown and the emergent Zoom life led her to meet the other two original founders of Rising Gaea, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Mahnoor SAJID
MANAGING DIRECTOR (MD)
Ms. Mahnoor Sajid previously completed her Bachelor of Education (BEd focused in Economics & Politics) from SOAS University of London and then an MSc. in Local Economic Development at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). As a South Asian woman who has lived in Pakistan, she has witnessed firsthand, the virulent ramifications of what she calls the crossfire of modernity.
Despite advancements in technology and a catalyzed proliferation of rights-oriented discourse, the experience of women in Pakistan is still characterized by a parochiality that relegates them to the peripheries of the country’s national conscience. She is an experienced Treasurer with a demonstrated history of working in the civic & social organization industry. Skilled in Fundraising, Newspapers, Research, Satire, and Local Government.
Ms. Sajid's academic endeavors have played a critical role, not only in developing her capability around the intricate nexus between economics and politics but also honed her fire to pursue meaningful economic research to help promote female freedoms in Pakistan. As the Managing Director, she wants to be part of a diverse network of women leaders to promote health and well-being globally.
Samar FATIMA ALI
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO)
Ms. Samar Fatima Ali previously completed her BA in Economics and Politics (2018-2021) from SOAS University of London and her MSc. in International Social & Public Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE 2021-2022). In July 2021, while working as an intern in the UK Civil Service at the Department for Transport, in the Multilateral Engagement Team of the International Directorate, she honed her stakeholder engagement and analytical skills. This knowledge base has allowed her to perform at a high level, particularly in research, information-gathering, and analysing changes in the national and international political and economic landscape.
At SOAS, Samar was the Stakeholder Engagement and Networking Director of the ‘Leading Women in Business’ Society London and effectively organised events and workshops with leading female entrepreneurs from London and students from across SOAS, University of London to empower women to join the business and finance sector. Along with finance, she has a strong interest in current affairs and wrote articles for the university’s newspaper on Brexit, the protests in Latin America in 2019 and the impact of TikTok on social boundaries. Now, as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Rising Gaea, she wants to be part of a diverse network of women leaders to promote health and well-being globally with a focus on Gender Parity.
Jasmin KAUR
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (COO)
Jasmin Kaur holds a first class Masters in Biochemistry from University of Warwick and has led projects in genetics, and synthetic and cellular biology in academia. Prior to leading Pandemic Prevention Network as the CEO, she was a core team member of the Disruptive Technologies unit in GlaxoSmithKline, improving cell line development for making biotherapeutics and vaccines. Her background allows her to engage with the underlying science and policy recommendations for pandemic prevention and liaise with the range of academic and think-tank partners we will be collaborating with for the project.
She’s previously participated in lobbying for health policy changes for women’s reproductive health and HIV/AIDS in Latin America with the UN, providing a valuable perspective in liaising with political actors for achieving change. She’s previously been a founder of an ed-tech non-profit project, served as a board member and has experience leading a team in 15+ countries as the Global Director of Partnerships. This serves as valuable experience in operations, setting the strategy and scaling projects from the ideation phase.
Vidya VENKATAKRISHNAN
DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
Ms. Vidya Venkatakrishnan is an Assistant Vice President at BNP Paribas in New York, where she works in strategy and business development for the bank's corporate and institutional banking division. She has six years of strategy experience across industries, including international development, asset management, and CPG start-ups. She received a BA in Public Policy from the University of Chicago in 2016.
As the eldest of three sisters, Vidya is a vocal proponent of female mentorship. Her role with Rising Gaea focuses on developing a global mentorship network for women and preparing women for opportunities in finance, international development, and consulting.
Arushi MASSEY
DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
Ms. Arushi Massey pursued History Honours from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi (Class of 2014) after which, she was an International Innovation Corps Fellow at the Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago. She previously worked as a Development Fellow at the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. Until 2021, Ms. Massey was also a Research and Teaching Fellow at the Department of Political Science, Ashoka University, India.
Currently, her research studies at Leiden University (The Hague, Netherlands) focuses on the digital political economy and questions at the intersection of law and social theory. Ms. Massey has been researching on projects, drawing extensively from economic history, constitutional law, and political theory in order to make an impact.
Cassius CASTELLINO
DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
Mr. Cassius Castellino is the Founder of Futures Foresight India as well as a Public Policy and Urban Transportation specialist. He has had previous work experience with organizations like the World Resources Institute (WRI) India, World Bank Institute (WBI), and Gateway House.
Having graduated with a Master’s degree in Public Policy (MPP) from St. Xavier's College, Bombay, he is passionate about sustainable urban transport, public policy analysis, development economics, and of course Futures Foresight studies. In his current role at swissnex India - Consulate General of Switzerland, Mr. Castellino is an Energy and Electric Mobility Specialist and leads programs in the aforementioned sectors.
Preeti KAUR
OUTREACH CONSULTANT
Ms. Preeti Kaur is a true believer in "Nurture as Nature!". At Rising Gaea, she leads our community outreach and human interest research. Being a Chemistry Honours Post-graduate (BSc. and MSc. from Miranda House, University of Delhi), she works with social programs at the intersection of leadership and skill training in areas such as-
- Early Childhood EducationÂ
- Nutrition and Well-being
- Community Outreach programsÂ
- Language and Skill trainingÂ
- At-risk Ageing Community
- Emotional Wellbeing in Healthcare Systems