Kavita Ramdas, born in Mumbai earned a master’s degree in international development and public policy at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, and a BA at Mount Holyoke College.Now she has been  the President and CEO of the non-profit organisation Global fund for women since 1996.

Journey of Kavita Ramdas:

  • Prior to Global Fund, Kavita supported both domestic and international initiatives in economic development and population as a program officer at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in Chicago, Illinois(1988 – 1996).
  • Later in 1996 she became the President and CEO of the Global Fund for Women the largest grant making foundation in the world supporting women’s rights worid wide.
  • During Ramdas’ tenure, Global Fund assets have increased from $6 million to $21 million
  • Later she extended her expertise in women’s human rights, social justice philanthropy, and international development to her diverse array of professional affiliations.
  • Kavita recently joined the Global Development Advisory Panel of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Now Kavita Ramdas is one of the most effective international leaders working to empower women around the world by increasing girls’ access to education, defending women’s health and reproductive rights, preventing violence against women, and advancing women’s political participation at all levels.In addition to that She serves on the Board of Trustees of Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts, and the Board of Directors of the Rural Development Institute, Washington state. She is also a member of the Advisory Council to the Ethical Globalization Initiative, a venture of Mary Robinson, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Awards:

  1. 21 Leaders for the 21st Century Award, Women’s e-News in the year 2003.
  2. Financial Women’s Association named Kavita Woman of the Year for the Public Sector, Women and Philanthropy gave her the LEAD (Leadership for Equity and Diversity) Award in the year 2004.
  3. Juliette Gordon Low Award in the year 2005.
  4. Woman of Substance Award, African Women’s Development Fund,  Girl’s Hero Award, Social Capitalist Award,  Women of Great Esteem Award in 2007.