Our Team

“I am a passionate social change advocate and investor in women. My vision is a world where women and girls have equal opportunity to thrive, and the intersectionality of their lives is not just recognized but celebrated. The mission of Equality Now to ensure that all women the world over enjoy equal rights under the law is a vision I hold dearly and know that we must achieve.  

In a world that is shifting away from this vision, our work is even more critical to ensure that women and their communities can thrive. I am deeply humbled to lead an extraordinary team to make legal and lived equality a reality.”

Sharmila (Mona) Sinha is a globally recognized advocate for gender equality. She brings over 25 years of experience in strengthening mission-driven organizations to Equality Now. Aligning her passion for social justice and women’s empowerment with her early experience working in the corporate sector, she has enabled over 90 organizations that unlock the economic potential and protect the legal rights of women, girls, and gender non-conforming people. 

With her deep understanding of the women’s rights ecosystem and an intentional focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, Mona has led and catalyzed over $1 billion to fund progressive projects, initiatives, and grassroots movements that elevate the economic agency of women and amplify women leaders. All on a global scale. Mona serves on several non-profit boards with a focus on governance, strategy, and sustainability. She is the Board Chair of Women Moving Millions and formerly chaired the Equal Rights Amendment Coalition’s Fund for Women’s Equality. As a trustee emerita (Vice Chair) of her alma mater, she was recognized with the Smith College Medal in 2022 for her bold feminist leadership, for raising $486M for the college’s Women for the World capital campaign and for her role in stewarding the college’s transgender admissions policy. She also currently serves on the Executive Council of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, which will be built on the Washington Mall. 

She is also the founder of Insight Circle Fund, which uplifts women and centers marginalized communities to advance equality.  She also co-founded the Asian Women’s Leadership University to bring the liberal arts education model to women across Asia.

Mona has been widely recognized by CARE USA, Columbia University, Smith College, Children’s Hope India, Modern High School (Kolkata, India), Women’s eNews, Breakthrough and Apne Aap/Gloria Steinem. In 2015, she received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, which is presented annually to US citizens whose accomplishments in their field and service to the world are cause for celebration. 

She graduated with a BA in Economics (Magna cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa) from Smith College and an MBA in Finance and Marketing (Dean’s List, Beta Gamma Sigma) from Columbia University.