Kavita N. Ramdas

Kavita N. Ramdas provides leadership and direction for the largest grantmaking foundation in the world focused exclusively on supporting international women's human rights. During Ramdas' tenure, Global Fund assets have increased from $6 million to $21 million. Grantmaking has risen to more than $8 million per year, and the number of countries in which the Global Fund has made grants has nearly tripled. Ramdas has also overseen the Global Fund's first ever endowment campaign and the creation of the groundbreaking Now or Never Fund to ensure women?s participation on critical international issues.

Ramdas extends her expertise in women’s human rights, social justice philanthropy, and international development to her diverse array of professional affiliations. She serves as a board member for the Rural Development Institute, a member of the board of trustees at Mount Holyoke College, and collaborates with the Ethical Globalization Initiative Human Rights Policy Group, Council of Advisors on Gender Equity to the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University and the Women's Rights Prize Advisory Council of the Gruber Foundation.

Languages: Fluent Hindi/Urdu, English and German; conversational Tamil, Spanish and French.

Experience: President and CEO of the Global Fund for Women (1996 - present);
Program Officer, Community Initiatives Program, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation (1988 - 1996).

Current Affiliations: Global Development Program Advisory Panel to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Mt. Holyoke Board of Trustees; Princeton University Board of Trustees; Council of Advisors on Gender Equity to the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University; African Women Millennium Initiative on Poverty and Human Rights Advisory Council; Castilleja School Board of Trustees; Spark Advisory Board; Henry Crown Fellow.

Awards since 2003: Duveneck Humanitarian Award, 2008; Social Capitalist Award, Fast Company, 2007; Women of Great Esteem Award, 2007; Girl's Hero Award, Girls' Middle School, 2007; Woman of Substance Award, African Women's Development Fund, 2005; Juliette Gordon Low Award, Girl Scouts of America, 2005; Woman of the Year for the Public Sector, Financial Women's Association, 2004; LEAD (Leadership for Equity & Diversity) Award, Women & Philanthropy, 2004; 2004 Bay Area Local Hero, KQED Radio, 2004; Women Who Could Be President Award, League of Women Voters, 2003; 21 Leaders for the 21st Century Award, Women's e-News, 2003.

Education: Master of Public Affairs, International Development Studies, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, 1988; B.A., Mount Holyoke College, 1985.