Françoise Moudouthe (AWDF), Kat Im-Jenkins, Maria Wong
What we do
We work with partners and allies to fuel a people-powered movement—led by women, girls, and trans people rooted in their own communities. Together with donors, governments and changemakers, we move money to local leaders in the Global South. Their work strengthens democracy, drives climate resilience, reduces violence, and advances human rights for all.
That's why we are backing a bold, long-overlooked strategy – letting local women lead, giving them the long-term resources to reshape their communities and the world. This is our mission and what this moment demands of us.
Leadership Team
Meet the Executive Team who lead Equality Fund’s mission and strategic vision.
Jess Tomlin
Chief Executive Officer
Jess co-founded the Equality Fund. She leads the global team and guides our mission. With experience in Africa, Asia, North America and the Middle East, working for the United Nations and local community organizations, Jess brings a global perspective on systems change.
Kat Im-Jenkins
Managing Director
Kat collaborates across the organization and our ecosystem of partners. Previously, with World University Service of Canada (WUSC), she led youth-driven education and economic development programs with people seeking safety, refugees in Canada and globally. She specializes in visionary partnerships and collaboration.
Oge Maduekwe
Chief Financial Officer
Oge oversees financial strategy and operations, bringing extensive experience in reporting, accounting, forecasting and risk management. Having previously worked in publicly-traded and private organizations, she specializes in system upgrades and business process improvements.
Equality Fund Staff and Board, June 2025
Our Team
Executive Office
Dana Sakalla, Executive Coordinator
Finance & Operation
Alexas Derry, Financial Analyst
Ana Vela, Financial Analyst
Bruna Llakmani, Senior Accountant
Helena Brakatu, Controller
Irene Sandoval Rodriguez, Director of Finance
Jon Miseferi, Director of IT
Juan Ramirez Latorre, Financial Planning and Analysis Manager
Nick Kootnikoff, Director of Internal Control and Risk Management
Oge Maduekwe, Chief Financial Officer
Princess Bugnot, Financial Analyst
Sonia Leguizamon, Financial Analyst
Tahmina Mohammadzai, Financial Analyst
Uzma Khan, IT Specialist
Vicky Bott, Salesforce Advisor
Global Programs
Alla Safieldin, Program Manager, First Response Fund
Ashley Rerrie, Program Officer
Bea Gonzales Manchon, Co-Vice President
Cynthia Eyakuze, Co-Vice President
Elissa Shamma, Program Officer
Erika Gates-Gasse, Director of Grantmaking Operations and Effectiveness
Gloria Kan, Grants Operations Officer
Julia Mason, Program Coordinator
Mbali Khumalo, Program Officer (Africa)
Natalia Caruso, Director of Program Strategies
Paula Cepeda Gallo, Grants Operation Officer
Pragyaa Rai, Program Officer
Tamara Huggins, Director of Grantmaking Accompaniment
Communications
Hannah Sung, Writer and Content Lead
Nicole Fischer, Project Manager
Tatiana Buba, Vice President
Philanthropy
Caroline Wallace, Philanthropy Officer
Erin Campeau, Manager of Major Gifts
Kerry Shillito, Director
Sana Mustafa, Associate Vice President (interim)
Vidya Nair, Associate Vice President (on leave)
Investment
Angie Yu, Associate (on leave)
Bonnie Gunn, Associate (interim)
Jacqueline Ovens, Vice President
Strategy, Impact & Innovation
Breann Maxwell, Coordinator
Jolin Joseph, Manager of Learning and Impact
Marine-Celeste Kiromera, Director of Learning and Impact
Susan Snider, Vice President
People, Equity & Culture
Ellery Rosin, Associate Vice President (on leave)
Kell Gerlings, Project Manager
Waheeda Rahman, Associate Vice President (interim)
Zainab Kotun, Coordinator
Policy & Strategic Partnerships
Breann Maxwell, Coordinator
Christine Bui, Director of Institutional Partnerships
María Wong, Senior Strategic Partnerships Advisor
Meghan Theobalds, Policy Advisory
Melinda Wells, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships
Noah Mirembe Gabigogo, Development Officer
Sophie Efange, Vice President of Policy
Governance
Our Board and Investment Committee bring decades of experience in finance, development, technology, and social impact to guide the Equality Fund’s strategic vision.
Meet Our Board
Mebrat Beyene
Co-Chair
Mebrat is a change and growth consultant. Her vision for the nonprofit sector includes advocating against scarcity models, instead empowering organizations and leaders to thrive, not just survive. She is Eritrean, born in Ethiopia, and raised in Montreal, Canada.
Theo Sowa
Co-Chair
Theo is a global leader in women’s and children’s rights. A former CEO of the African Women’s Development Fund, she has worked across Africa, UK, Europe and the US, and has been awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Ilse Treurnicht
Board Member
Ilse brings an extensive background of work in tech venture capital, innovation and impact investing. She has served on numerous boards and was previously the CEO of the MaRS Discovery District innovation hub in Toronto.
BOARD MEMBERS
Angela Lam, Director
Carla López C., Director
Françoise Moudouthe, Director
Ilse Treurnicht, Director
Keitlin Caroo, Director
Lianne Hannaway, Treasurer
Lourdes Inga, Director
Sabina Bharwani, Director
Sara Wolfe, Director
Sawa Nakagawa, Director
Shalaka Joshi, Director
Shuyin Tang, Director
Sophie Gupta, Director
Steve Mason, Director
Temi Marcella Awogboro, Director
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
Angela Lam
Ilse Treurnicht
Lianne Hannaway
Lorraine Audsley
Marissa Wesely
Sawa Nakagawa
Shalaka Joshi
Shuyin Tang
Sophie Gupta
Temi Marcella Awogboro