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, June 2026
Our Team
Executive Office
Dana Sakalla, Executive Coordinator
Jess Tomlin, Chief Executive Officer
Kat Im-Jenkins, Managing Director
Communications
Hannah Sung, Writer and Content Lead
Nicole Fischer, Project Manager
Tatiana Buba, Vice President
Finance & Operations
A. Derry, Financial Analyst
Ana Vela, Financial Analyst
Bruna Llakmani, Senior Accountant
Helena Brakatu, Controller
Jon Miseferi, Director of IT
Juan Ramirez Latorre, Financial Planning and Analysis Manager
Marilyn Wigglesworth, Associate Vice President of Finance
Nick Kootnikoff, Director of Internal Control and Risk Management
Oge Maduekwe, Chief Financial Officer
Princess Bugnot, Financial Analyst
Tahmina Mohammadzai, Financial Analyst
Uzma Khan, IT Specialist
Vicky Bott, Salesforce Advisor
Waleed Bajai, Financial Analyst
Global Programs
Alla Safieldin, Director, First Response Fund
Ashley Rerrie, Program Manager
Bea Gonzalez Manchon, Co-Vice President
Cynthia Eyakuze, Co-Vice President
Elissa Shamma, Program Manager
Erika Gates-Gasse, Director of Grantmaking Operations and Effectiveness
Gloria Kan, Grants Operations Officer
Julia Mason, Program Coordinator
Mbali Khumalo, Program Manager (Africa)
Natalia Caruso, Director of Program Strategies
Paula Cepeda Gallo, Grants Operations Officer
Pragyaa Rai, Program Manager
Tamara Huggins, Director of Grantmaking Accompaniment
Investment
Angie Yu, Associate
Jacqueline Ovens, Vice President
Payal Mehta, Coordinator
People, Equity & Culture
Ellery Rosin, Associate Vice President (on leave)
Kell Gerlings, Project Manager
Waheeda Rahman, Associate Vice President (interim)
Zainab Kotun, Coordinator
Philanthropy
Erin Campeau, Manager of Major Gifts
Payal Mehta, Coordinator
Vidya Nair, Associate Vice President
Policy & Strategic Partnerships
Breann Maxwell, Coordinator
Christine Bui, Director of Institutional Partnerships
Karen Moore, Senior Policy Advisor
María Wong, Senior Strategic Partnerships Advisor
Meghan Theobalds, Policy Advisor
Melinda Wells, Vice President
Sophie Efange, Associate Vice President of Policy
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
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
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
Interim Co-Chair
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.
Sawa Nakagawa
Interim Investment Chair
Sawa is the founder and partner of ThreeArrows Impact Partner, a specialized advisory firm focused on impact investing, social innovation, and sustainability based in Nairobi. She has over 20 years of professional experience across impact investing, strategy, general management, and investment banking.
BOARD MEMBERS
Angela Lam, Director
Carla López C., Director
Ilse Treurnicht, Co-Chair (interim)
Keithlin Caroo, Director
Lianne Hannaway, Treasurer
Lourdes Inga, Director
Mebrat Beyene, Co-Chair
Sabina Bharwani, Director
Sara Wolfe, Director
Sawa Nakagawa, Director
Steve Mason, Director
Theo Sowa, Co-Chair
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
Angela Lam, Founder and Director, The Katie Macdonald Foundation for a Better World
Ilse Treurnicht, Managing Partner, TwinRiver Capital
Lianne Hannaway, Founder, WealthNuvo
Lorraine Audsley, President, The Bosco Corporation and SVP & Chief Risk Officer, CMHC
Marissa Wesely, Co-founder, Win-Win Strategies and Advisor, Women Win
Sawa Nakagawa, Executive Director, AlphaMundi Foundation
Shalaka Joshi, Gender and Economic Inclusion Lead, IFC
Sophie Gupta, Partner & Head of Responsible Investing and Impact, Yaletown Partners
Temi Marcella Awogboro, Founding Executive Director, Evercare Hospital Lekki and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader