Since 2011, Pooja has been the Executive Director of the Foundation where she oversees all
aspects of running a charitable endeavor. As the first Executive Director of this organization, she has been elemental in not only shaping this role but also in driving the programming and practices. Prior to this, she worked Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors leading client grant-making strategy and before that at South Asian Youth Action, a youth development organization where she started her career in the nonprofit sector. After doing this work for a decade and being involved in grant-making for impact she continues to be focused on her interests that lie at the intersection of systemic change, organizational development, growth and transition.

Pooja is an empathetic leader who is patient yet focused and determined. Through her career she has assessed need, developed strategy and streamlined operations making equity and building community a key feature of everything she has done and continues to do. She excels at identifying the natural leadership styles of her team and mentoring them to step into their own power and potential within their roles and the organization. While she can brainstorm multiple courses of action, she is a problem-solver and consensus-builder at heart. Through this approach she has been able to hold space for diverse perspectives and also bring stability and consistency to every project or role she has been involved with.

Born and raised in Mumbai, India and then as an immigrant to the United States her worldview and
commitment to the work has been shaped by experiences in both places. She does what she does
because she has a strong desire to live and work in accordance with her values. With a steadfast belief that the trauma of poverty creates a scarcity of love in this world- she wants to put more love back into this world by addressing inequities at the individual and systemic level.

This extends to her deep love for and involvement with Sadie Nash Leadership Project, an organization dedicated to empowering young women and gender expansive youth of color as agents of change in their lives and their communities.