Introducing EM2030’s New Advisory Body Members
Following the announcement of Equal Measures 2030’s (EM2030’s) new coalition governance and the successful onboarding of our Steering Group earlier this year, we are excited to announce the launch of our new Advisory Body!
Comprising a diverse group of external experts, the Advisory Body will play a pivotal role in guiding the EM2030 Secretariat team to serve the coalition in its mission to advance gender equality through data-driven advocacy.
While the Steering Group will act as the ‘engine room’ for the coalition’s collective strategy, planning, and direction, the Advisory Body will provide critical guidance on key operational areas including executive management, financial oversight, compliance, business development, and risk mitigation, to ensure the operational excellence and strategic growth of our Secretariat. The future collaboration between the Advisory Body and the Steering Group underscores our commitment to accountability and inclusive governance.
Let’s Meet Our New Advisory Body Members:
Yasmina Benslimane
Yasmina Benslimane is an award-winning feminist activist dedicated to advancing gender equality and promoting women’s rights focusing on climate justice, forced migration, gender-based violence, and peacebuilding. She has been recognized as BBC 100 Most Influential and Inspiring Women of 2023, Forbes 30 Under 30, MADRE Champion, Top 100 Under 40 Most Influential People of African Descent 2024 and a UN Women Peace-builder in the Arab States.
Fridah Githuku
Fridah is a gender and women’ rights champion with vast experience advocating for women’s leadership and governance, land and territorial rights for women and local communities, women’s economic autonomy, gender and citizen generated data and ending violence against women and girls. She is a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (ICPAK) and previously served as the Executive Director of GROOTS Kenya, one of EM2030’s coalition members.
Rita Karakas
Rita is the founder of RSK Associates Inc, an international consultancy with over 30 years of global in governmental, non-governmental and corporate sectors. She has demonstrated her ability to bring about transformative change as the Pres & CEI of the YWCA of/du Canada, Save the Children Canada and Canada World Youth.
In her organizational development consultancy, Rita has worked extensively with global clients including the International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies, Oxfam GB and Oxfam International, SIDIEF, Reseau International des infirmieres fracophones, Mobiity Data.
She is Chair of the Board pf Arrivals Legacy Project, an international NGO which centres the creative voices of African, Indigenous and Racialized artists, as well as acting as a Mentor for Trudeau Foundation doctoral scholars.
Shireen Motara
As an African feminist, Shireen is deeply passionate about the potential of Women and Africa, addressing inequality, and committed to social change that values and recognises women’s rights. She has held roles in management, coaching, executive leadership and consulting in South Africa, SADC and the United Kingdom. As a strategy consultant, her clients include UN agencies, funders and philanthropic agencies, corporates and non-profits.
Aparna Uppaluri
Aparna is a global executive and a senior philanthropy advisor in the fields of women’s rights, public health, education, arts, and culture. She is Special Advisor to the Grow for Climate Fund and serves on the advisory body of the Sustainable Futures Collaborative. Until recently, she was the Chief Operating Officer, leading philanthropic programs at the Tata Trusts with operational and strategic planning oversight over all thematic areas. She also previously served as Senior Global Program Officer at the Ford Foundation and acting Program Director of the Foundation’s India, Nepal, Sri Lanka office. Her expertise spans strategy, grant-making, DEI, operations, research, capacity building, and multi-stakeholder engagement across sectors. Recently, she founded Antara Advisors, a specialised intergenerational feminist research and strategic advisory.
Clare Winterton
Clare has more than 20 years of global social sector leadership experience, and deep global expertise in gender equality including as VP of Programs and COO at Global Fund for Women and as Senior Advisor, UN Women. She has proven executive level management experience, including financial management and leading high-impact staff and Board teams, and deep expertise in philanthropy, creative advocacy and organizational strategy.
Building Our Coalition with New Strength
Our new Advisory Body members join us at a crucial time as we implement our recently operationalised coalition governance model. Their expertise and dedication will be instrumental in driving forward our mission to ensure data and evidence are at the forefront of advocacy and action for gender equality.
We are confident that with the support and guidance of our new Advisory Body, the EM2030 Secretariat will continue to grow to advance the goals of the coalition in advocating for a gender equal future. We look forward to sharing updates on their contributions and the progress we make together. Stay tuned for more updates in our upcoming newsletters.
