17th February 2026
Welcoming new members to Equality Now’s boards
6 min read
Equality Now is pleased to welcome five new members to its boards, whose collective experience spans global feminist leadership, philanthropy, law, finance, technology and social impact. Their appointments strengthen Equality Now’s governance and reflect the organisation’s commitment to principled, diverse and globally informed leadership.
Each new board member brings deep expertise in advancing women’s and girls’ rights, tackling inequality and supporting systemic change across regions and sectors. Their insights will help guide Equality Now’s work as it continues to pursue legal equality and justice worldwide.
“We are thrilled to welcome five new members to Equality Now’s three boards: Henrietta Bankole-Olusina and Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro to the Africa Board; Dr. Michelle Harrison to the UK Board; and Laura Urdapilleta and Ingrid von Ahn to the US Board. This extraordinary group of leaders whose collective expertise, global perspective, and deep commitment to justice will strengthen our impact and help drive the next chapter of legal equality for women and girls.” – Mona Sinha, Chief Executive Officer, Equality Now
Henrietta Bankole-Olusina joins the Africa Board, bringing extensive experience in philanthropy, financial inclusion and economic development. As Vice President, Africa at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, she leads advisory and thought-leadership work to support donors and institutions in advancing equitable development across the continent.
Henrietta’s background spans senior leadership roles in financial services, consulting and digital transformation. Her work has focused on inclusive systems change, social investing and strengthening institutions that serve communities. She also serves in governance and advisory roles supporting health, development and social impact initiatives in Africa.
“I am honoured to join the Equality Now Africa Board and contribute to advancing lasting, systemic change, in the pursuit of equity for women and girls around the world. I look forward to supporting the achievement of the organization’s mission and helping to expand its impact across Africa and beyond.”
Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro joins Equality Now’s Africa Board as a former President and CEO of the Global Fund for Women and a longtime global leader in human rights, health, education and philanthropy. Her career spans more than four decades at the intersection of gender and social change.
A published author and recognised public speaker, Dr. Kanyoro has served on numerous international boards and advisory bodies, including the International Board of United World Colleges, the Council of the London School of Economics and the UN Global Compact. Her global experience and longstanding commitment to inclusive leadership and gender equality will strengthen Equality Now’s work worldwide.
“We are living in times when we need all hands on deck to sustain gender justice globally. « Equality Now »! Tomorrow is too late!”
Laura Urdapilleta joins Equality Now’s US Board with a background in behavioural economics, management consulting and nonprofit leadership. She has worked across global organisations and institutions, bringing analytical and strategic expertise to complex social challenges.
Laura currently serves on the Board of the Nest Foundation, supporting approaches that address violence prevention and child protection through social and emotional learning. She has also founded and led education initiatives focused on expanding access for underserved communities in Latin America. Her global perspective and cross-sector experience strengthen Equality Now’s strategic governance.´
“Equality Now’s mission is personal to me, as like many, my family’s history includes generations of women who faced limited options. I’m thrilled to join the board of Equality Now to help further their vital work and achieve better outcomes for current and future generations of women.”
Ingrid von Ahn joins the US Board with a background spanning law, philanthropy and survivor-centred advocacy. A former prosecutor, she is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the ILVA Foundation, which supports efforts to counter gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and systemic inequality through rights-based and survivor-centred strategies.
Ingrid’s legal training and philanthropic leadership inform a strong focus on accountability and long-term systemic reform. She works across international networks of activists, attorneys, policymakers and funders and serves on the boards of organisations addressing gender-based violence and trafficking. She is also an author, with her debut children’s book set to be released this year, reflecting her commitment to shaping social values and change across generations.
“As a former prosecutor and lifelong advocate for women’s rights, I’m honored to join the board of Equality Now. I’m deeply inspired by the organization’s use of legal tools to advance cultural change and challenge the systemic forces that perpetuate inequality.”
Dr. Michelle Harrison joins Equality Now’s UK Board, bringing extensive expertise in public policy, social change and geopolitics. She advises leaders in government, corporations and civil society worldwide on building and delivering effective public policy and is a recognised platform speaker and media commentator.
Michelle is President and Founding CEO of Verian Group, where she led its establishment and growth into a leading global public policy consulting business. A long-standing advocate for gender equality, she is the co-founder of The Reykjavik Index for Leadership and serves on the Advisory Board of the Reykjavik Global Forum, contributing deep insight into leadership, power and social attitudes.
“I have such a depth of admiration for the work of Equality Now, and all they have achieved over the last three decades with their systematic focus to achieve legal equality for women and girls across the globe. At a moment when we are all clear on the nature of the challenge ahead, [it] is a genuine honour to join this board.”
Equality Now warmly welcomes Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro, Henrietta Bankole-Olusina, Laura Urdapilleta, Ingrid von Ahn, and Dr. Michelle Harrison. Their leadership, insight and commitment will play an important role in guiding the organisation’s work and strengthening its impact in the years ahead.