When I first watched “Mrs.,” directed by Arati Kadav I found myself confused. It wasn’t the plot or the characters that puzzled me, but the unsettling familiarity of the story itself. The quiet discomfort, the unspoken expectations, the way a woman’s dreams seemed to shrink within the invisible walls of marriage—it all felt too real. …
Inside Insights: Sheril Susan Manu, Associate – Communications Read More »
As I set foot in Sarawasti Balika Inter College, Lucknow, for the Girl Icon District Level Event, the flurry of activity caught me by surprise. Early in the morning several parents were chatting with each other, while others reassured their nervous daughters that they would be by their side throughout the day. In the corner, …
Intern Insights: A Look Into Lucknow’s Girl Icon Training Read More »
When I joined Milaan as the Program Officer for Movement Building, I underestimated the significant challenge that awaited me: revitalizing and uniting a coalition network in need of consolidation. The task at hand was not only immense but also crucial, as it involved uniting CSOs with diverse interests and expertise, which proved daunting. Given that …
Inside Insights: Anjali Singh, Program Officer – Movement Building Read More »
In conversation with H.E Sue Lines, Hon President, Australian Senate I, Aakansha Mudgal, am a Co-Facilitator at Milaan Foundation, living in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. I am 21 and pursuing the last semester of my graduation in Humanities from Chaudhary Charan Singh University. Nothing brings me more pleasure than spending time in nature, reading books, …
Inside Insights: Aakansha Mudgal, Co-Facilitator Read More »
Before joining Milaan, I worked as a volunteer Program Manager where I handled volunteers globally. I designed workshops and tasks for volunteer engagement, recruited volunteers, and coordinated with colleges. Creating positive change in society has always been my goal. However, one thing I was missing in my work was the opportunity to work on the …
Inside Insights: Monika Phore, Community Coordinator Read More »
I recently finished my first day as an intern at the Milaan Foundation. The organisation’s Lucknow office is tucked away in a little corner of Gomtinagar, in an unassuming building. As I walked inside, the change in atmosphere struck me immediately. The walls of the office were covered with drawings, quotes, and decor made by …
Intern Insights: First Day at the Milaan Foundation Read More »
“Education is the key to resolving the problems that hinder our well-being” – Sakkubai 13-year-old Sakkubai belongs to a family of migrant workers, without a permanent home and no fixed income. She had come to accept Gamangatti village to be her home. But a year ago, she had to move in with her grandmother because …
The following is an opinion piece by Swarachna School leadership team member: Akshay Shetty. In this blog post, Akshay introduces us to one of the inspirational teachers who makes the school a brighter place and embodies all the qualities of a Girl Icon. For the past few months, I have been living in a part …
A rising star, Rajkumari has emerged as a leader to educate, persuade and inspire her community to act against the lack of education for girls and see their inherent worth. Rajkumari knows that a good peer educator understands and respects others and encourages girls to make choices with a positive impact. Hailing from the remote …
“I no longer feel the void of not having a family to support me. People in my community now look up to me and discuss their problems with me, hoping I could help them. Having the ability and knowledge to help them make me happy. Yes, not having my parents by my side was hard …
Brianne Bustos is a seasoned IT executive with over two decades of experience driving enterprise technology transformations, cybersecurity initiatives, and strategic IT planning. She has a strong track record of leading high-impact projects within private equity-backed firms, professional services, and infrastructure-heavy industries, aligning technology investments with business growth. Passionate about innovation, cybersecurity governance, and AI-driven solutions, Brianne excels in building resilient digital ecosystems that enhance operational efficiency and scalability.
Beyond her professional expertise, Brianne is an advocate for outdoor adventure and community-building. She founded an Outdoor Adventure Group for women, fostering empowerment, connection, and exploration in nature through activities like skiing, mountain biking, and backcountry excursions.
"I deeply believe in the power of education and community in challenging gender stereotypes and providing autonomy. Milaan's grassroots efforts to empower young women are inspiring and impactful. It is a privilege to be part of the team. "
Bela is a seasoned leader serving as the Chief Client Relationship Officer at Goodwin, a global law firm that advises the innovators and investors operating in some of the world’s most transformative areas. Prior to that, Prior to joining Goodwin, she spent 25 years at Deloitte working alongside diverse group of senior stakeholders to solve their most complex business challenges, including go-to-market transformations, operational excellence, as well as large-scale change. She also served as an advisor to Vidya Grants, a non-profit organization focused on education ecosystem in India.
