In today’s context as inequalities become wider what Milaan does is even more important. To ensure that girls can follow their dreams, take decisions and lead will not only define their future but that of the country.
Sonali Khan leads Sesame Workshop’s educational mission in India to create innovative and engaging
content that maximizes the educational power of all media to help kids grow smarter, stronger and
kinder.
As Managing Director of Sesame Workshop - India, Sonali spearheads the organization that combines
the power of mass media with educational outreach to prepare children for school and life. Under her
leadership, the organization develops and implements ground-breaking programs to reach children
everywhere – especially those who need it the most.Sonali is a global advocate for human rights and for ending violence against marginalized communities,
with an emphasis on girls and women. Her work has focused on promoting gender equity in education,
empowerment of adolescent girls, along with ending domestic violence, sexual harassment and early
marriage. She began her career as a television journalist covering politics and business and has since
worked for a variety of organizations that harness the power of media for social change.Prior to Sesame Workshop - India, she was the Director of Knowledge Creation and Dissemination at
Dasra, a leading strategic philanthropy foundation, where her work covered areas including urban
sanitation, adolescent girls’ rights, and democracy and access to justice. Previously she has also served
as the Vice President and then India Country Director for Breakthrough, where she spearheaded largescale
program implementation, numerous multiplatform campaigns promoting gender equity,
developed M&E practices and supported global fundraising and partnership development. She also sits
on the board of Plan International.Sonali is a proud recipient of the prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskar (Women’s Empowerment Award) from
the President of India. In 2016, she also received the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship for her
work in ending child marriage.