Sanjana Ravi
London, United Kingdom
Summary
A driven and results-oriented professional with 7 years of diverse experience spanning global corporate ESG leadership and grassroots nonprofit engagement. With an academic foundation in Law, Economics, and International Studies, I bring a unique blend of expertise at the intersection of human rights, gender equity, and sustainability. As a former Global Lead for Sustainability, I directed CSR and sustainability agendas for a multinational logistics and supply chain company across 36+ countries, including China, India, Bangladesh, and regions in the Americas and Asia. Transitioning into the nonprofit sector, I have since led human rights and gender equity initiatives with a strong focus on preventing gender-based violence, advancing digital safety, and building inclusive civic spaces. Skilled in strategy, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement, I champion people-centered approaches to drive systemic change and deliver measurable impact for marginalized communities.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work history
Deputy Head
The Arka Initiative
Colombo
05.2024 - 09.2025
- Led legal advocacy and pro bono representation for survivors of domestic violence, strengthening access to justice and protection of rights.
- Facilitated partnerships for the ARCA Initiative, mobilizing grassroots organizations to promote VREA (Violence, Rights, Education, and Awareness) and bring communities together for legal awareness workshops.
- Ensured survivors and vulnerable groups were informed of available free legal support services, broadening the reach of justice pathways.
- Built strong networks with corporate partners, nonprofits, and charitable foundations, securing donor support and expanding the impact of the ARCA Initiative.
- Designed and delivered legal awareness programs that empowered over 500 individuals across marginalized communities with knowledge of their rights and available remedies.
Programmes Specialist
Hashtag Generation
Colombo
06.2021 - 08.2025
- Spearheaded strategic project execution with an international partner to build resilient, inclusive civic spaces, fostering human rights-driven engagement and digital citizenship across borders.
- Led pioneering prevention initiatives targeting Cyber Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (CSGBV), delivering impactful, survivor-centered programming with real-world results.
- Developed and launched Hashtag’s first-ever Legal Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to roll out Pratya - a trilingual service designed to support survivors of online gender-based violence.
- Represented Hashtag at global forums to amplify our mission and forge alliances, including RightsCon 2025 - the world’s largest digital rights summit held in Taiwan.
- Served as a civil society representative for Hashtag at United Nations Headquarters in New York in December 2024, elevating gender equity and digital safety on the global stage.
- Oversaw monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems to ensure data-driven insights fuel program effectiveness, scalability, and long-term impact.
Global Lead - Sustainability
EFL Global
Colombo
11.2018 - 12.2023
- Led the Global Sustainability Department and drove the sustainability agenda across 36+ countries, embedding ESG principles into core business operations.
- Authored and launched EFL’s first Global Sustainability Handbook, rolled out across all offices worldwide to establish a standardized system of practice.
- Developed EFL’s first Sustainability Code of Conduct, shared with customers, internal teams, and external stakeholders, strengthening accountability and transparency.
- Partnered with major apparel and tech industry clients to reduce carbon emissions and drive sustainable practices across the global supply chain.
- Implemented CSR and social impact projects in South Africa, Costa Rica, India, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, advancing education, women’s economic empowerment, and community resilience.
- Directed sustainability projects that positively impacted 2,500+ people globally, aligning business practices with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Civil Society Fellow
The Asia Foundation
Sri Lanka
01.2021 - 12.2021
- Selected as a Fellow to support two civil society organizations in advancing civic engagement and strengthening local governance.
- Built strategic relationships with government institutions and diverse grassroots communities to enhance participatory development and local accountability.
Independent Consultant - Gender & Digital Safety
Foundation for Innovative Social Development (FISD)
01.2021 - 12.2021
- Designed and developed a Gender-Responsive Online Communications Toolkit to address online gender-based violence (OGBV).
- Strengthened the capacity of youth leaders, CSOs, and digital users to foster safer, violence-free online environments.
Independent Consultant - Religious Inclusion
Search for Common Ground
01.2019 - 12.2019
- Conducted a regional baseline assessment for the Religious Freedom Roundtables initiative.
- Authored a strategic report advocating for the inclusive participation of diverse religious actors across South and Central Asia.
Project Coordinator
Women in Need
Colombo
01.2018 - 10.2018
- Led coordination of an online platform delivering critical legal and psychological support to women in crisis.
- Managed end-to-end project activities, including proposal development and comprehensive reporting, ensuring effective service delivery and stakeholder engagement.
Education
Master of Science - Gender and Human Rights
London School of Economics & Political Science
London, UK 09.2025 -
Bachelor of Laws - Law
University of London
09.2019 - 08.2022
Bachelor of Science - Economics & International Studies, Women & Gender Studies
Iowa State University
Iowa, United States 08.2014 - 12.2017
Skills
- Policy Analysis & Legal Research – applying interdisciplinary expertise to strengthen human rights, gender equity, and justice frameworks
- Strategic Program & Project Management – leading complex, multi-country initiatives from design to implementation with measurable impact
- Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Building – fostering collaborations with grassroots organizations, corporates, donors, and international institutions
- Advocacy & Capacity Building – championing gender equity and digital safety through awareness programs, training, and survivor-centered initiatives
- Sustainability & ESG Leadership – developing global sustainability strategies, codes of conduct, and handbooks aligned with the UN SDGs
- Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) – using data-driven insights to assess outcomes, strengthen accountability, and scale impact
Accomplishments
- UN Women Asia Pacific Young Leader for Women, Peace, and Security, 01/01/24, Recognizing leadership potential in advancing gender equality and conflict resolution.
- Best Student Presenter, 01/01/18, Awarded at the 4th World Conference on Women's Studies for outstanding research and presentation skills.
- Dean's List recognition, 09/01/17, At Iowa State University for academic excellence.
Research Experience
- Undergraduate Researcher - Women and Gender Studies, Iowa State University, 01/01/16, Independently authored a research paper titled 'Intersectionality and Child Marriage: A Perspective on Sri Lanka.'
- Undergraduate Researcher - Economics, Department of Economics, Iowa State University, 01/01/16, Co-authored a research paper titled 'The Scarring of Youth Joblessness in Sri Lanka.'
Timeline
Master of Science - Gender and Human Rights
London School of Economics & Political Science
09.2025 -
Deputy Head
The Arka Initiative
05.2024 - 09.2025
Programmes Specialist
Hashtag Generation
06.2021 - 08.2025
Civil Society Fellow
The Asia Foundation
01.2021 - 12.2021
Independent Consultant - Gender & Digital Safety
Foundation for Innovative Social Development (FISD)
01.2021 - 12.2021
Bachelor of Laws - Law
University of London
09.2019 - 08.2022
Independent Consultant - Religious Inclusion
Search for Common Ground
01.2019 - 12.2019
Global Lead - Sustainability
EFL Global
11.2018 - 12.2023
Project Coordinator
Women in Need
01.2018 - 10.2018
Bachelor of Science - Economics & International Studies, Women & Gender Studies
Iowa State University
08.2014 - 12.2017