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The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation announced today that it has named Mallika Dutt, a longtime advocate for gender equity with deep experience in advancing justice through an intersectional lens, as the new director of the foundation’s Gender Equity and Governance Program. She will start on January 23.
The Gender Equity and Governance Program, a longstanding area of giving at Hewlett, seeks to foster inclusive societies so that all people, and especially women and girls, can fulfill their life aspirations. Focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa, Mexico, and the United States, the program provides over $100 million annually in grants to expand women’s reproductive and economic choices; increase governments’ responsiveness to the people they serve; and improve policymaking through the effective use of evidence.
“Mallika has been at the forefront of developing innovative approaches to building partnerships, strengthening institutions, and opening uncharted paths to advancing gender equity around the globe,” said Hewlett Foundation President Larry Kramer. “I’m thrilled she is joining us. She brings outstanding experience supporting philanthropic and nonprofit organizations in fulfilling their mission and contributing to a better world.”
“Advancing gender equity and democratic values are critical to building a world where all of us can live and thrive together,” said Dutt. “I am excited to join a stellar team at Hewlett and to partner with extraordinary leaders and institutions around the world to foster transformation and create more inclusive and just societies for our shared well-being.”
Dutt brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role. As the founder and leader of Breakthrough, she has championed culture change through narrative strategy, storytelling, and movement building to promote the rights of marginalized communities. More recently, she founded and led INTER-CONNECTED, where she served as a trusted advisor to nonprofits and philanthropies focusing on organizational sustainability, leadership development, well-being, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dutt also headed a South Asia social justice and human rights program with the Ford Foundation where she forged local and global partnerships to advance gender equity, good governance, and human rights. A recipient of multiple awards, she received the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship in 2016.