Sonal Shah |
| Head of Global Development Initiatives |
| Google.org |
|
United States |
About Sonal Shah
Sonal Shah joined Google in March 2007. After a year, she was promoted to the position of Head of Global Development Initiatives for the company's philanthropic wing, Google.org. The advancement is not surprising given Sonal's deep knowledge of economics and philanthropy. Throughout her career,
Sonal Shah has displayed her commitment to helping achieve social justice through innovative economic programs, including grants, small and medium enterprise (SME) funds, and private non-profit foundations. Sonal Shah's work with Google.org has brought attention to many countries in the developing world, where essential public services are failing. Ms. Shah endeavors to improve the lives of the poorest members of society. Conventional approaches to tackling this challenge have focused on tracking money spent rather than results achieved. Accountability to citizens and communities has largely been absent. Sonal Shah is committed to achieving improved results through her philanthropic work.
Sonal Shah leads two of Google.org's five Initiatives for the Global Development Team: Inform and Empower (IE) and Fuel the Growth of SMEs. These tasks require Sonal to make rapid and accurate assessments of economic growth potential in a given space and then conceive, develop, and establish both initiatives. Sonal Shah's work with Google.org has given her extensive experience in the developing world, especially East Africa and India. In these regions, Sonal Shah is able to successfully leverage networks of non-government entities, non-profit organizations, and government agencies to identify gaps, needs, and challenges for people in rural and urban settings. These initiatives are compiled after Sonal Shah has had the opportunity to consult with non-profits, companies, and entrepreneurs, as well as local Google offices.
Sonal Shah possesses a Master of Arts in Economics from Duke University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Chicago. She currently resides in San Francisco, California.
Sonal Shah Links
