Open to opportunities

Sonya Fernandes

@sonyafernandes

I build climate- and gender-focused philanthropic portfolios that turn strategic capital into measurable systems change.

Germany

Message

What I'm looking for

I'm looking to lead mission-driven philanthropy and grant-making that advances climate justice, gender equity and systemic change through strategic partnerships, evidence-based portfolios and catalytic capital.

I lead philanthropy and grant-making at Ashraya Hastha Trust, where I established the programme function and accelerated grant-giving threefold to more than $11M. I design governance, funding architecture and partnerships across gender equity, reproductive health, low-carbon innovation, conservation and community justice.

Previously, I directed $30M+ in partnerships at Azim Premji Foundation, building multi-year gender justice strategies and high-trust relationships across 200+ NGOs. My work has reached 500,000+ people and families, with a 90% grant-making success rate against strategic giving goals.

My grounding in climate and gender comes from leadership and research with REEEP and TERI, spanning clean energy, low-carbon transitions and gender-responsive policy. I bring together grassroots realities, rigorous evidence and catalytic philanthropic capital to strengthen institutions and advance lasting change.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Philanthropy Lead

Current

Ashraya Hastha Trust

Jan 2023 - Present (3 years 8 months)

Orchestrated the end-to-end setup of programmatic grant-making for the philanthropy office, designing strategic roadmaps and governance that accelerated 3× grant-giving to $11M+. Built robust programme management systems and institutionalised quality standards.

Grantmaking Strategic Planning Governance Program Management ERPNext Financial Accountability Partnership Building Team Leadership Organizational Development Organizational Change Management Organizational Effectiveness System Design Ecosystem Development Ecosystem Partnerships

Theme Manager, Gender Justice Vertical & Senior Grant Manager

Azim Premji Foundation

Jan 2015 - Dec 2023 (8 years 11 months)

Directed $30M+ in partnerships across 70+ organisations spanning climate-smart practices, gender equity, and child protection. Built organisation-level strategic giving plans and multi-year roadmaps for the gender justice portfolio.

Grant Management Strategic Planning Partnership Building Due Diligence Compliance ERPNext Tableau PMIS Fluxx

Secretariat Lead & South Asia Representative

REEEP

Jan 2007 - Dec 2014 (7 years 11 months)

Led REEEP's South Asia Secretariat, representing the Vienna-based international partnership as its regional voice across South Asia. Organised knowledge workshops and regional events connecting policymakers, researchers, and development partners on clean energy and low-carbon transitions.

Clean Energy Energy Transition Policy Dialogue Partnership Building Event Management Stakeholder Engagement

Research Fellow, Climate Change & Clean Energy Policy

TERI

Jan 2007 - Dec 2014 (7 years 11 months)

Led low-carbon transition research across the South Asia region, developing gender-responsive frameworks for renewable energy and low-carbon transitions. Conducted and published research on access to sustainable technologies.

Climate Change Clean Energy Policy Research Gender Responsive Frameworks Renewable Energy Energy Transition