Welcome Fellows!
We are excited to introduce you to our new fellows, Divya Seth has joined Ktisis as our Programs and Learning Fellow and Mona Saidi has joined the team as our Communications Fellow.
We recently launched our inaugural fellowship cohort. This program is designed to support both the project-based and content area needs of the firm and young professionals with aspirations of working in philanthropy and/or social justice, in the context of furthering efforts and initiatives that advance racial, social, economic, and environmental justice. Fellows will take part in an intentional and jointly-designed learning journey, including collective learning, collaborative projects, and opportunities to connect with a range of Ktisis staff and partners.
Divya Seth
Divya (they/them) comes from a medical background and left their pediatric residency training after witnessing the numerous barriers to care within the healthcare system and the role that doctors play as gatekeepers within this system. They have always been deeply interested in social justice and, since the COVID pandemic in particular, the ways in which we can show up for one another to enact community care. They have been involved in unionizing their residency program, advocating for sex work decriminalization, supporting local mutual aid efforts, and continuing to learn about and practice everyday abolition. They have experience within the non-profit sector as well, partnering with GlobeMed and One World Exchange to create sustainable relationships with grassroots leaders in Thailand and Cameroon, respectively.
At Ktisis, they hope to bring their healthcare, policy, and organizing lens to the donor sphere while continuing to shape their social justice and philanthropic identity as the Programs and Learning Fellow. As Programs and Learning Fellow, Divya will support Michael Pratt, associate director, in the development of learning and field building strategies, among other responsibilities. Divya is an avid traveler, speaks three languages fluently, and loves their long-haired gray cat, Manchito.
Mona Saidi
Mona (she/her) brings to the position 4+ years of eclectic business experience working alongside tech startup entrepreneurs and creative agency founders – with a focus on content and digital marketing. Mona decided to course correct into more impactful work after witnessing and experiencing the exploitative practices and deep inequalities inherent in the American private sector. She enrolled in a Liberal Arts degree to gain a deeper academic and theoretical understanding of social justice issues. Mona has also gained valuable advocacy and organizing experience through her volunteer work with New York Public Interest Group (NYPIRG), where she worked on the Straphangers Campaign to advocate on behalf of riders of the MTA in New York City. She was also involved in the Democracy Campaign where she helped inform constituents about voter registration, ranked choice voting, and how to make voting in New York City more equitable and accessible.
Mona will be supporting Ricardo Benavidez, associate director, with the communications and content needs of the firm. She hopes to bring her small business and communications background, her commitment to social justice, and her experience in advocacy and campaign organizing to the role. Mona currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, where she enjoys pursuing her many creative hobbies, hosting quirky community gatherings, and petting every animal in sight.
Please join us in welcoming Divya and Mona to the team. If you have any questions about the fellowship program or about our fellows, please feel free to reach out!