Our Team
Our team members are committed on fostering relationships and creating an environment where Indigenous Philanthropy can grow and thrive.
Lourdes Inga (Quechua)
Lourdes Inga (Quechua)
Lourdes Inga (Quechua) brings over two decades of experience in international philanthropy focused on indigenous rights, gender equality, and social justice. As the Executive Director of International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP), Lourdes leads initiatives to expand Indigenous Philanthropy, support Indigenous-Led Funds, and advocate for increased funding resources for Indigenous Peoples worldwide. With past leadership roles at The Christensen Fund and The Global Fund for Women, She serves on the board of the Equality Fund and is part of the Indigenous Philanthropic Advisory Group, Decolonizing Wealth. She has served on multiple boards and advisory roles.
Chanda Thapa (Magar)
Chanda Thapa (Magar)
Chanda Thapa (Magar) has over 10 years of experience advocating for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and promoting gender equality in Nepal and across Asia. With a solid background in rural development and development studies, Chanda has held a leadership role at the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), where she played a pivotal role in bolstering the organization’s foundations. Her efforts focused on strengthening its internal structure and cultivating wider Indigenous movements, including the establishment and enhancement of networks dedicated to Indigenous Women and Youth in the Asia region.
Anabel Lopez (Mixtec)
Anabel Lopez (Mixtec)
Anabel Lopez (Mixtec) brings a wealth of expertise in community engagement and immigrant advocacy, with a focus on empowering indigenous populations in both Mexico and the United States. Through her groundbreaking research at Portland State University, she reshaped frameworks for analyzing immigrant engagement to better represent indigenous and undocumented immigrants’ civic contributions. Now based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Anabel continues her dedication as a researcher at the University of British Columbia (UBC), advocating for Indigenous Peoples and immigrant rights in Canada.
Jazmine Rodriguez
Jazmine Rodriguez
Jazmine Rodriguez is a seasoned professional with over 10 years of operations experience within non-profits and membership associations in Washington, DC. She holds a Master of Science in International Development from Tulane University. Jazmine has a strong background in finance and operations and has worked at organizations such as Rewire News Group, The Immigration Hub, DBIA, and NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
Winnie Kodi (Nuba)
Winnie Kodi (Nuba)
Winnie Kodi (Nuba) brings a wealth of experience and expertise in communications, community development, and capacity building, with a special focus on indigenous women and girls. With a background in Development Communication, she is passionate about advocating for the effective inclusion of women and girls in all processes concerning indigenous communities. As a European Parliament Sakharov and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Indigenous Fellow, Winnie has deepened her knowledge of indigenous peoples and their rights, bolstering her advocacy efforts both locally and internationally.
Leah Armstrong (Torres Strait Islander)
Leah Armstrong (Torres Strait Islander)
Leah Armstrong (Torres Strait Islander) is the co-founder and Chairperson of First Australians Capital, where she has revolutionized Indigenous enterprise support through innovative initiatives like spearheading an ambitious Indigenous-led impact investment fund. With over 25 years of expertise in both business and non-profit sectors, Leah has held influential roles including CEO of Reconciliation Australia, Director of Indigenous Business Australia, and Chairperson of Supply Nation and the Aboriginal Housing Office NSW. Additionally, as Chairperson of the First Nations Advisory Group of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Leah continues to drive impactful change in Indigenous economic development.
Monica Wigman (Diné)
Monica Wigman (Diné)
Monica Wigman (Diné) is a longstanding advocate for Indigenous leadership and philanthropic transformation, brings her wealth of experience in mainstream philanthropy to the forefront. As a program director for a Northern California community foundation, Monica developed and launched a grant program that mobilized disaster relief and recovery funding for Tribal communities and Tribal-led organizations affected by multiple disasters. This experience shaped her understanding of philanthropy as an Indigenous woman and the critical importance of Native Americans leading impact initiatives. As a member of the Navajo Nation, Monica leverages her lived experiences to advocate for transformative change within philanthropy.
Naita (Nai) Saechao (Mien hilltribe)
Naita (Nai) Saechao (Mien hilltribe)
Naita (Nai) Saechao (Mien hilltribe) is a dedicated global resource mobilizer, committed to transformative change centered on indigeneity, anti-racism, and collective liberation. With extensive experience in the social innovation sector and community-led movements worldwide, Nai has held significant roles with organizations such as The Asia Foundation and READ Global. She facilitates solidarity with Indigenous leaders and nurtures partnerships within global philanthropic ecosystems to empower Indigenous communities directly.
Annalisa Synnestvedt
Annalisa Synnestvedt
Annalisa Synnestvedt has over 20 years of expertise as a senior finance consultant, specializing in enhancing the internal effectiveness of non-profit organizations to achieve their missions. She holds a Masters in Public Administration from New York University’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, which has helped her guide numerous non-profits to optimize their resources and operations. Formerly serving as the Chief Financial Officer of the Global Fund for Women (GFW), Annalisa led successful initiatives, including overseeing a $19M budget and implementing a $20M capital campaign.
Sheree Jacobs (Torres Strait Islander)
Sheree Jacobs (Torres Strait Islander)
Sheree Jacobs (Torres Strait Islander) a professional in communications and design, brings over a decade of experience supporting international, national, and regional nonprofits. With a Master’s degree in Communications from Griffith University and certification in Project Management, she is dedicated to advancing the Indigenous movement and mentoring the next generation of Indigenous creatives through Indigenous Design Labs, utilizing her expertise in communications, graphic design, and storytelling to amplify Indigenous voices and perspectives.