Sonia Bala R.

Sonia Bala R. is a dedicated professional with extensive experience in gender integration and violence prevention. Currently serving as a Senior Program Officer for Gender Integration at the Gates Foundation, a position held since September 2023, Sonia also contributes as a part-time Board Member at Open Data Watch since January 2025. Prior roles include Technical Specialist and interim Advisor at UN Women from April 2020 to September 2023, where oversight of programs targeting gender violence was a key responsibility, and a Regional Technical Specialist focused on violence prevention. Additionally, Sonia was a GBViE Knowledge & Information Management Specialist at UNICEF from December 2016 to April 2020, leading assessments and developing guidelines for gender-based violence initiatives. Earlier experience includes serving as Head of Office at Mercy Corps between November 2015 and October 2016. Sonia holds a Master of Public Health degree from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in International Relations and Affairs at The Fletcher School at Tufts University.