Sarita is a partnering and development professional with over 20 years of United Nations, NGO and private sector experience in Europe and Africa. A former professional ballet dancer, Sarita continues to embody the discipline and focus from her dance training in her pursuit of life-long learning. She completed her PhD on commitment in cross sector partnerships at the University of Cape Town, Graduate School of Business (GSB). She holds a BA from UC Berkeley, a MA from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, an MBA from INSEAD, and an ICF accredited coaching certification. She speaks fluent French and German and is also a qualified yoga instructor.
Over the last decade, Sarita has combined her international development work with coaching and research to design a unique portfolio career. She engages in both academic and practice spheres on collaboration for systems change and works with organizations such as The Partnering Initiative, Reos Partners, FAO, UNICEF, ICRC, and Wellcome Trust to advance social impact. She lectures and delivers skills building workshops for The Sustainability Institute, On Purpose, and the UCT Graduate School of Business on how to partner effectively across sectors, communicate with empathy and persuasion, and reinvent one’s career. She is Deputy Chair of the Board for the Reos Institute, and recently co-chaired the international CSSI 2024 conference on cross sector partnerships focusing on the theme of power and inclusion.
During the course of her career, Sarita has advised and worked directly with CEOs, UN leaders, Government Ministers, First Ladies and programme managers as well as youth leaders, human rights activists and marginalized populations. She has conceptualized, brokered, and analysed partnerships between UN agencies, governments, philanthropy, business, academia, NGOs and communities to harness multisectoral action across a range of health and development issues. During her 10+ years with UNAIDS, Sarita established a youth fellowship programme and advised governments on how to design and evaluate their HIV, health and gender strategies in Namibia and South Africa. Prior to joining the UN, she worked in operations and strategy for Richemont International as well as marketing and communications for L’Oréal.
Sarita’s rich diversity of experience combined with her authentic engagement style enables her to navigate different spheres and meaningfully connect ideas, organizations and people. The objective of enhancing understanding and connection within oneself, and with others, underpins all her work, and inspired the inclusion of “Sandhi” – a Sanskrit word for joining or alliance - in the company’s name.
Of Lithuanian and Indian heritage, Sarita lives between Geneva and Cape Town and enjoys outdoor activities and the study of Asian philosophy. She remains passionate about dance and is currently working to master Argentine Tango.
Dr Sarita Sehgal
Founder and Director
Sarita is a partnering and development professional with over 20 years of United Nations, NGO and private sector experience in Europe and Africa. A former professional ballet dancer, Sarita continues to embody the discipline and focus from her dance training in her pursuit of life-long learning. She completed her PhD on commitment in cross sector partnerships at the University of Cape Town, Graduate School of Business (GSB). She holds a BA from UC Berkeley, a MA from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, an MBA from INSEAD, and an ICF accredited coaching certification. She speaks fluent French and German and is also a qualified yoga instructor.
Over the last decade, Sarita has combined her international development work with coaching and research to design a unique portfolio career. She engages in both academic and practice spheres on collaboration for systems change and works with organizations such as The Partnering Initiative, Reos Partners, FAO, UNICEF, ICRC, and Wellcome Trust to advance social impact. She lectures and delivers skills building workshops for The Sustainability Institute, On Purpose, and the UCT Graduate School of Business on how to partner effectively across sectors, communicate with empathy and persuasion, and reinvent one’s career. She is Deputy Chair of the Board for the Reos Institute, and recently co-chaired the international CSSI 2024 conference on cross sector partnerships focusing on the theme of power and inclusion.
During the course of her career, Sarita has advised and worked directly with CEOs, UN leaders, Government Ministers, First Ladies and programme managers as well as youth leaders, human rights activists and marginalized populations. She has conceptualized, brokered, and analysed partnerships between UN agencies, governments, philanthropy, business, academia, NGOs and communities to harness multisectoral action across a range of health and development issues. During her 10+ years with UNAIDS, Sarita established a youth fellowship programme and advised governments on how to design and evaluate their HIV, health and gender strategies in Namibia and South Africa. Prior to joining the UN, she worked in operations and strategy for Richemont International as well as marketing and communications for L’Oréal.
Sarita’s rich diversity of experience combined with her authentic engagement style enables her to navigate different spheres and meaningfully connect ideas, organizations and people. The objective of enhancing understanding and connection within oneself, and with others, underpins all her work, and inspired the inclusion of “Sandhi” – a Sanskrit word for joining or alliance - in the company’s name.
Of Lithuanian and Indian heritage, Sarita lives between Geneva and Cape Town and enjoys outdoor activities and the study of Asian philosophy. She remains passionate about dance and is currently working to master Argentine Tango.
