New Board Member

VNA Foundation is pleased to welcome Sharmili Majmudar, MSW, as its newest Board Member. The daughter of Indian immigrants who are also healthcare professionals–her father an OB-GYN; her mother a nurse, massage therapist, and yoga teacher–Majmudar learned early in life the importance of access to quality healthcare, particularly to those who have the least resources but the most need. Through her work on the VNA Board, she hopes to help more people receive access to the care they deserve.

Majmudar currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Policy, Programs, and Research at Women Employed (WE). Since 1973, WE has been widely recognized for its innovative and relentless work to improve women’s economic status and remove barriers to economic equity in Chicago and across the nation. Majmudar oversees WE’s work to close the wealth gap at the intersection of race and gender by growing women’s economic power through policy, programs, and research. A skilled public speaker and ardent advocate for gender equity, Majmudar engages forward-thinking employers, employee resource groups, community organizations, civic leaders, and everyday advocates to make progress on the issues facing working women.

Majmudar has been committed to advancing gender equity and racial justice through an intersectional lens for over 25 years. Her writing has appeared in several online and print publications, and she has been a frequent radio and television guest, providing insight on issues of gender equity and gender-based violence. Prior to joining WE in 2017, Majmudar worked in the gender-based violence movement for over two decades, helping thousands of survivors of domestic and sexual violence heal and rebuild their lives, building allies and alliances to prevent violence, and working with institutions to develop inclusive prevention policies and response protocols.

Majmudar’s previous board service includes the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network, now The Network (1999-2003) and the Crossroads Fund (2013-2019). She has received numerous recognitions and awards, and was featured as one of National Asian Pacific Women’s Forum’s Everyday Sheroes and is a recipient of the Chicago Foundation for Women’s Impact Award.

VNA board and staff members are thrilled that Majmudar will bring her expertise and robust experience to VNA’s work and look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together.