Faith Gonsalves

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT FAITH GONSALVES

I am a strategic communications and public health researcher with 15+ years of experience advancing gender equity, health, and social justice across India, South Asia, and global contexts. My work focuses on translating complex evidence and lived experiences into stories and strategies that shift narratives, influence policy, and strengthen movements. I believe stories build empathy and respect, act as bridges between people and complex systems, and can promote literacy, shift behaviours, and help overcome inequities.I have led interdisciplinary teams to design campaigns and tools on youth mental health, HIV prevention, autism detection, and gender-based violence prevention. Currently, as a Harvard Medical School Fellow, I lead \'First Step\', a survivor-centred digital media initiative supporting early help-seeking among women experiencing intimate partner violence.My journey began as a social innovator, founding Music Basti in 2008 to empower at-risk youth through music education. Over time, I have continued to work at the intersection of communications, research, and community engagement, seeking ways to make complex issues more accessible and to strengthen collective voices for change.Honours: Jeffrey Richardson Fellow, Harvard Medical School (2024-25)Forbes Asia\'s first 30 Under 30 list for Entrepreneurship (2016) Karmaveer Puraskaar National Award for Social Entrepreneurship (2011)CNN Real Heroes Award for Youth (2011)