Jyotswaroop Kaur Bawa

Jyotswaroop Bawa is a nonprofit professional with approximately 20 years of experience in mission-oriented organizations. Her career began in direct service roles and evolved into policy and systems change work aimed at transforming societal structures to help people escape poverty. She earned her education at the NYU Wagner School of Public Service, which deepened her understanding of poverty in America after growing up in India. Bawa has partnered with corporate banks to secure over $100 billion in investments for low- and moderate-income community development. She currently serves on four boards of directors, including LA Voice since January, where she works with faith-based communities such as churches, synagogues, and temples to promote healing and peacemaking. Bawa attributes her success to hard work, a little luck, and cultivating deep relationships with mentors and colleagues throughout her career. She notes that the biggest current challenge in her field is uncertainty stemming from shifts in the federal administration that affect long-term financial investments in community development.