Upasna Kakroo, Executive Director on Influential Women

Influential Woman · Nonprofit

Upasna Kakroo

Executive Director, Peerbagh

Ann Arbor, MI

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree BS Electrical Engineering Degree College of Engineering Pune India 2004 Degree MS Communication Degree University of Strathclyde Scotland 2006 Degree MBA Marketing Degree Fort Schein University Germany 2013 Member National Storytelling Network Member One Voice Central Texas

Her Story

About Upasna

She is a senior marketing and communications executive with extensive experience leading brand strategy, executive communications, and organizational growth across nonprofit, education, and healthcare-adjacent sectors. As Chief Executive Officer of Peerbagh, she leads a creative storytelling organization focused on inclusive education and cultural engagement through workshops, publications, and learning tools for families and educators. Her background includes senior leadership roles in marketing and communications, where she has overseen brand transformation, digital strategy, public relations, and stakeholder engagement for large organizations, driving mission-driven impact and audience growth.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Upasna

01What do you attribute your success to?

My ability to unlearn because I've gone through many different careers. Every learning is additive but you also sometimes have to unlearn in order to pick up something new and fresh and be able to come to the room with a fresh mindset.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Action builds motivation, it's not the other way around.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

Be aware of your big why. These fields are usually underpaid, but people really, if they connect with the cause, they can go a long way.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

Challenges include upheavals in the brand ecosystem for nonprofits and finding new grantmakers or establishing new relationships. Opportunity is working in children's literacy and learning, interacting with young people who bring new perspectives and imagining something better.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Being kind and curious. Those are the two. I work with people who show me this.

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