Shonan Kothari Email & Phone Number

Antwerp, Flemish Region, Belgium

Brussels, Brussels Region, Belgium

I started to manage our campaign for climate-related financial regulation. We had a promising policy proposal, so as we sought to sharpen our influencing style, I convened the ‘Regulate Climate Risk’ coalition. We would track EU and international media and legislative opportunities; identify when to take action with partners to have an impact; design campaign plans with carefully considered strategies, tactics and targets. While coordinating these working groups, I served to build consensus, solve problems and co-create solutions.A power-mapping exercise helped us identify the best individuals to target on the occasion of COP26. A few leaders within the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision - the international standard setter for banks - started to consider the ideas we proposed. Within a matter of days, we helped carry diverse voices directly to the standard-setters, who are not usually subject to democratic mechanisms. We wanted them to understand that there is public interest in the topic, with the media signaling a turning tide in climate campaigning around regulation.The BCBS committed to review their principles on climate risks. Some time later, in 2024, it followed through. And here is what I realised: We can build awareness on everything from causes to campaigns. But where communication is really powerful and potent is when we can take that awareness and we can create empathy. I find that a lot of people who have the power to take action can’t always relate to the people who are experiencing the impacts on the ground. So, by helping them to understand and creating the empathy, they are more likely to create action. And that can lead to global movements, it can lead to a public mandate that puts pressure on policy makers. That’s the profound role that communication can have.

Brussels, Brussels Region, Belgium

In the ten years since the 2008 crash, lobbyists had been pushing Members of European Parliament (MEPs) hard to prevent – or delay – the introduction of much-needed changes. That is why, before the EU elections, we campaigned to have candidates sign on to a pledge – five steps to roll back the power of lobbyists. We aimed with this pledge to build strong political will within the new parliament, even before it had been convened- so that the reform processes could start immediately. We asked citizens across Europe to take action and send letters to their representatives. On the day of the elections, we had the support of over 500 prospective members of the European Parliament, of whom 78 were elected. We were then determined to convert the support we got from them into real action that mattered. We continued to seize media moments to push for legislative change. I collaborated closely with partners and research teams. I synchronized our work via mailings, press releases, articles, videos, joint letters, petitions, newsletters and social media. My role took on a layer of advocacy. I started to provide support to key MEPs by making them aware of emerging issues and their implications. We made presentations at MEP offices, engaged the EU Ombudswoman, organised EP events, built support on the issues across political groups, framed questions for commissioner hearings, and put pressure at key moments. This was an exhilarating time, as the European Parliament adopted the resolution we pushed for, in a rare and strong action.

Brussels Area, Belgium

When I joined Finance Watch, I had no financial background. I was not afraid of swimming in cold water! I made it my mission to make the meanings of finance immediately clear, in a way that it works for campaigning. I started to lead the communications activities we delivered through our partnerships. Most people regarded finance as “better left to the experts.” So I went back to the origin of the word “communication.” It derives from the Latin word “communicare”, which means: to do something in common. To activate others, I did not talk about our own work. Instead, I listened to the perspectives of people working in diverse sectors, to understand their state of mind. This helped me frame our messages in their language. Good communication creates good communities. I wanted to reach out to new audiences and engage them for the first time on financial issues and action. To do this, I relied on storytelling. Nobody is interested in seeing numbers and graphs. So I led an effort to frame stories that related topics in finance to the day-to-day life of our audiences, illustrating why finance needs to change in order to deal with social, economic and environmental challenges.I convened a group of over 60 organisations to bring together a clear vision, by presenting policy ideas. I also organised the Change Finance Forums. This was crucial to understand our partners’ values, goals and their role in our shared campaigns.The communication work I led was core to the leadership Finance Watch exercised. It framed our sense of what the challenges are, it shaped our vision of where we want to get to. Some would say it created the options that were available to us, and of course it was core to how we related to each other, how we sought to influence each other. During this time, I successfully convened stakeholders to trigger 140+ actions and events in 18+ countries, securing coverage with journalists across the EU.

Brussels Area, Belgium

1) Created a knowledge-sharing platform, active in over 1400 cities. For this, I drove the process of collaboration, concept, design, development, curation, launch, maintenance and promotion. 2) Built new websites and communication strategies for two international forums on local economic development. 3) Prepared communication materials & videos purposed to engage diverse stakeholders. 4) Assisted with recruitments for a training program for local development actors. 5) Managed projects and contracts with external service agencies.

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

I had the opportunity to learn the ropes of my family business. Although this is from a completely different industry, I realised that communications and humorous storytelling was central to my father’s ability to build a business.

1) Developed website and communications strategy. 3) Drove content for communications through designers and video editors. 4) Worked on partnerships with Habitat for Humanity, Atma, Nasscomm Foundation, Concern India Foundation, UnLtd India and Dasra Social Impact. 5) Implemented clients' CSR programs.

Conducted research for various projects and case-studies. For one such case-study, ‘The 30 Most Innovative Businesses in India,’ I had the opportunity to closely examine some of the most creative minds across various business sectors, including clean energy, healthcare, telecommunications, fashion, ICT, tourism, social entrepreneurship etc.

Responsible for collecting and organising accurate data, evaluating information, and drafting reports for HBS case studies.

1) Wrote features, reports and opinion pieces. 2) Facilitated inquiry, dialogue and multiple perspectives.

Executive Education Courses, Sustainable Finance; Communicating For Influence And Impact, High Pass (Excellent)

Msc., Development Studies, Merit

Activities and Societies: University newspaper ('SOAS Rag'​)

Bachelor Of Mass Media (Journalism), Distinction

Activities and Societies: National Entrepreneurship Network; The Eclectic Express: College Magazine; Literary and Debating Society; Film.

Summer Term, International Relations And Affairs, Literary Non-Fiction Writing, Gpa 4.0

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Activities and Societies:IB Board special mention: Best Theory of Knowledge essay- Worldwide ‘Excellence in Community Service Award’