She is the Director of Programs for the Girls First Fund (GFF), a major initiative focused on ending child marriage. She leads the programmatic work, including the FundingPlus strategy, managing program teams, and the Global Changemakers Program. Lakshmi ensures the alignment of grantmaking practices with GFF’s values and feminist principles, working closely with the Fund Director.

As a Liberian feminist with over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector, she has expertise in gender justice, women’s rights programming, and feminist organizing. She has a decade of experience in fundraising, strategic planning, policy advocacy, and building multi-sectoral partnerships with states and donors in humanitarian and development settings.

Previously, she served as Country Director for ActionAid Liberia, leading programs promoting the rights of women and girls, including education, sexual and reproductive health, and the prevention of gender-based violence.