A Note of Gratitude & an Invitation

As the summer unfolds, I am feeling deeply grateful and honored to lead SOAR into its next chapter. I remember first joining the movement and leading trafficking prevention education workshops with Black and Brown youth in the D.C. area. At that time, I was filled with so much hope to change the world and make my community see that we would be the generation to end gender based violence. I still believe that is possible. Building and implementing direct service programs for GBV survivors further deepened that hope, no matter the climate or risk to say and do what needed to be done. Even in facilitating and coaching leaders on equitable practices and serving marginalized communities, that hope never dimmed. If anything, over the years that hope became a beacon I return to and that guides me forward. 

I believe we are planting the seeds to create lasting change in our communities and it is with that spirit that I come into this role at SOAR. I am honored and excited to be doing this critical work alongside each of you. For those of you I have already met, thank you for the warm welcome and honest reflections on what is needed to sustain this work. I look forward to connecting with each of you throughout the summer to learn about your work and the path ahead.

Since its inception in 2021, SOAR has had an incredible impact. Under Amrita’s visionary leadership, SOAR grew into a national collective of 50+ member organizations and 200+ survivors and allies. Together We Rise and State of the Field remain the only national research reports documenting our community's experiences. The ‘Their Light Remains’ campaign has honored South Asian lives lost to GBV annually for three years, a campaign we will proudly continue this year. The Sanctuaries anthology and Woven Voices zine opened new pathways for survivor leadership and healing. This foundational work would not exist without the extraordinary people behind it. I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to Amrita for her leadership, to the six co-founders who built SOAR from the ground up, and to the former team, advisory board, and funders who gave so generously of their time, expertise, and resources. 

Periods of transition can be challenging for organizations and it can be especially challenging for a member based national organization. This transition period asked a lot of you and I am grateful for your continued support, engagement and belief in this work. SOAR was very intentional in seeking leadership  from Nikki Sheth, former CEO of WomanKind with organizational transformation expertise, as well as members of our Growth and Advisory Councils who lent their time and skills to supporting SOAR in the interim. 

There are many people to be uplifted for their belief and commitment to SOAR and on the top of that list is each of you. As Navneet and Aparna have reminded me, SOAR is at its core as strong as its members and you have shown me in just five weeks exactly how strong that is. 

As we look ahead, I am reminded of the concept of Sankofa, which originates from the Akan people of Ghana. The Sankofa bird flies forward while looking back, holding an egg in its beak, signifying that as you build a strong future, you must also learn from history and the knowledge of what once was.

SOAR's future direction will be informed by the work each of you has done. I have started a listening tour to learn from member organizations about your hopes and the support you need from SOAR. We will also be hosting Listening Circles for frontline staff on July 22nd, July 29th, and August 5th at 10am PST/1pm EST.  Please register for one of  these sessions to share your thoughts, questions, and ideas about SOAR's future direction. 

While the listening tour is underway, SOAR will continue deepening and growing its programs, partnerships, and collective voice. We will be supported by our Board as well as Advisory and Growth Councils, each of which is composed of movement leaders, cross-industry experts, and committed community leaders who believe deeply in this mission.

I am immensely excited to meet each one of you. When I was on the frontlines serving survivors in Dallas, I wished there had been a community like SOAR - a place for guidance, support, and genuine connection. This work is deeply rooted in my own journey and cultural identity as a Pakistani Muslim, first-generation daughter of immigrants living in the deep South. Now more than ever, our work is imperative to ensure South Asian survivors remain visible and that the organizations serving them have the resources to best meet their unique needs. I remain hopeful, grounded, and so proud to be doing this work alongside you. Together, we will continue to transform the culture and systems that lead to gender-based violence one step at a time.  

With Gratitude,
Sundal Ali