Advancing and Empowering Teens and Young Women of Color

Preparing teens and young women of color for brilliant futures!

​PACE Mentoring Program

Independent Consultant and Scholar 

Dr. Meghna Bhat

Born and raised in Mumbai, India and having moved to the US in 2004, Meghna’s experiences of surviving sexual assault and sexual harassment motivated her to be an outspoken advocate against social injustice and gender violence. She received her PhD in Criminology, Law, and Justice from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a specialization in Gender and Women Studies. She has 14 years of diverse work experience both in campus and community settings, ranging from interdisciplinary gender violence research, program administration, technical assistance, mentoring, teaching and training (including web conferences), volunteering, and community organizing. Meghna is thrilled to have joined the National Girls and Women of Color Council, Inc. (NGWCC) as a board member and to serve as a mentor to young girls and women of color.

Her recent work experience included working as a Training and Technical Assistance Specialist in the PreventConnect online program at the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault. As a South Asian immigrant and survivor, Meghna’s expertise lies at the intersection of gender and cinema/popular culture, using popular culture as a tool for social change and community dialogue, sexual and domestic violence prevention education and outreach, cultural competency in trainings, street harassment, and racial, social and immigrant justice.