Seema Sabnani

Seema Sabnani joined ESG in 2023 as a Director on the Career Readiness team, where she supports work on aligning high-quality K-12, postsecondary, and industry pathways. Prior to joining ESG, Seema served as the Chief Program Officer at Urban Alliance, a national organization that partners with schools and employers to address systemic barriers to economic mobility for young adults of color and to bridge the gaps between education and workforce development for all young people.

Seema brings 20+ years of experience in workforce development and K-12 education space with a track record of success in the development, delivery, and scaling of programs, services, and solutions. She has held multiple roles in the education and not for profit sectors including as a New York City public school teacher, Adult Education Director at Harlem Center for Education, and Leadership Manager at South Asian Youth Action. Just prior to joining Urban Alliance, she was the Chief Program Officer for Free Arts NYC, an organization dedicated to leveling the playing field by providing access to high-quality, positive mentorship, grounded in transformative programming. In her time at Free Arts NYC, she tripled youth engagement opportunities and created dynamic opportunities for students to gain job readiness skills and explore the arts both academically and professionally. Seema has a B.A. in International Community Development from the University of Illinois and M.A. Degree in Teaching from Fordham University.

1) Why are you in this work?

I am passionate about advancing educational equity and reimagining ways young people can be supported across and within institutions of power to create more opportunities and advance economic mobility. Through my work in direct service, I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact of skills training, mentorship, and work based opportunities on young people’s lives.

2) Why ESG?

ESG offers the unique opportunity to drive systems change on a wide scale and make an impact at the local, state, and national level. Through our diverse work, we are able to think “globally” and act locally to amplify equity and economic mobility.