Manisha Davesar is a dynamic professional with a profound dedication to advancing equity, education, and social empowerment. With over a decade of experience spanning applied interdisciplinary research, design thinking, and community building, Manisha has worked across nonprofit, academic, and private sectors to address critical societal challenges. Her expertise lies in understanding human behavior, analyzing cultural dynamics, and creating innovative solutions to support underserved communities.
Currently serving as a Research Associate at Health Leads, Manisha drives impactful projects that focus on addressing systemic disparities in healthcare. Her responsibilities include research design, landscape scans, and data analysis, emphasizing community-centric solutions. A skilled facilitator, she has guided brainstorming sessions, managed innovation pipelines, and synthesized insights into actionable strategies that improve access to resources for historically disenfranchised populations.
Manisha’s academic foundation is equally impressive. She earned a Master’s in Applied Anthropology from Humboldt State University, where her thesis explored skeletal trauma and taphonomy through a self-designed experiment. Her interests in cultural anthropology include the impact of colonialism on life outcomes on global communities, cultural dynamics, and visual media analysis. Complementing her graduate studies, Manisha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from San José State University, where she graduated cum laude with a concentration in community change and a minor in general history. Similar to her cultural anthropology interests, Manisha dove deep into the role that different social concepts play in shaping people’s lives, identities, and perceptions. Through her award-winning research during her undergraduate career, Manisha uncovered the ways in which popular forms of media, like comic books and primetime television, have socialized different age groups on the different social movements throughout history.
A champion of lifelong learning, Manisha has further honed her skills through certifications in design thinking and innovation. She completed the Foundations in Design Thinking and Insights for Innovation programs with IDEO U, mastering methodologies in human-centered design, rapid prototyping, and brainstorming techniques. These credentials underscore her commitment to bridging research with practical, actionable outcomes.
Manisha’s professional journey is marked by impactful roles across diverse organizations. As a Research Coordinator with Posana, she conducted ethnographic interviews, developed surveys, and led data analysis to support South Asian caregivers. She also has experience conducting primary research in pop culture analysis on social perceptions of BIPOC communities, showing her ability to bridge abstract concepts with real-world behaviors. Her tenure at Relocity as a Relocation Coordinator showcased her ability to manage complex logistics and foster meaningful client relationships. Additionally, her academic roles as an instructional assistant at Humboldt State and a program facilitator at Fresh Lifelines for Youth highlight her leadership in education and mentoring.
Her dedication extends beyond the workplace. Manisha has been a steadfast volunteer, mentoring 5th-grade students through CommUniverCity and supporting the Summer Reading Program at Dr. Roberto Cruz Alum Rock Branch Library. She also earned recognition for her civic engagement with the “My Vote, Our Future” campaign, where she helped register voters and raised awareness about civic participation.
Manisha’s accolades reflect her commitment to excellence. She received the Outstanding Student Research award for her groundbreaking work in cultural studies and earned an Honorable Mention for the Flor Y Canto Memorial Scholarship. As a Dean’s Scholar at San José State University, she consistently demonstrated academic excellence, showcasing her ability to balance rigorous research with real-world impact.
A polyglot fluent in English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu, Manisha bridges cultural gaps through effective communication. Her work is enriched by her ability to engage with diverse populations, leveraging her linguistic skills to build trust and rapport in various community settings. She is also passionate about arts and culture, poverty alleviation, and social services, aligning her personal values with her professional pursuits.
Manisha’s vision is to continue creating meaningful change through innovative research and community engagement. Her motto, “Driven by knowledge, inspired by connection, committed to impact,” encapsulates her holistic approach to addressing social inequities while fostering empowerment at every level. She believes in equity for all and understands the complex historical and social dynamics that play in inequitable systems; she is committed to building a better future for all of us through her work as a researcher.
Character:
Manisha exemplifies integrity and dedication, always aligning her work with her core values of equity and inclusion. Her commitment to uplifting underrepresented communities reflects a deeply rooted sense of empathy and purpose. Being BIPOC herself, Manisha brings a unique perspective that builds upon personal experiences and professional training.
Knowledge:
With advanced degrees and certifications in anthropology, sociology, and design thinking, Manisha brings a multidisciplinary perspective to solving complex problems. Her ability to synthesize diverse insights into practical solutions showcases her intellectual versatility.
Strategic:
Manisha excels at translating research into action, using her strategic planning and project management skills to implement community-centric solutions. Her innovative mindset ensures that every initiative is both impactful and sustainable. Manisha is interested in leveraging resources, data, and programs to reach diverse communities, particularly those who are still yet to be served.
Communication:
Fluent in four languages and an experienced public speaker, Manisha fosters meaningful connections across diverse cultural contexts. She believes in creating inclusive communication so people from all walks of life can understand these complex systems and solutions in simple ways; Manisha has the unique ability to distill information for diverse audiences. She is committed to transparency and accessibility. Her ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity and passion makes her a trusted advocate for change.
