Our Leadership

Dr. Sonya Anderson

EVP, International Network

Sonya is the Executive Vice President of United Way Worldwide’s International Network, overseeing the growth and sustainability of United Way’s strategy to strengthen its global reach and impact.  

Previously, Sonya was the founder and president of Embark Strategies, a consulting firm that provides thought partnership and technical support to social innovation investors and the philanthropic sector to improve education quality, health equity, and community development. Sonya has been a leader in the nonprofit sector for more than two decades, working to advance education, employment, and life opportunities for youth throughout the United States and around the world.  

Sonya’s past leadership experience includes serving as the inaugural Executive Director for Together Rising, President of Thrive-Chicago, and Education Program Director for the Oprah Winfrey Foundation. Sonya holds an undergraduate degree in economics and political science from Yale University, a master’s degree in international affairs from the University of Ghana, and a doctorate in education policy and planning from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.