Sheila Bapat (she/her/hers) joined Public Advocates in 2024 as Director of Philanthropic Engagement. Sheila spent much of her career working in philanthropic intermediaries, building grantmaking and capacity building programs to support grassroots leaders. Earlier in her career, she served as Program Director at California Bar Foundation, where she launched a statewide Legal Fellowship program which helped to build capacity for legal aid while generating career entry points for law students and attorneys of diverse backgrounds. In addition, Sheila is an author and freelance writer focusing on social movements and economic justice. Her first book, “Part of the Family: Nannies, Housekeepers, Caregivers, and the Battle for Domestic Workers’ Rights,” was published by Ig Publishing in June 2014. Sheila serves on the board of California ChangeLawyers and Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants with Refugees.

Education
Sheila received her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and her B.A. from the University of Arizona.