Our Philosophy
P-Squared Philanthropies was founded by Monika and Deven Parekh in 2019. Sharing the same surname before marrying in 1998, they decided to honor their joint philanthropic endeavors with the ‘P-Squared’ name. The Parekhs have two grown sons and reside in NYC.
MONIKA PAREKH
Monika focuses her philanthropy on gender equity and reproductive health. As a former physical therapist with the NYC Board of Education, Monika worked with young children and families to help improve their health and quality of life. She believes deeply in the power of storytelling as an agent for change. A passionate photographer and a film investor, Monika has recently served as an executive producer on films whose narratives center and destigmatize mental and reproductive health for women and girls, including the films, "A Mouthful of Air" and "Plan C.” Monika graduated from Vassar College and has a Master's Degree from Columbia University. She serves on the boards of Women Moving Millions and the Tisch Multiple Sclerosis Research Center. She is also on the Presidential Advisory Committee of Vassar College and the Acquisitions Committee at the International Center of Photography.
DEVEN PAREKH
Deven is a Managing Director at Insight Partners, a global venture capital firm focused on the software industry. A second generation immigrant, he believes fundamentally in “leveling the playing field” for all. Deven also currently serves as a Board Member for the Council on Foreign Relations, NYU Langone Health, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and the Tisch Multiple Sclerosis Research Center. He is Chairman Emeritus of the board of Publicolor, a non-profit organization focused on New York City public schools. Deven also serves on the Board of Directors for the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, a US Senate confirmed position. He is a Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute and in 2021 was awarded the Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award. Deven graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania after trading his early love of biochemistry for economics.
SHARMILA RAO THAKKAR, MPH, MPA, CAP®
As primary staff for P-Squared Philanthropies, Sharmila supports Monika and Deven in pursuing their philanthropic efforts. She has held leadership roles on several boards and committees involving issues of women and children, immigrant communities, education and public health, and building philanthropic leadership and the capacity of the nonprofit sector including currently the Healthy Schools Campaign, National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers, 21/64 Certified Advisors of Color Project, Philanthropy150, and the South Asian Philanthropy Project; and previously Chicago Foundation for Women, National Center for Family Philanthropy, Exponent Philanthropy, Allow Good, and the South Asian Public Health Association among others. She is an alum of the Council on Foundations Career Pathways leadership development program and The Funders Network for Smart Growth and Equity PLACES Fellowship. She is a 21/64 certified trainer in multigenerational philanthropy and recently achieved the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) designation. She holds an MPH from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, an MPA from the Columbia University School of International & Public Affairs, and a BA in International Relations from Brown University.