Hi, I'm Sakshi...

Non-Executive Board Member, Sydney Peace Foundation (2026 - current)

• The Sydney Peace Foundation advances peace and justice by recognising and amplifying the work of leading peace advocates and changemakers through the internationally recognised Sydney Peace Prize, public dialogue and community engagement.

• Serving as Treasurer and Board Director, contributing to the Foundation's financial oversight, funding & grants, partnerships, and strategic direction.

Non-Executive Board Member, Centre for Armed Violence Reduction (2026–present)

• CAVR is an international not-for-profit organisation working to prevent armed violence and strengthen arms and ammunition control through innovative, technology-enabled solutions, supporting governments and communities across Africa, Latin America and the Pacific.

• Serving as a Non-Executive Director, contributing to the organisation's strategic direction, governance, financial oversight, funding and partnerships.

Sydney Intercultural Youth Dialogue (Founder, 2016–2023)

• Lead and facilitate intercultural and interfaith dialogue workshops for youth from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. 

• Develop themes on peace, identity, wellbeing, and community resilience. 

• Partner with universities, councils, NGOs, and community groups. Coordinate speakers, academics, youth leaders, and peace practitioners across multiple events each year.

• Build welcoming spaces for inter-faith dialogue and connection.
  
  

International Mediation and Arbitration Conference (Research Presenter, Indonesia, 2026)

• Presented a co-authored research paper on “Gandhi and Conflict Transformation” at an international conference in Bandung, Indonesia. Explored how Gandhian nonviolence and grassroots peacebuilding practices can contribute to contemporary conflict resolution and transformative mediation.
  
  

Raising Peace Festival (Panel Speaker, 2021)

• Spoke on “The Role of Youth in Peace” at a festival involving UNAA, ICAN, Sydney Peace Foundation, and academic partners. Shared insights on youth leadership and creating inclusive spaces for dialogue.

Inner Peace & Outer Peace Workshop (Facilitator, 2022)

• Co-designed and led a workshop with Professor Stuart Rees exploring personal and collective responses to conflict and geopolitical stress, engaging participants in reflective dialogue and peacebuilding practices.

Multicultural Advisory Council – NSW Police Commissioner (Member, 2018–2024)

• Provide advice to the Police Executive on issues affecting minority communities in Sydney. Elevate community concerns related to cohesion and cultural tensions. 

• Support cross-cultural workshops and initiatives that strengthen trust between communities and law enforcement.

Institute of Economics & Peace, Sydney
(Intern - 2017)

• Research assistant for developing funding proposals to reduce violence in particular communities across the world 

Academic Background 

Master of Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution

The American University of Rome, Rome (2024 - 2026)

• GPA of 3.97, highest GPA of the graduating class of 2026 - Valedictorian, Suma cum laude. 

• Postgraduate studies focused on peacebuilding, conflict analysis, religion & culture, humanitarian systems, and global governance.

• Key subjects: Global Politics, International Relations, Religion & Culture in Peacebuilding, Religious Dialogue, Conflict Resolution, International Humanitarian Response, Diplomacy, Qualitative Research Methods.

• Thesis: Relevance of Gandhian Non-violence in Contemporary India

Bachelor of Laws, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia (2009)

Bachelor of Economics Honours, UNSW (2010)

• Key areas of study: International Law, Human Rights Law, Constitutional Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Jurisprudence and Criminal Law.

• First Rank in Financial Market Regulation & Securities Law and a Distinction Honours thesis in Game Theory. 

Policy & Strategy Leadership 

From Junior Analyst to  → Senior Management (last role: Senior Specialist, Geopolitical Risk)
Australian Financial System Regulator, 2011 - 2026

• Implemented national regulatory strategy for Australia’s insurance system, with a focus on climate, natural hazards, geopolitical risk, affordability, and system resilience.

• Designed and co-led cross-government climate impact projects on insurance affordability, shaping public policy and industry understanding.

• Built the organisation's first dedicated industry strategy function, defining purpose, goals, and risk frameworks used across teams.

• Developed industry-wide stress-testing frameworks covering economic, political, and natural hazard scenarios to strengthen crisis preparedness.

• Conducted system-wide risk analysis and horizon scanning across macroeconomic, environmental, and political domains.

• Produced official publications and policy briefs for federal government, industry leaders, executive management, and the public.

• Represented Australia at global regulatory forums including the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS), and the OECD Delegation to Australia.

• Built inclusive, cross-cultural, gender-sensitive relationships across government, NGOs, academia, and industry.

International Engagement & Global Governance

Australia | FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority)

• Selected for a six-month secondment at FINMA in Switzerland, conducting geopolitical and financial risk assessments during the onset of Covid-19.

• Led bilateral engagements with European and American regulators, presenting on capital frameworks, strategic priorities, and the Australian regulatory environment.

• Organised and presented at multi-agency meetings between global regulators, strengthening international cooperation and knowledge-sharing.

• Conducted deep-dive assessments of international reinsurance groups and early pandemic risks.

• Enhanced regulatory alignment and built strong diplomatic relationships across jurisdictions.

Risk Analysis & Crisis Response 

Australian Financial System Regulator

• Led prudential risk assessments across financial institutions, analysing capital, liquidity, and governance.

• Evaluated impacts of climate scenarios on financial markets, developing stress tests and scenario analyses for policy response.

• Developed action plans and led cross-functional teams to strengthen finanical system resilience

• Mentored incoming international team members from multicultural backgrounds, improving technical and management capabilities.

• Conducted multi-country workshops across Argentina, Ecuador, Chile, and Colombia, coordinating with foreign officials, regulators, and government agencies.