Kavita Ramdas, best known for her work as current President and CEO of the Global Fund for Women, will speak at Paly’s baccalaureate, to be held on Sunday, June 7.

“We wanted to get someone that would focus on positive change in the world, not a path that will just bring money,” Senior Class President Becky Byler said.

The ASB class initially voted for current San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, but after scheduling problems arose with the mayor, decided that Ramdas would be a better choice.

Byler said that it was no easy task to get a speaker.

“It was really hard to get either of them [Mayor Newsom or Ramdas],” Byler said. “They normally speak at college graduations.”

In addition to her position as CEO of the Global Fund for Women, Ramdas also works on the advisory board to the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, the Mt. Holyoke and Princeton Board of Trustees, and the advisory council for the African Women Millennium Initiative on Poverty and Human Rights, among many others.

Ramdas has also been well-ingrained in local affairs. She has received service awards from The Girls’ Middle School and works on the Castilleja School Board of Trustees.

Editor’s Note: This version of the story correctly states that Kavita Ramdas will speak at Paly’s baccalaureate on Sunday, June 7.