Soneela is a classically trained theatre performer with an MFA from Columbia University with extensive experience working in devising and community-engaged processes. She also has a background in economics and arts management, having earned a BA in Economics from University of Pennsylvania and having held roles in producing, marketing and finance for several arts and non-arts organizations.

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Soneela is a co-founder of Center for Performance and Civic Practice (CPCP), an organization that supports the efforts of artists looking to use their artistic assets to transform systems and improve the impacts of government and community-driven efforts and programs. She served there, first, as Managing Director, and then Executive Director. As Executive Director, Soneela led CPCP’s efforts toward impact-driven programming and sustainable organizational practices as well as guiding the organization’s endeavors to clearly articulate its commitment to racial equity and justice in its mission, values and work.

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Most recently, she was on the founding Board of PANA (Professional Audiobook Narrators Association), where she served as liaison/advisor for the DEI committee, facilitated monthly DEI committee meetings, and co-organized an organization-wide racial equity training. She is currently serving as a Board Member for Dance Exchange, serving on its Racial Equity committee and supporting an organization-wide racial equity assessment

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As a consultant, Soneela’s experience as an artist, arts administrator and EDI professional have led her to the work of supporting the development and maintenance of strategies aimed at generating a culture of equity in workplaces and education spaces, as well as advising artists engaging in community-based social justice work. She customizes her approach to fit a variety of needs and intentionally applies a lens of racial equity to all of her work.