When AmeyaCare began, I was the behind-the-scenes operator while my sister led with a strong vision shaped by her experiences abroad. In 2024, when she began medical school and her time became limited, I stepped into the CEO role. What I thought would be a simple title change ended up reshaping how I understood leadership, advocacy, and menstrual equity.

Taking the lead meant moving beyond logistics. I had to learn deeply about women’s health and sustainability, speak confidently about topics most men rarely engage in, and take responsibility for shaping the organization’s direction. Much of this growth came from listening to girls and women who shared their stories of missed school days, discomfort, and stigma.

What the Transition Taught Me

Over the past 2 years, I’ve had to expand not just my responsibilities, but my perspective. Some key lessons included:

• Advocacy requires empathy more than personal experience
• Menstruation becomes inequitable because of silence, not biology
• Sustainable design matters only when access and dignity come first
• Leadership means elevating voices, not just managing tasks

Writing publicly about these issues helped me find my voice, especially through my AmeyaCare blog posts. This process has pushed me to be more curious, more open, and more intentional.

What Comes Next

As CEO, I’m working to:

• Expand our buy-two, donate-one outreach
• Grow our social media platforms
• Create more accessible education around menstrual health
• Partner with shelters and nonprofit leaders nationwide

My role shifted because circumstances changed, but the impact has been deeper than I expected. Leading AmeyaCare has reminded me that equity work is grounded in listening, humility, and the willingness to step into conversations that matter—even when they’re not always comfortable.

By: Aayush Jetly