Start Small Think Big Names Satjeet Kaur as Next Executive Director

After a national search for a new leader, Start Small Think Big hires Satjeet Kaur to lead the organization’s next phase of growth.

Start Small Think Big, a nonprofit which advances economic equity for entrepreneurs facing systemic barriers by connecting them with the resources and community they need to thrive, grow and succeed, has announced that Satjeet Kaur has been named executive director.?

Satjeet most recently served as the executive director of the Sikh Coalition, the largest and most prominent Sikh civil rights organization in the United States. There, she led the organization to pass state and federal laws that protect minority communities from hate crimes, employment and racial discrimination, improve K-12 state standards to be representative of a diverse student body, mobilize grassroots voter registration drives, and successfully litigate cases against fortune 500 companies and government agencies to set strong precedence against religious discrimination. She also significantly increased the number of volunteers deeply invested in its work and in leading local initiatives, while increasing the organization’s financial resources.

With Satjeet at the helm, Start Small is looking forward to a new period of growth after being led by its founder Jenny DaSilva for the past 13 years. “Satjeet will be a wonderful asset for Start Small Think Big” said Francesca Odell, chair of Start Small Think Big’s board of directors and partner at, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, “she brings a unique blend of leadership experience, community organizing and a deep passion for advancing equity in historically marginalized communities.? We strongly believe that under her guidance, together with the strength of the rest of our leadership team, Start Small is primed for a period of exciting growth where we hope to be able to make an even greater impact on the small businesses and communities we serve.”

“I am thrilled to be leading Start Small's next phase of growth. As the daughter of Sikh-Punjabi immigrants, I join the team in their deep commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in entrepreneurship."

Satjeet brings her strong dedication to equity and inclusion to Start Small. “I am thrilled to be leading Start Small's next phase of growth. As the daughter of Sikh-Punjabi immigrants, I join the team in their deep commitment to advancing equity and inclusion in entrepreneurship. I look forward to working with Start Small's dedicated community partners, funders and volunteers to build on the organization's momentum,” Satjeet shared.?

Satjeet also serves on the Board of Directors for Act to Change, a nonprofit working to empower youth to end school bullying, and as a Spiritual Life Advisor at New York University.

In 2022 alone, Start Small Think Big provided small business support (legal assistance, financial guidance and marketing & sales support) to 3,400 entrepreneurs through a network of 2,587 professional volunteers, providing free advice and assistance valued at more than $19 million.? Under the leadership of Satjeet, Start Small will deepen its contribution to the small business ecosystem and the communities it serves, providing small businesses owners who face systemic barriers with more effective and impactful support, allowing them to thrive, grow and succeed.? ?