Mona Das’s Inspiring Journey of Transformation and Empowerment
From humble beginnings as an immigrant child to becoming a trailblazing state senator, filmmaker, and motivational speaker, Mona Das’s life story is a testament to the power of perseverance, authenticity, and audacious goal-setting. Her journey embodies the American dream and serves as an inspiration for those who dare to dream big and work tirelessly to create positive change in the world.
From Immigrant Girl to State Senator
Born in India, Mona immigrated to the United States with her family at a young age. Her childhood was a whirlwind of experiences, spanning eight states and three countries. These early years of constant change and adaptation instilled in her a remarkable ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and navigate complex social landscapes skills that would prove invaluable throughout her multifaceted career.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Mona initially ventured into the corporate world, exploring roles in technology sales and mortgage brokerage. However, it was her pursuit of an MBA in sustainable business that truly ignited her passion for change and set her on a path towards making a meaningful impact on society and the environment.
Growing Through Adversity
Like many transformative journeys, Mona’s path was fraught with challenges and setbacks. She weathered a difficult divorce, lost her home to foreclosure during the financial crisis, and even faced hospitalization due to burnout from overwork and stress-twice. Yet, these obstacles served to strengthen her resolve and deepen her understanding of the importance of self-care, balance, and resilience in the face of adversity.
In the years following these personal challenges, Mona’s experiences fueled her determination to create positive change on a broader scale. Her most audacious move came when she decided to run for state senator. As an Indian immigrant from a family that valued traditional career paths, her ‘crazy idea’ of becoming a senator was met with skepticism—even from herself! A chance encounter with another Indian woman’s campaign sign ignited her belief in the possible, underscoring the power of representation and the transformative impact of “seeing it to be it,” a principle that would become central to Mona’s mission.
Mona’s unwavering determination and ability to learn from her experiences paid off spectacularly. In 2018, she was elected to the Washington State Senate, a position that allowed her to effect change at the legislative level. Beyond politics, her influence has extended into academia and public speaking. She has taught at prestigious institutions like Yale University and Bard College, and her inspiring story has led to opportunities to share stages with luminaries such as Deepak Chopra and Jane Fonda, further amplifying her message of empowerment and social change.
Championing Change
During her tenure from 2019 to 2023, she proved to be a force for positive change, championing landmark legislation that addressed pressing social and environmental issues. Her track record is impressive. successfully passing 30 bills in just four years, focusing on environmental issues, diversity, equity, and affordable housing.
One of Mona’s most significant accomplishments was her pivotal role in passing SB 5022, a groundbreaking bill that tackled plastic pollution, improved recycling efforts, and banned polystyrene. This legislation exemplifies her holistic approach to creating positive change, addressing both sustainability and equity issues in a single, impactful initiative, and remains one of her proudest accomplishments.
A Strategic Shift
In a move that surprised many, Mona chose to step away from her elected office in 2022. As a “loud, brown, and proud” immigrant woman and first-time politician, she encountered unexpected challenges that highlighted the gap between political ideals and lived realities. Her decision to leave wasn’t a retreat, but a realization that she could be more effective outside the established structure.
Today, she channels her energy into motivational speaking, coaching aspiring leaders, and advocating for marginalized communities as part of her commitment that others be spared the challenges she has personally faced. Her focus remains on diversity, equity, environmental protection, and affordable housing, now approached from a different angle.
Mona has also ventured into the world of media production, serving as the Executive Producer of “Bad Ass Women Doing Kick Ass Shit,” a powerful documentary that has won 12 awards at film festivals since its release in November 2022. The film showcases the unique yet similar stories of eight BIPOC women political candidates, further emphasizing Mona’s commitment to representation and empowerment.
Journey of Transformation
Central to Mona’s philosophy are her BHAGs-Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals. She firmly believes that by sharing these ambitious dreams, we can inspire collaboration and support, paving the way for a more successful and equitable future for generations to come. Mona encourages others to dream big and embrace the courage to vocalize their aspirations, as she has found that when people hear about audacious goals, they often line up to offer support and resources.
To maintain balance in her own life and help others do the same, Mona uses the “Wheel of Life” as a visual tool. This holistic approach examines various aspects of life family, friends, relationships, finances, career, education, health, and wellness recognizing that true Success and fulfillment come from achieving harmony across all of these areas.
Unexpected Lessons on the Road
Mona’s passion for travel has taken her to approximately 40 countries, each journey offering invaluable shifts in perspective. These experiences have challenged her assumptions, pushed her out of her comfort zone, and exposed her to diverse worldviews-especially when navigating foreign languages and cultures. One memorable experience involved running out of gas in France, where, despite language barriers and a non-functional credit card, Mona and her companions managed to communicate their predicament and receive help from a kind local. Such moments serve as powerful reminders of our shared human dependence on one another’s goodwill.
Ultimately, Mona’s travels have revealed a profound truth: despite cultural variations, we are fundamentally more alike than different. While unique traditions and customs exist, our shared hopes, dreams, and desires for connection transcend borders. For Mona, travel dismantles imaginary divides and serves as a powerful reminder of our interconnectedness—we are all part of one global community, one human family, navigating life’s journey together.
In conclusion, Mona Das’s journey from an immigrant child to an influential leader and changemaker is a testament to the power of perseverance, audacious goal-setting, and dedication to knowing and being one’s true self. Her story serves as an inspiration to all who dare to dream big and work tirelessly to create positive change in the world. As Mona continues to inspire and empower others through her speaking engagements, coaching, and advocacy work, she remains a guiding light for generations to come. Her life exemplifies the idea that with determination, resilience, and a commitment to authenticity, one person can indeed make a significant difference in the world.
Beacon of Hope
Mona’s greater mission extends far beyond personal success. Her true passion lies in inspiring transformation, not just in individuals, but in communities and systems at large. For over a decade, she has been a fixture at conferences, events, and panels, igniting passion and inspiring dreams in countless women. Her ultimate aspiration is to be a beacon of hope, possibility, and inspiration for all, particularly for those who have historically been underrepresented in positions of power and influence.
The key to Mona’s success lies in her authenticity. She openly acknowledges her strengths in building connections and setting ambitious goals while also recognizing her challenges with prioritization and focus. Her solution to these challenges demonstrates her pragmatic approach to leadership: strategic delegation and collaboration. By surrounding herself with skilled individuals who complement her abilities, Mona can focus on her “zone of genius” while achieving her grand aspirations through collective effort.
As a woman of color who has navigated and overcome systemic barriers, Mona is also deeply committed to being an authentic role model for the next generation. She harnesses her voice, connections, and platforms to mend broken systems and construct new structures that empower women and marginalized communities. Her ultimate goal is to foster an environmentally sustainable and economically just future where all individuals can flourish, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Mona’s latest venture is an ambitious Mastermind project to leverage her global network of passionate experts and activists to create radical, positive change. By connecting these diverse minds, Mona hopes to accelerate solutions to our world’s most pressing challenges. Those inspired by this vision can reach out to hello@monadas.org for more information.
Championing Change
Awards:
- 2019 Candidate of the Year – Washington State Democratic Party
- 2019 Leadership Impact Beyond Boundaries Award – Presidio Graduate School
- 2019 DO EPIC Award
- 2020 Inspiration Award – Puget Soundkeeper
- 2021 City Champion Award – Association of Washington Cities
- 2021 Laurie Jinkins Public Health Champion Award – WA State Public Health Association
- 2022 Civic Award for Excellence-GreenRoofs.com (Living Architecture Magazine)
- 2022 Environmental Legacy Award – National Caucus of Environmental
Legislators Accomplishments:
- Elected Washington State Senator (2019-2023)
- Landmark Legislation: Successfully passed 30 bills in 4 years, focusing on single-use plastics reduction and bans, styrofoam usage bans, EV infrastructure, diversity & equity, and housing.
- Founded opportunity PAC to back Black women running for state office in 2020. Assembled influential Black women board. raised $300,000, and aided in electing 4 new and 2 incumbent Black woman, including the first Black State Senator in a decade.
- Faculty at The Campaign School at Yale (2021-2023)
- Featured Speaker on Climate Change for Sustainability Week at The Economist in Washington DC (2022)
- Executive Producer of Bad Ass Women Kick Ass Shit, an award-winning documentary at BAWDK.As.com
- Shared stages with renowned figures like Deepak Chopra (2023) and Jane Fonda (2019)
- Invited Speaker at the British Parliament and the Embassy of Malta in London (2023)
- Speaker at Global Women Paris and London (2023)
- Faculty at Bard College for Citizen Science (2024)
- Featured on the cover of Global Women Magazine (February 2024)
- Numerous invitations for keynote and featured speaker engagements.
To follow/connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monadas/
