Home - Ghosh Innovation Lab

We envision...

…state legislatures that truly reflect the rich diversity of our communities, where women of all backgrounds are empowered to run, serve, and lead with confidence. Therefore, through innovative research and development…

We build…

…knowledge, tools, and actionable systems that disrupt outdated political structures, paving the way for a more inclusive democracy.

Our Approach

Our goal is to inform, empower and support women running for and serving in state legislatures across the country. We are a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization empowering women candidates and elected legislators through technology and process solutions that will significantly reduce the barriers women face and help them.

To do this, we’ve developed what we call the RISE approach (Research driven, Innovative ideation for Systemic disruption and Empowerment).

Celebrating Our First Year

It feels like just yesterday that Ghosh Innovation Lab was conceived as a small research project to answer questions about legislator safety. But in our first year, we’ve become so much more than we ever thought possible.

We’ve proven that listening deeply to lived experiences, and sharing those experiences with others, can lead to meaningful and intentional actions that address the urgency of our current moment.

Project Resilience

We believe resilience in public leadership is built when safety is treated as both a policy priority and a human necessity. Our SAFE Framework connects multidimensional approaches of research, advocacy, training, and technology to help legislators sow the seeds of policy change (S), access available resources (A), find comfort in community (F), and explore alternative options (E). By addressing harm proactively, responsively, and restoratively, we strengthen both individual well-being and democratic institutions.

Research Driven Solutions

In 2025, we released a comprehensive, mixed-methods research study which examines the safety experiences of women state legislators.

Ambassadors of Safety

A national advocacy network of legislators and allies advancing policy change and peer support through our evidence-based safety framework.

What’s Ahead

Building on our existing work, GIL is developing the following safety and resilience solutions coming soon:

Confronting Harm Resilience Trainings – Customized online and in-person workshops equipping caucuses, legislatures, and staff with prevention, de-escalation, and coordinated response strategies.
GRID Safety Technology – A secure app that enables legislators to report, track, and respond to threats while connecting them to resources, peer support, and law enforcement and leadership when needed.
Resilience Academy – A 7-week cohort program that helps legislators strengthen proactive, responsive, and restorative strategies to navigate harm and lead with confidence.
Open Circle Healing – A restorative space for women legislators to access group and individual drop-in sessions with trauma-informed mental-health professionals and well-being experts.

Our Team

Aparna Ghosh

Executive Director and Founder

Catherine Jackson

Chief Program Officer

Casey Whitcomb

Treasurer

Gayatri Raman

Advisor

Archana Shah

Advisor

Abigail Shew

Advisor

Sara Betnel

Advisor

Hayley Talbert

Advisor

Are you a woman running for, serving in, or who has formerly served in a state legislature?

As we work to develop and deploy our safety technology GRID® across the country, we can build better solutions when we understand the reality of your experiences.