In a world still grappling with issues of inclusion and equality, Minita Sanghvi stands as a beacon of change, resilience, and purpose. Her journey from the bustling streets of Mumbai to the city council of Saratoga Springs, New York, reflects a life dedicated to justice, education, and the belief that identities should never be barriers to success, but instead, bridges to greater representation.
Minita Sanghvi: A Journey Rooted in Resilience
Born on March 6, 1977, in Mumbai, India, to a Gujarati family, Minita Sanghvi grew up in an environment where academic excellence and cultural roots were deeply valued. Her academic path began at Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics, where she studied accounting—a foundation that would later empower her to manage complex public finances and author works that deconstruct the intersections of identity, politics, and marketing.
Driven by a hunger for knowledge and a desire to explore broader social systems, she earned her MBA at Narsee Monjee Institute for Management Studies. She secured a government scholarship to do so. But that was only the beginning. In 2004, she pursued her master’s in retailing and consumer sciences from the University of Arizona, setting the stage for an academic career that would be both unconventional and revolutionary.
Later, she obtained a Ph.D. in Business from the Bryan School at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and earned a certificate in feminist studies from Duke University. Her brilliance did not go unnoticed—she became the second individual in UNCG’s history to win both the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award and the Outstanding Dissertation Award. These accolades weren’t just milestones; they were the markings of a leader in the making.
Living Authentically, Leading Boldly
Minita Sanghvi came out as gay in 2002—a personal act of courage that ignited her activism. At a time when LGBTQ+ rights were not widely accepted in Indian or American communities, her voice became a powerful force for change. She campaigned against Arizona’s Proposition 107 in 2006, which sought to ban same-sex marriage. Her passionate advocacy played a significant role in its defeat, and she continued to serve on boards such as the Human Rights Campaign and the Guilford Green Foundation.
She also opened up her life to the public by sharing her coming-out experience in publications such as The Times of India and Arizona Daily Wildcat, creating a lifeline for LGBTQ+ individuals—particularly those from South Asian backgrounds—struggling to reconcile their identity and culture.
Minita Sanghvi: Breaking Barriers in Public Office
In 2021, Minita Sanghvi shattered long-standing barriers when she became the first openly gay and first woman of colour elected to the Saratoga Springs City Council as Commissioner of Finance. Her victory was not just a win for representation—it was a bold statement that democracy thrives when every voice is heard.
In her role, she introduced Participatory Budgeting to Saratoga Springs, a groundbreaking initiative that allowed residents to directly vote on how public funds should be used. The project funded nine community initiatives in its first cycle, a testament to her belief in grassroots empowerment. Under her stewardship, the city also saw the funding and development of its third fire station—another mark of her commitment to community well-being.
Before joining the City Council, she served five years on the Saratoga Springs Public Library Board of Trustees, continuing her lifelong passion for knowledge, community engagement, and inclusive growth.
Fearless in the Face of Challenge
In 2024, Minita Sanghvi took her fight for equity to the next level by running for the New York State Senate. Though she narrowly lost to the incumbent, her campaign echoed in every community she touched. She secured 42% of the vote—a powerful statement in a traditionally conservative district. The impact of her campaign wasn’t limited to numbers; it was about normalizing diverse leadership in spaces that have long been exclusionary.
Scholar, Storyteller, and Change-Maker
Beyond politics, Minita Sanghvi has made an indelible mark in academia and literature. As an associate professor in Skidmore College’s Management and Business Department, her research spans political marketing, gender, race, and consumer behaviour. Her intellectual work doesn’t just sit in journals—it shapes conversations that matter.
In 2018, she authored Gender and Political Marketing in the United States and the 2016 Presidential Election, a trailblazing analysis of how sexism, racism, ageism, and other biases intersected with the marketing of political candidates. The book introduced her “Four C’s of Political Marketing Mix”—a modern, inclusive rethinking of traditional marketing principles in the context of political campaigns.
But her voice extends beyond non-fiction. In 2022, she released Happy Endings, a lesbian romance novel published by HarperCollins India. Hailed as India’s first of its kind, the book challenges societal norms and offers queer representation in South Asian fiction—a long-overdue addition to the literary landscape. The novel was long-listed for the prestigious AutHer Awards in 2023, affirming her role not just as an author but as a cultural pioneer.
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