MASALA

ADVISORY
Blending Strategy, Stories & Relationships
Why Masala?

Strengthening partnerships, marketing and philanthropy for healthcare and mission-driven organizations. I don't just work within disciplines — I connect them.

Marketing informs fundraising.
Partnerships strengthen brands.
Philanthropy grows through trust.

I've spent more than 20 years in healthcare and mission-driven organizations, building strong partnerships, elevating brands and creating sustainable philanthropy.

One of my proudest accomplishments was helping scale the HealthWell Foundation from an early-stage startup into one of Forbes' Top 100 Charities in America, distributing more than $5 billion in patient assistance.

Today, I bring those disciplines together through Masala Advisory to help organizations grow their impact.

Select Highlights
$60M+
Corporate
Giving Secured
90+
Nonprofit & Advocacy
Partners Cultivated
Top 20
Forbes' Top 100 Charities
in America, 2025-2026
How I Help

Strategic Partnerships
& Campaigns

Cultivated a network of 90+ national nonprofit and patient advocacy partners, including the American Cancer Society and American Diabetes Association, to increase referrals.

Developed first-of-its-kind programs and national campaigns across two nonprofit organizations.

Marketing &
Brand Positioning

Managed end-to-end beneficiary video and photography production to create personal stories for use across marketing materials.

Oversaw strategy to achieve third-party recognition from top charity watchdogs, enhancing organizational credibility and stakeholder trust.

Content Development
& Digital Experience

Led content development and redesign strategy for HealthWell Foundation's website, an early adopter of responsive, accessible web design.

Launched the Real World Health Care blog in 2013, still publishing today with more than 100 content partners.

Philanthropy &
Growth Strategy

Built an individual giving program from the ground up to $650K+, now a $3M+ annual program under dedicated staff.

Secured corporate donations and sponsorships, and launched cause-marketing campaigns to support teens and older adults.

Deeply committed to mission-driven work and fiercely protective of an organization's brand, reputation and purpose.
- Krista Zodet
Former President & CEO, HealthWell Foundation
Shela brings a strong sense of determination and follow-through. When something needed to get done, she approached it with care and attention to detail.
- Taylor Martin
Chief Creative, Design Positive

Why Masala?

Masala means blend. That's the perspective I bring to this work — years spent across marketing, partnerships, fundraising and campaigns have shown me how those disciplines reinforce each other.

The name is personal too. I'm half Indian, and my daughter was born in India, so that connection runs through my family every day. I grew up in a blended Indian and Jewish household, and I never ate bland food. My mother reinvented matzoh ball soup with Indian spices, and it's become our family's signature recipe. That love of bold flavor stuck with me. To this day, I've never met a spice I didn't like.

It's the same instinct I bring to this work. The best results come from blending disciplines, not keeping them apart.

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Flexible Engagement

Project-Based

Defined scope and timeline for campaigns, partnership strategies or content initiatives.

Retainer

Ongoing senior-level strategic support.

Extended Network

Draws on seasoned writers, web designers, IT support and producers as needed.