Catalyst 2030 Team in Focus: Collaborations

Paige is a part of the Collaborations team supporting the development of a collaborative ecosystem for funding and policy influence. She is an American residing in Belfast, where she completed her Master’s degree in Global Security and Borders, at Queen’s University.

She is passionate about research and policy development, having previously focused on Critical Border Theory, the influence of oppositional identities in post-conflict reconciliation and cross-community peacebuilding through youth engagement.

Originally from Minnesota, she loves spending time in the outdoors and regularly takes advantage of the many beautiful mountains and cold-water swimming sites throughout Ireland. She has a background in journalism and finds the most enjoyment in any area of work or life when she is able to engage in meaningful conversations with passionate people.

Q and A

What do you enjoy most about Catalyst 2030?

I love my colleagues and and their enthusiasm for the work. In particular, I love the creativity I get to witness in the many member-led initiatives with really out-of-the-box solutions. I enjoy working for change with people who are constantly trying to see the forest, not just the trees.

Why is systems change work close to your heart?

Everything is intersectional, at all times, everywhere. Whenever we look at a challenge, a need for change, or undesirable outcomes in isolation, we diminish the humanity and nuance of what is at work in creating those problems. Systems change isn’t just an approach we take because it leads to “better outcomes”, it’s an approach always tries to build a full understanding of how we reached this breaking point and how – in so many different areas – we can build that complexity into our thinking and problem-solving to improve the world our grandchildren will inhabit.

What is your dream job?

My dream job is centred on people, driven by carrying out research to contribute to collective knowledge and advocacy and located in an environment of respect, kindness, curiosity and intellectual humility.

Lana is a Syrian who is filled with hope and optimism about the prospects of brighter future. She is pursuing higher education at the University of Jordan and is passionate about developing safe and effective methods to prevent, detect, treat and, ultimately, cure cancer. She devotes time and effort to achieving sustainable development and believes that we should all take care of the one world we live in. That’s why she participates in environmental fieldwork that aims to decrease climate change. Lana loves practicing origami and paper art to replace plastics in decorations and events. She is part of the Collaborations team at Catalyst 2030, where she supports all member-led collaborations globally.

Q and A

What do you enjoy most about Catalyst 2030?

At C2030 you never stop learning, developing new skills and gaining new insights into different communities, organisations and fields, as well as learning more about yourself. Working together in Catalyst 2030 will help accelerate change through sharing resources, skills, experiences and collective action that can generate greater impact than when working individually.

Why is systems change work close to your heart?

Systems change encourages collaboration and can lead to a larger scale of positive impact. Additionally, it addresses the root causes of a problem and provides true long-lasting solutions to complex problems.

What is your dream job?

My ultimate career aspiration is to be in a profession that enables me to make a tangible, positive difference in people’s lives. I am driven by a deep desire to contribute to the reconstruction and development of my country and leverage my skills and expertise to address societal challenges and promote sustainable change. Ultimately, I envision a fulfiling career where my efforts align with meaningful causes and create a lasting and positive impact on both individuals and the broader community.

Viola was born in northern Italy and grew up in a small region in the Alps called Aosta Valley, next to the Mont Blanc. She had been passionate about the world since she was a little girl. Growing up in a small environment, she was inspired me to investigate the world around her.

When she completed high school in Italy, she was torn between following in the footsteps of her mother, a psychologist, or her father, a journalist whose knowledge of the world still amazes her. He taught her to go beyond appearances and thoroughly investigate the events around her. That’s why she decided to study International Relations at the University of Geneva. Eager to learn more about the world institutions, events, dynamics, and history, Lana’s goal was to gain the skills needed to enter the humanitarian field.

On completing her studies she came across Catalyst 2030 and discovered a dynamic organisation where everyone can share their point of view and where change really takes place.

Q and A

What do you enjoy most about C2030?

I love being part of a young movement with huge potential. I get to know social innovators and entrepreneurs on a daily basis and I never get tired of listening to their stories and the way they cope with issues related to the SDGs. It keeps inspiring me. Also, I love to be part of a dynamic group where everyone can express their opinion. No matter how long you have been working for Catalyst 2030, you will always find a place to express yourself.

Why is System Change work close to your heart?

Because of my personal experience and the values my parents taught me I believe in the power of exchanging perspectives and skills to achieve a common goal – change. Moreover, I think that a network with social innovators from all over the world, such as Catalyst 2030, really has the possibility to make the voice of all, heard.

What is your dream job?

My dream job has always been to work for the United Nations, specifically at UNCHR. I have always admired the UN because I consider it to be the most powerful organisation in the humanitarian field. Nevertheless, following my Catalyst 2030 experience, I have reevaluated the power of small NGOs. My current dream would be to work in a small NGO where I would be in direct contact with people directly affected by the issues addressed in the SDGs.

Rasheed is a multidisciplinarian with a keen passion for international development and systems change. With training and accomplishments from several institutions across the globe, he has educational expertise in microbiology, public health consulting, public policy and international relations and development.

Rasheed has held multiple positions in research, public policy advocacy, systems change and intervention strategies and sits on panel committees/advisory boards of impact organisations at local-state-national government, international and non-governmental levels. He supports the steering committee of the African working group of the International Peace Bureau and the Bureau of African Peace, amongst others. He established an HIV/AIDS awareness symposium as an undergraduate, led the West Africa disease library of the International Centre for Infectious Diseases, the Review Committee of Grand Challenges Canada and supported projects on sickle cell, mental health, maternal health, gender-based violence, basic education, upcycling for empowerment, peace and security, internally displaced persons and SDGs.

Rasheed was the founder of Rna Travels and Tours and co-founder of the Raha Foundation which provides complimentary action plans to address maternal mortality, education, empowerment, and peacebuilding. He has received multiple awards, including a Humanitarian Service Award from Rotary, a Young African Leadership Award from the US Government and a Community Youth Award from YALI, Nigeria.

Q and A

What do you enjoy most about Catalyst 2030?

I enjoy the inspiring interest of everyone around the globe and working together to build a collaborations system. The Secretariat is full of zeal and the members are amazing, working together to forge a new world with a shared vision. Catalyst 2030 is a free school with so much knowledge and experiences on offer.

Why is systems change work close to your heart?

Systems change is important because it addresses the root causes of complex problems, rather than just the symptoms. This can lead to more lasting and impactful change. For example, if we want to address the problem of poverty, we need to change the systems that create and perpetuate poverty. This could include things like changing the way we educate people, the way we distribute resources and the way we regulate the economy. I do not want to list problems, I want to see solutions and enjoy the process of giving life to a good cause.

What is your dream job?

I do not have a dream job. I have dream roles, experiences and impacts and Catalyst 2030 is one of the best so far. It includes helping the world to be more sustainable and supporting systems change for quality health, economic growth, education, cohabiting and healthy societies.

Aditya is a postgraduate student at UCL doing a Masters in Prosperity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, based in Nepal. Exploring and learning about different cultures, music and art makes his heart happy.

Q and A

What do I enjoy most about Catalyst 2030?

At Catalyst 2030, I cherish the opportunity to collaborate with diverse, like-minded individuals working towards global prosperity.

Why is systems change work close to your heart?

Systems change work resonates deeply with me because it offers a holistic approach to addressing complex challenges. It aligns with my passion for creating a lasting, sustainable impact.

What is your dream job?

I love telling stories. My dream job would be to travel and talk to people from different cultures and share their stories with the world.

Urban is Slovenian, and currently pursuing his MSc in Prosperity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at University College London.

Urban has experience in social entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, and research. He is currently researching systems thinking and children’s cognitive development to shape the future of early childhood education for sustainable development. Innovation, purpose and problem-solving lie at the core of Urban’s academic and professional endeavours. With a deep-rooted belief in the power of impact-driven solutions, he is eager to collaborate and contribute to projects that shape a better, more sustainable future.

Q and A

What do I enjoy most about Catalyst 2030?

One of the things I enjoy most about Catalyst 2030 is being able to work, on a daily basis, with driven individuals and organisations who are committing their life work to addressing the most pressing issues we all face. Their motivation, passion and ability to make change happen is inspiring! And this is why collaborative action is at the heart of Catalyst 2030. That applies to both the amazing work our Secretariat does and our wonderful members, who are advancing progress towards the SDGs at an unprecedented pace.

Why is systems change work close to your heart?

Systems Change has been at the forefront of my academic research and personal value system. That being said, I believe in a yet-to-be-made future, in which we will be able to achieve a balance between the social, environmental and economic facets of our socio-economic systems. In this light, disruptive innovation, systems thinking and holistic approaches to solving complex problems are needed to drive this change. However, a lot of efforts we see in the endeavors to solve these challenges only touch the surface. To achieve transformative change, we need to understand that transformation comes from reimagining and reframing what our socioeconomic systems look like and what challenges we must first address. To directly answer the question, systems change is close to my heart because it requires a shift in mindset – from ‘i’ to ‘we’ – and that work towards something that is motivated by values.

What is your dream job?

When I think about who I aspire to be in the future, I tend to not see myself within a particular role but more in terms of the impact I want to create. I am currently working towards dismantling systemic issues in our educational systems. As part of this research, I am trying to understand how educators and edupreneurs across the globe support children’s cognitive development in a way that equips them with systems thinking competencies and transformative mindsets from an early age. While this is just one among the many issues I want to address, I am generally looking for opportunities to be part of teams that are addressing some of the most pressing issues we face.