Catalyst 2030 Team in Focus
In the spotlight this month, as part of our section featuring the people behind our system-changing movement, is the Catalyst 2030 communications team. Meet Nwando Ajene, Liina Liblik and Winifred Atanga and find out what makes them changemakers and why they love working at Catalyst 2030.
Communications, Marketing & Media Facilitator
Nwando Ajene
About Nwando
With two decades of experience in business management and marketing communications, leading transformative campaigns for brands and organisations worldwide, Nwando Ajene has a track record in successful brand building across sectors including Nutrition, FMCG, Finance, Non-Governmental Organisations, Tech and the Social Enterprise ecosystem.
Nwando’s particular passions are nutrition and youth and women empowerment; and she strives to deliver sustainable and efficient solutions to societal challenges. She has extensive experience in designing social initiatives to help boost individual contributions to achieving the UN SDGs in her local community.
A pragmatic thought leader who volunteers with organisations involved in the training and capacity building of young entrepreneurs and marketers, Nwando also serves as a mentor in multiple youth programmes and acts as an accountability partner to her direct reports.
Q and A
What do you enjoy most about Catalyst 2030?
Working at Catalyst 2030 is amazing because of the global network I have access to – from the people I work with daily across the world, to the inspiring change makers I get to interact with at local and global levels. These people are making impactful change in the world that can be seen and felt in the lives of everyday people. They are disrupting global policies that will impact millions of lives for years to come. I am in awe of their projects and achievements and it’s really an honour to get to meet my heroes.
Why is systems change work close to your heart?
I have always been surrounded by change agents – my parents, sisters and even my sons are always actively involved in small or large social impact projects. Because of this, I see systems change work as a necessity to living a fulfilled life. It comes naturally to me to want to be in workspaces where I can contribute towards influencing social change.
What is your dream job?
I love what I do currently. It’s a dream job – using my marketing expertise in a sector that I find fulfilling. In the long-run I am eager to work in a role where I provide advisory services to social impact ventures across the world, particularly in Africa, a region close to my heart. My career journey has given me the opportunity to work at grassroots level in different sectors, and as a result I have a deep understanding of local communities and how they operate. It would be rewarding to guide social enterprises in the best way to interact with communities with the aim of improving people’s lives.
Campaign & Programme Manager
Liina Liblik
About Liina
In 2021, Liina Liblik joined Catalyst 2030 and supports Catalysing Change Week, the Catalyst 2030 Awards and communications. She has been involved in systems change since 2012 when she worked at an NGO, Child & Youth Finance International (CYFI), that focused on financial inclusion and education for youth.
Originally from Estonia, but internationally oriented, she completed her BA (Hons) Business with Design degree in England and an MSc Business Studies with the specialisation in Marketing in the Netherlands.
Liina is passionate about global campaigns, programmes, events and communications. She has worked on 10 editions of Global Money Week’s (GMW) annual financial awareness campaign, with CYFI from 2012 to 2019 and the OECD International Network on Financial Education (INFE) since 2020. Liina has also supported CYFI Global Summits (in Istanbul, New York and Johannesburg), the Ye! Awards (Egypt 2018 and Uganda Summit 2018) and 7 editions of the Global Inclusion Awards (GIA) (Johannesburg, Riyadh, Berlin, Stockholm, London, New York and Istanbul.) In 2020, she founded her freelance business focusing on communications and creative consultancy.
Q and A
What do you enjoy most about Catalyst 2030?
Everyone is inspiring. Everything is exciting. Catalyst 2030 is about great minds discussing great ideas. We focus on goals, but we remain humble. A lot is happening and a lot gets done. We are ambitious, passionate, visionary, innovative, inclusive, collaborative, proactive, global and beyond!
Why is systems change work close to your heart?
Work that is about imagining and creating long-term, sustainable and positive change, is close to my heart. I first got involved with collaborative systems change, more than ten years ago, through CYFI where our efforts focused on the financial empowerment of children and youth in 175 countries. As part of the Catalyst 2030 movement, I have continued to witness how impactful and valuable systems change work is.
What is your dream job?
I am a multipotentialite with a positive attitude and an entrepreneurial mindset, so there is no one dream job, but many dream roles. These need to offer variety and combine my many passions which range from communications, events, marketing, publications, graphic design, creativity to travel. I enjoy being involved in exciting global projects in a dynamic multicultural work environment. Also, it is important that I make a contribution to the growth and impact of the work that is being done. Just as it is possible at Catalyst 2030!
Communications Intern
Winifred Awinpoya Atanga
About Winifred
Winifred Awinpoya Atanga is Ghanaian and a final year Bsc Energy and Sustainability Management major at the African Leadership University. She joined Catalyst 2030 at the end of 2022. From the age of 14 Winifred has been fascinated by global challenges, and passionate about working for positive causes to promote socio-economic development, especially at grassroots level. She is one of 25 Young Conservation Leaders scholarship holders at the African Leadership University.
Winifred is founder of the Conservation Leaders Network and co-founder of EcoHomes, an umbrella of youth dedicated to providing a space to promote sustainable changes through sustainability projects and campaigns.
Q and A
What do you enjoy most about Catalyst 2030?
It’s been one month and three weeks since I joined Catalyst 2030. From my first meeting with the team, I knew it was a safe space to work and learn. One excellent company culture that I love about Catalyst 2030 is the sense of community. Though we are from diverse backgrounds, we all work together with a similar mission. Catalyst 2030 has been a place to learn and work for the causes I am passionate about.
Why is systems change work close to your heart?
In whatever life course I set myself, I am always led by the quote, “Find your passion in that which bothers you.” The mission of systems change work is my passion. Systems change works to solve the world’s most poignant issues for sustainable development. That’s why I love the work I do at Catalyst 2030.
What is your dream job?
My dream job is to find myself in any workplace that works to solve the world’s sustainability issues. Given the work that Catalyst 2030 does, I am already realising my dream.