Our Team
Each member of the Secretariat signs the Catalyst Now pledge (see below), as a commitment to ensuring the Catalyst Now membership is constantly at the forefront of our thinking.
The Commitment
This Commitment serves as an anchor for Catalyst Now team members, something to refer back to and to keep in mind when moving forward in our work. We are steadfastly committed to social justice, diversity and inclusion and require every team member to register their commitment to respecting the values and principles we uphold by agreeing to the following Declaration:
People and nature at the centre
In everything we do, we place people, nature, and their ways of life at the heart of our work. We stand accountable to them for our actions.
Co-creative mindset
The future of innovation is co-creation. We seek to acknowledge our own biases and silos and work to move beyond them. This includes sharing all relevant data when we collaborate and ensuring that everything Catalyst Now produces is non-proprietary.
Collaborative leadership
We prioritize co-creating approaches that reflect shared ownership and credit collective impact. Our shared norms are based on the needs and challenges we face.
Humble audacity
We have audacious goals and approach them with the humility to recognize that none of us alone knows how they can best be accomplished.
Spirit of generosity
On any given day we are all donors, doers, visionaries or clients. We commit to sharing our knowledge, time and networks freely without expectation of receiving anything in return, other than the achievement of collective goals.
Meet the Team
Members note that if you are logged into the Member Portal you will be able to see what each team member is responsible for and how to contact them directly.
Membership
Our Membership team is responsible for supporting new organizations joining the Catalyst Now community, as well as for facilitating members onboarding and engagement in the movement.
Maddalena Conte
Maria Harismendy
Maria Ollé
Hira Alkan
Lesley Wanambuko
Ecosystem Development
Our Ecosystem Development team supports members in building strong local and regional innovation communities where new ideas can grow. We believe thriving communities are built on sharing knowledge and resources, which is why we help our members develop the tools and relations they need to strengthen their local ecosystems.
Susana Ramirez
Mykyta Pobiehun
Thu Dinh
Paula Peña
Salomon Raydan
Brian Maina
Ingrid Yitamben
Hugo Bordas
Ziyed Harrek
Sheher Bano
Sabina Imeri
Tracy Ndungu
John Paul Uminga
Paula Wakabi
AFRICA FORWARD
Luvuyo Rani
Yogavelli Nambiar
Pearl Uzokwe
Collaborations
Our team supports members in creating impactful cross-sector collaborations and impact ecosystems. We believe trust is key to effective partnerships, which is why we focus on strengthening connections across our diverse community of members.
Lana Koubaitary
Denise Muchiri
Maiy Shawkat
Learning and System Change Team
By combining real-world knowledge with research, the team creates accessible learning opportunities that help members understand system change and tackle complex challenges.
Sindi Vangjelaj
Mehru Usman
Louisa Saruni Konchellah
Communications and shifting narrative
Eva Arcega
Verónica Rodríguez Cárdenas
Enabling Environment
The Enabling Environment team promotes strategic donor partnerships, fundraising-related collaborations and supporting different stakeholders in shifting the existing funding paradigm.
Gannon Gillespie
Inês Marques
Charu Raizada
Jill Reinen
Luigi Cavallito
Operations and Finance
The Operations and Finance team creates and maintains the core systems that enable Catalyst Now's global movement to succeed. The department develops efficient processes, ensures financial sustainability, and builds robust infrastructure to support the movement.
Saswati Sarkar
Edwin Bos
Abheejit Khandagale
Oluwanifemi Barakat Kafaru
