Nicola has worked for more than 15 years in global communications, advocacy and as an entrepreneur with a focus on social impact. In her most recent role, she was the Interim Executive Director of the Wangari Maathai Foundation, a non-for-profit organisation dedicated to championing the legacy of Wangari Muta Maathai, Africa’s first female Nobel Peace Prize winner.
After graduating from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Honours in History, Nicola moved to England and worked for several years in communications, including as Vice-President of PR for Barclays Wealth, raising awareness of the Bank’s philanthropy advisory service.
Relocating to Nairobi, Kenya, in 2020, she deepened her nonprofit exposure by volunteering with a kindergarten in an informal urban settlement, in Mathare Valley, and she co-founded Urban Artefacts, a social enterprise collaborating with low-income artisans to produce sustainable jewellery and gift products.
For four years, she led a team of artisans to build the Urban Artefacts brand, attracting support from USAID, East Africa Trade and Investment Hub. Scaling the business to partner with four retail distributors, the social enterprise produced jewellery from recycled materials, diversified to include other artisanal products, and provided market access for a wider group of artisans.
Nicola is interested in exploring the nexus of arts and social change. When she isn’t reading or thinking about these topics, Nicola spends time with her dog (Apollo) and her family, travelling between Ottawa and Johannesburg.
Saturday, July 16, 2022 in Students 2022
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