Meet Our Catalysts
The visionary leaders transforming their
communities across the globe.
MacKinnon Engen
Executive Director | Watsi | USA
Meet Our Catalysts
The visionary leaders transforming their
communities across the globe.
MacKinnon Engen
Executive Director | Watsi | USA
WOMEN LEADERS
COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
COMMITTED TO SOCIAL IMPACT
Where Our Catalysts Work
Where Our Catalysts Work
Our Empowered Leader Program Catalyst Directory
Our Empowered Leader Program Catalyst Directory
2026 Cohort 1
2026 Cohort 1
Ama Bartimeus
Ama Bartimeus
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Senior impact strategy leader with 20+ years across international development, impact investing and sustainability. At Shell Foundation, I design capital‑to‑impact systems that embed learning, accountability and evidence into global investment decisions. Fluent in French.
Senior impact strategy leader with 20+ years across international development, impact investing and sustainability. At Shell Foundation, I design capital‑to‑impact systems that embed learning, accountability and evidence into global investment decisions. Fluent in French.
Aminah Sondo
Aminah Sondo
United States
United States
Aminah Sondo is a Burkinabè American driven by her passion for student advocacy, inclusive education, travel, and fashion. As a Special Education Coordinator, she supports diverse learners. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new cultures and expressing herself through style.
Aminah Sondo is a Burkinabè American driven by her passion for student advocacy, inclusive education, travel, and fashion. As a Special Education Coordinator, she supports diverse learners. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new cultures and expressing herself through style.
Ana Garcia Hernandez
Ana Garcia Hernandez
Spain
Spain
Ana is Associate Director of Policy at J-PAL Europe, where she helps policymakers use evidence from randomised evaluations to design better policy. She has also researched women's political participation and girls' empowerment in Uganda and Zambia. She is driven by what works against poverty.
Ana is Associate Director of Policy at J-PAL Europe, where she helps policymakers use evidence from randomised evaluations to design better policy. She has also researched women's political participation and girls' empowerment in Uganda and Zambia. She is driven by what works against poverty.
Ana Perdomo
Ana Perdomo
Honduras
Honduras
Leader in program management with +15 years of experience in USAID initiatives in Honduras. She has coordinated responses in crisis context such as violence, migration, pandemic and natural disasters. Her job focuses on youth, education, employability, and sustainability to generate social impact.
Leader in program management with +15 years of experience in USAID initiatives in Honduras. She has coordinated responses in crisis context such as violence, migration, pandemic and natural disasters. Her job focuses on youth, education, employability, and sustainability to generate social impact.
Anam Zahra
Anam Zahra
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
Operator and builder with a decade of experience scaling tech ventures across the U.S. and the GCC. Has built organizations from 0 to acquisition, at startups and national platforms. From the US, but currently based in Riyadh, building and investing at the intersection of technology and impact.
Operator and builder with a decade of experience scaling tech ventures across the U.S. and the GCC. Has built organizations from 0 to acquisition, at startups and national platforms. From the US, but currently based in Riyadh, building and investing at the intersection of technology and impact.
Camila Flanagan
Camila Flanagan
United States
United States
Camila Flanagan is a trilingual marketing and communications strategist working at the intersection of science and storytelling. She works to help everyday people understand that sustainable food is possible and to highlight the farmers, fishers, and innovators working to make that happen.
Camila Flanagan is a trilingual marketing and communications strategist working at the intersection of science and storytelling. She works to help everyday people understand that sustainable food is possible and to highlight the farmers, fishers, and innovators working to make that happen.
2025 Cohort 2
2025 Cohort 2
Amina Mohamed
Amina Mohamed
Canada
Canada
Amina Mohamed, Founder & Executive Director of Cameras For Girls, is an ethical storytelling practitioner and former film/TV producer. She has trained over 200 women in Africa in photography and business skills, achieving an 80% employment rate and advancing gender equality in the media.
Amina Mohamed, Founder & Executive Director of Cameras For Girls, is an ethical storytelling practitioner and former film/TV producer. She has trained over 200 women in Africa in photography and business skills, achieving an 80% employment rate and advancing gender equality in the media.
Amy Royce
Amy Royce
United States
United States
Amy Royce is an policy expert and advocate for women's economic security. She works for inclusive systems that support democracy and build investments women and families need to thrive. A former federal appointee in civil rights policy, she works to create meaningful change that benefits all of us.
Amy Royce is an policy expert and advocate for women's economic security. She works for inclusive systems that support democracy and build investments women and families need to thrive. A former federal appointee in civil rights policy, she works to create meaningful change that benefits all of us.
Amy Wilson
Amy Wilson
United States
United States
Amy J. Wilson is a culture strategist, author, and founder of the Culture Shift Studio and the Steps to Unlearning. A former White House Innovation Fellow, she helps purpose-driven leaders unlearn outdated patterns and build cultures where people and ideas can thrive.
Amy J. Wilson is a culture strategist, author, and founder of the Culture Shift Studio and the Steps to Unlearning. A former White House Innovation Fellow, she helps purpose-driven leaders unlearn outdated patterns and build cultures where people and ideas can thrive.
Annie Utterback
Annie Utterback
United States
United States
Annie Utterback is a strategist, consultant, and writer based in New York City. She is passionate about economic mobility and has spent a decade strengthening and scaling workforce development programs to advance access to quality jobs.
Annie Utterback is a strategist, consultant, and writer based in New York City. She is passionate about economic mobility and has spent a decade strengthening and scaling workforce development programs to advance access to quality jobs.
Caitlyn Socwell
Caitlyn Socwell
Netherlands
Netherlands
Caitlyn is a self-proclaimed 'Austramerican' and founder of The Waste Not Spot. Through her work as a Global Circular Sustainability Consultant, she's on a mission to 'Make Circularity a Reality,' helping organisations and communities of every shape and size in their transition journey, globally.
Caitlyn is a self-proclaimed 'Austramerican' and founder of The Waste Not Spot. Through her work as a Global Circular Sustainability Consultant, she's on a mission to 'Make Circularity a Reality,' helping organisations and communities of every shape and size in their transition journey, globally.
Ciru Kinuthia
Ciru Kinuthia
Kenya
Kenya
Dr. Ciru Kinuthia, MPH, DNP, PhD (Emory), is Hospital Director at Midhill Hospital & Founder/CEO of Midhill Health Foundation. She advances women’s, maternal, mental, & community health through systems innovation, digital transformation, and outreach to vulnerable and refugee populations in Kenya.
Dr. Ciru Kinuthia, MPH, DNP, PhD (Emory), is Hospital Director at Midhill Hospital & Founder/CEO of Midhill Health Foundation. She advances women’s, maternal, mental, & community health through systems innovation, digital transformation, and outreach to vulnerable and refugee populations in Kenya.
WOMEN LEADERS
COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
COMMITTED TO SOCIAL IMPACT
2025 Cohort 1
2025 Cohort 1
Marissa Pledger
Marissa Pledger
United States
Marissa Pledger is Deputy Director of Panzi Foundation's US office. An expert in holistic care for survivors of sexual violence, she led projects at Panzi in DRC and worked with the Mukwege Foundation, advancing comprehensive, survivor-centered care and community healing.
Marissa Pledger is Deputy Director of Panzi Foundation's US office. An expert in holistic care for survivors of sexual violence, she led projects at Panzi in DRC and worked with the Mukwege Foundation, advancing comprehensive, survivor-centered care and community healing.
Agata Kaczmarek
Agata Kaczmarek
Ireland
I am a senior solutions manager working for Simprints, a non-profit providing ethical biometric identification to LMIC. Previously, I held positions in the UN Technology and Innovation Lab. I have BA in International Relations & MSc in Computer Science. I am passionate about human-centered design.
I am a senior solutions manager working for Simprints, a non-profit providing ethical biometric identification to LMIC. Previously, I held positions in the UN Technology and Innovation Lab. I have BA in International Relations & MSc in Computer Science. I am passionate about human-centered design.
Amalia Rodriguez Fajardo
Amalia Rodriguez Fajardo
Belgium
Amalia is a Belgian-Venezuelan human rights lawyer passionate about the intersection between environmental protection and human rights, especially those of Indigenous Peoples. She is a Law and Policy advisor for ClientEarth and she leads the work on community forest governance in Southeast Asia.
Amalia is a Belgian-Venezuelan human rights lawyer passionate about the intersection between environmental protection and human rights, especially those of Indigenous Peoples. She is a Law and Policy advisor for ClientEarth and she leads the work on community forest governance in Southeast Asia.
Amanda Baatyo
Amanda Baatyo
Uganda
I'm passionate about creating mobile solutions for social impact. Currently, I'm the Product Owner of PROMPTS at Jacaranda Health, an AI-powered SMS platform that delivers vital health information to new and expectant mothers, helping underserved populations access timely, quality care.
I'm passionate about creating mobile solutions for social impact. Currently, I'm the Product Owner of PROMPTS at Jacaranda Health, an AI-powered SMS platform that delivers vital health information to new and expectant mothers, helping underserved populations access timely, quality care.
Ani Gurtsishvili
Ani Gurtsishvili
Canada
Ani has over 4 years of experience in programmatic support and impact management and is currently a Canada program associate at the WES Mariam Assefa Fund. Her commitment to justice and advocacy drives her work, ensuring every initiative is grounded in fairness and integrity.
Ani has over 4 years of experience in programmatic support and impact management and is currently a Canada program associate at the WES Mariam Assefa Fund. Her commitment to justice and advocacy drives her work, ensuring every initiative is grounded in fairness and integrity.
Anna Kayes
Anna Kayes
United States
Anna Kayes is a storyteller, educator, coach and community-builder. She is passionate about fostering empathy and understanding through cross-cultural connection, empowering girls and women through sport, and producing stories that center women’s perspectives.
Anna Kayes is a storyteller, educator, coach and community-builder. She is passionate about fostering empathy and understanding through cross-cultural connection, empowering girls and women through sport, and producing stories that center women’s perspectives.
2024 Cohort 2
2024 Cohort 2
Aashna Desai
Aashna Desai
United States
Aashna is an investor who is passionate about building a sustainable economy. With a decade of finance experience, she has invested $150m+ in growth stage companies addressing climate change, financial inclusion, and healthcare for the underserved. She has also consulted for nonprofits globally.
Aashna is an investor who is passionate about building a sustainable economy. With a decade of finance experience, she has invested $150m+ in growth stage companies addressing climate change, financial inclusion, and healthcare for the underserved. She has also consulted for nonprofits globally.
Abigael Okoko
Abigael Okoko
Kenya
Dr. Abigael Okoko has been conducting research on sustainable energy and with a bias on energy for cooking. She holds a PhD in Environmental Planning and Management and MSc in Environmental Science. She is currently a manager at EED Advisory and manages various projects in the energy domain.
Dr. Abigael Okoko has been conducting research on sustainable energy and with a bias on energy for cooking. She holds a PhD in Environmental Planning and Management and MSc in Environmental Science. She is currently a manager at EED Advisory and manages various projects in the energy domain.
Abigail Adu-Daako
Abigail Adu-Daako
Ghana
Abigail is a digital safety professional with experience in creating policies & tools to protect online platform users.She's passionate about equitable internet governance, responsible AI & bridging the digital safety gap. She currently leads Trust and Safety policy work at the Wikimedia Foundation.
Abigail is a digital safety professional with experience in creating policies & tools to protect online platform users.She's passionate about equitable internet governance, responsible AI & bridging the digital safety gap. She currently leads Trust and Safety policy work at the Wikimedia Foundation.
Alejandra Laborda
Alejandra Laborda
Spain
Ale is a passionate advocate for social change, dedicating 10 years to corporate fundraising. She has supported children's rights and breast cancer research and is now focused on workforce development at Generation. She believes connecting the social and corporate sectors is key for lasting impact.
Ale is a passionate advocate for social change, dedicating 10 years to corporate fundraising. She has supported children's rights and breast cancer research and is now focused on workforce development at Generation. She believes connecting the social and corporate sectors is key for lasting impact.
Aleka Seville
Aleka Seville
United States
Aleka founded Collective Strategies Consulting (CSC) to empower collective action to address climate change. As Principal at CSC, Aleka supports local governments and networks by assessing needs, understanding barriers, and developing strategies to advance climate action and resilience.
Aleka founded Collective Strategies Consulting (CSC) to empower collective action to address climate change. As Principal at CSC, Aleka supports local governments and networks by assessing needs, understanding barriers, and developing strategies to advance climate action and resilience.
Alex Gardner
Alex Gardner
United States
I was born in Colchester, Vermont, I now live in Greenville, South Carolina with my partner and our puppy and two kittens. I graduated from Endicott College in 2020 with a degree in Political Science and work in fundraising for international NGOs. Outside of work I love traveling and reading!
I was born in Colchester, Vermont, I now live in Greenville, South Carolina with my partner and our puppy and two kittens. I graduated from Endicott College in 2020 with a degree in Political Science and work in fundraising for international NGOs. Outside of work I love traveling and reading!
Inspired by Our Catalysts?
Inspired by Our Catalysts?
Join our global community of changemakers or support the incredible work of our Catalysts. Together, we can create lasting impact and transform communities around the world.
Join our global community of changemakers or support the incredible work of our Catalysts. Together, we can create lasting impact and transform communities around the world.
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Copyright © 2026
Join the Movement
The Women's Impact Alliance is a proud 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax deductible organization founded in 2014 (EIN 81-2582448)
Sign Up for Our Newsletter for Stories, Events, and Resources
Copyright © 2026