Tell me about your work.
My work cuts across research, operational support and advocacy. It centres on deepening our understanding of how the climate crisis affects health and humanitarian needs, especially on vulnerable and marginalised populations. I help translate insights from our projects into learnings and case studies that can be shared across the region and the broader movement.
A key part of my work focuses on bolstering climate adaptation by developing climate tools tailored to the operational realities of our medical-humanitarian projects.
How did you end up doing this work?
My journey with MSF began in 2019 when I joined the advocacy unit as an intern for the access campaign. That’s when I first discovered the power of advocacy to drive meaningful change. From there, I worked as a researcher focusing on climate change through a gendered lens, specifically on a project exploring how to integrate gender and social dimensions into urban climate policies in four South African cities. That experience sparked my passion for climate advocacy and research, and I’ve been moving forward on that path ever since.
What do you think makes you good at what you do?
My deep commitment in ensuring that community voices and experiences — especially those from marginalised groups — are reflected in the policies that affect them. I see real value in local and indigenous knowledge, and I work to bridge the gap between high-level strategy and grassroots realities. I also bring strong research skills, intersectional thinking, a collaborative spirit and the ability to connect across sectors and teams.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I wanted to be a psychologist. I was drawn to the idea of helping people through their struggles, understanding their emotions, and offering support. That desire to care for others and make a meaningful difference still guides everything I do today, even though my path took a different direction. Ultimately, it was always about channelling my empathy into action and that’s still what drives me.
What do you look for when recruiting people for your team?
MSF works with populations that are often excluded or marginalised, including migrants, women and children, sex workers, LGBTQIA+ communities and displaced persons, so we look for people who can uphold MSF’s principles of impartiality, neutrality and respect for all patients, without discrimination or judgment. We want people who are committed to working ethically, professionally and with empathy — no matter the context or the community.
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