Meet Nicole Flynn, the newest member of GFC’s operations team! She helps build GFC’s capacity with a focus on organizational systems and functions.

POUVEZ-VOUS NOUS PARLER D'OÙ VOUS VENEZ ET DE VOTRE PARCOURS ?

I was born in Zimbabwe but grew up just outside of London. We were lucky enough to be surrounded by woodlands and farmland while still being very close the city, so I got the best of both worlds. I would spend a lot of time riding my bike around the estate, exploring our local woods, and also making frequent trips into the city with my friends – making the most out of our free Oyster [travel] cards (those were the days!).

QUEL EST VOTRE SOUVENIR D'ENFANCE PRÉFÉRÉ ?

One summer, we visited my grandparents on their farm in rural Zimbabwe. They taught me how to milk cows, how to fetch water from the well, and how to cook my favorite meal – sadza, nenyame yemombe nemuriwo. It gave me a real appreciation for where my food comes from and the effort required to produce it.

QU'EST-CE QUI VOUS A ATTIRÉ VERS CE DOMAINE D'ACTIVITÉ ET VERS GFC ?

While speaking to the team at GFC during my interviews, I got a real insight into the organization’s mission and values as well as understanding what motivates some of the individuals on the team to do this important work. How could I not want to join this amazing group of people?! Also, to be a part of an organization where results aren’t driven by profits for investors but by the impact that can be done for communities on the ground is such a refreshing change.

QUELLE SERA, SELON VOUS, LA PARTIE LA PLUS DIFFICILE DE VOTRE TRAVAIL ? QUELLE SERA LA PLUS SATISFAISANTE ?

I think my biggest challenge in this role will be trying to maximize the operational efficiency without compromising GFC’s mission and values.

Although I won’t be serving our partners directly, my work will be vital in ensuring that my colleagues are able to do the very important work they do to the best of their abilities. So, I think it goes without saying that the most satisfying part of my job will be seeing the positive impact for our partners.

POURQUOI CROYEZ-VOUS QUE LE TRAVAIL DE GFC EST IMPORTANT ?

Children and young people are one of the most vulnerable groups of people within our global society, and I think the importance of bottom-up approaches can often be greatly overlooked. GFC is helping to empower its partners while allowing them to have autonomy over the decisions that they make driving sustainable community-lead change.

#FunFacts About Nicole

QUEL ÉTAIT VOTRE JOUET PRÉFÉRÉ QUAND VOUS ÉTIEZ?

The trampoline. My brother and I would rush home from school, watch World Wrestling Entertainment on the TV, and then replicate what we saw on the netless trampoline. Thankfully, we never had any injuries.

QUE VOULAIS-TU FAIRE QUAND TU SERAI GRAND ?

I wanted to be a professional jockey, but by the time I was 10, I was approaching five feet, seven inches tall, and the dream was over so I quickly shifted to wanting to become a veterinarian.

QUE FAITES-VOUS POUR VOUS AMUSER ?

I love watching scary films in the cinema and sitting near the front row! Ghosts, demons, haunted houses… you name it… I’m there!

AVEZ-VOUS DES ANIMAUX DOMESTIQUES?

Dwarf freshwater catfish.

SI VOUS POUVIEZ AVOIR UN SUPER POUVOIR, QUEL SERAIT-IL ?

Shapeshifting. I would be Beyoncé for the day.