- Name: Sally Walkerman
- Age: 33
- Current location: Chamonix, France
- Home town: Vermont, USA
- Education: MSc Anthropology and Development, London School of Economics; AB History, Brown University
- Current position: Senior Executive, Small Foundation
- Organization description: Small Foundation is working to end extreme poverty and chronic hunger in Sub-Saharan Africa, by working with smallholder farmers to create sustainable income-generating opportunities.
- Bio: Sally Walkerman is a senior executive for Small Foundation. She previously worked for the Aga Khan Foundation in London and Dar Es Salaam. Sally blends her experience in investments and start-ups with her background in development and working with NGOs to specialize in economic development.
- Countries I've worked in: USA, UK, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Mozambique, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Senegal, Nigeria, Mali, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, India
- Sector / subsectors: International Development, Business, Social Enterprise
- Areas of expertise: rural economic development, economic development, business incubation, agribusiness, impact investing, NGOs, climate resilience, sustainable development.
- Country: France
- Region: Africa, Europe
- Sector: Business, International development
- Degree subject: Anthropology, History, International development
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Tell us about the organization you work for and your role.
Meet Sally Walkerman.
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What does an average week look like?From support to interrogation, Sally breaks down the role she plays for Small Foundation.
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Tell us about your career trajectory. How did you get to where you are?Sally says, despite having a history degree, her first actual job was with an early stage investor in the science and technology field.
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What happened after you decided to get a master's, and how did that lead to a career in international development?Sally talks about her first real job in the international development world with the Aga Khan Foundation.
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Through word of mouth, you heard this organization was hiring. What was the process after you reached out?Sally tells us how Small Foundation was really looking for a “generalist”.
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What was the actual interview process like?Sally talks to us about Skype interviewing.Tags: interviews skype interviews
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What do you think you brought to the table that ultimately got you the job?Be a bridge between business and non-profit. Sally talks to us about being a generalist with a broad background.
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You mentioned the difference between being a generalist and a specialist. Can you break that down for us?
Sally explains the dynamic between specialists and generalists in international development, and her advice to young people interested in this sector.
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What advice do you have for people who are moving overseas for the first time?Sally says it took six months to find and make friends.
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What about professional challenges?Sally tells us the lesson she learned in Tanzania, and why if you aren’t aware, you can have an entire meeting without hearing from anyone local.
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Are there certain traits or abilities that will help someone succeed in this sector?Sally says resilience is important in a sector that can really wear you down.
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What are some entry points into this sector?Sally tells us that most entry points are informal, and gives us an example of networking in action.
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When it comes to education, are there certain backgrounds or specializations that tend to be in demand?Sally says that, for better or worse, getting a master’s does seem to be necessary.
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Are there common mistakes that young people make when trying to enter this sector?Sally explains why saying “I want to do international development” isn’t enough, and that young people need to get more specific.
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What about advice for young people once they’ve landed that first job or internship?Sally talks about the importance of finding that one project, event, or business plan, that becomes your 'baby': something you can put your name on, and walk away from the internship with.
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What do you look for when you’re hiring?Sally tells us what makes the difference when she’s hiring.
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Any last words of advice?Sally tells us why she ultimately decided not to go to law school, and explains why setting long-term goals is important to figuring out your career path.
