Born to Sierra Leonean and Guinean parents, Mariama is a third culture kid or TCK, who grew up in 10 countries across 5 continents including Zambia, the UK, Sudan, Ethiopia, the US, Italy, Yemen, Pakistan, the Philippines and Canada. 

 

Mariama has since worked in Canada, Sierra Leone, and the UK— in roles covering programs and operations in Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, and the United States. 

 

English and Sierra Leonean Krio are Mariama’s two native tongues. She is fluent in French, and a beginner in Arabic, Fulani, and Mende.

 

Holding a Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) in International Development and Political Science from McGill University, Mariama's career started at the intersection of public policy, international efforts for socio-economic development in public health and education, and strategic communications & storytelling as vessels for change across Africa and global majority countries. After 5 years of work experience, Mariama returned to academia to obtain a Masters of Arts (M.A.) in Media, Communications and Critical Practice graduating with first class honours from the University of the Arts London. Mariama also holds a Masters of Education (Ed.M.) in Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology (graduating summa cum laude) from Harvard University. 

 

The bulk of Mariama's mid-career has been with the World Bank and the UN, in Education Financing, Policy and Development— transforming classrooms, curricula, and the meaning of inclusive education— and harnessing the power of EdTech to accelerate learning across Africa, particularly in fragility and emergency contexts. In equal measure, Mariama is a freelance international journalist, having worked with and led teams for BBC's award winning programs including 100 Women, Focus on Africa, and the Emmy-nominated What's New/Actu Jeune. Over the last 4 years, Mariama has also been the premiere Sierra Leonean journalist at the forefront of CNN's cutting edge Africa programming including Inside Africa, African Voices Changemakers, MarketPlace Africa and Connecting Africa. 

 

In her free time, Mariama is a filmmaker, creative director, and serial social-entrepreneur. She is a two-time Founder of firms that have disrupted trends limiting employment for Sierra Leonean youth from underserved communities. From 2017-2019, Mariama Founded and led Foodies SL Ltd., a bizdev and marketing consultancy firm that shifted local employment trends in Sierra Leone's foreign-dominated tourism and hospitality sector. Serving 21 businesses in 2 years, Foodies led clients to triple their profits in six months and access international markets, during an economic recession.  In 2021, Mariama co-founded The Women's Career Collective or TWCC— a hub providing career mentorship, resourcing & venture incubation for vulnerable young women in STEM & the creative industries in Sierra Leone— ensuring access to formal employment and breaking the cycle of informal economy for TWCC's pilot cohort of 5 young women. 

 

In 2024, Mariama released her debut film(s), a short film series project— Slow Mornings. Critically acclaimed, the films are a continuation of Mariama's life long journey championing, connecting, curating, and lending creative direction to African creatives and creative movements across the globe including up-and-coming film and music production, fashion brands and shows, music and cultural festivals, and museums and gallery exhibitions.  

 

A millennial polymath and multidisciplinary visionary leader— Mariama says her lifelong ambitions include tackling the most complex challenges facing African education sectors and socio-economic development, making a bunch of romantic films, and being credited with having crafted the world's most perfect cup of an Americano coffee.