is a gender-equality strategist, movement-centered leader, and global gender equity expert with over a decade of experience advancing community-led solutions for girls and women across Africa and the Global South.

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Her work sits at the intersection of philanthropy, grassroots feminist movements, public policy, gender-transformative education and global communications, storytelling and advocacy — with a consistent focus on shifting power, strengthening locally rooted organizations, and ensuring that girls’ leadership is resourced—not tokenized.

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Mariama has held senior roles with the World Bank Group, the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI), and ECPAT International, where she supported large-scale investments, donor collaboratives, and participatory research initiatives spanning education, child protection, and gender justice. Across these roles, she has helped integrate gender diagnostics into $88M+ in national education and skills programs, contributed to multi-million-dollar donor renewals, and co-created advocacy and learning tools with girl- and youth-led movements across over seven African countries.

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Currently as the Founder and Principle Consultant at MWC — and Head of Strategy & Partnerships at Bantare Impact Group, Mariama leads organizational strategy, donor engagement, and partnership development for a feminist, Africa-rooted think-and-do tank working across Sub-Saharan Africa. She is known for her ability to bridge donor priorities with community realities—building trust across global North–South divides while maintaining feminist integrity and accountability to grassroots actors.

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Earlier in her career, Mariama worked as an international journalist and multimedia producer with BBC World Service and CNN Africa, amplifying African women’s and girls’ voices for global audiences, including contributions to BBC 100 Women.

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Mariama holds a Master of Education from Harvard University, a Master’s in Media and Critical Practice from the University of the Arts London, and a Bachelor’s degree from McGill University. She is fluent in English and French and brings deep political, cultural, and relational acumen to feminist leadership and fund stewardship.