MSc Environment and Development, 2011
Founder and Executive Director, Photographers Without Borders
I chose my degree subject because it was the perfect marriage of what I wanted to study—International Development and Sustainability issues. I chose LSE because it is the only school that combined the two fields in a Masters programme and because LSE ranked amongst the best schools in the world in the field of Social Science. England has the best international development programs and I chose LSE based on the specific programme. My aspirations were somewhat confirmed and re-inspired by attending LSE. I couldn’t be happier with the career path I have taken.
Upon finishing my Master’s degree at LSE I continued to grow Photographers Without Borders, a non-profit organization that I founded prior to attending LSE. As the Executive Director of a growing, socially innovative organization my day-to-day responsibilities are many and varying. Photographers Without Borders operates out of the Centre for Social Innovation in Toronto, which is a social innovation community and incubator that fosters our growth and development. We are registered in the US as well and do most of our operations online. Overall I am responsible for strategy and business development, overseeing management, finances, and day-to-day operations. My skillset includes communication, coordination, organisational. Interpersonal and management skills, the ability to multitask, knowledge of international development issues, an open and honest attitude, travel experience in over 50 countries, 5 languages, cultural sensitivity, professional photography and video directing skills. I am also a freelance photographer and director.
I essentially created this job for myself after years of exploring and learning not only about how I can apply my many oddball skills to a meaningful cause but also what made me happy. This job is an intersection of all my interests and talents. I love my job because I have a great deal of control and flexibility and I’m doing exactly what I want to be doing. There are details about the job that I don’t love, but it comes with the territory. There are ups and downs to everything!
LSE changed my life and was one of the best decisions I ever made. I loved my experience so much that I applied and finally became a British citizen very recently. Hopefully this will allow the organisation to expand to Europe as it already has in the US. Not only did I realise how incredible learning could be (Canadian schools are not nearly as engaging) but I have made lifelong friends in the field and still stay in touch with some of my professors to this day. Some students work for organisations that can benefit from what Photographers Without Borders does and we have worked with some of them already.
Thank you LSE!