Meet the newest members of our hive!
In this interview, we interview Madeleine and Prerna, who have both recently joined the inHive team and will be working with some of our amazing partners across the world.
inhive: First up, can you tell us a bit about you?
Prerna: I was born and brought up in Berlin and moved to London in 2007 after a short, one year stint in Hong Kong. I studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford and began my career in Economic consultancy. A few years in, I decided that I wanted to shift my focus on development and social impact, and went on to pursue a Masters in Contemporary India studies at SOAS. Following the Masters, I moved to India to work for a social mobility movement seeking to dismantle the barriers between rural talent and world class educational and professional opportunity and have just moved back to London.
Madeleine: I was born and raised in London with family roots in Scotland and Italy. I studied Physics at university before travelling for a year. This trip inspired what has become a lifelong education of cultures and geographies outside of the UK.
Five years into a career in financial services, I decided to transition to one of the largest humanitarian charities in the world as a project manager. During this time I had an interim role in Cambodia working for an international NGO, managing their volunteer programme, and in my spare time running training sessions for staff and leadership students to develop their skills and expertise.
I am currently studying a part time Masters at UCL in Education, Gender and International Development.
inHive: What did you want to be when you were 10 years old and why?
Madeleine: So many things! Mostly though, I wanted to be an artist. I loved drawing and painting, and – during secondary school – after a work experience placement with a construction company, thought I’d combine creativity with building design and become an architect.
Prerna: A Physicist or Astronomer!
inHive: Bit of a departure from these initial ideas to your role at inHive! Can you tell us why you wanted to work here?
Prerna: Over the last few years, my passion towards social mobility and equalizing opportunity for young people has translated into entrenched professional commitment to make this happen. When I first came across inHive, it was incredibly exciting to encounter a young and dynamic team focused on addressing a barrier to success that very few people think about, namely, who you know. Once I got a flavour for the working culture of the organization, along with its mission and vision, being part of inHive was a no-brainer.
Madeleine: I have always believed in the power of education and knowledge to bring about long-lasting change. Formal and informal education is around us all the time, and influences who we are and who we want to become, personally and professionally.
inHive is a leading social innovator in the sector, working to build capacity and knowledge with in-country partners to develop networks around young people that inspire and motivate them to go on to dignified and fulfilling careers. I felt lucky enough growing up to have role models outside of formal education, all from different walks of life; working at inHive allows me to be part of something that I feel passionate about – creating connection and seeing when it sparks!
inHive: Can you tell us about a role model in your life and how they’ve impacted you?
Madeleine: My Dad – musician first, hospital director second. He has provided me with a diversity of experience and inspires positivity throughout my life. Never imposing his beliefs, but gradually introducing me to different cultures, the history of our world, and perspectives that challenged my own, he is pretty amazing.
Prerna: Ranjita Rajan – the Founder of the Karta Initiative, my former workplace. Until a few years ago, I had never really considered a career in social impact. Meeting Ranjita when Karta was first being seeded gave me first-hand experience of someone who had transitioned from the profit-making consulting sector to making real transformative social change. The ways she has garnered support of all sectors of the economy, from world class universities, to corporates, to individual volunteers and donors has served as an inspiration to me to involve all in my network to propel systemic change.
