People in Fundraising, season 3, ep. 18: Mariame Sano of Make-a-Wish Massachusetts & Rhode Island

I am so excited to share this "People in Fundraising" conversation with a rising star in the fundraising world, Mariame Sano! Mariame and I got connected through my former Harvard Business School co-worker and season 1 podcast guest Jessica McNeill. Like Jessica, Mariame is an alum of Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, where my father has worked for decades.

In our terrific interview, Mariame discusses:

 

* her experience as a first-generation immigrant, what brought her to the U.S., and what she has learned about herself as a person and professional

* her role as the Senior Manager of Corporate and Community Partnerships for Make-a-Wish Massachusetts & Rhode Island

* her response to teacher and writer Margaret Wheatley’s observation that “There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.”

* volunteer leadership experience at Bridgewater State University

* the benefits of being a super-early riser. In Fall 2023, Mariame posted this on LinkedIn: “I wake up and do what my heart desires…uninterrupted. At 5 a.m., I am no one’s friend, sister, or employee. I JUST AM!”

* Mariame's goals and aspirations in fundraising, specifically for social impact initiatives in focused on women and girls in her native Guinea and Africa in general. "Somebody has to go do the work there, to make it better. I hope and wish to see more of that!"

Thank you Mariame for a phenomenal and motivating conversation! I look forward to seeing your career continue to advance and see the dreams you set for yourself to uplift and inspire others come to life.