Photos courtesy of Hafsatu
Stories of Impact is a series of periodic posts by coalition members on how the Resilient Collective has aided their work. The Resilient Collective is an academy of shared learning consisting of skills-building workshops and a curated resource centre that provides funding resources, access to classes and more. Learn more here.
Hafsatu Sey Sumani is the Head of Program, Policy and Campaigns and cofounder of Norsaac, a civil society organisation based in Ghana. With 27 years of experience in social work — from peer educator and facilitator to organisational development leader — she brings deep expertise in leadership, mentorship, coaching, networking, and collaboration.
She is a graduate of the Every Woman Fellowship and an active member of the Resilient Collective and Member Resource Hub. Here, she reflects on what the Collective has made possible for her and her organisation.
- When you first joined the Resilient Collective, what were you hoping to gain? What specific challenges or gaps were you looking to address for yourself or your organization?
When I joined the Resilient Collective (RC), my primary goal was to broaden my professional network, enhance my knowledge and skills, and create more opportunities for my organization. I believed that becoming part of a diverse community of changemakers and organizations would expose me to new ideas, innovative approaches, and valuable partnerships that could strengthen our work and impact.
At the time, my organization was facing several challenges, particularly in the areas of teamwork and resource mobilization. There were gaps in collaboration and coordination among team members, which affected our ability to work efficiently and achieve our goals. In addition, inadequate funding remained a major obstacle, limiting our capacity to implement programs, expand our reach, and respond effectively to the needs of the communities we serve.
“Joining RC was driven by a desire to grow both personally and professionally,”
Through RC, I hoped to learn from the experiences and best practices of other members, gain access to networks and opportunities that could support organizational growth and build strategic relationships that would help address these challenges. I was eager to improve my leadership and collaboration skills, strengthen teamwork within my organization, and identify innovative funding opportunities that could contribute to our long-term sustainability and impact.
Joining RC was driven by a desire to grow both personally and professionally while positioning my organization to become more effective, resilient, and better equipped to achieve its mission.
- You mentioned attending an advocacy workshop and taking 2–3 courses. How have these trainings impacted you personally or professionally? If possible, please highlight a specific project where you applied these skills and describe the impact.
My exposure to RC motivated me to engage with other platforms and apply for additional capacity-building training opportunities. At RC, I participated in training programmes such as Professional Effectiveness, where I gained valuable knowledge and skills in managing both myself and my team.
One of the most significant changes I have made has been improving habits that previously affected my productivity, such as frequent phone use, constant email checking, and unplanned movements during work hours. I have now adopted a more structured approach by checking my phone and emails at scheduled intervals, which has significantly improved my efficiency and productivity.
During this period, I have also strengthened my team management practices by providing regular feedback on performance. This has enhanced commitment, accountability, and motivation among team members, leading to improved teamwork and overall performance.
In addition, I have had access to valuable training resources, which have enabled me to continue building my skills. So far, I have completed two courses: one on programme effectiveness and another on communication. These have strengthened both my technical and interpersonal competencies. I am currently undertaking my third course on Gender-Based Violence, which consists of 19 modules. I am halfway through and have completed 10 modules to date.
- Based on your experience, would you recommend the Resilient Collective to a fellow activist, and if so, why?
Yes, I would highly recommend the Resilient Collective to fellow activists. The programme provides valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth through practical capacity-building trainings, peer learning, and networking. My participation in the Resilient Collective enhanced my skills in professional effectiveness, team management, and self-leadership, which have directly improved my productivity and performance at work.
To join the Resilient Collective, email me at zainab@everywoman.org
