On-Purpose

Mayan Al-Shakarchy

From a young age, Mayan has been driven by a deep desire to impact the world positively. Her passion for social impact led her to be elected as a Youth Parliament Member at 14, working with her local MP as she advocated for youth-related causes. She also volunteered with Amnesty International and Fairtrade. Her first job was at The Body Shop, inspired by its founder Anita Roddick's belief that business could be a force for good.

Before On Purpose, Mayan was a Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office diplomat. Over her six-year civil service career, she held diverse roles. She explored the impact of technology in humanitarian contexts and played a pivotal role in delivering summits that raised over £7 billion to protect children from infectious diseases. Her policy and strategy skills were instrumental in advising Ministers on equitable access to COVID-19 vaccine. At the United Nations in New York, she led negotiations for the UK on security matters. Mayan's commitment to people extended beyond her diplomatic duties. She consistently championed diversity, inclusion, fairness, and dignity at work.

Returning to her entrepreneurial upbringing, Mayan wants to explore the synergies of social impact and business. Her year with On Purpose, working with COOK and eBay, promises to be a transformative experience. She is excited to unleash her creativity, grow her leadership skills, and deepen her understanding of the social impact landscape.

Outside of work, Mayan finds joy in Middle Eastern cooking - a way to explore her Iraqi heritage and connect with family. She loves to find innovative and purpose-driven fashion, beauty, and wellness B Corps. Mayan holds a BSc in Politics and International Relations from the University of Southampton and MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies from the London School of Economics (LSE).

On Purpose Placements