New M4ID position will focus on building and sustaining partnerships

By Margaret Ann Collier

Hanna-Riitta joins us as the first partnership manager. With this appointment, M4ID seeks to continue to develop and widen our long-term partnerships both globally and in-country.

With more than a decade of experiences in the development sector, Hanna-Riitta will manage strategic partnership and help our teams develop new partnership opportunities across the diverse sectors and countries where we work.

What are your expectations of working at M4ID?

There is a lot of talk in the development community about interdisciplinary approaches and the co-creation of new solutions, and M4ID seems truly committed to critically analysing and applying how this can happen in practice.

I am really excited to join such an interdisciplinary work community. I believe in the power of diverse people spending time together, brainstorming new ways of thinking and innovating. All kinds of approaches have been tested in the field of international development, and as societal challenges become more integrated and complex, this interdisciplinary approach holds great promise.

What is a partnership manager’s role, and how will this new position impact M4ID?

The role is to oversee planning, development and management of our partnerships as well as business and external relations strategies. I’m hence in charge of initiating, strengthening, and maintaining long-term partnerships with existing and new clients and stakeholders.

I’m impressed with how M4ID has built such strong partnerships for the application of human-centred design and creative communication in social sectors in low income countries. Now, with this new position,  we seek to create new innovative partnerships and to deepen our collaboration with organisations in supporting vulnerable people and communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America. 

How would you describe your experience of your first week at the company?

The first week has been the right combination of structured discussions about current projects and informal, unplanned talks with colleagues about many interesting topics, just in the corridors. I can feel the strong sense of teamwork and collective curiosity toward understanding the visions and viewpoints of others.

I feel warmly welcomed in to the company, and I can sense that my colleagues have positive expectations toward my new position. M4ID has grown significantly over the past months, and it’s great to jump on board in to an evolving organisation where I can play a role in its further development.

Hanna-Riitta’s professional background has been gained in the international development sector. She has extensive experience in project management and sustaining long-term partnerships with clients and donors. She has also conducted long-term field work projects in Cambodia and rural Kenya.

Fun facts about Hanna-Riitta:

• In my free time, I… mostly play with legos or dinosaurs with my 4-year-old. Sometimes, I escape for a run.
• The last book I read was… Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy.
• The most interesting place I’ve ever travelled is…Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda–to see the gorillas.