Lola Ayanda

Lola brings 14+ years of experience leading impactful communications for local organisations, INGOs,
and think tanks in the humanitarian and development sectors. She served as the Anti-Racist Storytelling Senior Specialist at ActionAid UK and Communications Coordinator at ActionAid Nigeria for six years. She was a member of ActionAid’s Emergency Fast Action Support Team (EFAST), deployed for Rapid Action Communications in Emergencies (RACE). She also served as the communications expert on the technical working group that evaluated ActionAid’s global COVID-19 response in real time.

Previously, Lola worked as a Knowledge Management and Communications Officer at Mercy Corps,
focusing on education and gender programs. Before joining the humanitarian sector, she held
various roles in radio and television stations and mobilised actions for climate justice, child rights,
inclusive education, and equitable healthcare.

Lola holds a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication, a master’s in Business Administration, and a
master’s in Decolonisation and Social Justice from the University of West London. She is currently studying for a PhD in Diplomacy and International Affairs.