Member of the Month - Natasha Walji

Natasha Walji (Sustainability Leadership, 2010)

Natasha walji

1)      How did you come to study at Wolfson college? 

I came to study for the Masters of Studies in Sustainability Leadership (2010). I chose the program because I wanted to deepen my understanding of the impact of climate change on people in poverty, and to better understand how to build greater resilience for those in poverty.

 

2)      What is your current occupation and how did you get into this role? 

Director at Google Canada, Telecom, Public Sector, Media & Technology. Prior to Google I was with McKinsey for 5 years and joined Google in 2010. I've been in various roles across strategy, finance and sales with my current role the most meaningful, given the platform it offers for impact on society.

 

3)      What do you most enjoy about your job?

Supporting my clients through digital transformation, driving meaningful results and supporting the government on improving quality of life for Canadians, particularly as it relates to important social causes e.g. COVID-19, opioids crisis, mental health etc. I also love being part of Google as our mission is focused on making a difference in the world, whether it's being climate neutral since 2007 or working on internet access for the 3.5 billion people without access via Project Loon, or using our AI technology / platforms to solve public health challenges...I feel inspired everyday to support the mission and feel like I'm part of something very meaningful.

 

4)      How did your studies at Wolfson help you in your career?

The program on Sustainability gave me a more holistic perspective with systems theory - how each element or issue of a system is interconnected to other components, eg. climate change or economic disparity. This has been helpful in having a richer more thoughtful perspective in terms of how to think about the impact of my work on the community and society. This is particularly important in the context of my public sector work.

 

5)      What is your fondest memory of your time at Wolfson?

Sitting out on the grass surrounded by beautiful flowers (many tulips) during the Spring with my classmates. Sharing stories, laughing, sharing our philosophy on life and how we want to change the world for the better. I also loved going punting with my class mates around Cambridge. There is something enchanting about punting along the River Cam as you feel transported back in time and time slows for a moment... 

 

6)      What is the best advice you have ever been given?

Think about how you will use your education and knowledge to serve the world.

 

7)      Which book has had the greatest impact on you?

The Treasured Writings of Kahlil Gibran

 

What's on

A small brown bird perches on a thin branch, its beak open as if singing, with a blurred green and yellow forest background.

Open Call: WolfWords Poetry Anthology 2025

02/12/2024 at 09.00

We are delighted to announce the open call for this year’s WolfWords anthology. The theme for this year’s collection is Voice.

A person with red hair and a beard is smiling in front of a dark purple background.

Wolfson Howler with John Tothill

02/12/2024 at 20.00

Prepare to laugh out loud at our legendary comedy night with headliner John Tothill!

Two female telephone operators in a vintage switchboard room, one smiling and glancing at the other while adjusting her headset, surrounded by cables and equipment.

Chinese Telephone Operators in San Francisco: Between Chinatown and Hollywood

03/12/2024 at 17.30

What could the hidden figures of Chinese telephone operators tell us about American film history and media networks?

A person with short gray hair and glasses sits smiling on a green armchair in a room with wooden paneling and a lit lamp in the background.

Professor Ijeoma Uchegbu: "Using the very small to tackle the very large"

04/12/2024 at 18.30

Discover how cutting-edge nanoparticle technology is revolutionising drug delivery to improve efficacy, reduce side effects, and offer safer treatments for patients with chronic conditions.

A large, bustling indoor market with a high arched ceiling, featuring numerous small stalls selling a variety of goods and clothing, with people browsing and shopping along narrow aisles.

Conversation with Wolfson Fellows Series - Technology and Labour: A changing landscape

05/12/2024 at 16.00

Join us in conversation with Dr Andrew Sanchez (Department of Social Anthropology) and Dr Garima Jaju (Centre of South Asian Study).

News