In a world striving for gender equality and social justice, Sophie D. Bromand stands out as a powerful advocate for female empowerment. As an International Development Consultant, Project Manager, and Workshop Facilitator, Sophie has dedicated her career to driving positive change across continents, from Nairobi to Copenhagen. With a deep commitment to fostering gender equality and empowering women, she works tirelessly to create sustainable solutions that uplift communities and break down barriers. In this post, we explore Sophie’s remarkable journey, her impactful work in international development, and how she’s using her expertise to create a future where women’s voices are not only heard, but amplified.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to pursue a career in international development?
Since 2022, I’ve been living and working as a consultant in Nairobi, Kenya, and am now building a life here with my partner and our little son. I’m the oldest of two siblings, born and raised in Denmark, by a Danish-born mother and an Iranian-born father. Growing up in a two-culture, and two-language, household has been a blessing and has given me an understanding for the nuances that exist within each society. After finishing high school in Denmark, I was eager to travel. After a year of working odd jobs to save up money, I went to the US (the political situation then, was not what it is now. But I’m still not exactly sure why this became my destination, but late-teen Sophie, made the decision, AND WENT!). After a while, I decided that the multicultural environment of the States, was what had been missing in my life, and I enrolled in an American university. I got accepted and managed to apply for various scholarships, which helped me through my studies without incurring debt. I got my BA in International Relations and Affairs from Bucknell University, where I was introduced to the intersections of global disparities and gender. My time at BU, really piqued my interest in international development, particularly with a focus on women and children and conflict. My first job post graduation, was at a local organisation in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, that focused on restorative justice principles in mentoring programmes for delinquent juveniles – what a privilege it was to see the impact these programmes had on these young people. Later, when I moved back to Denmark after 7 years in the US, I furthered my studies at the University of Copenhagen and obtained an MA in Global Development, where my thesis concentration was on women’s/widows’ rights in East Africa.
How did your journey in the development sector shape your professional and personal growth?
I do think that the exposure to different cultures, peoples, and ways of life, throughout my life (particularly teenage years and early adulthood), has had an enormous impact on me. Having been in the development sector for six years now, I’d say that the thing I cherish the most, is the lessons I’ve learned and advice I’ve been given by the people, with whom I’ve interacted. For example, I was co-facilitating a Danida funded Management workshop in Arusha, Tanzania, for female leaders. The lived experiences of these women truly inspired me – to be better, to do better, not only for my own future, but for the people around me. Because of these women, and other people I’ve met throughout my career, I aim to make a difference – directly or indirectly – in the lives of the people with whom I interact, both in my personal and professional life.
As a new mum, how has your approach to work and life changed since welcoming your baby?
So, I’m currently on maternity leave with my son. He just turned six months, and I have 3 months left before I have to go back to work. In Denmark, you’re entitled to a significant number of weeks of parental leave (both as a mother and a father), for which I feel very grateful. I’ve thus been able to be fully present for and with my son, my first child, without having to think about work – yet. When I do go back to work though, I hope that there will be chance to work from home several days a week, so that I can be home and easily accessible should there be any issues while I’m working. In Kenya, most families do have nannies, who take care of the children full time. So, in a few months, I’ll be looking for someone to come and look after my son, when I’m working.
What have been some of the most rewarding experiences you’ve had working in Nairobi, and how have you adapted to life there?
Some of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in Nairobi, have come from interacting with so many different people. Kenyans are very hospitable and friendly, and even when I was proper new in the city and would attend dance workshops and events by myself (I love dancing salsa, kizomba, bachata – and there’s quite a big Latin dance community in Nairobi), everyone I met made me feel welcome. And I suddenly knew a group of people, who made the transition to a new city feel easier. Life in Nairobi is busy, chaotic, and loud. It is also full of joy, calm, and beautiful scenery. Nairobi is a city full of contrasts; significant wealth disparity, people of different geographic origin – both national and international, many spoken languages, and the stark difference between daytime and nighttime – and the city never sleeps. I’ve found a home in Nairobi – the city welcomed me when I arrived and knew no one, and now, I’m building a home and life with my partner and our little son.
How do you manage the balance between your demanding career and raising a young child, especially in an international context?
Raising a child in an international context; I only see benefits. My son will grow up knowing more than one culture and way of life, and I know it will provide him with a deeper understanding and empathy for people. And sure, there will always be work to be completed in the office and deadlines to meet. But the days spent with my son, seeing him grow up, those days will go by too fast and not one day will be the same. I’ve never allowed work to take over my life entirely – and won’t allow it to happen now either.
What challenges have you faced in your career, and how have you overcome them, particularly as a woman in the international development field?
Being overlooked and not getting chosen for assignment or projects. Or being given primarily administrative tasks, rather than investigative and interesting ones. In the beginning, I didn’t do anything, but as time went by, I decided to speak up about it. I didn’t switch jobs just to be doing administrative assignments. Luckily, my team was very responsive, and I was put on various assignments thereafter. I’ve spoken with a number of female colleagues about this, and we agree, that as women, we often don’t take action or raise an issue, if something is bothering us in the work space. While our male colleagues don’t seem to have a problem with it – this goes for negotiating salaries, giving feedback to supervisors, and asking for more or different assignments that will help build a better professional platform. But if we don’t advocate for ourselves and our professional needs and wants, then who will?
As an advocate for gender equality, what are some initiatives or practices you’ve been involved with that aim to empower women in the communities you work with?
One of the most impactful programmes I’ve been involved with, is the Danida funded learning programme Women in Management. This is a training and learning programme for women in high-level senior leadership roles in diverse sectors across Africa. For two years, I co-facilitated the training with colleagues from Denmark, Tanzania and Kenya. The programme highlights how gender influences leadership and management, and builds confidence in the participants and their abilities as leaders in order to advance their careers and effectively lead others. For each training cycle, 25-30 women came together to learn new skills, share experiences, and learn from each other. As a facilitator, I witnessed incredible ‘aha’-moments, a shared understanding of the struggles that women in leadership face, as well as incredible empathy for each other as women. The power that we have, that women have, when we come together and stand together – it’s really something! The programme was evidently designed for these incredible women, to support their future professional and personal growth; but it was also incredibly empowering and inspiring for me to hear the stories of these women, how they’ve overcome challenges, and how they see themselves as future leaders.
What advice do you have for women who are looking to establish a career in international development, particularly those who may be considering balancing work and family life?
Just go for it! You won’t know the obstacles, and how to overcome them, before you give it a try and face them head on. Yes, it will be harder to balance work with a family life than when it was just me and my partner, but I don’t believe the people who say we can’t have both. With the right partner and their support, we can kick ass both at work and at home!
Can you share a memorable moment from your professional life in Kenya that had a lasting impact on you?
The most memorable moment has to be being part of the training programmes for female leaders (see question 7). I was truly touched by their seemingly never-ending optimism and strength in overcoming adverse situations or standing firm when they were being asked to do things as ‘women’, not as the senior-level manager they were. E.g., when they – often as the only female executive in a meeting – would be asked to bring tea for the rest of the executives (all male). The sisterhood that was created amongst each training/programme cohort, was beautiful to witness.
Looking ahead, what are some of the goals or projects you’re most excited to pursue, both personally and professionally?
Professionally – I’m very excited about the next chapter of my professional life. Before going on maternity leave, I decided I wanted to try something else than consulting on the other side of staying home with my son. I love facilitating and developing programmes/courses with a specific purpose, I enjoy project management and being part of the different stages from start to finish, and it’s very satisfying when being able to help a client with determining how to improve their projects/initiatives in the future – the main thing that I want to make sure is at the centre of my next professional endeavour, is people. I want to sit more in front of people rather than a computer.
Personally – Becoming a mother has really changed my perspective on many things: for example, I didn’t know it was possible to function on so little sleep for so many months…! I also didn’t know how much emotional, mental, and physical energy it takes to care for a small human, who is entirely dependent on you. I’m learning how to be more patient with myself, to grant myself grace when I’m at what feels my very limit of energy, and that it is also okay (if not, extremely important) to prioritize and meet some of my own needs – because when mama is good, she’s a better mama and partner. I’m looking forward to discovering the new me – who I am as an individual, now that I am also a mother. This year is bound to be full of new experiences, lots of growth opportunities, and so much love. Let’s do it
Connect with Sophie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-bromand/