Mimi Kalinda | South Africa | Creating Narratives
- EA
- Sep 12, 2024
- 3 min read
Group CEO & Co-Founder: Africa Communications Media Group (ACG)
Chief Narrative Shaper: S&L | Founder: WiredUp Africa
LinkedIn Influencer | Adjunct Professor: IE University, Madrid
Mimi Kalinda’s story is a remarkable journey of passion, purpose, and a relentless drive to reshape Africa's narrative on the global stage. As the co-founder and Group CEO of Africa Communications Media Group (ACG), Mimi has spent over a decade transforming how Africa tells its stories. ACG, Africa’s first Pan-African, African-owned communications firm, is a powerhouse under her leadership. From crafting innovative media strategies to navigating the complexities of crisis management and stakeholder engagement, Mimi has made ACG a trailblazer in amplifying African voices across industries. With 26 years of experience in communications, reputation management, and business development, Mimi is no stranger to turning bold ideas into impactful actions. She thrives on creativity and resilience, building dynamic teams and creating solutions that resonate with Africa's unique cultural fabric. But Mimi’s story isn’t just about creating narratives—it’s about shaping reality. Her work ensures that African brands, businesses, and changemakers are seen, heard, and celebrated globally.
Mimi’s expertise extends beyond her role at ACG. As the Chief Narrative Shaper at Storytelling & Leadership, she empowers leaders and organizations to harness the power of their stories to inspire action and drive meaningful change. Through workshops, masterclasses, and organizational interventions, she helps individuals and companies find their authentic voice, building trust and leadership through the art of storytelling. Mimi’s influence also reaches the classroom, where she serves as an adjunct professor at IE University in Madrid, teaching the next generation the intricacies of public speaking and communication.
Mimi's work on global climate change initiatives has been equally transformative. As a senior communications consultant for the Bezos Earth Fund and a strategic voice at the Africa Climate Summit, she is at the forefront of raising awareness and mobilizing action against the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Her ability to shape global narratives has placed her alongside key policymakers, world leaders, and stakeholders in the fight for climate justice.
Her heart, however, remains with Africa. Through WiredUp Africa, Mimi champions the stories of African innovators and changemakers, ensuring that the continent’s visionaries are recognized on the world stage. Her work with the African Capacity Building Foundation and the prestigious Caine Prize underscores her dedication to Africa’s growth and development.
Mimi’s career is a vivid example of how storytelling can spark change. Whether through her leadership in communications for global social impact initiatives or as the Director of Communications for the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) under the Next Einstein Initiative, her work is deeply rooted in a passion for problem-solving and independent thinking. During her tenure with AIMS-NEI, Mimi championed the brightest minds in Africa, overseeing communications strategies that promoted innovation and launched groundbreaking initiatives like the Next Einstein Forum. Her strategic vision connected Africa’s academic institutions, corporates, and multilateral organizations in powerful, meaningful ways. Before all this, Mimi sharpened her skills in high-impact roles with industry giants. At FleishmanHillard and Weber Shandwick, she managed communications efforts across Africa, guiding projects for The Economist, Barclays Africa, Samsung, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Her talent for managing continent-wide campaigns made her a sought-after leader in the world of global communications.
Not only is Mimi a communication strategist, but she is also a storyteller on screen. As Executive Producer of the anti-HIV/AIDS TV series Rien Que La Verité in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mimi's role transcended production. She was instrumental in building cross-cultural bridges and using storytelling to create behavior change in combating the HIV/AIDS crisis. Her academic achievements reflect her drive for excellence, with a Bachelor’s in Media Studies from New York University and an ongoing Master’s in Digital Marketing Leadership from Emerson College. Mimi’s work across digital marketing, strategic communication, and media relations is a testament to her ability to lead organizations into the future with bold, transformative visions. Mimi Kalinda is not just shaping narratives; she’s reshaping Africa’s story, one groundbreaking initiative at a time. Her journey is a blueprint for the power of storytelling to inspire, transform, and lead.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mimikalinda/