Catherine Flint is a VP of sales and brand partnerships for NinthDecimal and a member of the board of directors for Nurturing Minds. Nurturing Minds is a U.S.-based non-profit that partners with, and supports, the SEGA Girls’ School, which educates and empowers at-risk girls in Tanzania.
Q: How did you first get involved with Nurturing Minds?
A: A family friend is a founding board member of Nurturing Minds and has been instrumental in the building of the SEGA Girl’s School. In 2014, he let me know about the Advisory Board at Nurturing Minds, which allows young people to get involved without the commitment of being a Board Member. I asked to join immediately. In 2017 I visited the school for the first time and in 2018 I joined as a full Board Member.
Q: Can you discuss the importance of the relationships you’ve formed with the students at SEGA?
A: I have participated in the school’s English Fluency Program twice now, which enabled me to spend a lot of time getting to know our youngest students. In Tanzania, elementary school is taught in Swahili while high school is taught in English, so there is a learning curve for the students. The program brings U.S. volunteers to SEGA for two weeks, using games, theater, and singing exercises to help the girls grow more comfortable speaking in English.
Another way to connect with our students is through our student sponsorship program, which has been so meaningful to me because you can see the direct impact you are making on one girl’s life.
Q: How has Nurturing Minds impacted the way you think about education?
A: According to UNICEF, in Tanzania an estimated two million children between 7 and 13 years old are out of school. Girls are especially vulnerable to dropping out due to early marriage and pregnancy—more than one third of all girls in Tanzania are married by the time they are 18.
SEGA teaches the girls everything from academics to entrepreneurship and women’s health; all valuable lessons and skills that they take back to their peers and families at home. Nurturing Minds has shown me that improving access to education for women and girls not only improves the student’s life, but also can help to increase the employment rate, quality of life, and health for entire communities.
Q: What are 3 words that describe you?
A: Driven, fun-loving, and compassionate.
Q: What does it mean to walk like a woman?
A: To me, it means not being afraid to project confidence and always leading with empathy and kindness.
Q: Who is a woman who inspires you?
A: My beautiful cousin, Sarah Flint! She has an infectious enthusiasm for her brand and has never been afraid to put in the work needed to succeed. With all that she does, she still finds ways to elevate other female business owners and leaders. I’m in awe of all that she has accomplished!
