Head of Programmes, United Nations, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Yogi, Migrant, Traveler, Dakar, Senegal

Determined and unwavering were two descriptors that came to mind when I first met Ms. Claudia Natali in Dakar, Senegal. Her WOW Woman answers confirmed my first impression. Ms. Natali was nominated by another fantastic woman in Dakar. At the time of our brief meeting, Ms. Natali was wrapping up her last month, getting ready to pick up her life and start anew in Northern Africa, in Tunis. It was February 2020 and our world was about to change.

Brief hour-long coffee chats or extensive multi-day collaborations, WOW Woman meet ups never fail to leave a mark. I’m grateful for Claudia’s honest answers, beautiful hopeful smile and inspiring attitude to pursue her dreams.

1. Name.

Claudia Natali.

2. Where is your hometown?

Turin, Italy.

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?

Head of the Programme Development and Support Unit of IOM* Libya, a migrant, a traveler and a yogi.

*Established in 1951, IOM, the International Organization for Migration is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. IOM works with its partners in the international community to assist in meeting the growing operational challenges of migration, advance understanding of migration issues, encourage social and economic development through migration and uphold the well-being and human rights of migrants.

I moved from Senegal to IOM Libya, based in Tunis, at the beginning of March 2020. After one week in the office and one week on travel duty in Niger I found myself locked down in an empty but beautiful villa in the La Marsa neighborhood of Tunis. My partner (Adama) and I were lucky enough to find a place to live, to buy a sofa bed, a fridge and a washing machine within a week following our arrival from Senegal (where I had been living for the past six years) and just before Tunisia was put on a standstill by the COVID19 virus.

My new job as the Head of the Programme Development Support Unit of IOM Libya started like this, in lockdown. I had to quickly learn how to coordinate a team remotely, to hit the ground running understanding the complex situation in Libya, and work hard to ensure that the unit I led -composed of eight young and smart women - was able to respond quickly and effectively to the growing needs on the ground.

My average day is fairly simple to describe: early wake up, a coffee and logged on to my IOM account at the latest by 9AM. Working in lockdown and remotely has forced us all to slightly change the way we interact. On a normal day I spend 60% of my time on calls either on Zoom, Teams or Skype, and the other 40% I do emails or prepare/ read and write up documents.

The challenge of working from home is that one does not really have boundaries between work and private life. I am thankful for partner’s presence and support as he has allowed me to maintain some balance. Often around 6PM we go running on the Tunis corniche and by the beach and then we come back home and cook together.

4. What did you study in school?

I have a Degree in Political Science/International Relations from the University of Turin, Italy and a Master’s Degree in Development Economics from the University of East Anglia, UK.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the breakthrough moment for you (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?

I grew up on the outskirt of Turin, Italy. My family was running a language school that has been my window into the world since I was a little girl. I learned English and French in my dad’s school and I also met people of many different nationalities and of various cultures. The love for what is different has fascinated me since an early age and since then I have been driven by the will to discover it.

After high school I enrolled at the University to study Political Science/International relations as I felt it was the best gateway to discover the world, and to get a job in diplomacy and development which by then were my two passions.

When I was 24, just after graduation, I moved to Rome and joined a small business specialized in supporting companies attending international events. Cisco System was one of its clients and I helped with its participation to the International Telecommunication Union Telecom 2002 in Geneva. I also travelled to Hong Kong, Johannesburg and New York to provide support with other international telecommunications fairs. I have learned a lot during the two years in that job but I also felt  something was missing. I realized that my passion for working in development was going to be wasted if I did not make a move soon. With guidance from my graduation supervisor and support from my parents in 2003 I enrolled in a MA in Development Economics at the University of East Anglia in the UK.

I studied hard and after I received a Masters degree I was accepted for an internship at the Sussex Development Research Centre of Migration. That was my turning point. The internship in Brighton, the subsequent months spent in Accra, Ghana, conducting research on migration, and the ensuing consultancy as a research assistant on a study on return migration allowed me to win the UN Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme in 2006, and to move to the IOM Headquarters in Geneva as Junior Policy Officer. That’s when my IOM career started.

6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

I must say that my dreams at 20 are not so much different from my reality now. I have always wanted to have a job that would allow me to travel the world, be in contact with different cultures, as well as help others while pushing me to learn new skills and languages all the same. When I was 20 I wanted to work for Kofi Annan. I was fascinated by the United Nations. And here I am today, working for a United Nation agency, on my fourth assignment and country, and third continent.

I also have a wonderful man who loves me, who daily adds a new perspective to life and issues. This is because we come from two different places and it is so great to confront each other to see things differently: it allows me not be stuck into my preconceived or ideas.

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?

I consider myself extremely lucky. No, I cannot think of a time when life knocked me down, not yet. Life has been good to me so far and for that I am ever extremely grateful.

9. Knowing what we know now in a current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

I grew up in a family that made no distinction between boys and girls. I had the same opportunities as my brother. I was never told I could not do something because ‘I am a girl’. Once you have grown up it is different though, and you realize that it is indeed a man’s world, especially as you move up in your career. You are somehow made think that you can “only fit in” only if you try to emulate men. I think women will really gain traction when we accept ourselves as we are, rather than try to act as men to “fit in”. And this can only happen with more women solidarity.

10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?

There is a place in Senegal called Sine Saloum Delta. It Is where the Saloum River flows into the North Atlantic Ocean. It is a magical place like no other. Peace and nature melt together in such a way that you forget everything else. You are just there, in that very moment. The Majestic baobabs remind you of eternity and you can admire their stillness for hours knowing that it is not only what moves fast that goes far.

When I was living in Senegal the Sine Saloum was my romantic get-away with Adama. He made me discover it and he passed on to me his deep love for that land. It remains my happy place, the one I always want to go back to.

it is not only what moves fast that goes far

11. What extra-curricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

Yoga, piano, photography and ‘orecchiette making’, no doubt.

I have started playing the piano in 2016, just before turning 40, in Senegal. When I was six my parents enrolled me in some piano classes given by the daughter of our neighbor who was then studying at the Conservatory. After a few sessions I decided I did not like it as all we were doing was solfeggio…but there was no real music involved!! How fun can that be for a six years old?? I never tried or asked to learn the piano again.

Then, a few years back, I felt that urge. I never thought I could actually learn it as I had that mantra in my head that either you pick it up as a kid, or you will never succeed. I took on that challenge and I indeed proved myself wrong. I can play a few pieces by now and my favourite one is ‘Harp’ by Allerme. It was a great life lesson for me- it is really true that it is never too late as long as there is a will and passion to grow.

I started practicing yoga when I was living and working in Thailand between 2008-2014. I was never attracted to it beforehand as I felt it was a bit of a ‘fashion thing ‘ in our western world – and I have never been good at doing things just to fit in or because they were fashionable. But once in Thailand, in 2009, I realized that yoga was a way of life, part of people’s culture, and it then came much more naturally to me. Years later in Senegal I had an opportunity of taking a course to become a Certified Yoga Teacher. I am now a Vinyasa and Yin yoga teacher. I also received an online SUP yoga certificate, which allows me to bring together the love for the ocean and yoga. I  taught regular Vinyasa yoga classes and SUP yoga classes (an adventure that started with my dear friend Laura!) when living in Dakar. With the funding collected I supported small projects for vulnerable youths to set up their small businesses to make a living in Senegal.

As for photography, that’s a passion I’ve had since I was a teenager. I took courses and got myself a Canon camera when I was living and working in Bangkok. I took really nice shots with it during a few trips to India, Australia and Bali. Some friends tell me that I took some of the nicest pictures they have, and I’d like to believe that.

Orecchiette making is something I learnt during my time in Dakar, Senegal. (Orecchiette are a pasta typical of Apulia, a region of Southern Italy. Their name comes from their shape, which resembles a small ear). As an Italian abroad I thought to myself it was a shame that I was travelling the world without being able to cook and share the love for fresh pasta with all. So I did something about it.

12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?

I want to become a role model for younger women. I want to be a great manager and a team leader that people look at and say ‘she really knows how to get the best out of people, and having fun while doing so.  Everyone wants to work with and for her!’.

13. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

I hope to overcome the fear of the ‘green wave’ when surfing! Catching “green waves” is about paddling fast enough to match the speed of a wave. The sooner you can “catch the momentum” of the wave, the sooner you will be able to pop up and surf.

14. Anything you'd do differently, if you had another go at life?

Sometimes I think it would have been fun to work as a park ranger in the Yellowstone Park in United States. I love nature and I imagine that park rangers are just surrounded by it all day long. How differently I would have seen the world if that was the case? If I could match my love of photography with nature and work for the National Geographic, I would definitely do so in my next life.

Or write a book! If I had Goddess Sarawati’s gift, I would retire in a house by the beach in Senegal and write a book full of anecdotes about the people and characters of the world.

15. What inspires you?

Good stories inspire me.

People with a clear vision and motivations inspire me.

People who know what they want and go for it inspire me.

17. What are some ingredients to a good life?

Colours, the ocean, a cat, a lot of flowers, books, fresh pasta and plenty of love.

18. What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why?

People have always told me I am fun and I have a good sense of humour. I love this about me. I also love to be open. I think some people would say that I have a good heart and I am very generous with my time. Finally, I love the fact that I am determined, always try to do what I say and aim to achieve my goals while being coherent.

20. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)

I am reading ‘No Time to Spare’ by Ursula Le Guin. I did not know this author until I discovered her on Kindle a couple of months ago. I love the way she plays with words and I love her witty humour and unconventional perspectives.

21. Who is a WOW Woman in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, why you admire them?

I have met so many WOW Women in my life that it would be difficult and unfair to nominate only three. I can start with my mom, my best friend, my sister, several of my female colleagues and friends, my one hundred and three year old grandmother….to mention just a few.

22. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?

Twitter: Claudianatali; Facebook: Claudia Natali

Blogs: IOM page, and Medium articles here and here.