As Cordaid continues its transition to a more locally led organisation, strengthening the leadership guiding this journey is crucial. That’s why last month, Cordaid welcomed two new members to its Supervisory Board: Barbara Stam and Blessing Oluwatosin Ajimoti.
Both bring a wealth of experience in finance, governance, and international development, and share a conviction that lasting change must be rooted in local ownership.
Barbara Stam
With a strong background in finance, leadership and organisational transformation, Barbara Stam adds valuable expertise to Cordaid at a time of significant change. In addition to her position on the Supervisory Board, she also serves on the Audit Committee.
Barbara has spent much of her career at ABN AMRO. She started in international trade finance, focusing on North and South America, before supporting companies in Eastern Europe that faced difficulties following the 2008 financial crisis. She later led several transformation programmes within the bank, and today, as CEO of ABN AMRO Asset Based Finance N.V., she is responsible for guiding a major transformation within the organisation.
‘I hope to contribute to a future-proof organisation that is reinventing itself in a changing world, while continuing to strengthen local ownership.’
Development cooperation has long held a special place in her heart. During her studies, Barbara took part in a workshop in Uganda, an experience that convinced her that sustainable change is driven primarily by local people and communities. ‘People need local heroes more than outsiders,’ she says, an insight that has stayed with her throughout her career.
‘I want to use my experience and energy to support an organisation that helps vulnerable people build resilience and create opportunities for themselves,’ she explains. ‘At the same time, I hope to contribute to a future-proof organisation that is reinventing itself in a changing world, while continuing to strengthen local ownership.’
Blessing Oluwatosin Ajimoti
Blessing Oluwatosin Ajimoti previously worked in the Nigerian government to strengthen support for technology-enabled startups. After earning a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Oxford, she led a team at the German development agency GIZ, focusing on improving the business environment by making government services more efficient.
‘Having grown up and worked extensively in Africa, I offer perspectives that reflect the realities of many of the communities Cordaid seeks to support.’
Today, she works as principal consultant for Public Digital, helping governments and international institutions use data and digital technology to better serve their citizens.
The role at Cordaid appealed to Blessing because it aligns with both her professional experience and her personal values. ‘Three things attracted me to the organisation: its long-standing work in Africa and other countries in the Global South, its commitment to locally led development, and the opportunity to contribute strategically. I strongly believe that sustainable change can only happen when local organisations and communities have the capacity and ownership to shape their own future.’
Blessing believes organisations must continuously evolve to meet the changing needs of the people they serve. While technology can play an important role, she emphasises that successful transformation is not primarily about technology, but about people, governance, policies, knowledge and ways of working. Creating the right conditions for change and ensuring it can be sustained are just as important as introducing new tools.
As a Supervisory Board member, Blessing sees her role as bringing both lived experience and professional expertise. ‘Having grown up and worked extensively in Africa,’ she says, ‘I offer perspectives that reflect the realities of many of the communities Cordaid seeks to support.’