Rachel Akrofie leads Lively Minds’ Advocacy and Systems Change portfolio by promoting parent-centred methodologies, expanding industry networks and driving efforts to influence global ECD policy and discourse.

For 9+ years, Rachel has managed strategic communications, advocacy and outreach projects for the UK government and international non-profits to change behaviours, build brands and influence decision-makers. Portfolios have included technology for development; climate change in Africa; women and girls’ rights; counter-extremism; and feminist entrepreneurship policy.

Prior to joining Lively Minds, Rachel worked for the Innovation for Policy Foundation (i4Policy) on feminist startup and entrepreneurship policy in Africa, highlighting the lived experience of African women founders and developing policy recommendations around funding, capacity and network support. Before that, as Community Manager for Africa at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), Rachel spearheaded engagement on technology policy with civil society, industry, government and pan-African event platforms to promote TBI’s tech portfolio, facilitate partnerships and grow its network of stakeholders to leverage tech as an enabler of economic prosperity on the continent.