Meet Amelia Cole, SVAs HR Associate

Where are you from?

I’m from the motherland. I like to say that I’m a third culture kid. I am Nigerian–I’ve lived the first part of my life in Nigeria, I have lived in Europe, and now I live in the US.

Tell me about your background and what led you to SVA.

The job I had before this was also a nonprofit that was climate based. I was in finance and HR, and I was behind the scenes. That really opened my eyes. I got to see how to galvanize frontline organizations, especially ones led by people of color. I thought about how climate change and racial justice had to come hand in hand.

I don’t think I’m traditionally an activist on the front lines, but with the information I have I’m trying to influence my little sphere.

What’s an important lesson you’ve learned in your career?

People can always be taught skills but it’s something like to be said about enthusiasm and openness that can’t be taught. You can teach people how to use Slack and Excel, but you can’t teach people how to be nice.

What are some of the things you hope to accomplish in your first year?

I really want to settle into my role as an HR person. I want to be the person people reach out to when they have a question.

How can our community support you in your new role?

I just want to keep getting to know everyone. I develop relationships based on my rapport with people–knowing what I can ask someone and knowing what they can ask me feels really supportive.