Some people find their way to a mission. Others seem destined for it. For Anuoluwapo (Anu) Adediran, the path to GivingTuesday began where you may expect, while she was working in service to others.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Anu has built her life around the belief that young people and communities, given the right support, can transform the world around them. It was through her volunteer work that she first encountered GivingTuesday’s global generosity movement. 

What started as a way for her to contribute soon grew into something much bigger.

“When the opportunity came to grow and scale my work, I took it,” says Anu, Communications Associate for the GivingTuesday Africa Hub. It’s easy to understand why.

GivingTuesday’s model of bringing people together across backgrounds, borders, and cultures resonated deeply with her own values. So did its commitment to centering African voices and amplifying the extraordinary impact happening across the continent, stories that Anu believes we all should hear more of.

As Anu gets settled in, we wanted to get to know her better and thought you might too. 

Meet Anuoluwapo (Anu) Adediran

In your own words, how would you describe your work at GivingTuesday?

Impactful. I believe it’s a privilege to be part of something as meaningful as GivingTuesday. Our global network of changemakers inspires me and fuels my passion that informs the work I do in Africa.

What’s something about you that your new teammates might be surprised to learn?

My passion for people often surpasses expectations. I love building communities and bringing people together over a common cause to see how we can flourish together.

What’s something that is making you laugh or bringing you joy?

Connecting and having those real conversations with my favorite people and community.

What is one thing you’ve learned about GivingTuesday since joining the team?

One big lesson for me has been the power of cross-cultural learning. It’s important to observe how people from different countries share ideas, learn from each other, and adapt those ideas to fit their own context. Once you figure that out, it’s beautiful how everything comes together.

How has generosity manifested in your day-to-day life?

Showing up, even when it’s hard. This means showing up for myself, my loved ones, and my neighbors.

What would you tell someone who is interested in doing a GivingTuesday campaign?

Start right where you are, with what you have, and with whoever is available to you. You’ll be surprised with how far you can go. 

What is your favorite way to give back?

Giving my time! This could be through volunteering, sharing ideas, or just listening to a peer vent about their day. 

In your first year at GivingTuesday, what do you hope to accomplish?

I hope to help shape how generosity, especially in Africa, is seen and shared. People in Africa have always been generous, yet our stories aren’t always captured the way they should be. I also hope to inspire and support as many GivingTuesday campaigns as possible.