This week’s episode comes to you from Dakar, by way of New York City and [Banjul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banjul "smartCard-inline) in The Gambia. My guest, Gambian-American, Begay Downes-Thomas was born and raised in New York City to Gambian parents and currently calls Dakar, Senegal her base. She has more than 20 years of experience as a senior advocacy strategist in strategic communication, partnerships, and media in the development sector - specifically in strategies, branding, and resource mobilization at the country and regional level in Africa and internationally. She currently leads Global Partnerships at SEED Project in Senegal and is a brand experience curator.

As you’ll learn in our conversation, Begay shares great perspectives on the power of leveraging your network, intentional preparation, and purpose-driven partnerships in establishing a work-life balance as a global nomad.

Where to find Begay?
On LinkedIn

On Instagram

On Twitter

On Facebook

What’s Begay listening to?
Yousou N’Dour
Feel Better, Live More Podcast
Senegalese Musicians

Other topics of interest:
Oukam, Senegal
Wolof Glocal Speak, Jàmm rekk and other greetings
About Senegal’s first President, Léopold Sédar Senghor
About Amadou Gallo Fall
About the NBA Academy in Senegal
About Talibés
About [Mbalax Music](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbalax )

Special Guest: Begay Downes-Thomas.