Nichola Dyer

Nichola, a seasoned international economic development professional with many years’ experience in Africa, recently retired from the World Bank Group after 26 years of service. Highlights of her Bank career include establishing the office in Gabon, leading the ethics office, developing greenfield engagements on disability and excluded minorities, and managing the $1.5b Global Agriculture and Food Security Program. Now independent, she has remained actively engaged on the sustainability agenda. She also serves on the boards of two Washington DC-based non-profits, co-chairs the 2020 Margaret McNamara Education Grants South Africa Program, volunteers as a mentor, and advises diverse client groups.

Beyond having graduated from Concordia’s very first Economics Co-Op cohort, she holds fond memories of hosting a weekly music show at the Sir George Williams campus radio station CRSG.

"Consider the impact of your work on sustainability. The coming decades may bring the worst challenges we and our planet have yet to face. Our economics training affords us a solid and rigorous framework to help us – and through us, others – understand and tackle those issues. Our choices, individual and collective, will be determinant. So, familiarize yourself with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Commit professionally and personally to do your part to make them a reality by 2030 and build on them beyond. Engage with passion and professionalism. And find what brings you joy, because that is what will sustain you."