Wanjiru Munene’s journey of purpose and progress in Canada’s advertising industry

While I entered the advertising industry with visions of money-plumped sugarplums dancing through my head, Wanjiru Munene knew that she wanted much more. The focus of the Ad Club’s 2019 Digital Day spotlight as a student at Humber College, Wanjiru had already built a career of purpose in Kenya and Uganda before she arrived in Canada and her mission was to continue that crucial work in the global social impact space. 

Wanjiru has accomplished that altruistic mandate with glowing results. In her first internship (which turned into her very first Canadian role) she worked on a media campaign on behalf of the African/Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS Ontario which educated young women on the importance of self-care. This community-led activation not only resulted in a social impact award but the rollout helped mitigate a growing increase of HIV/AIDS in young Ontario women of African and Caribbean descent. It was a problem that all saw but no-one wanted to address, and Wanjiru and her team were able to shine a much-needed light on that growing darkness. 

Wanjiru’s career of purpose continued with a Communications position at Amref Health Africa Canada and in her current role as the Client Communications Manager for the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. While she certainly counsels fulfilment felt through the service to one’s own community, as a newcomer, she also credits the networking value of volunteer hours spent with the Ad Club. “As a new Canadian, I tapped into this country’s great history of volunteerism through the Ad Club’s events. It allowed me the ability to not only serve but to find champions of my story and helpful guides into this industry”. 

I am always so proud to tell your story, Wanjiru. Thank you for spending your life pursuing social impact and not just a paycheque.

-Amanda Newell, President