Zerin Karim, Founder and Principal Consultant of The Catalyst Lab

Technologist, Learner and Catalyst for Change

The words above are the simplest summary of what could otherwise be considered a complex identity. I was born in a middle class family in Dhaka, Bangladesh in the 90s, a young and developing nation at the time. I had the immense fortune of being raised by one of the most generous human beings I have known in my life, my grandfather. He was and remains my greatest teacher giving me the most valuable lesson of all, that the most purposeful life is one lived in service of others. Growing up as a girl child without a father in a community where a girl’s identity is defined through her father or husband first, I struggled to ever fully accept that the rules and expectations of society for me were different than for my counterpart.

So I have spent most of my life fighting for my freedom of expression and choice, surviving violence and refusing as a young woman to accept the status quo of what I can and ought to be. It is important to know this, as these early hardships and my experiences as an immigrant shaped who I am and my values at work - service, curiosity and kindness, in whatever I do. I have spent most of the last decade learning and doing as much as possible to get to a place where I am confident in my ability to make a difference, driven by a simple vision. A future, where I can drive meaningful social change at scale so that all of us, even the ones with complex identities are not isolated but accepted by our communities, those we are born into as well as those we migrate to.

HOW WE ARRIVED AT OUR MISSION THROUGH IKIGAI

In 2023, after a decade of driving value for some of the world’s largest corporations as a leader in Technology Strategy and Innovation, I decided to pursue this vision fully. With help of the Japanese concept of Ikigai, I reflected on my aggregate knowledge and skills, overlaying the biggest global issues to identify where I can be of most service. As a migrant, technologist and advocate for equal opportunities, I felt the challenge of addressing the needs of migrants and displaced people, particularly in the context of their education and employment is the specific area where I could contribute the most.

I created the The Catalyst Lab because I wanted to have the agility of a small business and be able to help my customers at speed. I also wanted to create a space that is driven by collaborative action among innovators and institutions to solve problems that matter.

OUR HISTORY AND CALL TO SERVICE

I have always had a calling to work for impact which in my early years were met by teaching in schools for the poor and campaigning for the rights of the unrecognised tribes people of my country. More recently, I had the privilege of serving as a Community leader advocating for equal participation and opportunity for women and minority groups in Technology. As a young woman looking out to my future, I had envisioned a career in the development sector from the start, but socioeconomic obstacles led me to diverge. Pivots to adjust to the reality of being an immigrant to afford, education and employment without any additional support had to be made.

The resilience I developed to challenge and change through obstacles in my personal life and an infinite desire to learn, has enabled me to make an impact in the fast paced world of Technology. From leading frontier technology R&D, developing products that would ultimately make education and skills assessment more accessible to driving large scale organisational transformation harnessing the power of data, digital capabilities and developing people, senior executives and communities have trusted me to lead and deliver results in the most difficult and diverse of fronts.

WHERE WE CAN HELP

Use our unique expertise in education and technology for social innovation, focusing on minimising the suffering of displaced populations and maximising the value of voluntary human migration.

What we are good at

Communicating in multiple languages, building empathetic connections locally and globally through compelling storytelling.

What we love

Cultivating new knowledge and skills through self learning and community education to accelerate action for development.

What the world needs

A story of opportunity, language of understanding, digital tools and partnership for frictionless human migration.

What we can be valued for

Collaborative problem solving with impact leaders and innovators leveraging ethical technology and human centred design.

★★★★★

Zerin’s invaluable mentorship, coaching and unwavering support empowered me to reach new heights and unleash my full potential. She is an amazing innovator, community leader and collaborator, a true asset to any endeavour or establishment aiming to make a positive impact.

Ayo Mateola Educator and Data Leader

★★★★★

Zerin is a constant strategic leader across technology, new products, and communities. Her ability to be in the detail while putting the puzzle pieces together of a larger vision to drive a team forward is exceptional.

Naomi Hamilton Senior Transformation and Change Leader

★★★★★

Zerin and I worked together at Pearson formulating the workforce skills strategy. Her capacity, energy and drive are incredible. She can accomplish anything that she puts her mind to!

Oliver Latham VP Strategy and Growth