We Work at the Intersection of Leadership, Narrative and Systems Change
Storytelling & Leadership is a consultancy that partners with mission-driven organizations and leaders globally to strengthen narrative strategy, leadership communication and influence in complex environments.
How We See the World
The global landscape is at a critical inflection point. Shifting geopolitics, economic realignment, rising social movements, accelerating climate impacts, rapid advances in technology and AI and tightening aid and philanthropic budgets are fundamentally changing how influence, legitimacy, and impact are built and sustained.
In this context, organizations are being asked to do more than deliver programs. They are being asked to justify relevance, demonstrate credibility, and communicate impact with clarity and confidence to funders, partners, policymakers, communities and the public.
At the same time, leaders at the helm of these institutions are operating in environments where authority is no longer assumed, narratives are contested in real time and trust must be earned repeatedly.
This is where narrative strategy becomes essential. Not as communications polish, but as leadership infrastructure.
At Storytelling & Leadership, we believe that narrative strategy is the disciplined work of helping organizations and leaders clarify who they are, why they exist and what they uniquely contribute in a complex ecosystem. It is about aligning internal understanding and external perception around a shared, coherent story. It is about engaging stakeholders in ways that build trust, connection, and credibility, not just awareness. And it is about shaping conversations in your sector rather than reacting to them.
In periods of uncertainty and transition, narrative strategy becomes a strategic asset, helping institutions stay relevant, ready and trusted.
Forged on the Frontlines of High-Stakes Communications
Our methodology was not developed in a classroom; it was forged on the frontlines of global public relations, reputation management and strategic communications. For nearly three decades, we have built and protected the brands of some of the world's most influential organizations. This deep PR DNA makes our approach uniquely pragmatic, credible and tested.
Our experience spans reputation management in high-stakes environments where perception is reality, crisis communications when trust is on the line, stakeholder engagement with diverse audiences and competing interests, executive thought leadership that shapes industry conversations and global media relations across cultures and continents.
We don't just teach theory. We bring lived experience of how narratives shape perception, how trust is built or lost, and how leaders must communicate when the stakes are highest. This is the foundation of everything we do.
Narrative Strategy Is Not About Slogans
At Storytelling & Leadership, narrative strategy is not about slogans, messaging decks or visibility for its own sake.
Narrative strategy is the disciplined work of helping organizations and leaders:
Clarify who they are, why they exist, and what they uniquely contribute in a complex ecosystem.
Align internal understanding and external perception around a shared, coherent story.
Engage stakeholders in ways that build trust, connection, and credibility, not just awareness.
Shape conversations in their sector rather than react to them.
This is not communications polish. This is leadership infrastructure. And in periods of uncertainty and transition, it becomes the strategic asset that helps institutions stay relevant, ready and trusted.
Integrating Cultural Insights from African & Global South Perspectives
What sets us apart is our belief in storytelling as a leadership operating system, integrating cultural insights from African and Global South perspectives to offer a unique approach to leadership development.
We understand that leadership is not one-size-fits-all. It is shaped by context, culture, and lived experience. Our work honors this complexity and helps leaders communicate in ways that resonate across cultures, geographies and power dynamics. This is particularly relevant for organizations operating in diverse, multicultural, mission-driven environments where authenticity and cultural intelligence are essential.
Meet Our Founder
Mimi Kalinda is the founder and CEO of Storytelling & Leadership and Africa Communications Group (ACG), a global communications strategist who helps leaders use narrative to drive impact.
With nearly 30 years of experience in public relations, reputation management, and strategic communications, Mimi has worked with some of the world's most influential organizations across the private sector, global development, philanthropy, and academia. Her work spans crisis communications, stakeholder engagement, executive thought leadership and organizational narrative strategy.
Mimi is faculty at IE University in Madrid, where she teaches storytelling, leadership presence, and narrative strategy to global executives and students. She has designed and delivered leadership communication programs for organizations including IBM, Schneider Electric, the University of Oxford, the Obama Foundation, Mastercard Foundation, ABSA Bank and LinkedIn.
She is passionate about building a vibrant community through the Leadership Narrative Network, promoting the book "Echoes of Influence," and hosting engaging monthly online masterclasses. Her approach is grounded in the belief that in times of uncertainty, organizations do not need louder messages—they need leaders who can make meaning, align people and communicate with clarity and trust.
S&L Team
Mimi Kalinda
The founder and CEO of Storytelling & Leadership and Africa Communications Group (ACG) is a global communications strategist who helps leaders use narrative to drive impact. Mimi designs programs that build trust, shift mindsets and turn business strategy into stories people remember.
We Partner with Leaders Navigating Complexity
Storytelling & Leadership partners with senior leaders and executive teams navigating complexity, change or heightened scrutiny.
We work with mission-driven organizations seeking to strengthen relevance, trust, and credibility. We support institutions operating across cultures, geographies, and power dynamics. And we collaborate with leaders who understand that influence today depends as much on clarity and coherence as on technical expertise.
This work is particularly relevant for organizations and leaders who must operate convincingly in uncertain, fast-shifting environments while remaining grounded in purpose.
Trusted by
Premier Global Institutions
Our methodology has been trusted by and has strengthened leaders and teams across premier global institutions, including:
IE University (Madrid)
Equipping future leaders with the communication and influence skills needed to thrive in a global business environment.
University of Oxford (AfOx)
Helping scholars and researchers engage policymakers, secure funding and connect with communities through powerful narrative.
Mastercard Foundation
Developing speaker training, public speaking, and storytelling capabilities for Fellows, alumni and youth innovators across Africa.
Absa Bank
Enhancing narrative alignment and communication effectiveness for senior leadership teams.
IBM
Working with subject-matter experts to strengthen storytelling and leadership communication, enabling deeper client relationships built on trust, clarity and connection.
Schneider Electric
Supporting leadership storytelling and narrative alignment in the context of sustainability, innovation and global transformation.
Obama Foundation
Designing and delivering storytelling and leadership workshops for emerging leaders, focusing on purpose, influence, and values-driven leadership.
LinkedIn
Delivering storytelling and leadership sessions focused on influence, authenticity and audience-centered communication for sales and leadership teams.
Our work spans leading engineering, financial services, and social impact organizations, improving executive cohesion, sales influence, team communication and cultural alignment.