Sophie Ndong
Special Guest
Chief Marketing Officer, BCA Leadership
Sophie Ndong is a seasoned international strategist, consultant, and business executive, deeply committed to Africa’s transformation and sustainable development. A Senegalese national who has lived in Sierra Leone for the past seven years, she most recently served as Country Director of SOS Children’s Villages Sierra Leone until February 2025—becoming the youngest to hold this position across West, Central, and North Africa.
With over 15 years of professional experience, Sophie brings expertise in change and crisis management, strategic leadership, and organizational transformation. She is multilingual—fluent in five languages—and holds three master’s degrees in Law, Economics & Management; International Relations, Strategy & Diplomacy; and Information & Communication Science.
Sophie's impact in Sierra Leone was transformative. She led the strategic repositioning of SOS Children’s Villages, empowered over 300 staff, and ensured quality care for more than 7,000 programme participants. Her exceptional leadership during a period of internal crisis earned her recognition from the CEO of SOS Children’s Villages International, who appointed her to several global leadership roles: Member of the Federation’s Management Council (representing 137 countries), Global Brand Ambassador, and Africa’s Representative on the Global Child Safeguarding Committee.
Before her role in Sierra Leone, Sophie served as Regional Strategy and Brand Advisor for SOS Children’s Villages International, based in Dakar. As a key member of the Regional Management Team, she successfully led the implementation of the 2030 Strategy, oversaw quality assessments of 243 programmes, and advanced brand positioning across 18 countries in West and Central Africa.
Earlier in her career, Sophie spent five years with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), holding various positions at the Regional Bureau in Dakar and in the Country Offices of Senegal and Mauritania. Among her notable achievements was securing a CAD 20 million grant from Global Affairs Canada (formerly CIDA) for a joint initiative with WFP, UNICEF, and FAO.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sophie is a mother of two, a gifted gospel artist, and a passionate advocate for personal and societal transformation. She has a strong interest in theology, cultural studies, the arts, and gastronomy. A former poet and athlete in Senegal and a lifeguard in New York, she continues to enjoy reading, sports, and mentoring young people.