Meet Trish Sewe

Climate Action Through Leadership and Empowerment

Please tell us more about yourself and where you’re from.

My name is Trish Sewe, and I come from Kenya. I am a communications and development expert and I currently serve as a Chief Operating Officer, but at heart, I am deeply passionate about leadership that transforms people. I believe true leadership is not about titles, it is about unlocking potential, inspiring purpose, and helping others discover their ability to create change.

How did the training in Nairobi inspire you to take action?

Attending the Climate Reality Leadership Corps Training in Nairobi was a defining moment for me. It shifted something deeply personal. I began to see climate change not just as an environmental issue, but as a human and leadership challenge, one that requires courage, awareness, and collective responsibility.

Listening to Al Gore was especially transformative for me. As I reflected on his message, I realized how deeply it resonated with our own experiences in Africa. As he spoke about the climate crisis, I could see our realities reflected changing weather patterns, pressure on ecosystems, and the growing vulnerability of communities. In that moment, the issue became deeply personal and strengthened my resolve to act.

The training helped me understand the urgency of the crisis, but more importantly, it helped me see where I could make the greatest impact by empowering others. I left the training with clarity and conviction, knowing that if educators and learners are equipped with knowledge, confidence, and a sense of responsibility, they can become powerful agents of change in their communities.

What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?

The journey has not been without challenges. At times, there have been limited resources, competing priorities, and moments when climate change felt distant or abstract to some communities. Change is not always easy, especially when it requires shifts in mindset and behavior.

But I have learned that persistence, collaboration, and purpose are stronger than obstacles. By working closely with my team, partners, and educators, we focused on making climate change relatable and actionable. We emphasized practical steps, local solutions, and collective responsibility. Slowly, mindsets began to shift, and momentum began to grow.

What advice would you give to young climate activists who want to take action?

Believe in your voice. You do not need permission to care, and you do not need to be perfect to begin. Leadership starts with courage, the courage to learn, to act, and to inspire others.

I am often reminded of the story shared by Nobel Laureate the late Prof. Wangari Maathai about the hummingbird. As the forest burned, all the animals watched in fear and helplessness. But the tiny hummingbird kept flying to the river, picking up drops of water in its beak, and releasing them over the fire again and again. When the other animals asked why such a small bird would try to stop such a big fire, the hummingbird replied, “I am doing the best I can.”

The future is being shaped by those who choose to act today. “The greatest change begins when ordinary people choose courage over comfort, action over silence, and purpose over fear. Be that person. The world is waiting.”