Where are they now? 2 years after On Purpose with Sara Poloni

Can you tell us about your background and your career prior to On Purpose?

I'm originally from Italy and moved to the UK when I was 19 to study. After graduating, I built my career in B2B marketing and communications, spending over 13 years in the field. I started agency-side before moving into in-house marketing roles.

Before joining On Purpose, I was a Senior Global Marketing Specialist at Avery Dennison, working on supply chain solutions. That was my first real introduction to sustainability, looking at how digital technologies could improve supply chain transparency and support a more circular economy.

Why did you join the On Purpose Associate Programme?

During COVID, I found myself asking what I wanted my work to mean to me. I enjoyed my role, but I wanted to expand my horizons and better understand what a career in impact could look like. I'd already decided to leave my job, started freelancing, and taken on a voluntary trustee role with a local charity because I wanted to begin testing the waters and put my marketing skills to good use.

As part of that exploration, I looked at different options, including MBAs and other impact-focused programmes. When I came across On Purpose, it stood out because it combined paid work with learning and real-world experience. I wanted to understand whether my future was in the charity sector or whether I could use my marketing experience to help businesses drive positive change. The programme gave me the opportunity to experience both while continuing to build on my existing skills.

It's been three years since you completed the Associate Programme. What are you doing now?

I'm now Marketing Manager at the Economics of Mutuality Alliance (EOM), leading the global marketing strategy and campaigns for Mutual Value Labs, the Alliance's innovation consultancy - and a former On Purpose host organisation.

At Mutual Value Labs we help businesses create value by solving social and environmental challenges, based on the idea that doing good for people and the planet can also be good for business. We operate at different levels: supporting individuals through leadership and learning programmes, advising organisations on strategy and transformation, and increasingly helping businesses drive change at a systems level. It sits perfectly at the intersection of impact and business that I wanted to explore.

Can you tell us more about your placements?

My first placement was at Compass Wellbeing, an organisation linked to the NHS that connects public funding with voluntary and community organisations across East London. I wanted to better understand how funding reaches grassroots organisations, particularly because I was also volunteering as a trustee for a local charity. One of my main projects was organising a conference for over 200 organisations to encourage collaboration and strengthen access to funding.

My second placement was in NatWest’s Sustainable Banking team, where I worked on human rights and modern slavery policies. I helped create an internal resource hub for around 60,000 employees, improving access to guidance and reporting processes. I enjoyed the role so much that I extended my placement by another 3 months, and it gave me valuable insight into how a large organisation approaches ESG.

What’s the most important thing you learnt during your year as an Associate?

The programme introduced me to so many new ways of thinking. Through the Friday training sessions, I learned practical frameworks and approaches for thinking more systemically about social and environmental challenges, and how to apply my own skills in that context.

But the biggest lesson was realising that the programme was only the beginning of my journey. It gave me the confidence and clarity to take the next step, while helping me see that every role I've had has been a stepping stone, building my experience and shaping where I wanted to go next. The impact space is broad and constantly evolving, so learning to embrace that uncertainty, rather than seeing it as something to solve, has been one of the most valuable lessons I've taken away.

Which areas of support did you find most valuable and why?

For me, coaching was the most valuable form of support. Having access to one-to-one coaching throughout such a significant career transition - at no additional cost - gave me the space to reflect not just on what I wanted to do next, but on how to navigate that change mentally. It helped me work through moments of imposter syndrome, build confidence, and make sense of everything I was learning along the way.

That said, the strength of the programme is the combination of support you receive. My coach, cohort and the wider On Purpose community all played an important role in helping me navigate that period of change.

How did you approach finding a job after the programme?

My approach was relatively straightforward. After extending my second placement at NatWest Sustainable Banking by 3 months to complete a major project, I started applying for roles across charities, NGOs and purpose-led organisations.

My current role actually came through the On Purpose network. I heard about the opportunity through a connection in the community and, after going through the usual interview process, joined the Economics of Mutuality Alliance.

What do you miss about your old career, and what don’t you miss?

I sometimes miss the larger budgets and the freedom to deliver big marketing campaigns that come with working for large corporates.

What I don't miss is the politics or working on projects that didn't always feel aligned with my values. Although the impact sector can be more challenging and less well-resourced, I find the work much more meaningful and motivating.

What advice would you give to others in a similar situation?

Be open to exploration and don't expect everything to become clear right away. Looking back, every step I've taken has brought me closer to where I am today.

The impact sector is broad and fragmented, and it can feel overwhelming trying to work out where you fit in. Having the opportunity to explore different parts of the sector through the Associate Programme is incredibly valuable. If you're looking for an opener rather than a fixed destination, it's a fantastic place to start.