Mariama Ifode-Blease

Born in London, Mariama split her childhood between the UK and Lagos, Nigeria. As a teenager she sat on the International Youth Board of Free the Children, a non-profit organisation based in Toronto, whose focus was promoting children’s rights and youth empowerment. Mariama has been committed to charitable causes ever since. 

Following the completion of her undergraduate degree in French and Spanish at the University of St Andrews, Mariama continued her graduate studies at the University of Cambridge where she earned her MPhil and PhD in Modern Languages. In 2009, she was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship to New York University, where she volunteered at an elementary school and at the New York City Rescue Mission. She became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2013. Mariama also completed an MA in Careers Education and Coaching at the University of Derby in 2018.

Mariama believes her life’s calling is to improve the world for children, young people and women, and is committed to supporting these groups flourish and fulfil their full potential. She is also Trustee of Mr Willats’ Trust and an External Governor of Cirencester College. Mariama is an ordained minister and is married to Oliver, also a priest in the Church of England.