At the Brandling, we want change makers all over the world to have the knowledge and tools they need to build stronger brands. But we can't do it alone: we need experienced, passionate allies all over the world who use our tools and methods, combined with their own expertise, to make a real difference. On our quest to support thousands of changemakers worldwide, we now present the next chapter in our journey: Class Zero of our Train the Trainers Program! Meet our 15 future trainers.

Last year, we ran a pilot to discover how we can make our method for brand development and trainings accessible to independent trainers and agencies worldwide. We developed a seven module live online course, delivered and reviewed it, to create an new iteration we will test with our upcoming Class Zero that kicks off this September. 

We are really proud to present seventeen future trainers from all corners of the world, who will use our tools and methods to build their own independent training practices. The participants each have their own impact goals: whether they support indigenous entrepreneurs, creatives, cultural institutes, small businesses or corporates seeking a more meaningful connection with their customers: our Class Zero represents an amazing mix of brains and heart. From Mexico to Sweden, Kentucky to California: here we go! 

Meet the participants!

Mark Kamau is a Kenya based, Afro-centric Human Centered Designer. He is the Director of User Experience Design at BRCK, and regular contributor to UxAfrica.

Marieke Griffioen is a Dutch design director with a career spanning 25 years at some of the world's best brand identity agencies. At the start of 2018 she kicked off her independent practice to focus entirely on making a difference in people's lives using her professional knowledge and skills.

Anya Liddiard is an L.A. based marketing communications & branding consultant who works with big brands like Hyundai, Tesla, Toyota, E!, NBC and Whiskas, as well as social startups, non-profits and government programs. Anya helps brands discover their social purpose and communicate it to their consumers in the most effectively way.

Alejandra Aguilera Cano from Mexico is a communication-for-development specialist, anthropologist and social innovation design strategist. Alejandra will train social entrepreneurs in the Amazonas to build stronger brands to help their businesses thrive.

Ad Pontier teaches the next generation of artists and designers in the Netherlands, focussing on the connection between branding, business design and artistic spirit in the context of a 21st century economy.

Maira Rahme is a Brazilian creative strategist and designer with over 10 years of experience in brand conceptualization and visual thinking. She is currently a projectmanager at Hyper Island and ladyboss at Odd Yellow. Maira is interested in convening beauty, meaning, and truth to the world.

Mathieu Reverte is a French-Brazilian executive with 22 years of design experience under his belt. He wants to work closer with small businesses in developing countries and deepen his knowledge on social entrepreneurship.

Raechele Gray is a force for creativity, community and entrepreneurship in Louisville, Kentucky. She is the founder and creative director of design agency Greater Works and the inaugural Vogt Innovator at the 1804 Entrepreneur Center. Through her initiatives she helps shape the entrepreneurial culture in Louisville, with a special focus on increasing access to entrepreneurship resources for minorities and women.

Sven Gerhardt is a co-founder at HOAX, a creative agency in Amsterdam. HOAX discovers the essence of forward thinking clients in the cultural sector and translates it into captivating on- and offline identities & campaigns.

Juliette Schraauwers supports companies, organisations and initiatives with environment, sustainability and conscious behaviour, through her design agency Brand it Forward.

Sitawa Wafula uses her eight years of mental health advocacy experience to help the next generation of mental health champions in Africa build social entrepreneurship skills through her new venture: The Mental Health Academy.

Sascha Rossaint is a media designer fascinated by the possibility of branding to help conventional businesses tap into their potential of creating positive social impact.

Patricia Alvarado holds an MBA with a specialisation in marketing and helps women rediscover their talents and confidence using entrepreneurship and sisterhood as powerful tools. She wants every woman to enjoy every moment, feel happy, fully supported and proud of who they are and what they have achieved for themselves, their families and society.

Dominik Schwarz is a storyteller. Whether he is developing brand identities for large companies or designing books for artists, he is searching for the very essence of their complex activities to translate it to a clear, compelling and differentiating voice. As the founder of BLACK MATTER EDITIONS he makes art accessible to everyone.

Hanneke Laaning helps social entrepreneurs and NGO's to look within themselves, to get more clarity about who they are, why they do what they do, and translates that to the outside world through branding & web design at Studio Vensterbank. She is also the co-owner of coworking space Klub Kozi and yogateacher at Rock Paper Soul.

Shayna Rector is a Canadian-Australian communications strategist. With over a decade of experience managing the global advertising and innovative corporate identity program for Shell, and a leadership role in Communications for the City of Vancouver, Shayna is now a freelance intrapreneur network builder, status quo cruncher and publicist for those causes she believes in – like Brand the Change.

Class Zero will kick off in September 2018 and graduate in February 2019. Follow our progress on twitter or instagram.  

Do you want to become a Brand The Change trainer?

Are you interested in training your own clients or workshop participants with our tools? We are launching a licensed trainers community this month, stay up to date here. If you want to participate in the 2019 Trainers Program, please sign up to the dedicated newsletter for the first official trainers class