Chief Executive of I.G. Advisors, a philanthropy and fundraising strategy consultancy, Alisha Miranda (relation to Carlos, no relation to Carmen) is a lady with a huge passion for coffee and philanthropy. Allow us to introduce you to Mrs Miranda, the UK’s number one Gilmore Girls superfan and the other half of the Miranda dream team.
#1. So, what’s your favourite word?
Awesome.
#2. Radical dude. What gets you up in the morning?
At least one cup of coffee. With three shots of espresso.
#3. Wowsers. What do you truly, honestly think of social media?
I think it has immense potential and there is a lot of good in it when it’s used in the right way.
#4. Kindles or books?
iPad.
#5. There’s always one. What do you think is the biggest challenge to your industry right now?
I think that people are staring to wake up to the fact that sometimes the people that care the most aren’t doing things the right way. There was a book that came out this year, Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World by by Anand Giridharadas. This book created a real moment in the charity community.
#6. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I wanted to train whales at the local aquarium in Miami. That’s before I watched the Blackfish documentary.
#7. Obvs. What led you to your current career?
A mixture of luck and life plus a desire to want to stay in the UK. My visa, also.
#8. Can you use your favourite word in a sentence?
My team are awesome.
#9. Now can you make it rhyme?
This interview is really awesome, also I enjoy being the BossSome.
#10. Okayyyy. What advice would you give to your younger self?
Always try to find joy in whatever you do.
#11. Love. What’s the best thing anyone’s ever done for you?
I think well, on a daily basis, it’s Carlos bringing me my morning coffee. My gratitude is immense. For my mother for putting up with me. She came over for seven weeks after the birth of my twins. She deserves a sainthood.
#12. We’ll see what we can do. Tell us, what’s been your ‘career-defining’ moment?
My first job out of grad school was in corporate strategy. I didn’t think it was for me so after four months, I returned my signing-on bonus and resigned. That was a good day, but scary. I was moving into charity, into an industry I didn’t know and taking a pay cut. Defining though. I choose something i loved and felt passionate about.
#13. If you won a big award of some kind, who would you thank?
Carlos. He’s the one.
#14. This interview is giving us life right now. Can you give us a timesaver of the day?
I’m a big fan of “walk and talk”.
#15. Walkies! Where do you see your industry in 24 months?
Growing. I think. But hopefully reflecting on the changes ,we need to make in light of the world around us and social good. We need to be more responsible for the actions and decisions we’re making.
#16. Where were you 24 months ago?
In the lead-up to Christmas assembly, in the same way as I am now. I’m such a PTA mum.
#17. Gold stars all round. What’s an interesting fact about your company?
We are all real fans of the American comedy, Gilmore Girls. Real super fans.
#18. Super, CJ. If you could have a 24-minute Skype chat with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
My great-great-grandmother. I have a 10 page letter she wrote at the age of 60. Incredible. She lived in Cuba and had a really interesting life. Married twice, 12 children. She seemed pretty cool.
#19. Runs in the family. What’s one word you’d want people to describe you with?
Enthusiastic.
#20. Whoop whoop. Would you mind taking a selfie for us?
Can you screenshot?
#21. We got it. What’s your favourite Twitter handle or social media campaign?
The Tweet of God. So irreverent, so inappropriate.
#22. We love it already. What’s one quote that defines your work ethic?
Work hard, party hard and be kind.
#23. We love that too. What’s been the best part of your day?
Lunch with my team and new joiners, with a glass of Prosecco. Hard to beat.
#24. Totes. Finally, anything to plug?
Yes please. The #RiseTogether is a crowdfunding campaign supporting five of the strongest BME organisations tackling violence against women across the UK. We’re looking to raise £150,000 over 16 days of activism. If that resonates, you can learn more and support the campaign here.