“My name’s Aqila, and I’m one of eleven Catalysts who took part in a special opportunity with Drive Forward Foundation and Wunderman Thompson.”

Aqila first heard about the Inside Day – a collaboration between Drive Forward Foundation and Wunderman Thompson – through her programme coordinator. “They were running an Inside Day together, and I couldn’t miss a great opportunity,” she says.

Through the initiative, Aqila began having regular mentoring conversations with Rachel from Wunderman Thompson. “We talked about my growth, about applying for jobs, and she really motivated me to find my career path,” Aqila explains.

The Catalyst Programme gave her the structure and confidence to imagine a future in the creative and marketing industries. “Hopefully, after I finish the 18-month programme with Drive Forward, I can continue through the Catalyst route and maybe even secure a role in one of the companies I’ve worked with.”

Partnerships That Open Doors

For Aqila, the partnership between Drive Forward Foundation and Wunderman Thompson became a turning point — not just in developing skills, but in discovering self-belief.

“I’ve known about Drive Forward for a few years now,” she says. “So when I heard that Wunderman Thompson was supporting someone from the organisation, I jumped at the opportunity to be involved.”

From the employer’s side, the feeling was mutual. Rachel, a mentor from Wunderman Thompson, remembers her first impression of Aqila vividly:

“I met Aqila during her interview process and was completely taken by her energy and drive to really build something for herself. She’s a real fighter — super ambitious — and I wanted that energy on our team.”

Rachel highlights how important these partnerships are:

“Without programmes like the one between Drive Forward Foundation and Wunderman Thompson, young talent like Aqila might never have the chance to find a space in a company as large as ours. That’s why these collaborations matter — they create access, confidence, and real opportunities.”

Discovering Her Passion

Before joining Drive Forward, Aqila admits she struggled to find direction.

“Before I became part of Drive Forward, I didn’t really have a passion,” she says. “I was just going with whatever came my way. But the programme helped me look deeper, to actually find what I care about and go after it.”

Now, Aqila is focused on building her career and showing her daughter what it means to work with purpose. “This experience has taught me so much about myself. I finally have something I’m passionate about — something that feels right for me.”

Aqila’s story shows the power of partnership — how when organisations like Drive Forward Foundation and Wunderman Thompson work together, they can help care-experienced young people unlock their potential, build meaningful careers, and discover the confidence to dream big.