With people, co-creating solutions.

It’s just me for now — but hopefully not for long.

This work is collaborative by nature. It’s shaped by nearly two decades in humanitarian settings and strengthened by a wide network of trusted colleagues. While I currently work independently, I regularly partner with others, because real change is never achieved alone.

I’m a humanitarian practitioner with over 18 years of experience across conflict-affected contexts, global institutions, and academic spaces. Trained as a lawyer, I found my true direction not in legal frameworks, but by listening to communities and learning from their lived experiences.

Throughout my career, I’ve often felt the tension between the ideals of humanitarian aid and how it is practiced. That discomfort has stayed with me and shaped the way I work. From once believing I had answers, I’ve come to see my role as supporting others to lead, rethink, and shift power with care.

Today, I work with organisations and teams to design and implement more grounded, inclusive and protection-driven strategies. I facilitate, advise and accompany always centering people over systems and prioritising dignity, trust and practical change.

Because humanitarian aid was always meant to be about people. Somewhere along the way, that purpose got blurred. But together, we can work toward something better.


Marta Pawlak