Beatrice Maneshi is the Founder of Catalystas Consulting and a senior gender, security, and development advisor with over 14 years of global experience. An Iranian-Native American expert, she specializes in feminist policy, inclusive economic development, and conflict-affected regions, with deep roots in the Middle East, particularly Iraq. Beatrice has led multi-country teams, designed over 18 women- and youth-centered programs, and advised governments and donors including GIZ, the Dutch MFA, and UN agencies. Fluent in five languages, she combines strategic insight with intersectional feminist methodologies to deliver high-impact research, evaluations, and transformative policy solutions across 80+ countries.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
Before starting Catalystas, I worked in both the defense sector and with NGOs—spaces that gave me a front-row seat to how decisions were being made. What I saw again and again were rooms filled with older white men making choices that directly impacted the lives, bodies, and futures of people—especially in the Global South—whose realities they couldn’t begin to relate to. It was frustrating. Dehumanizing, even. And it made me feel like I had to stay quiet, endure injustice, and navigate it in silence just to move forward in my career.
Founding Catalystas was my way of saying: enough. I didn’t want to keep playing by those rules. I wanted to build something rooted in justice, integrity, and lived experience—something that centered the voices of the people most impacted by policy, conflict, and aid. I feel incredibly lucky to now be in a position where I don’t have to silence myself to succeed—and where I can help create space for others to show up fully, too.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
For me, it wasn’t just one idea—it was a deep, growing discomfort with the way things were done in the spaces I worked in. I kept seeing decisions being made about communities by people who had no lived experience or cultural connection to them—often older white men making calls on the lives of brown and Black people in places they’d never been or couldn’t understand. I was constantly expected to stay quiet, to play along, and to wait my turn in systems that weren’t built for people like me.
Catalystas started as a response to that silence. I wanted to create a space where expertise looked different—where intersectional, feminist, justice-driven approaches weren’t an afterthought but the starting point. I said “yes” when I realized that waiting for permission to lead wasn’t an option anymore. If I wanted the development world to change, I had to help build something that showed a new way forward.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
Women are not just breaking glass ceilings—they’re rebuilding the rooms. Across sectors, we’re seeing more women lead with empathy, clarity, and conviction, often bringing perspectives that have been ignored or undervalued for far too long. But while there’s real progress, we can’t pretend the playing field is level. Many women—especially those from marginalized backgrounds—still face invisible barriers, from systemic bias to unpaid labor, to gatekeeping in decision-making spaces.
True leadership today isn’t just about getting to the top; it’s about making sure the door stays open for others. When a woman breaks through, she shouldn’t be alone—she should be part of a wave that pulls others up with her. I believe the future of leadership is intersectional, collective, and rooted in justice. And women are at the heart of that transformation.
What’s the most important thing you have learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your personal motto in life?
The most important thing I’ve learned is that integrity and empathy are non-negotiable. Whether navigating high-stakes projects or personal relationships, staying grounded in my values and truly listening to others has made all the difference. Working across 68 countries—often in fragile or deeply unequal settings—has taught me that impact doesn’t come from having all the answers, but from being open, consistent, and accountable. On a more personal level, I’ve also had to learn to let go of perfectionism. Choosing purpose over perfection has helped me stay resilient, honest, and human in the face of both success and struggle.
“Lead with intention, act with integrity, and center those most impacted.”
It’s not just a professional ethos—it’s how I try to move through the world, staying rooted in justice, curiosity, and care.
With your grit and determination, you are making a considerable impact, breaking through, and serving as role models for many budding entrepreneurs. What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
To all the young women reading this: you don’t need to wait for permission to lead. Your voice, your vision, and your courage are powerful—and they’re needed now more than ever.
The journey won’t always be easy. You may be underestimated, face setbacks, or find yourself as the only woman in the room. Let that be your fuel, not your obstacle. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, ask for support when you need it, and don’t be afraid to take up space.
And when you break through—when you shatter a glass ceiling—don’t let it close behind you. Keep it open. Reach back, reach across, and help others through. That is the only way forward. True leadership isn’t just about making space for yourself; it’s about expanding that space for others.
Let’s keep building together—with empathy, courage, and a commitment to collective success.
Your website link
www.catalystasconsulting.com
