Nesma Bensalem is a multifaceted individual whose work is focused on the intersection of art, culture, and impact. With more than a decade of experience, Nesma has collaborated with leading brands, production companies, and multilateral institutions to shift narratives and inspire communities to create positive change.
Nesma is the founder and CEO of WeCare Impact, a boutique creative studio and consulting firm that leverages the creative economy, web3, and impact to bring about real, scalable behavioral change and inspire tangible solutions. She strongly believes in the transformative power of art, technology, and community.
As a leader, Nesma strives to be empathetic and attentive to the needs of her team. She leads by example and aims to create a work environment that values and empowers her team members. Nesma understands that intrinsic motivation and inspiration are crucial to achieving exceptional results and endeavors to provide a nurturing and supportive environment that enables her team to succeed.
Below are highlights of the interview conducted between World’s Leaders and Nesma Bensalem:
Describe your background and what you did before you started/joined the company?
I was born in Algeria in the 1990s, a couple years before the country plunged into a civil war. Many left the country to seek refuge; my family and I first left for Paris, France. A couple years after my mom, an economist specializing in development and poverty issues, found work in West Africa (Ivory Coast, Senegal), she later moved to Washington, D.C., USA, where I finished high school at the French International School. I later went on to study social and cultural studies and film and TV production at New York University.
After graduating, I worked as a freelance director, producer, and consultant. I had the privilege of leading projects for top fashion and entertainment brands, for international institutions such as the World Bank or UNDP, or for influential mindfulness leaders such as Deepak Chopra. I had the opportunity to produce and curate films, exhibitions, concerts, and immersive experiences to raise awareness on the refugee crisis, indigenous rights, health and wellness, or sustainable economic development. Along with leading and developing creative projects, I also spent time consulting on topics such as storytelling, culture and development, youth employment, impact investing, emerging technologies, regenerative finance, and community engagement.
Tell us about the inception of the company. How did it all start?
In 2020, after a decade of purpose-driven work and gaining experience and skills across sectors, I founded my own creative agency and consultancy: WeCare Impact. The intention was to flip the “me to the we” by leveraging arts, technology, and community to make an impact.
The hybrid agency/consultancy model is a one-stop shop for all your purpose driven creative, strategic, and partnership needs. It is a platform to create and elevate meaningful content, foster partnerships and collaboration, and inspire community engagement. An inclusive ecosystem to inspire and, proactively, reimagine and rebuild our world together.
After George Floyd’s murder at the end of May 2020 and a hard and difficult COVID lockdown, New Yorkers could not be held back anymore from expressing themselves. Pandemic or not, the city was bustling with crowds and energy; protesting for life, for freedom, for self expression. Soon after that,
WeCare Impact gave birth to its first project and collaboration “The Stream of Life”. Narrated by Deepak Chopra and shot in New York on 16mm film, “The Stream of Life” was conceived in July 2020, as the world grappled with the overwhelming and ongoing challenges of the pandemic. Multiple artists, performers, and storytellers came together to create “The Stream of Life”.
The film is a reminder of our strength in adversity, our ability for renewal, and our inextricable connection to nature.
What has made you successful? What do you value?
Success is a hard thing to define. I believe its meaning differs for the individual, and the one society ascribes feels contained to our professional successes. I aspire to be successful in a multidimensional way. Success for me means a well-lived life. And what is a well-lived life but a life filled with meaning? community, art, and love? A life whose legacy leaves the world a little better, a little kinder. If my life makes a positive difference, then yes, I can say I’ve been successful.
I value kindness, empathy, work ethics, commitment, passion, and loyalty. These qualities make up character, and I have deep reverence for those who give themselves selflessly to what they believe in and cherish. On a professional level, I believe my success has come from my deep commitment to what I believe in, my eagerness to learn, and my relentless energy to contribute to making this world a better place. My empathy and ability to connect with people from all backgrounds and walks of life are also supportive qualities that allow me to have an adaptive and inter-sectional approach. Keeping myself informed, on the pulse of innovation and thematics I care about, are also important factors that allow me to further my thought leadership and ensure success in my ventures.
What are the most important aspects of a company’s culture? What principles do you believe in and how do you build this culture?
One of our mottos at WCI is that the strength of the community is the individual; and that the strength of the individual is the community. The mission and values of our company are the guiding principles of its culture and operations. WeCare Impact’s mission is to use arts, technology, and community as vehicles to inspire and offer solutions to our world’s most pressing issues. At WeCare Impact, we strive to build a diverse and inclusive workplace. We hire and collaborate with individuals from all walks of life, backgrounds, and nationalities. A diverse workplace allows for different points of view and skillsets to more effectively accomplish the company’s goals or respond to its challenges and needs.
I believe good, clear, and honest communication is invaluable to a company’s success and culture. Transparent and efficient communication skills will help boost the productivity of the company and lessen the stress that the employees may feel when faced with a complex task, situation, or project.
I also believe in a healthy work-life balance; a better workplace starts with a more caring one. It is important that work enable us to live our lives, not hinder them. I want to foster a sense of growth and fulfillment in my team.
Integrity, reliability, a collaborative mindset, dedication, innovation, and kindness are also important principles embedded into WeCare Impact’s culture.
What are your responsibilities as the Principal/CEO/President of the company? What is the happiest part of your daily routine?
My responsibilities as the CEO of WeCare Impact are to oversee all operations, creative direction, and executive strategy to implement the company’s vision and ensure it keeps growing and creating value. The happiest part of my routine is when new projects or collaborations are born and I can feel the excitement about the value we can contribute. The meaningful connections made along the way and, obviously, witnessing the positive impact generated, are also very gratifying.
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
The advice I would give someone going into leadership for the first time is to lead by example. Walk your talk. Trust and confidence come from the leader showing the vision, allowing your team, your audience, to feel closer to it by embodying it himself or herself.
Be kind, listen, and try to come up with innovative solutions that take your team’s needs into account. If you do this, the right people will be inspired to contribute to making the vision a reality. This will help you be discerning, know your value, and know how to create the best conditions for your team’s success.
