Memuna Forna is a Sierra Leonean writer, publisher, campaigner, public speaker and communications consultant. In 2015, she launched the Invest Sierra Leone series of investment forums, which brought international investors together with Sierra Leonean businesses; and founded Insight, Sierra Leone’s first business and investment publication.

She started her career as a journalist in the UK, before moving into communications. Her career includes leading communications for a number of high-profile organisations, among them – Management Today, the National Portrait Gallery and the Work Foundation – which was described by the Guardian newspaper as the UK’s best-known think tank. She has worked with private and public sector leaders at the highest level, in both the UK and in Sierra Leone.

During the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, a collaboration with the Irish Ambassador to boost the local private sector by linking humanitarian agencies with local suppliers, resulted in a successful private sector/humanitarian agency matchmaking scheme. This culminated in a national business expo, which was launched by Chief Executive Officer of the National Ebola Response Centre, Rtd. Major Alfred Palo Conteh.

Memuna has written numerous articles on a range of issues for publications within Sierra Leone and internationally, and speaks on subjects including women’s empowerment, the creative industries and emerging market communications. As the mother of a child with severe learning difficulties, she is passionate about inclusion and worked with special needs children for several years. She has a BA (first class) and MA in Literature from University College London.