Meet Faiza: Our Development Manager at Gate Theatre

Faiza Abdulkadir is our new Development Manager.

Faiza previously worked as a Development Officer at Bush Theatre and The Yard Theatre. Faiza’s fundraising experience includes local charities, international development, music management and theatre. She is keen to use her fundraising experience and her passion for the arts to support Black, Asian and ethnically diverse communities access funding for projects. Faiza is passionate about representing unheard voices in the arts and is keen to ensure communities in North London are given platforms for self-expression.

What made you want to work in Development?

I have been fundraising for charities for over a decade now. I started volunteering for various international development charities and travelling across the globe to learn about new cultures, music, and arts. This later sparked my interest in doing more community work with young people in North London. After joining an art and mental health charity in 2017, I was keen to use my fundraising experience to fund local projects. Since then, I have been able to use my expertise and passion to pursue a fundraising career in the arts.

What brought you to the Gate?

It’s a great opportunity to fundraise and be part of an organisation that is committed to changing theatre for good. The values of the Gate are aligned with mine.

What are your top three values?

Kindness, trust and freedom.

What do you hope to achieve in your new role?

To build authentic relationships with various stakeholders on a long-term basis.

What’s a show you’ll never forget?

Misty, by Arinzé Kene @ Bush Theatre (2018). It was one of the first theatre shows with a Black lead artist. I saw it at Bush Theatre back in 2018, it shifted my view of theatre, this really pushed me to pursue my fundraising career in the arts.

(Here’s a link to Arinzé Kene performing “City Creature” from Misty)