Our Story
Thagaconnect was founded in September 2014 when four expat spouses decided to challenge the perception that the 'trailing spouse' has to put their career and professional development on hold whilst on assignment.
We found that contrary to common belief, life as an expat partner can boost your career prospects. The expat experience often opens up new opportunities for being creative, focusing on what is important and encouraging multicultural and multidisciplinary teamwork in ways that would not be possible at home. We have also found that there is a great demand for short-term consultants from both local and international organisations. What is lacking is a common platform to link all these professionals together.
Our team decided to tackle this problem by creating the Thaganetwork, bringing together professionals to exchange and collaborate on exciting project and develop new ideas. The Thaganetwork operates as a non-profit arm of Thagaconnect, hosting events, Thagatalks and encouraging collaboration and learning. The Thaga members either as individuals or as a team deliver professional services to clients.
Since 2014 the founders have all moved to different parts of the world and have taken the Thagaconnect package with them to establish new networks wherever they moved. In 2019 we have Thaganetworks in Maputo, Mozambique; Kathmandu, Nepal; Bangkok, Thailand; Khartoum, Sudan. Today, 'Trailing spouses' can join Thagaconnect and become a part of a professional work environment and have job opportunities even before moving to their new host country.
Our Founders
Karen Larsen Co-Founder, Behavioral Economist - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Karen is a passionate economist who enjoys studying the behaviour of people and their response to policies and incentives using methods of experimental economics. She has a strong background in research and analysing data using statistical programs. Originally from Denmark she has worked in Europe, Australasia, the Middle East, the USA and now Africa. As a cofounder of Thagaconnect she is involved in many levels of the day to day running of the network, developing proposals and training material, providing training, promotion, communication and accounts. She is active in programs involving health and in the last stage of a PhD in environmental and resource economics.
Nadia Schoch Co-Founder, Social Entrepreneur - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Nadia is a creative social geographer devoted to social and environmental responsibility and sustainability. After doing research in Central Asia on migration and development, Nadia worked in a Swiss start up company for fair trade and organic products. Since being on the move, she has become a social entrepreneur having created and managed two successful social enterprises.
Daniel Nuss Co-Founder, Visual Storyteller - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Daniel has over a decade of experience filming projects for businesses and organisations in South Asia and Africa. He has directed a feature film, and several TV specials. His expertise lies in listening to his clients' needs and translating them into captivating ideas. He enjoys helping clients develop their storytelling skills. This has resulted in dozens of successful promos and short films.
Daniel’s expertise in short form content inspired the creation of the micro story method. To learn more about the micro story, please visit his website danielnuss.com
Nicola Weir Co-Founder and Management Consultant - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Nicola is a Management Consultant and has worked around the world for Accenture and Deloitte and more recently as an independent contractor. As a Senior Manager at Deloitte, Nicola led a range of business transformation projects with multinational clients. She headed up the Technology Advisory service line in Tanzania winning and delivering projects in systems transformation, business process redesign, project management and training.
Nicola has set up Thagaconnect in Nepal and has been offering services to private sector and development agencies in strategic consulting, organisational improvement, training and project management.
