Sadaf Sajwani
My Areas of Expertise:
Social Impact & Community, Education & Youth, Leadership & Strategy, Programs & Impact, Operations & Administration, Organizing & Advocacy, Partnerships & External Relations, Startups & VC-Backed Companies, Technology & Data, Philanthropy & Nonprofit
I Offer a Free Intro Call
Independent coaches are not employees or agents of OnPurpose Careers.
About Me
I am the founder of S² Strategy and a career coach who helps social impact professionals clarify their direction, strengthen their story, and build careers that create change.
I work with people navigating careers in nonprofit, education, public policy, international development, philanthropy, and other mission-driven fields, as well as professionals transitioning from the corporate sector into social impact work.
Often, the people I work with are excellent advocates for others but find it difficult to advocate for themselves. Part of what we do together is close that gap, so your experience, expertise, and impact are finally visible to the people making decisions.
I coach from the inside out, as a practitioner who has built a career in this space and now serves as a mentor to those in it or working to enter it. As a first-generation professional and daughter of immigrants who built a career across the social impact sector, I understand firsthand what it takes to navigate these spaces without a roadmap.
I bring more than 20 years of experience across the private and social impact sectors. My career includes management and operations training in the private sector, followed by work at the United Nations, Sesame Workshop, and the Aga Khan Development Network, and a corporate social responsibility initiative at PepsiCo. I serve as a Lecturer and Career Coach at Columbia University's SIPA, where I have supported hundreds of students navigating career transitions. I also coach scholars pursuing careers in public service through the Obama Foundation.
My approach is practical, structured, and built around your specific goals. You do the work. I bring the questions, the frameworks, and the mirror. You leave with skills you carry forward, not just a polished document.
My Services:
Career Narrative and Storytelling | Career Pathways | Resume and LinkedIn Optimization | Job Search Strategy | Career Networking | Interview Preparation | Negotiation and Acceptance | First 90 Days
Whether you are applying and not hearing back, struggling to tell your story, unsure how to pivot, or preparing for an opportunity you have already earned, these sessions are designed to help you move forward with confidence and purpose.
Every engagement starts with a free 15-minute consultation. From there, a customized plan is designed around what you actually need. Sessions are structured, exercise-driven, and built around your specific goals.
Free 15-Minute Consultation — A no-pressure conversation to explore your goals and find the right starting point.
Single Session ($250 to $375) — Focused, expert support on one specific area. Best for clients who know what they need and want targeted feedback without a longer commitment. Sessions available for: resume and LinkedIn review, interview preparation, job search strategy, and general career guidance. The SOS drop-in rate is $250/hour; sessions that include guided exercises and worksheets are $375/hour.
Single-Service Package ($475) — Deep work on one area across two sessions, including guided exercises, worksheets, and 1.5 hours of face time. For clients ready to invest in one focused area and do it thoroughly.
Two-Service Package ($855) — Any two services combined. Clients most often start with career narrative paired with resume and LinkedIn, building the foundation and translating it into materials that actually get results.
Larger Engagements — For senior professionals and clients navigating a full career transition or multiple service areas, including monthly retainer options. Engagements are scoped individually based on your goals and timeline.
Business Development Coaching — For social impact professionals building an independent practice, consulting work, or entrepreneurial venture. Scoped individually.
Reduced rates are available for students, recent graduates, and professionals in career transition. Pro bono engagements are available on a limited basis for social impact professionals navigating financial constraints. Ask about either on your call.
What Clients Say:
Designing a Career Path
“My session with Sadaf was incredibly valuable. She takes a thoughtful and strategic approach, helping you design a purposeful career path that truly aligns with your values and experience. Sadaf provided insightful exercises that helped me craft a compelling personal narrative, making it easier to present my story with confidence. I left the session feeling more focused and equipped with practical tools to take the next steps in my career. Highly recommend!”
— Anna G.
Storytelling & Navigating a Career Change
“I was able to benefit from Sadaf's experience and her extremely thoughtful and tailored career advice. Sadaf thought deeply about my particular question in advance, how to convey my multi-sector experience to multiple distinct audiences, and came prepared with practical solutions as well as new frameworks of thinking about my career over the long-term. I would enthusiastically recommend Sadaf as a career coach to anyone starting out, making a career change, or looking to advance.”
- Emma L.
Gaining Clarity
“I'm so grateful to Sadaf for a brilliant session. She came well prepared having reviewed my application materials and armed with information to address the agenda I had prepared. Her insightful advice included industry trends, best practices for job applications and personal anecdotes of how she had handled similar situations. I was particularly impressed by her follow up after the session with additional tips and resources. Thank you Sadaf for: being a compassionate listener, providing me with actionable tips, clarity on my path forward and inspiration when I needed it most!”
- Anonymous