Educate, Collaborate & Dare to be Different
Shadi Ganjavian-Connor founder of Team GC, has an extraordinary talent for inspiring others, fuelled quite simply by her sole desire to help the world in any way she can. Leading by example and with an impressive C.V. to date, Shadi has extensive and diverse marketing experience working with companies such as Marks & Spencer, Harrods, B&Q and ID Technology Group leading the marketing strategy, communication and project management for several successful high-profile campaigns. Shadi is also co-founder of the community interest company, ‘SHAPE Hampshire’, which has been established to introduce Mind, Body and Education support to Hampshire Schools. Co-founder of ‘The B.I.G Foundation’, established to raise funds for scientific explorations.
Alongside her career Shadi has followed her passion using her skills in innovative ways - identifying a need and tirelessly exploring the options to secure solutions. Over the years Shadi has constantly been involved in kick-starting fundraising and awareness for many community projects such as establishing a community centre in Egypt, raising the profile of The Little Princess Trust by engaging National TV and Newspapers in, what is now a popular national campaign encouraging hair donation to provide wigs to young cancer and alopecia patients. One of Shadi’s most innovative projects to date was to initiate a design project with O’Neil Wetsuits, for a Marwell Zoo resident penguin named Ralph who was in desperate need of a wetsuit!
““Every experience provides us with an opportunity to grow and make a difference”. ”
Setting her sights higher and higher (quite literally), in June 2016, Shadi climbed Mont Blanc to raise money and awareness for the Teenage Cancer Trust and in 2017 despite her continued fear of heights and dread of cold weather, embarked upon scaling the infamous Matterhorn mountain. This challenge was aimed at flying the flag on the summit, on behalf of children’s charity The Murray Parish Trust. Supported by sponsors including Ahmad Tea, Intech Telecoms and Snow & Rock, this huge fundraising project raised over £30,000 towards a £2 Million goal which was reached in November 2018. As part of this campaign TEAM GC also organised the Make A Difference Ball in May 2018 raising a further £45,000 and shared her experience through several television and radio interviews. In 2019 Shadi scaled Elbrus, tallest peak in Europe located in Russia via the North Face raising funds for Allegras Ambition. Later that year she lead a team of 20 females to the roof top of Africa Killimanjaro together they raised £137,000 for local Hampshire Charities.
One Team, One Dream
Kilimanjaro 2019
Take a look at our Video Gallery.
Shadi began a series of talks ‘Attitude at Altitude’ during 2017/18, designed to inspire others that, with self-belief and determination, anything can be achieved no matter what the circumstances. This has evolved into a Schools Tour that has proven extremely popular, initially across Hampshire with excellent feedback from Head Teachers, staff and pupils as well as inspiring further fundraising ventures within this environment.
Shadi’s success is largely built around her inherent gift to create an entire community around each project she sets her sights on and over the last couple of years this extended family of community fundraisers, businesses and individuals from all walks of life has come together to create TEAM GC.
TEAM GC offers something inspiring to all those involved; providing an opportunity to learn something new about yourself and the world around you, push the boundaries and be part of a wider community striving to make a difference to so many.
team gc - Collaborators
“Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.”
Tim Connor
Mandy Hickson
Tina Dine
Marie-Claire
Annie Jones
Fiona Kelly
Life is full of opportunities, one of the biggest pleasures is to share. So why not share your knowledge and ideas drop us a line. We are always keen to welcome fresh ideas and new people to our team of dreamers.
You will never have this day again,
Make it count.
- Unknown