Wunderman Thompson Announces Winners of 2021 Helen Lansdowne Resor Scholarship

Wunderman Thompson

Wunderman Thompson announce the winners of the 2021 Helen Lansdowne Resor Scholarship in partnership with the 4A’s Foundation. Named after Helen Lansdowne Resor, the industry and Wunderman Thompson’s first female copywriter, the scholarship aims to amplify historically marginalized voices in the creative industry and provide female and non-binary college students the opportunities and support they need to successfully join the advertising industry’s creative ranks.  

The 2021 recipients are:  

  • Maia Buljeta – NA  
  • Nikki Singh – APAC 
  • Nilo Sequeira, LATAM  
  • Bashirat Oladele, EMEA 

Winners will receive up to $10,000 towards their education and creative journey, plus an eight-week paid internship at a Wunderman Thompson office in their respective region, a mentor from Wunderman Thompson, and a ‘first look’ placement consideration upon graduation.  

Mel Edwards, Global Chief Executive Officer at Wunderman Thompson says: “We’re delighted to announce the winners of the Helen Lansdowne Resor Scholarship and welcome these talented individuals to our network. The Scholarship is a wonderful way to honor Helen’s voice and we look forward to seeing how these gifted voices will progress in the industry as they help steer the future of advertising.”  

Ezinne Okoro, Global Chief Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Officer at Wunderman Thompson says: “We’re thrilled to have these talented, creative individuals join Wunderman Thompson. Their creativity and passion is evident, and I know they will continue the legacy of breaking barriers just like Helen Lansdowne Resor.”  

Daniel Bonner and Bas Korsten, Global Chief Creative Officers at Wunderman Thompson added: “We’re excited to continue the legacy of Helen Lansdowne Resor by welcoming these amazing, inspiring individuals to Wunderman Thompson as they begin their careers. Their breadth of creativity, ambition, and passion for the art of storytelling is impressive and we cannot wait to have them join our teams.” 

Women and non-binary individuals studying in a creative field were invited to apply for the 2021 Helen Lansdowne Resor Scholarship, with applications open from 15 November 2021 to 7 January 2022. Applications for the 2022 Scholarship will open in Fall 2022 to be awarded in Spring 2023. 

About the Winners: 

Maia Buljeta – New York, USA 

BIO: Maia Buljeta is a film director with a deep belief in NASA astronaut Ron Garan’s orbital perspective. Quoting him, “We need to design and build a future that is based upon three key pillars: interdependence, long-term thinking and profound collaboration all wrapped up in the blanket of empathy and compassion.” Worldschooled, Maia was homeschooled by her single-parent, inspirational artist mom Ellen Buljetta alongside her sister Olivia Buljeta, an outstanding violinist and author who is an impelling force. Maia believes that everything is a construction of ideas, and that everyone has genius. She is a committed meditator now on her seventh year. Starting her film production company Hypothius Picturehouse in 2011, she has since written and directed 20 short films, and is currently finishing directing her first narrative feature film, His, about a puzzle solving genius who always runs away from the things he is afraid of. 

Aghast, stunned and thought it was a spam email. Suspiciously I researched the auspicious email address to verify it was correct, and sure ‘nuff… Really feeling very grateful and honored to be a recipient of the Helen Landsdowne Resor scholarship. 

Nikki Singh – Perth, Australia  

BIO: My name is Nikki, I am a multidisciplinary designer and visual artist based in Perth, Western Australia. Currently in my third year of study at Curtin University, I am expected to graduate in 2022 with a Bachelor of Design; majoring in Graphic Design with a double minor in Digital Design and Marketing. My passion for design and art stems from my desire to better understand our world. Essentially, I see both mediums as a form of visual communication that serve to elevate the human experience. 

It is a great honour to be paralleled with a body that seeks to empower and propel females in the creative industry. I see this scholarship as an opportunity to leverage my creative intuition for good, and trail the footsteps of remarkable trailblazer, Helen Lansdowne Resor.   

Nilo Siqueira – Belo Horizonte, Brazil 

BIO: I’m Nilo Siqueira, 27 years old, Brazilian, non-binary AFAB and an artist. I love challenges, studying, creating, connecting, and learning. I’ve been doing creative work since 2013. I’m a proactive and collaborative groupworker always looking for continuous improvement. 

I’m so thrilled and happy with this opportunity. I feel that I’m going to learn so much and will grow as a creative worker. It is a great work opportunity that will enable me to be my best. I’m so thankful. 

Bashirat Oladele – London, UK 

BIO: My name is Bashirat Oladele and I am a Sociology student at the LSE with a passion for creativity in all forms such as media and advertising. I have a passion for writing about all things pop culture, fashion and entertainment and always aim to provide a feminist angle to my work and celebrate women. 

Winning this scholarship/internship means a lot to me as a Black woman interested in breaking into creative fields. It’s an honour winning the HLR scholarship as it combines two of my passions: female empowerment and creativity. 

Source: Wunderman Thompson

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