Meet Mollie Hanley, Community Organiser

Hello. Tell us about who you are & what your role is at OpenCorporates.

Hi! I’m Mollie, I recently joined OpenCorporates as Community Organiser.

My role is to support our users, and ensure they are able to make as much of an impact as possible with our data. I might have been in touch with you already, but if you have any questions, or just want to say hi, you can contact me here.

The OpenCorporates community consists of people from a diverse range of disciplines, including journalists, academics, NGOs, businesses and governments, and as a group we’re more than the sum of our parts. I’m hoping to build a space where we can pool our expertise, and make a bigger impact by working collectively.

What drew you to OpenCorporates?

I wanted to be part of OpenCorporates because I think it’s vital that ordinary people have greater visibility of how money and power flow through our society. My background is in History and Cultural Studies, with a focus on institutional critique and breaking down barriers to knowledge; I’m very proud to be part of an organisation working towards these goals, and I’m looking forward to working with you all.

Where did you grow up?

Milton Keynes, a large town about 50 miles north of London. MK often gets a bad rep, but it’s home to the Open University, Bletchley Park, and has a pretty interesting history which you can read more about here.

What’s your favourite childhood snack?

Salt and vinegar chipsticks.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would that be?

I spent a lot of time in and around San Francisco when I was growing up, so I’ve always wanted go back there. At the moment I’m pretty happy in London.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

I used to do a lot more drawing and illustration, so when it’s good to pick that back up when I can find the time.

What’s your favourite book and why?

Transmetropolitan is a great graphic novel series by Warren Ellis, which follows Spider Jerusalem, an investigative journalist fighting corruption in 23rd century dystopian America. I’d also highly recommend 33 Revolutions per Minute: A History of Protest Songs by Dorian Lynskey, Outlaw Culture by bell hooks, Excluded by Julia Serano, and The Power by Naomi Alderman.