The Journey of Noah — from early sparks of curiosity to global exploration, spiritual growth, and executive leadership at The Courtney Jordan Foundation.
Noah’s story is anything but linear. It’s a journey shaped by unexpected detours, deep inner work, and a relentless drive to fuse purpose with action. Today, as the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of The Courtney Jordan Foundation, Noah brings a rare blend of strategic clarity, emotional intelligence, and lived global wisdom to the role. But the path that brought him here began with a simple question: “What else is possible?”
Early Influences: The Seed of Curiosity
Raised in a multicultural London household with roots in both Caribbean and Mediterranean traditions, Noah grew up immersed in storytelling, community values, and spirited debate. His mother—a social worker and poet—taught him the power of empathy; his father—a jazz musician turned activist—instilled a love for rhythm, resistance, and reinvention.
It wasn’t long before Noah’s curiosity outgrew the classroom. At 19, he took a leave from university and travelled across the Balkans, where he volunteered at a youth centre in Tirana, Albania. There, amidst political murals and impromptu rooftop music sessions, he discovered the transformative power of grassroots work.
A Global Apprenticeship
Over the next decade, Noah would live and work in over twenty countries, following a self-described “apprenticeship with the world.” In Sweden, he helped build a tech-for-good startup focused on refugee integration. In Zurich, he served as a programme designer for a UN-affiliated foundation, leading initiatives on cross-cultural youth dialogue and sustainability.
But the turning point came during a sabbatical in Peru, where he spent time in the Sacred Valley with Q’ero shamans—participating in ancient earth-honouring ceremonies and learning the Andean concept of ayni, or sacred reciprocity. “It broke something open in me,” Noah recalls. “I realised I was chasing outcomes when what I needed was alignment.”
This marked the beginning of a deeper inward journey. He studied meditation in Sri Lanka under a former monk who had left the monastery to teach mindfulness in war-torn villages. In South Africa, he sat with interfaith spiritual leaders in Johannesburg, exploring ubuntu philosophy and its implications for healing fractured communities.
From Sufi mystics in Istanbul to Zen practitioners in Kyoto, Noah’s travels were never about escape—they were about expansion.
A Philosophy in Practice
Professionally, Noah has always gravitated toward bold, values-driven work. Before joining The Courtney Jordan Foundation, he led regional operations for People's Praxis, a global social justice network based in Geneva. He later served as Director of Programmes at The Emerge Collective, a Swedish-Albanian initiative supporting youth entrepreneurship in post-conflict regions.
Every role, every project, every conversation—Noah approached them with the same philosophy: lead with listening, act with intention, and stay rooted in what matters.
The Courtney Jordan Foundation: A New Chapter
In his current role, Noah oversees operations, programme strategy, and organisational culture at The Courtney Jordan Foundation—a mission-driven organisation committed to equity, healing, and sustainable systems change. Under his leadership, the Foundation has expanded its reach, deepened its community partnerships, and reimagined what it means to serve with soul.
He is especially proud of launching the “Radical Roots” programme, which blends ancestral wisdom and modern mentorship to support emerging BIPOC changemakers. For Noah, this work isn’t just professional—it’s personal. “I’ve seen what happens when people are seen, heard, and given room to grow. That’s the revolution I want to be part of.”
Today and Beyond
When he’s not in meetings or the field, you’ll find Noah journaling at sunrise, reading mystic poetry, or dancing barefoot at full moon gatherings (seriously). He lives by a simple mantra: Slow down. Go deep. Lead with love.
His journey is ongoing—but wherever it leads, you can count on Noah to walk it with integrity, fire, and an open heart.
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