Banba Founder

Fergal Nolan

Fergal Nolan is a talent acquisition and executive search leader with over two decades of experience in AI, data science, and analytics hiring. As Founder of Banba, he is committed to helping organisations build world-class AI and data teams that solve meaningful, high-impact problems.

At the heart of Banba’s ethos is #AIforGood—the belief that the best talent should be working on problems worthy of them. Fergal’s optimism for AI and technology is grounded in how transformative innovations have improved lives for centuries. He believes AI has the power to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges, from climate resilience and healthcare breakthroughs to ethical AI and economic inclusion. Banba partners with high impact organisations advancing AI in sustainability, healthcare, humanitarian impact, and smart infrastructure, helping them secure exceptional AI & data leaders who drive real-world change.

Before Banba, Fergal founded Upstream, a specialist talent advisory and executive search firm that became a trusted partner for FTSE 100, Fortune 500, and PE-backed businesses, placing Chief Data Officers, AI Leaders, and analytics executives across Europe and the US. Earlier in his career, he was part of the founding team at Real Staffing, helping scale one of SThree PLC’s most successful divisions by building high-performance recruitment teams and expanding into new markets. Beyond talent acquisition, Fergal has led business transformation projects, including advising a high-growth e-commerce market leader on strategy, operations, and growth planning.

At Banba, he aims to ensure that organisations build teams that not only lead in innovation but also make a difference.

talent acquisition strategist

Doreen Happatz

Doreen Happatz is a global talent acquisition and executive search leader, specialising in uncovering hidden and underrepresented talent to build diverse, high-impact teams. With a career spanning top global brands like Tesla, Zalando, and adidas, she has designed and led innovative recruitment strategies that go beyond traditional hiring methods to drive business success.

At Tesla, Doreen developed and launched programmes such as the Military Transition Programme, successfully hiring over 300 veterans across Europe, as well as reskilling initiatives that created new career pathways for professionals in manufacturing and automotive sectors. Her work at Zalando focused on executive search, recruiting senior leadership in commercial and HR functions, while at adidas, she led global talent acquisition efforts, including the development of the MakerLab, hiring 50 technical experts worldwide in just six months.

Beyond large-scale recruitment initiatives, Doreen has a deep background in executive search, identifying and placing C-suite and senior leadership talent across industries, including fashion, sportswear, automotive, and technology. Her ability to assess leadership potential and match top-tier talent with organisations has made her a sought-after advisor for companies looking to drive strategic growth.

Fluent in English, German, and French, Doreen brings a strategic, data-driven approach to hiring, ensuring that organisations access the best talent, regardless of background. At Banba.io, she combines her passion for executive search, talent strategy, and inclusive hiring to help companies build leadership teams that reflect the diversity and innovation needed in today’s evolving world of work.

technical & digital marketing coordinator

Shreya Chattopadhyay

Shreya Chattopadhyay is a Technical & Digital Marketing Coordinator at Banba, where she leverages her expertise in data analytics, automation, and digital strategy to support AI and data-driven talent acquisition. She plays a key role in enhancing Banba’s digital presence, managing marketing automation, SEO, and content strategy, and driving insights through data analytics and performance tracking.

Shreya brings hands-on experience from her industrial placement at MSD UK, where she worked with Salesforce Marketing Cloud, SQL, and Google Analytics to optimise digital marketing campaigns and customer engagement strategies. Her background in automation and marketing analytics enables her to create data-driven solutions that improve outreach and engagement.

At Banba, she focuses on technical marketing execution, CRM management, and digital growth strategies, ensuring that the company’s AI and data talent solutions reach the right audiences effectively. With a passion for technology, digital transformation, and AI, Shreya is dedicated to integrating automation and analytics into Banba’s marketing and technical operations.

Brand and content associate

Mariyam Fawzik

Mariyam is a Brand & Content Associate at Banba, an AI and technology hiring consultancy committed to helping organisations tackle some of the world’s most urgent challenges through access to exceptional talent. In this role, they support brand development and digital communications, helping shape Banba’s voice across web, social, and marketing platforms.

With a background in anthropology and editorial experience at an independent media outlet, Mariyam brings a human-centered, research-informed approach to brand storytelling. Their expertise spans content strategy, SEO, social media communications, project management, editing, and writing—blending creative execution with strategic insight.

At Banba, they lead the creation of digital content, manage communications across multiple channels, and contribute to ongoing brand initiatives. Their work plays a key role in elevating Banba’s brand presence and supporting the company’s position at the forefront of AI and tech talent solutions.