Coffee with Kofi

After years navigating systemic bias in F1 and automotive engineering, Melania Santoro pivoted into inclusion leadership. Pursuing an Executive MBA at Oxford Saïd and applying engineering systems-thinking to workplace culture. Melania and I talk about the moment that made her act, what Covid revealed about the bias shaping her career, and why her Women of Colour Programme focuses on changing syste...

From Coffee with Kofi featuring Jo Wheatley, Co-Founder & Co-CEO - In Good Company. In this clip Jo shares her internal mantra for scary launches and obstacles: 'It'll be all right.' Combined with knowing your values, that self-trust is what keeps you jumping off cliffs together. Words to live by! Episode resources: Jo Wheatley: www.linkedin.com/in/joannewheatleyIn Good Company: ww...

From Coffee with Kofi featuring Jo Wheatley, Co-Founder & Co-CEO - In Good Company. In this clip hear how Jo went from volunteering as a neighbourhood mediator at uni to discovering HR. The realisation that coaching is really about helping people resolve inner conflict and tension in relationships. Episode resources: Jo Wheatley: www.linkedin.com/in/joannewheatleyIn Good Company: www.igcompany...

From Coffee with Kofi featuring Jo Wheatley, Co-Founder & Co-CEO - In Good Company. In this clip we explore how before the workday even starts, real life happens: kids with anxiety, blood tests, and family logistics. A reminder that everyone is balancing more than you see! Episode resources: Jo Wheatley: www.linkedin.com/in/joannewheatleyIn Good Company: www.igcompany.co.ukDeciding to Coach: w...

At 27, Prentis Rollins walked away from a philosophy PhD with no dissertation topic, no backup plan, and one marketable skill... drawing. What followed was nearly two decades at DC Comics, contributing artwork to Batman, Green Lantern, the Flash, and virtually every major character in the DC Universe. In this episode, Prentis takes us back to age 11, drawing as an escape from a chaotic childhood i...

From Coffee with Kofi featuring Lee Higgins, Founder of The Direct Referral Network. In this clip we explore how purpose starts when passion and a problem you genuinely want to solve combine. Episode resources: Lee Higgins: www.linkedin.com/in/higginslee The Direct Referral Network: www.jointdrn.com To explore coaching that unlocks your potential visit: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com #coffeewithkof...

From Coffee with Kofi featuring Founder of The Direct Referral Network. In this clip we discuss how our career "data" should not sit only with companies. With change being the one constant, employees need insight into skills, risks, and future pathways now more than ever. Episode resources: Lee Higgins: www.linkedin.com/in/higginslee The Direct Referral Network: www.jointdrn.com To explo...

From Coffee with Kofi featuring Lee Higgins, Founder of The Direct Referral Network. In this clip we discuss the honest reality of building a mission-led business: resistance, persistence, and knowing when to pivot. Episode resources: Lee Higgins: www.linkedin.com/in/higginslee The Direct Referral Network: www.jointdrn.com To explore coaching that unlocks your potential visit: www.chayexecutivecoa...

He was rejected over 100 times. Then he built an award-winning charity that's now partnered with Microsoft, NatWest, Universal Music Group and Snapchat. In this episode of Coffee with Kofi, I sit down with Kevin Osei, founder of Bridging Barriers, British Empire Medal recipient, and Global Top 40 Under 40 Most Influential People of African Descent, for a conversation that's close to my hea...

Did you know that most people who want to make a change know what they want but have no idea how to make it real? That gap between ambition and action is where dreams quietly die. In my latest conversation, I sat down with Ektaa Kumar, Managing Director of The Coworth Group, for an open, energising, and practical coffee. We discussed: * Your "why" is your most powerful business asset. Ek...

Did you know that 95% of professionals believe they are self-aware, but only 10 to 15% actually are? That gap is costly, and sitting at the heart of disengagement, poor leadership, and unfulfilled potential in workplaces around the world. In this episode of Coffee with Kofi, I sit down with Jan Skroud, Award-winning Founder of iNOMEE and a true pioneer in the world of Learning & Development, f...

Espresso with Kofi featuring Andrew Finn, Co-founder of Blnker. A non-traditional education path can still lead to leadership, business and purpose. #careerchange #motivation #CoffeeWithKofi

Espresso with Kofi featuring Andrew Finn, Co-founder of Blnker. What people call “lazy” might actually be the instinct to find better systems. #entrepreneurship #mindset #CoffeewithKofi

Espresso with Kofi featuring Andrew Finn, Co-founder of Blnker. The best leaders don’t need the spotlight...they make the people around them better. #leadership #rugby #CoffeewithKofi

Espresso with Kofi featuring Andrew Finn, Co-founder of Blnker. The honest truth about becoming CEO. Sometimes the job is just doing what nobody else will. #leadership #startup #CoffeeWithKofi

Today, I am deeply delighted to share a coffee with someone whose journey is purposeful and inspiring. Sharniya Ferdinand is the Strategic Partnership Inclusion Lead for the NatWest Accelerator. Multi-talented, Sharniya not only leads on Strategic Partnerships, but is a conference facilitator, public speaker, Rising Star award winner, and passionate advocate for global majority aka ethnic minority...

Today I am buzzing to share a coffee with a woman whose story is as captivating as it is inspirational! Elham, the Founder & CEO of Migrant Leaders, arrived in Birmingham at 13 years old as a war migrant from Iran. Navigating a new language, new schools, and a new life was no easy feat. Armed with belief and an extraordinary drive to succeed, Elham went on to build a 25-year career at the very...

Today, I’m joined by Rebeća Lewis, former diplomat, former CEO of the social impact sustainable fashion brand Inside Out, AND current CEO & Founder of Ascend Global Impact. Rebeća’s career path is anything but linear. The diverse experiences that have shaped her along the way ensure that her story is a powerful reminder that there isn’t just one way to build a meaningful career or life! In thi...

Today, I’m joined by David Villa Clarke, someone whose journey through financial services is not just about professional success, but about resilience, perspective, and giving back. From challenging beginnings to building a meaningful career, David has also dedicated time to mentoring others through the Aleto Foundation, helping people find their own path and confidence. In this episode, we’ll exp...

Espresso with Kofi featuring Ellie Christie, Nando’s Group Head of Risk, Corporate Governance Internal Audit & Tax. Choose your manager carefully and enjoy what you do. Simple, yet effective advice for navigating leadership career paths. #leadership #management

Espresso with Kofi featuring Ellie Christie, Nando’s Group Head of Risk, Corporate Governance Internal Audit & Tax. A simple question that stops overthinking fast. A great tool for when work stress starts spiralling. #mindset

Espresso with Kofi featuring Ellie Christie, Nando’s Group Head of Risk, Corporate Governance Internal Audit & Tax. She left the safety of the "Big Four" for one reason: growth. A timely reminder to audit where your path is really taking you. #careerchange #leadership

Espresso with Kofi featuring Ellie Christie, Nando’s Group Head of Risk, Corporate Governance Internal Audit & Tax. What she’d tell her younger self about confidence, career leaps, and actually enjoying your wins. This is one to watch if you ever need the reminder! #confidence #careergrowth #leadershipdevelopment

Today, I’m joined by Farai Munjoma, Founder & CEO of the Shasha Network, an organisation dedicated to equipping 50 million youths in Africa with digital access, soft skills and economic pathways!! Farai is someone whose career path is anything but linear. He has worked across Africa including Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, and Mauritius (one of my favourite places on the planet), before working most...

The 9 Steps to Empowerment & Elevation. This week is the LAST in the series and focuses on the power of continuous learning! It has been a joy sharing these 9 steps with you over the past 9 weeks. The eagle eyed amongst you may have noticed that some releases have been close to the weekly wire! A symptom of life waiting for no one!! I have certainly grown through the process of creating these...