Leading Lights

Over the past 20 episodes of Leading Lights, we’ve heard from women leading some of the UK’s most impactful organisations. Different journeys. Different challenges. Different styles of leadership. But when asked one simple question “What’s your top tip for someone who wants to become a charity CEO?” some clear themes begin to emerge. This special compilation brings those moments together. Practica...

In this episode of Leading Lights, Abi is joined by Debra Allcock Tyler, CEO of the Directory of Social Change, author, and one of the most experienced voices in the UK charity sector, with over four decades of insight behind her. Debra’s story begins in a military family, growing up across countries and cultures - an upbringing that shaped her perspective on people, resilience, and the world arou...

In this episode of Leading Lights , Abi is joined by Sophie Tebbetts, CEO of FoodCycle , the national charity turning surplus food into shared meals that tackle both hunger and loneliness . Sophie traces her lifelong connection to food – from busy family meals growing up as one of six children to her first job in a pub kitchen. Those early experiences shaped a belief that food has the power to bri...

Rachel Kirby-Rider, CEO of Young Lives vs Cancer In this powerful conversation, Rachel Kirby-Rider shares her journey from working-class roots in Essex to CEO of Young Lives vs Cancer , and the resilience, self-doubt, courage and conviction that shaped her leadership along the way . Rachel talks openly about being the first in her family to go to university, underperforming academically but overde...

What does it take to turn purpose into real policy change, and keep your organisation anchored to its mission along the way? In this episode of Leading Lights , host Abi Mellor is joined by Caroline Lee-Davey , Chief Executive of Bliss , the UK’s leading neonatal charity. Caroline shares how purpose-led leadership can move beyond good intentions to deliver tangible change. Her campaigning experien...

In this episode of Leading Lights , Abi Mellor is joined by Deborah Alsina MBE , CEO of Arthritis UK , for a deeply honest conversation about mission-driven leadership and the personal cost of leading purpose-led organisations. Drawing on decades of leadership across the health and charity sector, Deborah reflects on why arthritis remains widely misunderstood, and is often dismissed as part of age...

Trigger Warning This episode contains discussion of rape, sexual violence, child sexual abuse, misogyny, racism, online abuse, and trauma. Please take care while listening, and reach out to a trusted person or support service if you need to. ------------------------------- In this powerful conversation, Abi speaks with Red Godfrey-Sagoo, Chief Executive of Rape Crisis South London , about leading...

In this inspiring episode of Leading Lights , Raakhi Shah , CEO of The Circle , shares how small acts of solidarity can create global waves of change. Drawing on her experience leading the feminist organisation founded by Annie Lennox, Raakhi talks about the power of women supporting women and her vision of truly global feminism. From her early career in international development to her leadership...

Karen Dobres never liked football - until she realised it could change the world.  When she went along with her husband to watch a game at Lewes FC, the local club, Karen discovered that women had been banned from football for 50 years (from 1921-1971) and were still paid 10 times less than male players. No wonder football was thought of as “a man’s game”. This revelation transformed her into an u...

In this powerful episode, Abi Mellor sits down with Eleanor Harrison, CEO of the Fairtrade Foundation, who shares her remarkable journey from a childhood shaped by justice and community activism to leading one of the UK's most trusted ethical brands.  Eleanor reveals how early experiences of her mother's fearless advocacy instilled values that would guide her through diverse roles across the secto...

From the shyest girl in school to a voice for seriously ill children: Louise Griew’s story is one of quiet resilience and unexpected turns. In this episode of Leading Lights , we meet Louise Griew, Chief Executive of Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity - a role she never imagined for herself growing up in Pinner, North London.  Once described as the shyest girl in her class, Louise now lead...

From a challenging childhood to leadership of a ground breaking charity, Danielle Bridge has built her successful career out of being open to the range of opportunities that have come her way. In this episode of Leading Lights, MOREVER Managing Director, Abi Mellor talks with the Chief Executive of Black Minds Matter UK about her role as the leader of a charity helping the Black community to acces...

Unfiltered conversations with women leading change in the charity and non-profit sector. Leading Lights shines a light on female leadership, amplifying the voices of the inspiring women making a difference through purpose-driven work. In each episode, we speak to non-profit CEOs about how they lead, what they’ve learned, and what keeps them going. Expect honest conversations, bold ideas and practi...

From grassroots campaigning in India to co-leading one of the world’s most influential organisations, Areeba Hamid’s journey is one of purpose, resilience and quiet power. As the first woman and first person of colour to lead Greenpeace UK, Areeba shares her deeply personal path into activism – seeded by the influence of a grandmother who showed her it is possible for women to ‘defy expectations’...

From losing both parents as a teenager and growing up in poverty in Taiwan, to founding a charity driving systemic change across Asia - Pei Su’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. She’s a pioneer in animal welfare, a trailblazer in charity leadership AND a published author - her memoir is a must-read ( here’s a link to get a copy ). As CEO of ACTAsia, Pei is leading efforts to shift attitudes...

Our guest this month is Helen Rowbotham. Helen has been CEO of Access Sport, a national charity dedicated to making inclusion the norm in community sport, since January 2022. With over 25 years of sports industry and non-profit leadership experience, she has overseen significant growth across Access Sport’s programmes, reaching more than 20,000 disadvantaged and disabled children and young people...

Our guest this month is Angela McConville. As Chief Executive of the NCT , the parents national charity for pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, Angela has brought her ‘spirit for change’ to the organisation. After only 9 weeks in the role, the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic forced her to make changes to the fundamental operating strategy of the organisation overnight.  In this episode Angela...

Abi’s guest is Michelle Thew, long standing CEO of Cruelty Free International, one of the world’s most respected animal protection organisations. It works to create a world where nobody wants or believes we need to experiment on animals. In this episode Michelle shares her journey to leadership and her thoughts on what it’s like to be the leader of a campaigning organisation for social justice. Sh...

In Episode 4, Abi’s guest is Jayne Taylor, CEO of The Elephant group, a headteacher-led charity dedicated to improving fair access to top universities.  Through collaboration with school leaders, universities, and key partners, The Elephant Group supports academically able students from non-selective state schools, helping them achieve their aspirations through tailored programmes and sector-wide...

Our first episode features the incredible Chief Executive of Together Co, April Baker. April has more than 10 years of senior leadership and board experience in the for purpose, not profit, sector.  She is passionate about finding innovative and empowering solutions to societal issues, particularly loneliness and social isolation, which affect millions of people in the UK and around the world.   I...

Episode 2 of Leading Lights features the newly appointed CEO of Ben, the charity dedicated to supporting the people of the automotive industry, providing support for life for them and their family dependents. At the time of recording Rachel was just about to step into her role at the helm of the charity. Rachel’s background as an international hockey player, combined with a career in the health an...

In Episode 3 of Leading Lights, Abi has the pleasure of meeting Dr Sarah Hughes, the inspirational CEO of Mind, the mental health charity. Sarah has worked in mental health and social justice for 35 years. She has held a number of chief executive roles in the voluntary sector including for the prestigious think tank The Centre for Mental Health. She holds a professional doctorate on the topic of w...

If you’ve ever wondered what the path to leadership of a charity is really like for the women who’ve made it there, our new podcast - Leading Lights - is for you. Leading Lights is a podcast for women in marketing in the charity sector. Hosted by Abi Mellor from MOREVER, a creative agency for charities and changemakers. Each episode will feature a female chief executive from the charity sector. Ab...