Today's friend of Coffee with Kofi is a man more dashing than Denzel and as impactful as Idris!
From the humble beginnings of a single parent household on a south London council estate, Gareth Dauley has become the epitome of the saying "impossible is nothing".
Now a serial leader and one half of the power couple with his incredible wife Alex Dauley, he shares his evolution in a way that will no doubt be inspirational!
Key takeaways:
* Career Path: Gareth's journey from a South London council estate to energy CEO was built on translating complex ideas into simple terms for diverse stakeholders.
* Leadership Philosophy: A results-oriented, "pull-with" leader who builds high-performance teams by hiring for attitude and process, not just industry experience.
* Overcoming Bias: Gareth navigates unconscious bias by proving his expertise, using his position to be direct, and prioritising his own peace.
* Social Impact: Gareth founded IntoNetZero to diversify the energy industry, aiming to fill the 400,000-person skills gap needed to hit the UK's 2030 net-zero target by supporting under represented talent.
Episode resources:
Gareth Dauley: www.linkedin.com/in/garethdauley
KOE Group: www.KOE-Group.comIntoNetZero: www.intonetzero.org
Esu Consulting: www.linkedin.com/company/esu-consulting
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
Today I am joyful to share un café con zucchero with la mia sorella Chiara Santevecchi!
Since completing her master’s degree in 2010, Chiara has combined her passions for marketing and music marvellously in supporting some well-known brands as an employee and strategic consultant.
Her recent pivot sees her at the helm of Teem Camp which provides a technology enabled solution focused on employee retention and engagement in the evolving era of hybrid workplaces.
Key takeaways:
* Chiara pivoted from various marketing roles to founding Teem Camp, a remote team culture platform using games, behavioural science and AI to boost engagement and collaboration.
* As a female founder in technology, Chiara faces frequent challenges but sees it as an opportunity to bring fresh perspectives and diversity to the industry, not only for herself but future generations of women!
* Teem Camp aims to recreate in-person team building benefits for distributed teams, addressing connection and productivity gaps in hybrid/remote work.
* Chiara's background in music, marketing and communications informs her creative, multidisciplinary approach to entrepreneurship. She still DJs today highlighting the importance of fun and balance.
Episode resources:
Chiara Santevecchi: www.linkedin.com/in/chiarasantevecchi
Teem Camp: www.teemcamp.com
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
Today I am beyond buzzing to catch up with a true game changer.
With a career spanning over 20 years driving transformation inside complex organisations, launching national partnerships, driving commercial innovation, leading cultural change, and helping leadership teams deliver real results.
I am talking about our award-winning national treasure and champion of the under- represented, Shelley Bishton. Now a change agent navigating a new chapter whilst co-parenting two largely… delightful boys whilst living life to the fullest on her terms!
Key takeaways:
* Shelley's multicultural upbringing in Birmingham profoundly shaped her identity and career path in media and diversity.
* Partnerships have been a consistent theme throughout Shelley's career, creating value through collaboration.
* Recent personal challenges led Shelley to reassess priorities and seek more balance between work and family life.
* Shelley is now in a transitional period, exploring new opportunities that align with her core values and expertise in partnerships.
Episode resources:
Shelley Bishton: www.linkedin.com/in/shelleybishton
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
Today’s friend of Coffee with Kofi, is Manuel Heichlinger, known for leading the delivery and research function for EMEA at Audeliss.
They are a global search firm working with amazing global brands and emerging start up companies to find the best talent whilst providing market leading insights.
Prior to this role at Audeliss, Manuel had a stellar international career in talent acquisition working for blue-chip organisations including Continental, Deloitte, HSBC and LinkedIN and Michael Page!
When not at Audeliss you may find Manuel and his husband Suki Sandhu, bringing glamour to the globe with an authenticity that is inspiring and refreshing.
Key takeaways:
* Manuel's career path from Germany to the UK showcases the value of embracing new opportunities and challenges, even when uncertain.
* Creating truly inclusive workplace cultures requires active listening to employees, setting clear expectations, and holding people accountable.
* Working with a romantic partner can be successful with good communication and boundaries between work and personal life.
* Leaders should aim to "leave people better than they found them" as a key part of their legacy.
Episode resources:
Manuel Heichlinger: www.linkedin.com/in/manuelheichlinger
Audeliss: www.audeliss.com
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
I am incredibly excited to introduce Gabriel Osamor, who combines style with substance and is an advocate for growth within business and society!
As Co-Founder and CEO for his rapidly expanding consultancy, Migasuto and recently appointed CFO for the Black British Initiative charity I can not wait to expand our knowledge of the man many within the community know to be a supportive and humble giant of industry.
Key takeaways:
* Gabe shares his journey from Lagos, Nigeria, to present day, including his career pivots along the way.
* We expand on the importance of humility, continuous learning, and mentorship.
* He shares how witnessing youth unemployment in Nigeria inspired him to found Migasuto to support underfunded black businesses and start-ups.
* We hear how his role as CFO for the Black British Initiative, aligns with his passion for education and development.
* Finally he stresses the importance of intentionality, a "performance first" mindset, and continuous application of knowledge for sustainable success.
Episode resources:
Gabriel Osamor: www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-osamor
Migasuto: www.migasuto.com
Black British Initiative: www.blackbritishinitiative.com
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
I am delighted to reconnect with the Human Resources (HR) revolutionary, daughter, sister, confidante to the many and certified spicy wonder woman that is Kirsty Baggs-Morgan!!
With a career spanning over 30 years in the heartbeat of organisations, Kirsty rose up the corporate ladder to become Chief People Officer before branching off onto the road less travelled to start Evolving HR, the home of HR professionals wanting to bring the human back to the profession!
Key takeaways:
* Kirsty shares how her redundancy fuelled a passion for continuous learning and eventually led her to found Evolving HR.
* We explore Evolving HR's focuses on coaching HR professionals through programs like SPICE and building a supportive community.
* We discuss the importance of authentic leadership and communication in HR.
* Kirsty highlights her personal journey with an ADHD diagnosis just 2 years ago.
* We laugh at the financial adjustments of entrepreneurship.
Episode resources:
Kirsty Baggs-Morgan: www.linkedin.com/in/kirsty-baggs-morgan-hr-rebel-and-super-connector
Evolving HR: https://evolving-hr-app.glide.page
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
Fiercely bright yet humble, Justin is a leading light for many, having risen to become a Chief Investment Officer of a leading Financial Services institution.
In this inspiring episode he shares the importance of family and friends in his journey to the top of the investment profession.
Alongside his high profile role he makes time to give back, leading and supporting socially impactful initiatives with Encircle Mentoring, the Premier League and many more.
To know Justin is to be proud of human endeavour and the power of a positive mindset.
Key takeaways:
* Justin's path to CIO was marked by strategic career moves, focusing on saturation and growth in each role before progressing.
* Balancing technical skills with people skills is crucial for career advancement in financial services.
* Leadership in large organisations can be isolating; developing strong support systems and self-reliance is essential.
* Embracing diversity of thought and innovative cultures is key to driving better client outcomes in wealth management.
Episode resources:
Justin Onuekusi - www.linkedin.com/in/justinonuekwusi
Chay Executive Coaching - www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
In this wonderful episode we get insights into Melissa's career journey, leadership approach, and philosophy on diversity and inclusion.
Key takeaways:
* Melissa's career success stemmed from strategically "saying yes" to opportunities, enabling her progression from investor relations to leadership in DE&I.
* Her global perspective was cultivated early through family travel, leading to international business education and eventually working in London.
* Melissa's leadership evolution centred on shifting from directive management to co-creation and empowering team members to contribute their perspectives.
* Community involvement and giving back became cornerstone values, enhancing both personal fulfilment and professional network development.
Episode resources:
Melissa St. Clair - www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-st-clair-9212944
Chay Executive Coaching - www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
Tune in for a varied and vibrant conversation with Colin aka my fellow "Avenger of Authenticity and Abundance" covering:
* How his career evolved organically from consulting, to supporting his church, to education, before finally moving into publishing. We explore how his career trajectory has been driven by a desire to serve and make an impact.
* The significant personal losses in 2023 which reinforced Colin's commitment to living purposefully and exhausting his talents/abilities daily.
* His views that authentic, people-centric leadership focused on serving others as critical for success.
* How continuous learning and collaborative networking with like-minded people have been key tools in Colin's leadership development.
* Colin's faith being an integral part of his identity and work, providing clarity, purpose and strength.
Episode resources:
Pitch Black Magazine - www.pitchblack.online
Colin Tomlin - www.linkedin.com/in/colintomlin
Chay Executive Coaching - www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
In this episode ML and I discuss her remarkable career journey, which has seen her transition from basketball to Financial Services. To add a further string to her bow she has includes Executive coaching in her work.
Over a coffee we cover:
* ML's career highlights and the importance of finding the right cultural environment to deploy your talent.
* Her guiding principles for longevity in any industry.
* How she has overcome obstacles and embraced change.
* The importance of maintaining alignment, balance, and peace in your career.
* Her future aspirations to write a book and continue her journey of growth.
Episode resources:
Marie-Laure Humbert - www.linkedin.com/in/marie-laure-humbert-icf-she-her-65562b47
Chay Executive Coaching - www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
Jo's journey is a fascinating one. From law graduate to HR leader before starting the highly impactful In Good Company Coaching training provider.We uncover how Jo came to heed the call to follow her own path, alongside her business partner Zoe Hawkins.
The path has not always been smooth but by staying true to their intuition they have built a fantastic community alongside a remarkable company.
They co-host the number 1 coaching podcast - The Coaching Crowd, and have co-authored the Amazon bestselling book, "Deciding to Coach".
Key takeaways:
* The focus on people and conflict resolution have been constant themes in Jo's career.
* Jo started In Good Company to have greater flexibility and control over her work-life balance, whilst demonstrating to her children that they could follow any path they put their minds to.
* Spending time in nature, travelling and trusting her intuition are some of the tools that have supported Jo's development.
Episode resources:
Jo Wheatley: www.linkedin.com/in/joannewheatley
In Good Company: www.igcompany.co.uk
Deciding to Coach: www.igcompany.co.uk/book_launch
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
Lee and I delve into his passion for showcasing rich and diverse talent that can often be overlooked in traditional employment searches.
We discuss how he came to be where his is today and how he now brings individuals insights into their unique talents, and development areas blending technology with decades of experience.
One of the things I love about the Diverse Talent "Skills & Role" Fit Analysis is the way it outlines the potential challenges to an individuals role from the advancements in AI, whilst suggesting alternative career paths.
Key takeaways:
* Lee's entrepreneurial journey stems from a desire to challenge conventional thinking and do things differently.
* Diverse Talent Networks' "Skills & Role" Fit Analysis tool aims to give people more control over their careers through skills analysis and networking tools.
* Lee's key leadership lessons include: recognise team members' diverse strengths, communicate the organisation's mission clearly, and maintain persistence.
Episode resources:
Lee Higgins: www.linkedin.com/in/higginslee
Diverse Talent Networks: www.diversetalentnetworks.com
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
After 14 years, Andrew and I delve into his journey from school drop out to CEO!
An incredibly inspirational story highlighting that where we start never has to be where we arrive.
Key takeaways:
* Andrew's path from school dropout to psychology graduate to CEO showcases the value of perseverance and continuous learning.
* Blinker, Andrew's current venture, aims to simplify hiring for small businesses through a blend of technology and human expertise.
* Key leadership lessons: focus on elevating others, embrace mistakes as learning opportunities, and maintain work-life balance.
* Success comes from consistent effort, not luck; "just get up and get on" is Andrew's motto for progress.
Episode resources:
Andrew Finn: www.linkedin.com/in/andrewf1
Blnker: www.blnker.com
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
Over coffee we discuss Ellie's career journey and leadership insights.
12 years on from our first meeting and supporting her move in-house, it is fair to say she has been on a remarkable journey whilst still making time to enjoy the ride!
Key takeaways:
* Ellie's career progression from a "Big 4" professional services firm to in-house roles demonstrates the value of seeking new challenges and variety.
* Transitioning from professional services to in-house roles requires adapting to different work structures and developing new skills.
* Understanding personality types and using tools like coaching can enhance leadership effectiveness.
* Balancing governance with entrepreneurial culture is key in Ellie's current role at Nando's.
Episode resources:
Eleanor Christie: www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-christie-tax
Chay Executive Coaching - www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
Over coffee we catch up about her career journey and new consulting business, Metochi Consulting which is dedicated putting people at the centre of business transformations.
Melvina's dedication to continuous learning and finding people-led solutions is a thread that weaves through her academics (Masters, MBA, PhD, FCIPD) AND throughout a stellar career that saw her leave the corporate world as the Head of HR for Wealth EMEA & the UK for a global bank.
Key takeaways:
* Melvina transitioned from a long corporate HR career to founding Metochi Consulting, focusing on helping businesses navigate critical transitions.
* Her approach combines people-centred, context-aware, and evidence-based strategies to unlock organisational potential.
* Key leadership attributes she values are allowing people to be their authentic selves and genuinely caring about employees beyond just KPIs.
Episode resources:
Melvina Metochi - www.linkedin.com/in/melvina-metochi
Metochi Consulting - www.linkedin.com/company/metochi-consulting-ltd
Chay Executive Coaching - www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
In this episode I catch up with Martin Sealy, Executive Coach and Managing Director of MS Impact Group.
Martin is a rare gem of a man. The transformational power of his presence is evident in his ability to hold space for others and then ask questions with an intentionality to elevate thinking exceptionally.
He holds an MBA and numerous coaching qualifications alongside a wealth of global leadership experience. Over coffee we cover we explore his career journey, leadership approach, and insights on coaching and how it supports personal development.
Key takeaways:
* Martin's career trajectory led him from high profile international corporate roles to founding MS Impact, driven by a desire to focus on transformative conversations and coaching.
* Continuous learning and self-improvement form part of his core values. He was inspired by his Mother's influence and curiosity about different cultures.
* Some of his key leadership lessons include creating conditions for followership, servant leadership, and ensuring people feel genuinely cared for beyond just words.
* His coaching often addresses themes like imposter syndrome and helps executives in high pressure roles find a greater sense of balance.
Episode resources:
Martin Sealy: www.linkedin.com/in/msealy
MS Impact Group: www.msimpactgroup.com
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
In this episode I catch up with Emma Freivogel, Founder & CEO of Radical Recruit and Co- Founder of Be Radical. Her incredible organisations bridge gaps in employment for marginalised individuals often invisible and unsupported in society.
This was one of my favourite episodes as Emma keeps it REAL and had so many uplifting stories to share about the power we have to make the world more awesome!
Over coffee we cover:
* How her businesses have placed 750+ people into work with an impressive 92% 6-month retention rate!
* Her key leadership traits including connecting through storytelling, vulnerability, and authenticity.
* The power of LinkedIn which has been a crucial tool for building her network, fundraising, and driving impact.
Episode resources:
Chan's story (A radical being #radical): www.youtu.be/R6kUYJrYASo
Radical Recruit: www.radicalrecruit.co.uk
B-Radical: www.b-radical.co.uk
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
In this episode I catch up with Marina Ebrubah, Global Head of KYC (Know Your Client compliance), at Man Group. Marina plays a key as a mentor with EnCircle Mentoring as well as Bridging Barriers.
Over coffee we cover we discussing her career journey, leadership insights, and involvement in various impactful diversity initiatives whilst being the mother of 3 lucky children and a partner!
Key takeaways:
* Marina's career pivoted from accounting to compliance, demonstrating the value of transferable skills and opportunistic career moves.
* Balancing a demanding career with family life remains an ongoing challenge, requiring flexibility and self-compassion.
* Marina's involvement in mentoring initiatives like EnCircle and Bridging Barriers stems from a desire to give back and create opportunities for others in the Financial Services industry.
* Authentic leadership and relationship-building are crucial for career progression and making an impact.
Episode resources:
Marina Ebrubrah: www.linkedin.com/in/marina-ebrubah-60b49b21EnCircle: www.encirclementoring.comBridging Barriers: www.bridgingbarriers.co.ukChay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
In this episode I chop it up with Jackie on her journey from graduate, to high-level corporate law career, and now founder of the incredibly impactful Black Women in Asset Management network (BWAM). Driven by her desire for greater impact and fulfilment she has reached incredible heights, and there is so much more to come!
Over coffee we cover:
* How BWAM provides crucial community, networking, and career support for Black Women in Asset Management globally.
* That despite DE&I rollbacks, the need for BWAM's work is greater than ever as Black women face job losses and career challenges.
* The importance of valuing one's worth, not discounting rates/services, and building a strong team when starting a business plus so many more gems from her experiences.
Episode resources:
Jacqueline James: www.linkedin.com/in/jacqjames
Black Women in Asset Management: www.bwam.network
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
In this episode I catch up with Sanjay Gulati to hear how he made the unlikely pivot from a career in IT to elderly care provision leadership as CEO of AGE UK Croydon.
Over coffee we cover:
* His transition from an IT corporate career to the charity sector that saw him eventually become CEO of Age UK Croydon after roles in Canada and Ireland!
* Sanjay's leadership approach which focuses on "Integration, Collaboration, and Engagement" (ICE) while staying calm under pressure.
* A deeper understanding of the vital services Age UK Croydon provides to support older people's independence and wellbeing.
* The future strategy of the organisation which centres around improving data intelligence and embedding client voices to shape future services.
Episode resources:
AGE UK Croydon: www.ageuk.org.uk/croydon
Donate to AGE UK Croydon's vital services: www.justgiving.com/ageukcroydon
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com