Coffee with Kofi

When you lean into your values and your path reveals itself with Sharniya Ferdinand.

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 business owners and diverse professionals! Sharniya is living, breathing proof that when you lean into your values, the path has a way of revealing itself. So grab your coffee, get comfortable… and let's sip into that inspiration! Key takeaways: Pivoted during further education: Sharniya switched degrees after finding the research-heavy BSc didn't align with her passion for bringing people together. Advocated for a New Role: Created her current position by advocating for support for the "global majority" (ethnic minorities), inspired by existing programs for female founders. Honesty Secured a Dream Job: Disclosed a pre-booked 2-month trip during an interview, which led the hiring manager to wait for her. Manages Multiple Passions with "Balance Over Time": Sharniya rejects "daily balance" as a fallacy, instead focusing intensely on different priorities (work, family, hobbies) over longer periods like a year. Episode resources: Sharniya Ferdinand: www.linkedin.com/in/sharniyaferdinandInstagram: @sharniyassingsta NatWest Accelerator: www.natwest.com/business/business-services/entrepreneur-accelerator.html Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com "Women in Leadership, Inspirational, Growth Mindset"

From major global corporations to migrant leadership mentoring with Elham Fardad.

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 top of global organisations including GE, News Corp and EY. Realising something was missing, Elham did something remarkable and made a “pivot on purpose”. In 2017 she walked away from the corporate world and founded Migrant Leaders, a charity that has since supported nearly 5,000 young people, with over 2,200 senior mentors from across the UK's leading firms. Elham's story is laden with gems of resourcefulness and resilience. Key Takeaways: Origin Story: Elham overcame early obstacles, including securing "home student" status for university via a 3-day protest at Birmingham City Council. Career Pivot: After a 25-year corporate career in finance (GE, News Corp, EY), Elham pivoted to launch Migrant Leaders in 2017. The catalyst was the Parker Review, which revealed only 1.3% of FTSE 100 directors were migrants, all from private schools. Migrant Leaders: A charity supporting c.5,000 young migrants with 2,200+ senior mentors operates with a core philosophy: success is a responsibility to family and community, not just a personal achievement. Elham's Philosophy: Success requires aligning the "heart and mind." The "how" is solvable; the "what" and "why" (the problem statement) are the critical starting points. Episode resources: Elham Fardad: www.linkedin.com/in/elhamfardad Migrant Leaders: www.migrantleaders.org.uk Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com "Women In Leadership, Migrant Leaders, Growth Mindset, Inspirational"

How to trust the process on the path to "becoming" your limitless best with Rebeća Lewis.

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 this conversation, we explore her upbringing, the pivotal moments that influenced her direction, and how she’s learned to embrace uncertainty rather than resist it. We also dig into what it really means to enjoy the process of “becoming”… especially when the path ahead isn’t always clear. If you’ve ever felt like you’re figuring things out as you go, this one’s for you. So grab your coffee and let’s sip into that inspiration! Key Takeaways: * Pivotal Shift: A session with the President revealed the social justice nexus of climate change, inspiring Rebeća to create her own portfolio of work focused on racial equity and community building. * Career Synthesis: Rebeća's diverse roles, including sales, provided the skills (e.g., resilience, connection) that now fuel her purpose-driven work, proving that "rejection is just the beginning of a conversation." * Ascend Global: Founded to continue the community-building work she started as a diplomat. Ascend Global Impact aims to close the generational wealth gap for the African diaspora, starting with its STEAM accelerator. * Ambitious Expansion: The Ascend Innovators STEAM accelerator is scaling from Ghana to Nigeria, the UK, the Caribbean, and the US, with a long-term goal of reaching 1 million young women! Episode resources: Rebeća Lewis: www.linkedin.com/in/rebeca-lewis Donate to Fifty for Fifty (Robotics Lab for Ghana): www.gofund.me/a65e5436d Ascend Global Impact: www.ascendglobalimpact.com Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com

From adversity to the stars with David Villa-Clarke. with David Villa-Clarke.

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 explore his story, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and most importantly what you can take from it as you navigate your own career journey. So grab a coffee, get comfortable… and let’s sip into that inspiration! Key takeaways: * Resilience Forged by Adversity: A challenging upbringing instilled a powerful drive to succeed and a commitment to helping others. * Ambition Fuelled by Results: Early career success proved that results could overcome systemic barriers, shifting David's mindset from simply having a job to pursuing ambitious goals. * Mentorship as a Virtuous Cycle: David's philosophy, "I deal in success," uses high standards and direct feedback to challenge mentees, creating a cycle of growth where success is paid forward. * Strategic Networking Unlocks Opportunity: Building genuine relationships, not just transactional networking, led to a life-changing opportunity. Episode resources: David Villa-Clarke: www.linkedin.com/in/davidvillaclarke True Potential Wealth Management: www.truepotential.co.uk/david-villa-clarke Aleto Foundation: www.aletofoundation.org.uk Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com "Leadership, Inspiration, Purpose Driven, Growth Mindset"

The Best Leadership Advice in 30 Seconds - Ellie Christie, Nando’s Group Head of Risk, Corporate Governance Internal Audit & Tax.

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