Today, I’m honoured to have with me Simone de Gale, the visionary architect behind Simone de Gale Architects, celebrated for melding mathematical rigor with striking design, creating unique spaces across London and internationally.
Simone’s story begins with childhood memories of watching her family build and create those early experiences ignited a love for architecture that’s grown into an award-winning career, from redesigning Central London townhouses to master-planning large international projects.
In this conversation, we’ll delve into her roots, what inspired her to stick with architecture in a space where few people might look like her, the challenges and triumphs she’s encountered, and most importantly what listeners can learn about following their own passions and crafting a fulfilling career.
Grab your coffee, sit back, and join us as we journey with Simone de Gale, a force of creativity, resilience, and purpose!
Key Takeaways:
* Founding Strategy: Launched Simone de Gale Architects in the 2009 recession, leveraging a 10-year network to immediately secure projects, including a major international commission in Bangladesh.
* Design Philosophy: Uses mathematical principles (geometry, pattern) to create environments that foster peace and belonging, believing "your environment creates you."
* Business Model: Focuses on building deep client relationships, which leads to repeat work across entire property portfolios (e.g., 10 projects on one street) and minimizes business development costs.
* Team Growth: Scaled to a 12-person firm by hiring for shared design ethos, enabling effective delegation and freeing up leadership time for strategic work.
Episode resources:
Simone de Gale: www.linkedin.com/in/simonedegale
Simone de Gale Architects: www.simonedegale.com
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
Today, I’m joined by Dr Jenny Hewitt, a visionary leader, researcher, and consultant whose career spans academia, health, youth advocacy, and social equity.
Jenny is the CEO of IntoNetZero, a UK-wide not‑for‑profit dedicated to opening doors for underrepresented groups in the renewable energy sector, and founder of Understory Ltd, her consultancy that works on systems change and workforce inclusion.
In this conversation, we’ll dive into her remarkable career journey, the bold steps she’s taken to dismantle barriers, and the practical wisdom she shares for anyone looking to follow their passions and create meaningful impact.
So grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s get started!
Key takeaways:
* Mission: As CEO of IntoNetZero, Jenny Hewitt is building inclusive pipelines to fill the UK's massive green workforce gap (c. 400k–725k by 2050), targeting underrepresented groups.
* Philosophy: Jenny's career is guided by the core values of "equity and sustainability" and an approach of taking calculated risks and trusting the process.
* Leadership Model: Prioritises work-life balance and deep listening to foster genuine inclusion and counter "divide and rule" tactics.
* Call to Action: Jenny encourages young people to confidently enter the "net zero sector", as it is being built now and needs their skills and perspectives!
Episode resources:
Dr Jenny Hewitt: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jenny-hewitt-5023b223
IntoNetZero: www.intonetzero.org
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecaoching.com
Today, I’m joined by Aime Ayrehart, HR leader, author, and founder of the HR & Workers Trade Union, the UK’s only pay-as-you-go union.
Aime has spent her career standing up to workplace injustice, building compassionate solutions, and reimagining how HR can truly serve people.
In this conversation, we’ll dive into her personal story, the bold steps she’s taken to transform adversity into purpose, and the practical wisdom she shares for anyone looking to follow their passions and create workplaces where people can thrive. So grab your coffee, settle in, and get ready for a high speed conversation!
Key Takeaways:
* Aime's career is driven by an unwavering commitment to fairness, a principle rooted in her "neuro-spicy" nature and family's trade union history.
* Her book, "Let's Face the Music and Dance", was a pivotal act of vulnerability that built a stronger, more authentic personal brand by connecting with her "tribe."
* Aime founded the UK's only pay-as-you-go trade union, Ninja HR, to provide on-demand support for senior professionals, challenging the traditional membership model.
* She is building "AI & Me," an HR-focused AI tool, using a "build the audience first" strategy to avoid the pitfalls of a tech-centric, "hustle culture" startup.
Episode resources:
Aime Ayreheart: www.linkedin.com/in/aimeayrehart
Human Resources and Workers Trade Union: www.hrwtu.wordpress.com
Let's Face the Music and Dance: www.amazon.co.uk/Lets-Face-Music-Dance-stories/dp/1399979833
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Pinky Ghadiali, a transformational leadership coach, mediator, and founder of Mindset by Pinky.
Pinky pivoted her career from optometry to helping professionals and entrepreneurs break through self-doubt, navigate conflict, and lead with authenticity.
Pinky’s journey is one of courage, clarity, and continuous growth. Through her career she has become a trusted voice in empowerment and mindset transformation, she’s shown that fulfilment isn’t something we stumble upon, it’s something we can consciously create.
Key takeaways:
* Pinky pivoted from optometry to coaching after realising patients sought her for personal, not just medical, advice.
* Over the years she has transformed personal pain into professional power, using her experience to build empathy and confidence as a conflict mediator.
* Pinky advises incremental career pivots (e.g., part-time work), to manage financial risk and build a client base before going full-time.* Hear some great tips for managing burnout with daily habits and firm boundaries in order to stay aligned with one's purpose.
Episode resources:
Pinky Ghadiali: www.linkedin.com/in/bypinkyg
Mindset By Pinky: www.bypinky.com
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
Today, I’m honoured to share my conversation with Jasmine Richards; author, editor, entrepreneur and founder of Storymix, a purpose-driven children’s fiction studio that is reshaping representation in publishing.
Jasmine has worked on more than 15 books, collaborated with major publishing houses, and built a platform that discovers, develops and launches underrepresented writers into mainstream success, without compromising on joy, excellence, or commercial impact.
What makes Jasmine exceptional isn't just her achievements, it's her vision.
She believes that all children deserve to see themselves as the heroes of their own stories, and she has built a business that turns that belief into a powerful commercial model. She blends creativity with strategy; social mission with scalability; representation with revenue.
Key takeaways:
Origin: A serendipitous encounter with Pearson's graduate program revealed publishing was the career for her developing talent. She found a role had long sought that she didn't know existed.
Business Model: Storymix uses a "book packaging" model, retaining all IP to ensure creative control and commercial viability, while providing a paid development platform for underrepresented writers.
Creative Strategy: Storymix prioritises joyful, commercially viable stories over trauma narratives, "smuggling in" themes like nature connection to normalise representation.
Future Vision: The 3-year plan is to activate Storymix's 24+ IPs into legacy brands (e.g., animation, podcasts), shifting from quantity to quality.
Episode resources:
Storymix: www.storymixbooks.com
Jasmine Richards: www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-richards
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
Do leaders have to be loud? Can they authentic and kind? Can they lead with heart and head?
Hell No! Yes! and Yes!
Today's friend of Coffee with Kofi Nicki Auret, is the embodiment of quiet, kind, and impactful leadership. From her unconventional start to life in a quiet South African town,
Nicki's 30 year career has seen her make a world of difference to the Human Resources profession across South Africa, the UK, Asia, and the USA.
She is currently the Chief People Officer at a leading global bank within the emerging markets and is the Immediate Past Master of the delightful Company of Human Resource Professionals. Its values of Fellowship, Education and Charity are ones found at the core of Nicki's work.
Key takeaways:
Leadership Philosophy: Nicki's leadership is defined by her "4 A's": Authenticity, Agency, Allyship, and Advocacy. This framework is a direct response to a pivotal early career comment that she was "too nice" to be effective, which she has since proven wrong.
HR's Evolution: The HR function has transformed from an administrative practice to a strategic, commercial, and values-based advisory role. Nicki describes HR's modern purpose as the "organisational conscience."
Global Leadership: Leading across diverse markets requires balancing a few core global values with significant local autonomy. This approach builds trust and enables self-organizing systems, embodying the principle of Ubuntu ("I am because we are").
Purposeful Engagement: Nicki's involvement with the Company of HR Professionals was ignited by its supportive community during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Past Master, she pushed her own leadership boundaries and is now focused on the company's long-term legacy.
Episode resources:
Nicki Auret: www.linkedin.com/in/nicki-auret-a302a41
The Company of HR Professionals: www.hrprofessionals.org.uk
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
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