“A Catalyst for Change”: Yvonne’s Leadership Journey with the Network for Black Women Leaders

For Yvonne, the Network for Black Women Leaders (NBWL) Coaching Programme was more than a professional development opportunity; it was the beginning of a powerful personal transformation.

Connecting with Peers and Inspirational Women

Yvonne describes the programme as "a catalyst for everything I’m doing now." It helped her develop an overarching vision for her growth, one that has since guided her to attend empowering events at the House of Parliament. “Before, I’d second-guess myself, worry how I’d be perceived,” she reflects. “Now, I’m confident enough to raise my hand, ask questions and take up space.”

That growth led to new opportunities, including finding a business coach, volunteering for community initiatives like Black Inclusion Week, and working towards mentoring others, each step widening the network of meaningful connections she never expected.

Navigating Challenges as a Black Woman in the Workplace

One of the biggest revelations for Yvonne was recognising she hadn’t had a clear career plan. “I’d been in the same role since 2011,” she explains, “and it wasn’t until the coaching programme that I realised I needed to be more strategic.” Despite having juggled raising a family and working, she hadn't been actively seeking progression. But the Network for Black Women Leaders coaching programme helped her reframe that mindset.

Through journaling and reflection practices revived during the programme, she began identifying daily steps toward her goals. One of those steps? Asking for and securing a new job title: Head of Private Sector Partnerships. The promotion marked a pivotal recognition of her leadership and potential. “The Network for Black Women Leaders helped me stop surviving and start strategising.”

Impact on Confidence, Career Progression and Financial Resilience

Yvonne credits NBWL with reigniting her drive. “The programme gave me permission to dream again and then helped me break that dream down into daily actions.” She has continued working with a coach to develop her vision further and has set personal revenue goals to boost her financial resilience. Her new role has also expanded her remit and led her to approach her work more strategically, thinking beyond sales targets to innovation, business improvement, and broader impact.

Learning Through Coaching

“Coaching taught me I’m committed to growth,” Yvonne says. “But it’s not linear. There will be setbacks, and I’ve learned to sit with those and keep going.” She also discovered the power of community. “Often, as Black women, we’re isolated in our organisations. The programme reminded me I’m not alone and that’s incredibly empowering.”

Through vision boarding, journaling, and mentorship, she’s built new strategies that support both her leadership aspirations and her sense of self. She’s now enrolled in a new digital media management course to deepen her skills and prepare for what’s next.

Shaping Aspirations for Leadership

Yvonne is now clear: “I believe I’m on the path to becoming a very good leader.” She’s more intentional about the steps she’s taking, whether that’s speaking at events or expanding her learning. Leadership, she notes, takes many forms. “Even without a team reporting into me, I’m leading through my decisions, through how I represent myself, and through the way I mentor others.”

Her experiences have also deepened her empathy and commitment to supporting other Black women. “I understand the emotional labour of being the only Black woman in the room. It’s not just a professional issue, it’s deeply personal.”

Advice to Other Black Women Considering NBWL

“I told my sister to join NBWL, and I’d say the same to any Black woman,” Yvonne shares. “It was the catalyst for everything that’s happened since. The Network for Black Women Leaders is welcoming, positive, empowering, and it will give you the tools and the community to grow into the leader you were always meant to be.”