Welcome back to the Pursuit Playbook podcast! In this episode of the Pursuit Playbook, Aprileen talks to Aleesha Bruce, an inspiring student from the London School of Economics (LSE) with Jamaican roots from Leeds. Aleesha shares her university journey, including the impact of her 6th form scholarship, internships, and her dreams of entering UK politics. Gain insights on navigating university life, career transitions, and balancing heritage. Packed with practical advice, this episode is...

Welcome to another episode of the Pursuit Playbook. Aprileen welcomes Marcia Fray, who currently leads the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives at Warner Music Group - Europe, Middle East, Africa and Emerging Markets. Marcia's journey is anything but linear, as she recounts her career transitions from finance to music, and ultimately to DEI—a path shaped by both professional opportunities and personal life changes. With candid discussions about balancing motherhood with career...

Welcome to "Pursuit Playbook," where we dive into the journeys of remarkable individuals who are shaping the future with their unique strategies and insights. In this episode, our host Aprileen interviews her long-time friend, Jeanell English, who recently transitioned from a C-Suite corporate executive role to entrepreneur, as co-founder of ⁠Elizabeth & Minnie Publishing. ⁠ Jeanell shares her story, highlighting the crucial skills she acquired in business school that equipped her for...

In this insightful episode of Pursuit Playbook, host Aprileen sits down with Lorraine Copes, the inspiring founder and CEO of Be Inclusive Hospitality. Lorraine shares her compelling journey from turning down a role in 2012 to finding game-changing opportunities, debunking misconceptions about the hospitality industry, and navigating her career as a proactive CEO and social entrepreneur. Discover how she has leveraged her Jamaican heritage, industry expertise, and commitment to diversity to...

Welcome to Episode 8 of Pursuit Playbook, where we are thrilled to feature Asha Haji, a remarkable entrepreneur and tech leader whose insights are as diverse as they are impactful. Join host Aprileen as she delves into an engaging conversation with Asha about the nuanced differences between executing and writing a playbook in leadership roles. Asha shares her unique perspective on failure, how to embrace it as part of the journey to success, and the transformative lessons she's learned from...

In this insightful episode of Pursuit Playbook, host Aprileen is joined by Ashley Chang, the founder of Sundays, an executive assistant service specifically designed to support working parents. Ashley discusses her distinctive career trajectory from genetics to the tech startup world and the profound learnings she has amassed along the way. Delving deep into topics like the importance of an abundance mindset, the necessity of mentorship for women of colour, and strategic career visibility,...

In this heartfelt and insightful episode, host Aprileen sits down with the inspiring Les Alfred, the founder and host of the *Balanced Black Girl* podcast. Les opens up about her personal journey from a full-time corporate job to becoming a successful entrepreneur and content creator. The conversation tackles the pressures of maintaining a positive public persona, the realities of entrepreneurship, and the importance of prioritising mental health and well-being. Les shares her struggles,...

Welcome to Episode 5 of Pursuit Playbook, where we sit down with the dynamic Elizabeth Uviebinené, also known as Liz, the multi-hyphenate author, brand strategist, and Founder and CEO of the innovative journaling app, Storia.  Join our host Aprileen as she delves into Liz's inspiring journey from corporate life to freelance success and tech entrepreneurship. Discover the pivotal moments, challenges, and strategies that have shaped Liz's unique career path, and get an exclusive preview of her...

In this inspiring episode of "Pursuit Playbook," our host Aprileen welcomes Ella Anyanwu, an exceptional PR professional and founder of Thirsty, the Agency.  With a wealth of experience from illustrious names like L'Oreal, Nars, and the iconic Fenty Beauty, Ella shares her incredible journey through the worlds of fashion and beauty PR.  Discover how she navigated the challenges of the predominantly white industry as a black woman under 30, and her bold steps towards building a...

Welcome to Episode 3 of "Pursuit Playbook"! In this episode, our host Aprileen sits down with Renee Hunt, the dynamic Chief Technology Officer at Compare the Market. Renee opens up about her journey in the tech and financial services industries, sharing her skepticism towards financial services, her passion for continuous learning, and the invaluable lessons she’s picked up along the way. The discussion spans Renee's late-career transition to an executive role, her reflections on growth...

In this episode, Aprileen sits down with Chloë Downes, founder and CEO of SHFT, a full-service talent management agency in London, to explore her inspiring career journey; from her humble beginnings in south London to becoming the CEO. Chloë opens up about her personal and professional experiences, highlighting the importance of self-acceptance, strategic thinking, and genuine passion in the influencer industry. She also delves into the necessity of fair access to knowledge and diversity in...

In our debut episode of Season 2 of the Pursuit Playbook, Aprileen welcomes Ezzy Ndujiuba and Tabria Lenard, two trailblazing professionals who have leveraged their MBA education to navigate and excel in fashion and luxury industries. They reflect on their career aspirations, the financial and personal investments required for an MBA, and the pivotal role of networking and personal branding. The discussion touches on multicultural workplace experiences, the impact of significant events in...

Hi Hi! Season 2 is here! Listen to our trailer, then head over to listen to our first episode.

Long before anyone was a Belieber and Justin Bieber became a household name, Shani Gonzales was already a fan. This instinctive foresight and her unwavering self-confidence have been the cornerstones of her illustrious career, culminating in her present positions. Shani holds the dual roles of Executive Vice President and Managing Director at Warner Chappell Music UK and the Head of International A&R at Warner Chappell Music. Her track record in the music business is distinguished by...

In today's episode, we're thrilled to welcome back Dorothy Burwell for the second instalment of our Boardroom series. If you missed Episode 10, where Dorothy first joined us, make sure to listen to that enlightening discussion before diving into this episode. I'm Aprileen, your host, and today with Dorothy, we're taking a deep dive into a crucial topic for aspiring leaders and executives: getting boardroom ready. Known for her strategic acumen in communications, stakeholder engagement, and...

Meet Dorothy Burwell, an experienced strategic communications partner, born in the US, currently living in London. With a remarkable career trajectory that began at Goldman Sachs, Dorothy’s arsenal of expertise spans nearly two decades across multifarious sectors, from natural resources to transport and technology. She’s steered communication strategies of giants such as Shell, easyJet, Adidas and many more.   Beyond aiding her clients in navigating the complex maze of stakeholder...

Meet Thandi Maqubela, a self-described Sartorial Lawyer. She’s a distinguished commercial lawyer who has carved out a noteworthy career in both the UK and South Africa. As a dual jurisdiction lawyer, Thandi boasts 11 years of rich experience, transitioning from private practice into a pivotal role as an in-house legal expert. Currently at the helm as Director of Legal atDeloitte, she's known for her impeccable due diligence, contract negotiation acumen, and an unparalleled knack for risk...

Meet Kysha Gibson, an experienced management consultant in the telecommunications, media, and technology sector. As a pivotal figure in Accenture’s UKI Strategy & Consulting Management Board, Kysha, Managing Director, and Partner, is shaping the future workforce of the company by spearheading the Analyst Consulting Group (ACG). With 900+ diverse talent under ACG, she envisions them as the forefront of tomorrow’s leadership, both within Accenture and the broader industry. Kysha attended...

Anna-Lisa is business leader who proudly wears her heart on her sleeve; she doesn’t perceive this as a weakness, but more a strength and a testimony to her mantra – ‘Leading with Love, not Title’. Born and bred in Trinidad and Tobago, unique circumstances brought Anna-Lisa to the UK, where she’s built a successful career and personal life. These circumstances alongside her work ethic led her to take career risks, quite early on, resulting in a storied career across diverse industries....

Akima, with an educational background rooted in Cambridge, holds a prestigious position as a litigation lawyer and Partner at Hogan Lovells – a law firm celebrated as one of the top three in the UK by Law.com in 2022. Her extensive academic journey also spans France, endowing her with fluency in French, Spanish, and English. Acknowledged as a 'Maven,' Akima actively champions diversity, equity, and inclusion. She dedicates her efforts to mentorship, specifically aiding young Black women and...

In today's instalment, we welcome back Vanessa Belleau, the creative mind behind High Fifteen, for a continued discussion in part two of our series. If you haven't yet checked out Episode 4, we recommend giving it a listen after you finish this one. I'm your host, Aprileen, and together with Vanessa, we go beyond the surface to explore Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in a more nuanced way. We delve into our own interpretations of DEI and how these concepts intersect with our lived...

In this episode, get to know Vanessa Belleau, the visionary behind High Fifteen. Founded in 2019, High Fifteen was created to address a key business need: the marriage of strategy, insights, passion, and commercial sensibility, all while putting people first. With over 14 years of experience and collaborations with more than 80 brands across various industries—ranging from fashion and beauty to FMCG and services—Vanessa offers a unique blend of sharp strategic insights, unbridled passion, and...

Martina Toby is an expert healthcare professional specialising in Women’s health across diverse backgrounds and age groups. She started her career as a Genitourinary physician before pivoting to a General Medical Practitioner and then stepping into entrepreneurship, with her soon to be launched menopause care business.  As she moves into the next phase of her professional journey, her focus has shifted toward education and advocacy. She is actively working to dispel the stigmas surrounding...

Nina Patel is a product and technology innovation leader with experience working with well known luxury retail brands such as NET-A-PORTER, Harvey Nichols and FARFETCH.  She’s what we would call a ‘Frequent Flyer’, someone who prioritises career development through coaching and mentorship, value networking. With a foundation in consulting, she made a strategic shift to luxury fashion more than ten years ago. Throughout her journey, she has delved into diverse technical and operational...