There have been two major moments in my life when I chose courage over comfort. The first was after university and my Master’s. I knew, deep down, that I didn’t want my studies to sit neatly on a CV. I wanted to use them. I wanted my languages, my BA, and my Master’s in Latin American Development to mean something in the real world — to contribute to reducing inequalities, not just analysing them.
So I moved to Mexico. To the middle of nowhere. On my own. With no clear plan to return to the UK. It was uncomfortable,uncertain, and at times terrifying — but it was also deeply aligned with who I was and what I cared about.
The second moment came years later, when I chose to leave a salaried, stable job in government, working at Innovate UK and UKRI. On paper, it made sense to stay. But internally, I knew I wanted to do more. I wanted to support businesses to transform — to become more socially and environmentally responsible, using a holistic, future-focused framework like B Corp.
So I set up my own business. I had no idea how to run one. I had no savings. I had no guarantees. What I did have was clarity: about the impact I wanted to create, the values I wanted to live by, and the kind of future I wanted to help build. Slowly — imperfectly — I found my way.
Both experiences taught me the same lesson: courageous change is hard, but clarity makes it possible. And this is exactly what I see missing in so many boardrooms today. Businesses don’t lack intelligence or ambition — they often lack the willingness to have courageous conversations. The ones that question the status quo. The ones that ask, “Is this really the future we want to be building?” The ones that put long-term impact for people and planet alongside profit.
Courage in the boardroom doesn’t mean reckless decisions. It means honest ones. It means creating space for discomfort, challenge, and bold thinking — guided by a clear vision of positive impact. Because when you know where you’re going, even the hardest decisions become worth it.
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