The Charity CEO Podcast

Imagine the power of 1 million rural women entrepreneurs, impacting 100m underserved customers across rural India. Because when women lead, the world shifts. That is the ambition at the heart of Frontier Markets. In this episode, I am joined by Ajaita Shah, Founder-CEO of Frontier Markets and its sister nonprofit organisations, Frontier Innovations Foundation in the US, and the Saral Jeevan Foundation in India. We explore how empowering women in rural villages across India has sparked a nationwide movement — unlocking economic opportunity, leveraging technology, and creating 'last-mile' solutions that genuinely shift gender norms and power dynamics, while building climate and economic resilience. We discuss impact investing and blended finance, and explore how transforming an ecosystem starts with something deceptively simple: meeting women where they are. We also talk about Ajaita's personal journey moving from New York, where she grew up, back to her ancestral home in Jaipur, India; what inspired her to take on this quest; and what she has learnt along the way. Recorded September 2026.

Imagine if creativity and curiosity truly underpinned how children learn - what aspiration and innovation could be unleashed? How can we truly empower children to reimagine both their future and ours? This is the primary focus of the Institute of Imagination. In this episode,Martin Allen Morales, CEO of the Institute of Imagination, joins us for a conversation about the power of creativity, curiosity and play. We explore the Institute's programmes that centre play as a core methodology within their pedagogy; and how they stay true to representing children's voices. We talk about systems change and the need for disruption to build new models of aid and development. We also talk about Martin's extraordinary journey coming to the U.K. from Peru as a child, and how he used the mediums of music and food to foster human connection and a sense of belonging. And how, 40 years on, anti-immigration sentiment still casts a shadow on British society… and what Andy Burnham's new government needs to do to change it. Recorded August 2026.

In this episode, I am joined by James Watson-O'Neill, CEO of Sense, for a conversation about what it really means to create a world where disabled people are connected and included. Sense supports disabled people with complex needs to communicate, experience the world and fulfil their potential. The £100m+ charity currently supports over 30k disabled people and families in the UK. The charity has recently launched its new strategy, Transforming Sense, together — a three-year plan shaped by the voices of over 3,000 people connected to Sense. At the heart of that strategy is a commitment to breaking down barriers and shifting power to disabled people. It connects directly to the social model of disability: the idea that it is society, services and institutions that must change so that disabled people experience greater connection, choice and control over their own lives. We are speaking at a moment when disability rights and broader protections in the UK feel deeply contested. Too often, disabled people are treated as if the problem sits with them — rather than with the systems, environments and attitudes that exclude them. In this episode, we explore Sense's new strategy, the realities facing disabled people, what it means to be genuinely inclusive and the extent of polarisation across society today. James also challenges us to think about what our collective responsibility as civil society leaders is at this moment - and how we rise to meet it. Recorded June 2026.

Anthropy UK is described as the UK's largest gathering of future makers - inspiring a better Britain. Held annually at the Eden Project in Cornwall, Anthropy brings together leaders from civil society, business, academia, and government, to re-imagine how the country can thrive. This year (2026), I was invited to participate in Anthropy, and it was a real privilege to moderate a session with Rosie Jones, Founder of The Rosie Jones Foundation, and Kim Samuel, Founder of the Belonging Forum. Recorded at Anthropy26, this powerful conversation examines what it means to truly belong in today's society, disrupts assumptions around disability, and challenges all of us as leaders to reflect on how our organisations can actively enable inclusion and belonging. Recorded March 2026. Correction Note: 8% of disabled people in the UK are wheelchair users, not 3% as stated in podcast

Thelma Ekiyor is an award-winning global leader in women's economic empowerment, philanthropy, impact investing, and international development. She is currently the Global CEO of Women for Women International - the first African woman to hold the role. Since 1993, Women for Women International has invested in the power of women in conflict-affected countries, supporting survivors of war to rebuild their lives, find their voice, and drive change in their communities: thus creating a more equal, peaceful, and prosperous world. And yet, more than three decades on, women remain excluded from peace-keeping frameworks and post-conflict power structures. In today's volatile geopolitical context, Thelma argues that excluding women from decision-making doesn't just limit progress, it actively undermines peace, development, and economic growth. In this conversation, we explore women's rights, the role of women as agents of change, and why engaging both governments and the private sector is critical to driving true ecosystem change. As a leader, Thelma underscores the importance of political intelligence alongside emotional intelligence, and the critical need to bring a business mindset to social sector work. Recorded March 2026. Groundbreakers: Network for Women CEOs https://www.charitygroundbreakers.org.uk/