![Leadership Journeys [245] - Syed Ahmed - "What people wouldn't know around me is i prefer solitude"](https://img.transistorcdn.com/ZmhcEmdpgOaFyFva-eD4ce81M0BLY20X6SqFo0TViaM/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9iYjkw/ZmNiMzExY2JlMWVi/ZmQxODZhY2MwMWQ1/NTNiYS5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [245] - Syed Ahmed - \"What people wouldn't know around me is i prefer solitude\"")
Leadership Journeys [245] - Syed Ahmed - "What people wouldn't know around me is i prefer solitude"
Description
This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.
I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.
What does it take to walk away from corporate success and step into purpose-driven leadership?
In this inspiring episode, Syed Ahmed shares his journey from the safety of a thriving corporate career to launching a mission-led vaccine company that’s reshaping global health access.
He opens up about the inner shifts, tough choices, and cultural foundations that helped him build a company grounded in integrity and impact.
Whether you're a leader considering a bold move or simply seeking deeper alignment in your work, Syed's story offers both a roadmap and a reminder of what truly matters.
Tune in to discover how real leadership starts with a powerful choice—and the courage to follow it through.
You can find Syed Ahmed at the below links
In the interview, Syed shares
- "Leadership is not a title—it's a choice to stand for something bigger than yourself."
- "Leaving corporate comfort wasn’t easy, but purpose gave me the courage to jump."
- "Access to innovative vaccines should not be the privilege of the affording."
- "True leadership emerges when strategy meets a culture of integrity and unity."
- "We weren’t just building a business—we were building trust, equity, and access."
- "The vaccine gap isn’t just a healthcare issue; it’s a social justice issue."
- "My growth as a leader came from learning to accept what I can’t control—and owning what I can."
- "People-first leadership isn’t just moral—it’s the only sustainable path forward."
- "I’m an introvert leading with extroverted clarity—because my silence fuels my strength."
- "Leadership isn’t about scaling heights alone—it’s about creating ripples that uplift communities."
![Leadership Journeys [261] - Jeff Perkins - "Family and fitness keep me grounded - without them, leadership gets heavy fast."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/RWvQw6bDx1vCYz4AIMCNWDnzN0OUn0MFv559TisGG_I/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82YTY4/YWIyNmMwZjY4ZTk3/NmU0MjY1ZmQwMTJl/OWNkOC5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [261] - Jeff Perkins - \"Family and fitness keep me grounded - without them, leadership gets heavy fast.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [260] - Suchit Bachalli - "Trust is the ultimate currency—and a true leader spends it in service of their team."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/m7aF963L2WsYp-K8uXFolDBqjv8LOtt4wubgFela4VI/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS84YTA2/ZjM0ZmNhOGU1Y2Ex/ZDAxYTJmMTRlYzlk/ZWUzYi5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [260] - Suchit Bachalli - \"Trust is the ultimate currency—and a true leader spends it in service of their team.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [259] - Ashwin Didwania - "Success takes capital, patience, and the mindset to take the big leap."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/y2V7jBYO0NrZPH-g5fqSQtUWejRsyG98uzTimo-4DIg/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xZmEw/Zjc3YTViYzQxZWEx/NDM0YzZjMzY0MWRm/YjA2ZS5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [259] - Ashwin Didwania - \"Success takes capital, patience, and the mindset to take the big leap.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [258] - Miguel Alves Ribeiro - "Tell me it’s impossible and I’ll show you it’s not."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/nRc0f3LpI6jjhIHIayHuR4u-FjYkKsloHivVqEPIutQ/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9jZWFj/Y2M1YWU1MWI4YTdm/NTQ3NTQ4YmNjZDlk/NGQ1Zi5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [258] - Miguel Alves Ribeiro - \"Tell me it’s impossible and I’ll show you it’s not.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [257] - Sorabh Gupta - "I need to step back for the company to grow."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/RflOacj46qDOhrNpZkBNF1rOEQu6YLaso_0KZATmfuE/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS84YmZl/ZGEwYmIxN2FjYzQ5/NDFiODU0ZTBmMTQ5/MDhmMy5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [257] - Sorabh Gupta - \"I need to step back for the company to grow.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [256] - Don Hammond - "Great leaders don’t seek victory—they create progress for everyone."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/KcvyTQr3C2DVDW1SDydR-Ir-WeaHFI7WfqW-d1NUqpM/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82ZDlk/N2MzMmEzNjNjOTA4/ZjlhZTg2NWE2NmZh/N2FlNi5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [256] - Don Hammond - \"Great leaders don’t seek victory—they create progress for everyone.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [255] - Bill Benjamin - "Managing emotions in tough moments defines your culture."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/ACcQbFreF084483Yw1UI__mo_3NRcAlUnKzjeSPFo3s/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80OGY3/NjAxMGY1YmFkNDM1/ZjJmZTNlN2JlMDRj/ZGY4My5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [255] - Bill Benjamin - \"Managing emotions in tough moments defines your culture.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [254] - Dr. Santosh Honnagunti - "Mentors, risk-taking, and curiosity turned me from an engineer into a leader."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/iV4JjZphOOUXUsieQm6v_U9NS0vEAhkDd_HaCRqmkXk/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wZDA2/ZTBiZDViNjA0NDk0/ZWVlNDkzNjM4NDI1/MTlmNi5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [254] - Dr. Santosh Honnagunti - \"Mentors, risk-taking, and curiosity turned me from an engineer into a leader.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [253] - Benoit Honnart - "In business, trust opens more doors than opportunity."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/dacr0v7nn3hQhmBM-6hyJ2pJrNofnFICEHYq4-ZpO88/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8yYzU2/ODQxOGE2NjNjOTA5/YjAwY2JjOWI5YzM4/NTcxYy5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [253] - Benoit Honnart - \"In business, trust opens more doors than opportunity.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [252] - Alay Jhaveri - " Leadership is letting people be who they are."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/NhsRRAag5UN-dhhuTg-0ei7MSPs5TzNjwdaJOn8AUGw/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9iOGVk/ZThhYTgzYWZmYmZi/OWY3MzY1OTU0NzU2/MWUzOC5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [252] - Alay Jhaveri - \" Leadership is letting people be who they are.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [251] - Griff Parry - " I am more motivated by the journey rather than the destination. "](https://img.transistorcdn.com/6xfLvfKh3LA1zT6m0P2q6kgQhgtBeQxs-Wzz90Cm7s8/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS85NjE0/MmY1ODAzMTRmNTA5/MGM1ODdiMWRmZGFm/OGRkMy5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [251] - Griff Parry - \" I am more motivated by the journey rather than the destination. \"")
![Leadership Journeys [250] - Adewale Yusuf - "The greatest risk is letting fear rule your responsibilities."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/wv1jR2sSZNAW5g55rdGfT4RfjmZD3aBlRRGbbOV6N_E/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mMzdl/ZjMwMzU2N2E5N2Nj/NjcwZjg3NGNlODZh/NGQ4NC5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [250] - Adewale Yusuf - \"The greatest risk is letting fear rule your responsibilities.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [249] - Jason Hayes - " If I were to write a book, it would be called 'Thriving on Chaos'. "](https://img.transistorcdn.com/ccCnUhiNafWSCwIBuOZcA1iW2A6nq2OKAad-8Wh5OFw/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8zNDM2/OGFhM2JhZDhhNzMw/OGQ4NDY1YjEyOTUw/NTNiNS5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [249] - Jason Hayes - \" If I were to write a book, it would be called 'Thriving on Chaos'. \"")
![Leadership Journeys [248] - Ryan Howsam -"With structure and the right direction, success becomes inevitable."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/4A1LKcjdmVjHZMgabBRhTitDv0pXsawW37k7qdr1Zvw/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wOWM4/MzEyYzI1ZTQ0ZWI2/ZjMyM2JmZjIxM2Q3/MzkwNy5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [248] - Ryan Howsam -\"With structure and the right direction, success becomes inevitable.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [247] - Jag Dhanda - "Great teams grow from passion, clear vision, and strong communication."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/RdiPXydzcfIabALXVkcCAEjKjVUxa4cBILb0RcjnOQg/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9iMWFj/NTcyNDExNDZjNTI5/N2EwZjRmNDAyNTMx/NmFlZC5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [247] - Jag Dhanda - \"Great teams grow from passion, clear vision, and strong communication.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [246] - Tom Gegax - "The consultant said the problem was me—and after cancer, divorce, and a failing business, I was finally ready to hear it."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/lAfZmrFxMzFagWoFY1FjhOAShtVFt44nIF0EZis1WpU/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80MzEx/OTM4OWNhNGJjY2U0/NjI0MWUyOTBjZjY5/NWQ0OS5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [246] - Tom Gegax - \"The consultant said the problem was me—and after cancer, divorce, and a failing business, I was finally ready to hear it.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [244] - Conor McGowan Smyth - "I have a deep hunger to explore—both the world and my spiritual side."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/8xAmTkTdD9eWE60sQXznHk4WTjOee9834JKVT0en90g/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xZGM1/M2Y1OWQ1MTNjMThm/NmVlZDFlOTcxYzQ0/ODMxMC5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [244] - Conor McGowan Smyth - \"I have a deep hunger to explore—both the world and my spiritual side.\"")
![Leadership Journeys [243] - Gillian-Alexandre Huart - "When I was in Belgium, I was called French. When I was in France, I was called Belgian."](https://img.transistorcdn.com/bo9sMSvxFRmkLfnBXe5KEWTcv0hSrMjd18U382RVftk/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS83Y2M1/ODM5NDE0ZDEyNjY5/Y2Q0NTBlZWI2MGJk/ODJmMi5wbmc.jpg "Leadership Journeys [243] - Gillian-Alexandre Huart - \"When I was in Belgium, I was called French. When I was in France, I was called Belgian.\"")
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