Nurture Network Live 24: It Takes a Village
The day began with an electrifying keynote address from Louise Jones, an Olympic sports psychologist and leadership coach who is celebrated for her transformative insights into purpose, success, and resilience. Louise emphasised that leadership is never a solo endeavour and provided practical tools to help attendees align their professional goals with personal values. Her inspirational words set the stage for a day filled with empowerment, reflection, and actionable advice for women navigating leadership challenges.
The When Life Happens panel became the heart of the event, delivering a raw and relatable discussion about how women leaders can overcome life’s unexpected hurdles and tragedies—whether caregiving, bereavement, or personal setbacks—while maintaining professional success. Fidelity’s Shaunn Griffiths joined forces with influential panellists, including Daria Preston (Bank of England), Dr Vanessa Awong Eya’a (Eve), Emily McCorkell (Lo & Slo) and Chelsea Maffia (Play Morgan Studios) to explore strategies such as embracing workplace flexibility, redefining vulnerability, and seeking support through therapy.
The session sparked widespread engagement, with attendees actively sharing their own stories online. On LinkedIn alone, the conversation reached an incredible audience with over 40,000 impressions. The takeaway? Authenticity, empathy, and collaboration are essential to creating resilient, inclusive workplaces where women can thrive.
Breaking the Productivity Myth
In a powerful fireside chat, somatic coach and author Tamu Thomas dismantled the myth of “having it all.” Tamu challenged the audience to rethink their relationship with productivity and redefine success on their own terms. Her candid exploration of how women often overextended themselves resonated deeply, inspiring attendees to prioritise self-care as a leadership strength.
The Collaborating Across Generations panel provided a fresh perspective on bridging gaps between different age groups in the workplace. It featured insights from leaders across sectors – Niamh Callaghan (CGI), Simon Moyle (Perkbox Vivup Group), Nadia Bob-Thomas (London Fire Brigade), Tanyka Davson (British Business Bank). They explored how celebrating diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encouraging peer feedback can foster genuinely inclusive teams. Attendees walked away with actionable ideas for aligning Gen Z’s innovative thinking with the expertise of seasoned professionals, creating a dynamic and empowering environment for all.
Creating Dream Teams for Business Success
The Dream Team panel, led by venture capitalist Julie Blane, spotlighted innovative team-building approaches. Panellists included Ian de Cordova (BT Group), Jas Schembri-Stothart (Luna), Leigh Walters-James (Accenture), and Roxanne Sanguinetti (Alma Angels), who shared insights into cultivating high-performing teams and tackling real-world challenges for women entrepreneurs. The session reinforced the importance of cooperation, diversity, and a shared vision in achieving business initiatives.
The It Takes a Village conference left an indelible mark on its attendees. Ninety-five per cent rated the event “excellent,” while over 60 collaborations and 15 mentorships were initiated during or immediately after the event. Fidelity’s visible commitment underscored the importance of fostering spaces where women business leaders can connect, support one another, and thrive.
Looking to the Future
The excitement for Nurture Network Live 2025 is already building! Next year’s conference, The Next Generation of Leadership: Courage, Clarity, Connection, will take place at the prestigious London Guildhall. Featuring trailblazers like George Imafidon MBE, as well as an inspiring lineup of new speakers, the event promises to empower female business leaders to take bold, confident steps forward.
Watch out for the 2025 Early Bird tickets—we’d love to see you there!
