The Short Cut:
A quick-fire chat about working life with Cherryl Cooper, Specialist Talent Advocate and Coach & Former Legal Director
The Short Cut is designed to bring you a snapshot of our members’ working lives. Today, we’re speaking to Cherryl Cooper, Specialist Talent Advocate and Coach & Former Legal Director
At the heart of the Nurture Network is the power of sharing experiences.
From breakthrough career moments to best-ever advice, how to deal with stress and the women that inspire them.
Tell us about your breakthrough career moment
Moving from private practice to an in-house role early in my career. Back then, it wasn’t seen as prestigious; most women did it for childcare or other personal reasons, but it was the right move for me.
I could leave on time to collect my daughter, and still work on big, dynamic challenges. I went from advising clients at arm’s length to being in the thick of it with colleagues, problem-solving in real time. I loved the mix of legal, regulatory and risk work and the pace of corporate life.
Looking back, it was a turning point I didn’t fully appreciate at the time.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever had?
I have two that I live by.
First: Feel the fear and do it anyway.
Fear is real, we don’t talk about it enough in corporate spaces, but it doesn’t have to stop you achieving SMART goals..
Second: Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. I wouldn’t have been offered my current coaching role if I hadn’t already done the qualifications and been quietly coaching for years.
You have to do the work so you’re ready when the opportunity arises.
Have you ever felt held back as a women? How did you respond?
Yes, as a woman and as a Black woman.
Sometimes you know you’re being overlooked, but proving it is another matter. My approach? Be strategic. Build relationships beyond your immediate circle, so you’ve got allies in different places. Choose people you trust, who’ll be honest and, crucially – who can actually make a difference.
Speak your truth, but do it in a way that’s constructive and solutions-driven. It’s not about pointing fingers, it’s about finding ways forward.
How do you protect your mental health in moments of pressure?
Staying calm is essential, if you’re flustered when someone comes to you in a panic, you’re not helping either of you. I also make sure I have the facts before I stress about something.
And I’ve learned to say no, respectfully, clearly, without apology. It creates the space to do my best work and stops me running myself into the ground. I tell people it’s a skill you have to practise. Say no once, and you realise the world keeps turning.
The woman who empowers me the most is…
My mum, resilient, intuitive, always found a way. Her instincts were always spot on. My daughter too, she’s a senior leader and part of a generation who are unapologetic about protecting their mental health and saying no. They hold their careers and dreams “lightly” so they don’t crush them.
I’m trying to learn that from them…
I feel empowered by…
I can champion someone else.
Watching a young person from The Amos Bursary or a woman from Touch of Teal realise they can do something they thought was impossible, that’s it for me. It’s the same energy when I push myself to do something I’ve been avoiding, like entering for an award and never thought I’d be nominated as a finalist.
The woman that everyone should know about is…
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for her beautiful clarity of thought. Michelle Obama for her belief in herself and her values. And I’m always inspired by women who use their voice to make space for others.
Cherryl Cooper is a force for change. A leadership coach with a gift for unlocking potential and a track record that spans over 30 years at the top of the legal world. After serving as Legal Director, she swapped contracts for conversations, dedicating herself to coaching, inclusion, diversity and advocacy.
She champions underrepresented voices through her work with The Amos Bursary and Touch of Teal, and her impact has been recognised as a finalist at the Black Talent Awards. On stage, Cherryl is magnetic, speaking on empowerment, resilience and navigating corporate spaces with warmth, candour and a fearless honesty that lands.
We are proud to say she was part of our powerhouse line up for the inaugural Lean In, Lift Up Nurture Network Live Conference at the British Library in 2023, sharing the stage with leaders from British Business Bank, EY and more.
Ready to inspire and be inspired?
Join the Nurture Network a community of leaders empowering women. Share your story, connect with like-minded leaders, and be part of the conversation that’s changing the game.
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