In this episode of Leading Lights, Abi Mellor is joined by Deborah Alsina MBE, CEO of Arthritis UK, for a deeply honest conversation about mission-driven leadership and the personal cost of leading purpose-led organisations.

Drawing on decades of leadership across the health and charity sector, Deborah reflects on why arthritis remains widely misunderstood, and is often dismissed as part of ageing rather than recognised as a serious, life-limiting condition for millions of people. She shares her own experiences of advocating for others, caring for loved ones with serious illness, and leading organisations through moments of profound change.

This conversation goes beyond strategy, exploring why belief in the mission is what sustains leaders through challenge and sacrifice. Deborah also reflects on her husband’s sudden cancer diagnosis, the years of uncertainty that followed, and why choosing work you truly care about matters more than ever.

To quote Deborah: “Charities deserve people who give a damn about the mission.” This conversation makes it clear that she is exactly that kind of leader.

Arthritis UK is the leading arthritis charity, changing lives through research, campaigning and support.

Learn about Arthritis UK’s ‘Arthur Tut’ campaign on TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisuk/video/7575131588199992598

Find out more about the charity:

https://www.arthritis-uk.org/

Follow Arthritis UK on social media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisukLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arthritisuk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VersusArthritis/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisuk

Enjoyed this conversation?

Subscribe to Leading Lights to catch future episodes, and please consider rating and reviewing to help others find the podcast.

Are you a Head of Brand, Marketing, Fundraising or Comms at a charity?

Come along to the MOREVER Meetup, a welcoming space to connect with other women working creatively in the charity sector.

Leading Lights is brought to you by MOREVER, an independent creative agency for charities and changemakers.www.morever.co.uk

Trigger Warning

This episode contains discussion of rape, sexual violence, child sexual abuse, misogyny, racism, online abuse, and trauma. Please take care while listening, and reach out to a trusted person or support service if you need to.

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In this powerful conversation, Abi speaks with Red Godfrey-Sagoo, Chief Executive of Rape Crisis South London, about leading at the frontline of sexual-violence support.

Red shares her journey from a global childhood and a career in the creative industries to becoming, in her words, an “accidental humanitarian.”

She discusses the two-year waiting list facing survivors, the rise of online misogyny and AI-enabled abuse, and what leading as a woman of colour means during a time of political and social tension.

With honesty, hope and deep compassion, Red reflects on feminist leadership, equality, and why “not having hope is not an option.”

Links

Find out more about Rape Crisis South London

https://www.rapecrisissouthlondon.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rapecrisis.southlondon

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/90697003/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rape.and.abuse.support.centre

Enjoyed this conversation?

Subscribe to Leading Lights to catch future episodes, and please consider rating and reviewing to help others find the podcast.

Are you a Head of Brand, Marketing, Fundraising or Comms at a charity?

Come along to the MOREVER Meetup, a welcoming space to connect with other women working creatively in the charity sector. Leading Lights is brought to you by MOREVER, an independent creative agency for charities and changemakers.

www.morever.co.uk

In this inspiring episode of Leading Lights, Raakhi Shah, CEO of The Circle, shares how small acts of solidarity can create global waves of change. Drawing on her experience leading the feminist organisation founded by Annie Lennox, Raakhi talks about the power of women supporting women and her vision of truly global feminism.

From her early career in international development to her leadership today, Raakhi reflects on what it takes to stay hopeful, lead fairly, and keep “the circle growing” in a world that can often feel divided. She reminds us that true progress happens when we bridge the gap between those who have power and those whose voices aren’t yet heard.

“When you support one woman, the circle grows bigger - that’s how change ripples out.”

It’s a conversation about courage, connection, and collective impact - a call to rethink what leadership looks like when empathy leads the way.

Links:

• Follow Raakhi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raakhi-shah-8628b24a/

• Find out more about The Circle:

• • Instagram - @thecirclengo

  • LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-circle-of-women

  • Or at www.thecircle.ngo/

• Learn more about bell hooks: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_hooks

• Misan Harriman, Purpose of Light Exhibition

About Raakhi Shah

Raakhi has over 20 years of experience in international development having previously worked at UNICEF UK and Oxfam NGO covering fundraising, communications, advocacy and campaign initiatives. She has worked with high-level supporters to lobby for change at the G8, G20, Downing Street and African Union, and has led over 30 field visits including to Bangladesh, Lebanon, Jordan, Philippines, Pakistan, India, Malawi and more, bringing the voices of those with lived experience to the forefront. Raakhi was, until recently, a trustee for Reclaim, a youth leadership organisation supporting working class young people in the UK.

About The Circle

The Circle is a global feminist organisation, co-founded by Annie Lennox and other leading women. The organisation stands in solidarity and action with marginalised women and girls confronting gender-based violence and economic inequality across the world.

The growing backlash to gender equality alongside global funding cuts are having a devastating impact on millions of women and girls. To challenge this, The Circle funds, advocates for and amplifies women-led organisations around the world. Their grassroots partners deliver vital services that combat violence against women, promote economic justice, and uphold women’s rights.

Enjoyed this conversation?

Subscribe to Leading Lights to catch the next episode, and please consider rating and reviewing to help others find the podcast.

Are you a Head of Brand, Marketing, Fundraising or Comms at a charity? Come along to the MOREVER Meetup – an informal space to share ideas and connect with other women doing creative work in the charity sector.

Leading Lights is brought to you by MOREVER – an independent creative agency for charities and changemakers.www.morever.co.uk