Stories by Career Sistas Podcast Guests
Welcome to the Stories by Career Sistas Guest Page.
Meet the incredible women who have shared their journeys on Stories by Career Sistas-a podcast celebrating real career paths, hard‑won lessons, passions that fuel purpose, and the moments that shaped who they are today. Below, you’ll find each guest featured on the show. Click through to go directly to their podcast episode, and for some conversations, you can also enjoy video highlights that bring their stories to life. It’s a space to learn, be inspired, and connect.
Season 2

Melesia Adderley
Founder and President of Women’s Haven
Episode 32: Discipline & Consistency: The Entrepreneur’s Cheat Code for Ownership
Episode 33: Building Without Permission: Ownership, Endurance, and Scaling Against the Odds
Melesia identifies as Black Caribbean and is based in the Caribbean.
Listener Highlights
- Be inspired by Melesia’s journey of building a purpose-led business from the ground up, driven by resilience, self-belief, and a desire to create impact beyond herself.
- Learn how to navigate career challenges, rejection, and self-doubt, and still move forward with clarity, confidence, and conviction.
- Discover the power of turning lived experience into opportunity, and how aligning purpose, community, and ambition can redefine success on your own terms.
Episode Video Highlights here

Dr. Nicole Francis Cotton
Visionary and Director of Victorious Living Foundation
Episode 31: Empowerment Through Mentorship: Overcoming Community Challenges
Dr. Nicole identifies as Afro Caribbean and is based in the Caribbean.
Listener Highlights
- Be inspired by Nicole’s journey from shyness to leadership, emphasizing passion, purpose, and faith.
- Learn how to balance career and personal life through Nicole’s insights on reflection and recharging.
- Discover the power of integrating spirituality and community in building a fulfilling career.
Episode Video Highlights here
Season 1

Jo Wong
CEO and Founder of Let’s Grow BFF
Episode 1: Money & Gatekeepers: Funding our dreams as women of colour
Jo is based in the UK.
Listener Highlights
- Discover practical strategies to secure funding as a woman of colour—whether you’re bootstrapping, pitching investors, or building a portfolio career.
- Learn how to navigate bias, confidently ask for capital, and turn your career dreams into sustainable success.

Karen Vanterpool
Senior Research Scientist/PhD in Health Behaviour
Episode 2: Passion & a Sponsor: What it takes to follow your dreams
Karen identifies as Black, and is based in the US.
Listener Highlights
- Hear how sponsorship can transform your career journey—especially for women of colour breaking barriers
- Discover the courage, connections, and support it takes to turn passion into a powerful career move.

Selina Thompson
Founder and Digital Adoption Consultant
Episode 3: New City, New Circles: Building your network from scratch
Selina identifies as Black British is based in the Netherlands.
Listener Highlights
- Discover strategies for finding your people, creating community, and thriving both personally and professionally.
- Learn how to rebuild your network from scratch when relocating to a new city or country.

Alejandra Rojas
Entrepreneur, Writer, Founder of Brown Way to Money
Episode 4: Empowerment & financial Wellness: Transforming entrepreneurial journeys
Alejandra is based in the Netherlands.
Listener Highlights
- Explore the role of resilience, mentorship, and empowerment in building sustainable businesses.
- Discover how financial wellness can transform entrepreneurial journeys and unlock long-term success.
- Hear Alejandra Rojas’ inspiring story of overcoming financial trauma and empowering women to thrive with money.

Vanessa Sanyauke
Entrepreneur, Founder of the Hill App and Girl Talk
Episode 5: Adaptability & Entrepreneurship: Overcoming professional hurdles
Vanessa identifies as Black African is based in the UK.
Listener Highlights
- Discover practical lessons for building businesses from the ground up and overcoming professional hurdles.
- Gain insights into how adaptability fuels entrepreneurial success, even when facing funding and talent challenges.
- Hear Vanessa Sanyauke’s inspiring journey of resilience, determination, and the power of community support.

Sharon Zachariah
Commercial Lawyer and Founder of Innovation Law
Episode 6: Career Transitions: Navigating new paths and leadership
Sharon is from Kolkata in India and is based in the UK.
Listener Highlights
- Gain practical advice for aspiring leaders ready to step into new paths with confidence
- Discover how Sharon Zachariah transitioned from teaching English to building a career in commercial law.
- Learn why volunteering, networking, and self-realisation are key to navigating career transitions and leadership growth.

Jill Docherty
Payments and Sales leader
Episode 7: Leadership & Resilience: Navigating Career Challenges
Jill is British born, South African raised and is based in the UK.
Listener Highlights
- Discover the importance of networks, self-belief, and cultural awareness in navigating career challenges.
- Gain insights into how resilience and adaptability can help overcome career setbacks and fuel leadership growth.
- Hear Jill Docherty’s inspiring journey from marketing to commercial roles in FinTech and payments.

Pearl Oguchi
Entrepreneur and Community Builder
Episode 8: Resilience & Reinvention: Overcoming Career Setbacks & the Power of Community
Pearl identifies as Black British and is based in the UK.
Listener Highlights
- Learn why supportive communities, connection, and entrepreneurship are key to long-term success.
- Hear Pearl Oguchi’s inspiring journey of resilience, reinvention, and leadership in the tech industry.
- Discover how to navigate layoffs, overcome setbacks, and thrive in a constantly evolving career landscape.

Patlian Johnson
Strategic Planning and Reform Specialist
Episode 9: Pathways to Success: Career Growth and Adaptability
Patlian identifies as Black Caribbean and is based in the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean.
Listener Highlights
- Gain practical advice on navigating workplace challenges and building confidence and adaptability as a rising leader.
- Hear Patlian Johnson’s inspiring journey as a Caribbean woman leading public financial management reform in the BVI.
- Discover why trust, credibility, and empowerment are essential for leadership and career growth.

Nima Sharma
Portfolio Career Builder: Regulation and Personal Trainer
Episode 10: Building a Mosaic of Success: The Portfolio Career Journey
Nima identifies as British Asian and is based in the UK.
Listener Highlights
- Explore practical insights on balancing diverse roles while building a mosaic of professional and personal success.
- Discover how Nima Sharma redefines success through a portfolio career spanning regulation, entrepreneurship, and motherhood.
- Learn how embracing multiple career paths can create versatility, fulfilment, and resilience in today’s workplace.

Kanika Bailey
Tech Enthusiast and Romance author
Episode 17: Branding Brilliance: Building a Strong Personal Brand & Unlocking Income Opportunities
Kanika identifies as African-American and is based in the US.
Listener Highlights
- Discover practical strategies for financial empowerment, thought leadership, and shining in both career and entrepreneurship.
- Learn how to build a powerful personal brand that elevates your career and unlocks new income opportunities.
- Hear Kanika Bailey’s real-life journey of leveraging social media to showcase expertise and attract opportunities.

Vishaka Agarwal
Social entrepreneur & Master Blender
Episode 18: Purpose-Driven Success: Scaling a social enterprise & making an impact
Vishaka identifies as Indian and is based in the UK.
Listener Highlights
- Learn strategies for overcoming personal challenges, building sustainable growth, and making a lasting community impact.
- Hear Vishaka Agarwal’s inspiring journey of scaling Tea People while balancing purpose and profit.
- Discover how empathy, inclusivity, and resilience shape her leadership style as a South Asian entrepreneur.

Anike Wariebi
Certified Executive & Leadership Coach and Writer
Episode 22: From Corporate to a Portfolio Career: Embracing Life’s Unexpected Turns
Episode 23: From Corporate to a Portfolio Career: Turning Challenges into Triumphs
Anike identifies as British Nigerian and is based in the UK.
Listener Highlights
- Building purpose-driven success that honors both personal and professional growth
- Overcoming setbacks with resilience and self-awareness
- Transitioning from corporate roles to a portfolio career
- Turning challenges into triumphs through mentorship and empowerment

Ronke Lawal
PR & Comms Consultant, Personal Branding Coach
Episode 24: Investing in Your Personal Brand: Strategies for Success
Ronke identifies as Black British Nigerian and is based in the UK.
Listener Highlights
- Learn practical tips for building a strong personal brand that opens doors to new opportunities.
- Discover how to invest in your personal brand to achieve career success and authenticity.
- Ronke Lawal’s expert strategies on executive presence, visibility, and navigating career transitions with confidence.

Kin Chau
Principal Consultant, Aviation IT
Episode 25: Finding Your Voice: The Power of Community through Cultural Transitions and Career Pivots
Kin identifies as Chinese – East Asian and is based in the UK.
Listener Highlights
- Learn why community support and resilience are essential for embracing change and staying true to your values.
- Hear Kin Chau’s inspiring journey of navigating cultural transitions and career pivots across Hong Kong, Canada, and the UK.
- Discover how representation, visibility, and mentorship empower professionals in male-dominated fields.

Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright
Author, Speaker and Co-Founder, Thrive With Dignity
Episode 27: Embracing Authenticity: A Journey of Resilience and Growth
Dr. Beth-Sarah identifies as Jamaican, Black and is based in the US.
Listener Highlights
- Learn how curiosity, discovery, and joy can transform both personal growth and leadership.
- Discover the power of authenticity, storytelling, and community in navigating life’s challenges.
- Hear Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright’s inspiring reflections on education, lifelong learning, and staying true to yourself.
Episode Video Highlights here

Ashley Kelly
Former Olympian turned Senior Consultant
Episode 29: From the Track to Consultancy: A Journey of Reinvention
Ashley identifies as Black and is based in the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean.
Listener Highlights
- Learn why mentorship, community, and representation are vital in navigating transitions and inspiring future leaders.
- Hear Olympian Ashley Kelly’s inspiring journey from athletics to consultancy in a Big Four firm.
- Discover how resilience, determination, and transferable skills can fuel successful career reinvention.
Episode Video highlights here

Charlotte Shields
Architect, Entrepreneur, and Mentor
Episode 30: From Architect to Entrepreneur: Crafting a Life of Financial Freedom and Flexibility
Charlotte identifies as Black and is based in the UK.
Listener Highlights
- Learn how resilience and determination can help you embrace change and take control of your career future.
- Hear Charlotte Shields’ inspiring journey from architect to entrepreneur, crafting a life of financial freedom and flexibility.
- Discover practical strategies for building multiple income streams, mastering financial literacy, and achieving work-life balance.
Episode Video highlights here