Leading Lights
Abi Mellor from MOREVER
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Fundraisers Make Great CEOs with Rachel Kirby-Rider, CEO of Young Lives vs Cancer
Rachel Kirby-Rider, CEO of Young Lives vs Cancer In this powerful conversation, Rachel Kirby-Rider shares her journey from working-class roots in Essex to CEO of Young Lives vs Cancer, and the resilience, self-doubt, courage and conviction that shaped her leadership along the way . Rachel talks openly about being the first in her family to go to university, underperforming academically but overdelivering in impact, and starting her career in corporate sales before discovering fundraising, by writing directly to a charity leader and asking how to do his job . She reflects on: Becoming CEO just two weeks before the UK went into COVID lockdown Leading with energy and recognising burnout before it’s too late Why fundraisers make brilliant CEOs The importance of peer networks, mentors and coaches Challenging class bias and belonging in the charity sector Rachel also explains the vital role Young Lives vs Cancer plays in supporting children and young people from diagnosis through their treatment, and providing social workers, accommodation and financial support at the most traumatic time in a family’s life . And after a decade of campaigning, she shares a landmark win: a new government-backed travel fund for young cancer patients, helping families who were previously forced to choose between paying for treatment journeys and everyday essentials . This is an episode about resilience. About collaboration over ego. About empathy as a leadership superpower. And about backing yourself. Key themes: Charity leadership and CEO journeys Fundraising to CEO pathway Leading through crisis Social work in healthcare Collaboration and system change Women in leadership Belonging and class in the charity sector Our favourite quote: “Empathy is an absolutely vital component for a leader — because it’s how you notice what other people miss.” Find out more about the charity: younglivesvscancer.org.uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/younglivesvscancer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/younglivesvscancer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/younglivesvscancer/ About the charity: When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Playtime is stopped. Independence is taken. Confidence is stolen. It can result in years of education missed, careers put on hold just as they’re starting. It’s spending days desperately trying to navigate complex systems just to get basic support. It’s missing out on experiences and not getting the chance to enjoy new relationships. It’s watching countless opportunities pass by as debt begins to pile up. Young Lives vs Cancer is the leading UK charity for children and young people with cancer and their families. From the moment of diagnosis, its specialist social workers provide day-to-day support for each child, young person and family, from information and guidance to financial support. It works in all the main children’s cancer treatment centres across the UK, working closely with doctors, nurses and other NHS professionals as an integral part of the team caring for children and young people with cancer. It helps them to navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer, removing barriers, solving problems and prioritising wellbeing. By taking the the time to understand what matters most, stopping at nothing to make their voices heard and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time. 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
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