Founder & CEO of BAME to Boardroom | Executive Coach & Keynote Speaker | Helping Complex Organizations Unlock Untapped Talent through Inclusive Leadership & Systemic Equity.
The Power of Perspective
Early in her career, Louisa Joseph found herself frustrated. A colleague she needed for a complex negotiation was quiet, avoided eye contact, and seemed entirely disengaged. Louisa’s “gut feeling”—that familiar, often deceptive internal compass—told her he simply wasn’t interested. She was wrong.
That moment became a foundational lesson in what Louisa calls the “art of noticing.” She realized that her own assumptions were the only things limiting their collective potential. Today, as the Founder and CEO of BAME to Boardroom, Louisa uses that lesson to challenge global leaders. She posits a radical but necessary truth: “Leadership isn’t just about what you do; it’s about what you notice.” In a world where McKinsey links inclusive leadership to a 36% increase in profitability, Louisa’s mission is to ensure that “quiet” brilliance is no longer overlooked.
The Anchor and the Mirror
Louisa’s journey toward becoming a champion for equity began long before she entered the corporate world. Growing up in the North of England, she recalls a pivotal moment at just six years old—the first time she truly felt “different” from her peers. It was an early introduction to the complexities of identity, but she was not without a guide.
She credits her mother as her “anchor,” the steady force that provided both the emotional security and the high expectations required to navigate a world that didn’t always see her value. This blend of resilience and ambition led her to the University of Huddersfield and eventually to MBA studies at SOAS, University of London. These early years instilled in her a core belief that would later define her coaching practice: “I passionately believe everyone deserves equal opportunities for development and progression at work, irrespective of their background and beliefs.”
From Operations to the National Stage
Louisa did not start her career in a boardroom; she built her way there from the ground up. With 17 years at Royal Mail Group, she transitioned from operations management into the heart of Human Resources. As the Group Talent Manager, she navigated the intricate demands of a complex, unionized environment, proving that inclusion is not an abstract HR concept but a critical operational lever.
Her impact was measurable and massive. She designed and deployed national mentoring programs, launched the “Working Forward” initiative in partnership with the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and managed the onboarding of hundreds of graduates and apprentices. She wasn’t just filling roles; she was building a pipeline. Stuart Taylor, a Senior Consultant who worked closely with her, describes her leadership style with striking clarity: “Louisa Joseph is a disarmingly charming example of ebony-hard intentionality, with a mango-sweet demeanour… Her ability to onboard, galvanise and energise people across organisational systems is unparalleled.”
Dismantling Systemic Barriers
In 2019, Louisa took her decades of “lived experience” and corporate expertise to launch BAME to Boardroom. Her goal was specific: to move past the “diversity statement” and address the systemic barriers that keep Global Majority professionals from reaching the highest levels of leadership.
Her work spans the NHS, higher education, and global firms like Facebook and UBS. She focuses on psychological safety and “empowerment-based” leadership. For Louisa, inclusion is a matter of integrity. She has become a vocal advocate for pay transparency, arguing that opaque systems only serve to protect bias. “An inclusive culture cannot flourish when employees are unsure whether they are paid equitably for the work they do and the value they bring,” she asserts. Her sessions are known for being transformative rather than just informative, with clients like Annie McDowall noting that Louisa’s approach is “thought-provoking and great for not only raising awareness, but also looking at how to be an ally in the workplace.”
Vision for the Future: A Legacy of Humanity
As Louisa prepares for major stages in 2026, including the Self Made Speaking Academy’s Showcase, her vision remains focused on “humanizing” the workplace. She is no longer interested in surface-level motivation. She wants to rewire how leaders feel, remember, and relate to their teams.
Her leadership philosophy is deceptively simple but profoundly challenging: “I’ve come to realise leadership isn’t about titles or authority, but about how you treat people when they have no power.” Whether through her IAPC&M accredited coaching or her work as a Board Trustee for Magic Me, Louisa Joseph is building a legacy where every professional is seen, heard, and valued—not as a statistic, but as a vital contributor to the future of business.
Editorial Note
Louisa Joseph’s journey from the operational trenches of Royal Mail to the helm of a leading DEI consultancy serves as a masterclass in purposeful leadership. She reminds us that the “grind” of systemic change requires both “incisive intellectual grasp” and a “compassionate heart.” For leaders today, the takeaway is clear: the greatest strategic assets in your organization are often the ones you haven’t yet learned to notice. Are you ready to look again?
