Amna’s story: Women in leadership

Ahead of International Women’s Day, City Year UK alumni and GirlDreamer co-founder Amna writes about the formative experience of seeing women in leadership roles while volunteering with City Year UK back in 2013. Amna recounts how these women offered her guidance and inspiration, shaping her into the person she is today.

Growing up, I wasn’t used to seeing women being asked about their ideas and opinions—it just wasn’t the norm.

People say that when you’ve never had something, even the bare minimum of it can feel like everything. For me, joining City Year UK in 2013 was that moment. As a volunteer I found myself surrounded by an extraordinary team of women leaders.

During that time Sophie Livingstone MBE was City Year UK’s CEO, my Programme Manager was Carys Evans, and the Head of Leadership Development, Zipporah Kissi. Suddenly, I was in a world I’d never experienced before—a world where women weren’t just present, or in the background; they were leading.

Sophie was my first glimpse of what women in power and influence could look like. She led with this incredible balance of sharp confidence and warmth. She showed me that leadership doesn’t have to mean hard edges; it can mean being approachable, empathetic, and still commanding respect. It blew my mind because I’d never seen women in these kinds of roles before, let alone leading an entire organisation.

Carys was a natural at forming connections. She had this ability to walk into a room and immediately make people feel at ease. She taught me how powerful it is to truly listen—not just hear people, but listen with intention, curiosity, and care. She also had this knack for spotting the potential in others and pulling it out of them. She made me realise that sometimes, the best leaders aren’t the loudest in the room—they’re the ones who make you feel heard.

And then there was Zipporah. She was a force of nature, but not in a way that overshadowed others. She had this quiet strength that made people stop and take notice. She taught me that leadership doesn’t mean leaving who you are at the door. I watched her lead with authenticity, staying true to herself in every decision, and every interaction. She showed me that you can hold your ground, stay rooted in your values, and still thrive as a leader.

Here’s the funny thing: I don’t think any of these women know the deep impact they had on me. They were just doing what they do, leading and showing up. But for me, they were planting seeds that would grow into some of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned.

Looking back, it’s clear to me just how much representation matters. It’s not just about seeing someone who looks like you in a position of power; it’s about the ripples they create. It’s about the way they change how you see yourself, your potential, and the world around you. I’ll always be grateful for those lessons and for those women who unknowingly helped shape the person I am today.

Amna Akhtar is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, TEDx speaker, and the co-founder of GirlDreamer, an award-winning non-profit dedicated to breaking systemic barriers for women of colour. Born and raised in one of England’s most deprived areas, she grew up navigating a world that rarely saw young women like her as leaders. Despite cultural and societal pressures, she built a nationally recognised organisation that has supported thousands of women in leadership, business, and wellbeing. Amna’s work has been recognised by The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and the Obama Foundation. She speaks globally about self-advocacy, overcoming stereotypes, and the intersection of personal freedom, leadership, and social change.

This piece features as part of our 15th-anniversary celebration campaign.

Since 2009, City Year UK has trained and supported over 1,800 young people like Amna to coach and mentor over 17,000 pupils in need of extra help and contributed to a positive learning environment for over 136,000 children. But there are a lot more children and young people out there who need the guidance and support that the programme offers.

Have you also previously served with City Year UK? Join our #15for15 alumni campaign to help us reach more young people! With just £15, you can make a huge difference.

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