A shared commitment to people and purpose through the Future People Leaders Programme

When Stephanie Ebohon, an associate member of the CIPD with a Master’s in Business and Human Resource Management, joined the CIPD Trust’s Future People Leaders Programme, she was looking to take the next step in her HR career. Having built her experience across the charity, retail and healthcare sectors, Stephanie was working as a HR Manager looking to progress into senior leadership.

Driven by a passion for purpose-led work, Stephanie saw the programme as a chance to strengthen her leadership capabilities, build influence and learn from experienced professionals.

“Working in HR has always been about purpose and making a meaningful difference through people and culture”, she explains.

At the same time CIPD Chartered Fellow Frances Ray, a seasoned HR professional with over 20 years of global experience across financial and professional services, had decided to become a mentor on the Future People Leaders Programme. This followed Frances supporting the development of the programme’s format and content to ensure that it directly met the needs of mentees.

Having herself benefitted as a mentee on the CIPD Trust’s Aspiring HR Directors Programme, Frances understood the value of having someone outside one’s own organisation to provide objective advice and encouragement.

“It was invaluable having someone who really listened, didn’t judge and challenged my thinking,” she recalls. “I wanted to offer that same support to others.”

Building trust and confidence

From their first meeting, Frances and Stephanie developed a strong rapport. Frances offered a listening ear, empathy and space for reflection; exactly what Stephanie needed during a challenging career transition. Their mentoring sessions focused on confidence, resilience and building strategic self-awareness.

“Frances gave me space to reflect, encouraged me when opportunities didn’t work out, and helped me see that growth isn’t always vertical, sometimes it’s about broadening your experience,” says Stephanie. With Frances’s guidance, she began to recognise her own strengths and gained the confidence to pursue new, external opportunities.

For Frances, the experience reaffirmed the importance of active listening and trust. She says,

“For me, mentoring is about creating space for the mentee to lead the conversation, to talk openly, reflect and find their own answers. My role is to listen, empathise, and share examples from my own journey when they’re useful, but always with the understanding that everyone’s lived experience is different. True mentoring isn’t about giving solutions; it’s about helping someone build the confidence to find their own.”.

Shifting mindsets

One of Stephanie’s biggest takeaways from the programme was a new perspective on influence and relationship-building. She had always believed that results should speak for themselves but through the programme and her discussions with Frances, she realised that leadership is also about visibility and influence.

Now, I’m actively networking, building relationships, and ensuring my voice – and my team’s voice – is heard,”

This change in mindset has shaped her approach in her new role as Head of People and Culture at Toynbee Hall, where she now leads with greater confidence and connection.

Through the programme Frances and Stephanie also explored themes such as trauma-informed HR, which recognises how lived experiences shape workplace behaviour. Stephanie has since applied these principles in her leadership, fostering greater empathy and inclusivity in organisational policies and culture.

Recognising the benefits for both mentor and mentee

For Frances, mentoring has been as rewarding personally as it has been impactful for her mentees. Working with professionals like Stephanie, who come from purpose-driven sectors such as charities and social enterprises, has broadened her own perspective.

“You gain as much as you give,” she reflects. “It reminds you of the importance of empathy and fresh thinking, even at senior levels.”

Whilst the official mentoring cohort has ended, Stephanie and Frances’ mentoring relationship has continued. Stephanie still reaches out to Frances for advice and encouragement as she works toward upgrading her CIPD membership and planning her next steps in HR leadership.

“The lessons you learn about influence, confidence and self-awareness are transformative,” Stephanie says. “They don’t just prepare you for leadership, they prepare you for life.”

Frances agrees:

Frances agrees: “Seeing someone recognise their own potential and take bold steps forward is the most rewarding part of being a mentor. It’s why I keep doing it.”

More on people professional development:

CAREERS WEBINAR

What I wish I’d known – HR Directors

Being a director, adding value, office politics, work-life balance and more… Hear the candid reflections of our panel of HR directors and former Aspiring HRD programme mentees, chaired by Leah De Silva, Senior Programme Manager at the CIPD Trust.

Watch webinar here