Meet those shortlisted for the Emerging Young Leader Award 2024.
DR VAFIE SHERIFF
Runner-up
What’s your current role?
I have just started working as an academic foundation doctor, alongside my leadership roles at Youth MedAid and Students for Global Health. The focus at Youth MedAid is to improve sustainability and reduce medical equipment waste by arranging medical equipment redistribution projects. Youth MedAid and Students for Global Health give young people an opportunity to make a positive impact by getting involved in global health and sustainability work. I guess I am a doctor by day and a global health fanatic at night!
What is your proudest achievement?
One of my proudest was the incorporation of Youth MedAid as a CIC [community interest company]. It was the culmination of a decade’s worth of global health and development experiences in organisations such as Polygeia, VSO, ICS [International Citizen Service] and SKIP [Students for Kids International Project], as well as organisational and management roles for City St George’s University and the BMA. Our first successful donation to the Tripoli Governmental Hospital in Lebanon in 2023 – and actually making a tangible, positive difference to those people’s lives – would have seemed impossible to 18-year-old me doing his first global health project in Bangladesh.
How does it feel to be the runner-up?
It is an indescribable honour. It’s recognition of not only my work, but of all the young people who believe in having a positive impact on health and sustainability, as well as the colleagues, supporters and mentors who have allowed me to develop the skills to create and lead wonderful organisations such as Youth MedAid and Students for Global Health. We will hopefully be able to use the nomination to bring more attention to the amazing work we do.
What’s next?
I have just started working as a doctor, and want to marry my clinical work with my global health aspirations. The hope is to enter the new General Practice and Public Health Dual Certificate of Completion of Training programme, while further developing Youth MedAid’s reach. We have already developed great relationships with groups such as the World Health Organization’s EU Youth4Health Network. In five years, I’m hoping to be able to influence public and global health policy and have the logistical infrastructure in place to action them.
FAYUDATU YAKUBU
What’s your current role?
As the regional manager at Lively Minds, I lead teams across multiple regions in Ghana to deliver impactful early childhood development programmes. My role involves overseeing strategy implementation and stakeholder engagement, and ensuring that our programmes meet the needs of vulnerable communities. I’m passionate about improving education outcomes for young children, and my work focuses on empowering local communities to take ownership of their children’s learning.
What is your proudest achievement?
One of my proudest achievements has been coordinating organisational strategies that resulted in the successful expansion of Lively Minds’ programmes across eight regions and 61 districts. This has allowed us to reach thousands of children, giving them a better start in life. I’ve also had the privilege of mentoring and developing young professionals in the field, which has been incredibly rewarding.
How you feel about being on the shortlist?
It is an incredible honour. It’s recognition of the work that my team and I have done to make a difference in early childhood education. This acknowledgment motivates me to keep pushing boundaries and to continue driving positive change within the communities we serve.
What’s next?
Over the next five years, I aim to take on larger leadership roles within the development sector, with a focus on scaling sustainable programmes that benefit vulnerable populations. I want to further my knowledge in international development and leadership, ensuring I can continue to lead impactful initiatives and mentor the next generation of changemakers.
HARRY LAVERICK
What’s your current role?
I play a key part in driving forward marketing initiatives for Pall-Ex [international palletised freight network]. This includes managing the activities of the UK marketing team, spearheading strategic campaigns, and providing support to our 150 members and the commercial team. This could be through anything from print and digital marketing to public relations, events and charity initiatives.
What is your proudest achievement?
Helping to develop the team and seeing the great work they produce. From writing major award wins to helping run events for more than 700 guests, I have pushed the team to new heights and believe they will all develop into future young leaders.
How you feel about being on the shortlist?
From a young age, it was reinforced that the only path to success was through university. However, I have been determined to prove that you can create your own path to success. I’ve shown my desire to succeed by progressing from a digital marketing apprentice to group marketing manager, while completing my apprenticeship to the highest level. I’ve also gained qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Marketing at levels 3, 4 and 6, allowing me to maximise my knowledge and career progression opportunities. The Emerging Young Leader Award shortlist recognises my journey.
What’s next?
I would like to develop into the senior leadership team and establish myself as a thought leader in marketing within our industry, while contributing significantly to Pall-Ex’s growth in the UK and Europe. Another key objective is to foster leadership from within by implementing structured development programmes, ensuring the team thrives and consistently delivers impactful results.
HANIYA AHMAD WASIM
What’s your current role?
I am the founder, executive director and president of a non-profit community, Leading Lady Empire. It is based in Pakistan and empowers women through free education. With my team of 50+ volunteers, we have reached more than 100,000 people and have more than 2,000 supporters. In addition to this, I am a sales and marketing coordinator at Zikra InfoTech, a US-based company specialising in digital marketing. I oversee the business development and marketing activities of the organisation.
What is your proudest achievement?
Turning a personal story of struggle and challenges growing up into an empowering movement that ensures no one is left behind and every voice is heard through Leading Lady Empire. I feel I have done justice to my younger self by creating an uplifting platform that is focused on inclusion, education and empowerment, which has gathered substantial support in such little time and quickly become a safe community for many.
How you feel about being on the shortlist?
It has left me without words. Being recognised for my efforts and dedication not only surprised me, but it also was humbling. I cannot express how grateful I am for the prestigious nomination. My life’s motto is inspiring people, so this is a dream come true. Thank you so much to the Institute of Leadership.
What’s next?
My next step is to earn a leadership credential from Harvard University. I want to continue expanding Leading Lady Empire to reach more than one million people within the next five years. I am excited for what’s to come next.
HARPREET KAUR CHAHAL
What’s your current role?
I began as a research assistant at Milford Research, shadowing the managing director on various projects, including analytical work for Birmingham City Council. I’ve also collaborated with charities, such as Sight Concern Worcestershire, gaining insights from the training for senior management and Power Up Mentor Foundation. Currently, I’m focused on the development and sustainability of Confidence+. This is a programme I co-founded to help bridge the skills disparity between education and the workplace. I’ve advanced to team leader and earned associate membership with the Institute, which has been incredible!
What is your proudest achievement?
The collective experience of applying my skills and knowledge to support friends, colleagues and the community stands out the most. Informally mentoring others has been incredibly rewarding. Additionally, stepping into a team-leader role has been a major milestone.
How you feel about being on the shortlist?
It is not only a significant personal achievement, but also testament to my incredible support network. It’s a tangible acknowledgment of the growth I’ve experienced and the contribution from others – I’m immensely proud of that journey. It emphasises the importance of fostering supportive professional environments where young leaders can thrive.
What’s next?
I aspire to pursue a PhD in law, focusing on governance frameworks, while also obtaining my barrister qualifications. Ultimately, I want to open my own law firm, grounded in the values of service, leadership and continuous learning, to create pathways for others to succeed – just as I’ve been supported.
ANDREW McCOLM
What’s your current role?
I am a project manager for McLaughlin & Harvey – a construction and civil engineering principal contractor that works throughout the UK and across a variety of sectors. I am currently working in one of Scotland’s largest whisky distilleries. We are finishing the first phase of a development that provides 56,000m2 of storage space for more than 750,000 barrels. My role involves leading the project delivery, from pre-construction planning activities through to project completion and client handover.
What is your proudest achievement?
Progressing to the position of project manager. I started as a site engineer through McLaughlin & Harvey’s trainee scheme, achieving a first-class honours degree in civil engineering and gaining invaluable work experience. My role then became more focused within management, becoming a site manager and then being promoted to project manager in 2023.
How you feel about being on the shortlist?
I am very grateful. Completing my ILM Level 3 award gave me a great appreciation of the importance of leadership and management. I am very appreciative of the nomination from McLaughlin & Harvey; the support and the willingness to provide meaningful opportunities have been invaluable to my career so far.
What’s next?
I look forward to completing my Master’s degree in construction project management and intend to become a member of the Chartered Institute of Building. I aim to develop my experience in delivering large construction projects – primarily from the perspective of successfully leading and managing project teams and key stakeholders.
MOHAMMED SOHAIL ZULFIQAR
What’s your current role?
I am founder and president of The Footpath School in India. We provide underprivileged children, living on the streets, with basic education and essential life skills, focusing on equality, justice and religious tolerance. We support students who face exploitation, helping them access medical care and seek justice. Our goal is to break the cycle of poverty and exploitation by empowering children with knowledge. Our main mission is to eradicate religious hate by introducing children to diverse faiths. Currently, we serve more than 150 students with a dedicated team of volunteers.
What is your proudest achievement?
One of the most significant accomplishments at The Footpath School was the successful rescue of one child from sexual exploitation. This initiative ensured that they received medical attention, emotional support and legal intervention, ultimately resulting in the conviction of the perpetrators. Additionally, two of our students are enrolled in government residential schools in Delhi, marking a crucial step in our mission to deliver education and disrupt the cycle of poverty and exploitation. These achievements underscore our dedication to safeguarding at-risk children and empowering them through education and the pursuit of justice.
How you feel about being on the shortlist?
It means the world to me and The Footpath School. It provides us with the recognition we’ve worked so hard for and gives us a platform to share our story, mission and vision, puttings us on the map and opening doors for greater opportunities. Receiving an international award affirms that my work is making a difference and gives me the confidence to dream even bigger. It reinforces my belief that I can inspire global change and helps me reach a place where transforming the world feels possible.
What’s next?
A few years from now, I envision The Footpath School’s model being replicated worldwide, leading to a significant reduction in religious hate, especially among children. Our efforts will foster a generation that values understanding over division. I also see myself working on another initiative that is deeply personal to me – reviving the Bhojpuri language. I aim to establish a pioneering research centre dedicated to Bhojpuri, promoting it as an academic language and laying the foundation for future research.
ALISTER D’SOUZA
What’s your current role?
I am the business manager for the Brent CAMHS [child and adolescent mental health service], where I oversee the operational management of mental health services for young people. I am responsible for managing access targets, ensuring service efficiency and supporting clinical and non-clinical teams operationally.
What is your proudest achievement?
Leading a large mental health team to improve service efficiency, which resulted in us winning the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust Team of the Year Award in 2024. We reduced waiting times, enhanced patient pathways and met key access targets. On a personal level, my journey from arriving in the UK 10 years ago, working through college and university, to become a senior leader recognised for multiple national and global awards, has been incredibly fulfilling. These milestones highlight the power of resilience, teamwork and dedication to keep striving and realising that anything is achievable.
How you feel about being on the shortlist?
It is a tremendous honour. It signifies recognition of the hard work, dedication and leadership I’ve contributed to improving mental health services and championing staff wellbeing. This nomination acknowledges my growth as a leader, starting from humble beginnings to now making a meaningful impact in healthcare. It’s also a tribute to my team, whose collective efforts have driven real change. It inspires me to continue developing innovative approaches to service delivery.
What’s next?
Although I’ve completed the Senior Leader NHS course – making me one of the youngest senior leaders – and pursued finance and several project-management qualifications, I aim to further develop my leadership skills and move into a director-level role. Additionally, I plan to focus on growing my new business, Way 2 Wellbeing. It promotes wellbeing, with the goal of establishing it as a leading organisation in this space.
JASMINE WILSON
What’s your current role?
As lead of the Midlands Young Advisors, I coordinate and lead 12 exceptional young individuals, who are passionate about ensuring all children and young people have access to appropriate mental health care. I promote team and individual development, ensuring their voices and contributions are heard and valued. Currently, I am a tutor on the ILM2 Young Leaders Award, where I train young people to become mental health ambassadors for their schools. As a leader, I believe in creating an environment that emphasises collaboration, meaningful connections and empathy, to empower team members to express themselves in a safe space.
What is your proudest achievement?
Collaborating with the Midlands Young Advisors to co-produce and deliver regional conferences. The positive impact our recent conference had was a highlight of the experience. Whether this was through learning, networking or sharing lived experiences, it shows the importance of creating safe spaces where young people can have their voices heard in a supportive environment.
How you feel about being on the shortlist?
I am honoured. It has fuelled my ongoing passion and commitment to become a leader who can empower others to drive meaningful change. I am incredibly grateful to my employer, Associate Development Solutions, for its support. I am excited about the chance to network with fellow emerging young leaders and to learn from them.
What’s next?
Within the next year, I will complete my ILM Level 5 Leadership Award. In five years, I would like to have supported the Midlands Young Advisor team in broadening our impact. I would love to be at the point where the team are sought to share their experiences in environments where the incorporation of the youth voice is most valuable in shaping the effectiveness of mental health service delivery.
This article is adapted from a feature first published in the winter 2024 issue of Edge.
