I’m Mabinty Esho, a senior People and Culture leader with over a decade of cross-sector experience driving inclusive transformation in the charity, public, and education sectors. I specialise in embedding Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) into strategy, governance, and culture — with a track record of influencing board-level decisions and shifting systems to create more equitable workplaces.
My career journey hasn’t been linear — it’s been shaped by purpose, adaptability, and resilience. I began in community engagement roles and gradually built expertise across project management, education, and people strategy. This grounding has been essential in connecting with people at all levels and designing solutions rooted in lived experience.
Most recently, as Head of DEIB at Comic Relief, I led the organisation’s three-year strategy, introduced an anti-racism leadership programme, and co-authored a Cultural Charter that defines inclusive behaviours. My work there contributed to a measurable uplift in cultural assessment scores and sector-wide recognition — including award nominations from the Black Talent Awards and Culture Pioneer Awards.
I also serve as an EDI-focused Non-Executive Director at Cruse Bereavement Support, where I champion inclusive governance and lived experience in decision-making, and as a school governor, embedding wellbeing and belonging into education policy.
What I’ve been through — including moments of self-doubt, career pivots, and navigating systems not built for people like me — has given me grit, empathy, and an unshakable belief in the power of inclusive leadership. What I’ve achieved is testament to collaboration, purpose-led work, and creating spaces where everyone feels seen and valued.
