The Global Kindness Institute is backed by a Collaboration & Advisory Board featuring leaders who have shaped and influenced some of the world’s most respected and high-performing brands. Additionally, our work is championed by a globally recognised, highly esteemed patron—a true advocate for kindness as a strategic leadership advantage. This makes us more than a movement—we are a high-impact, international team.

Through our Advisory, Coaching, and Training Services, we equip leaders to master the art of kind leadership—as a business imperative that drives productivity, profitability, and customer loyalty. Our ambition is bold: To be the trusted leadership development partner of choice for companies that recognise kindness as a competitive edge in today’s business landscape.

Who We Are

A collaboration of global thought leaders who have either influenced or held key commercial leadership roles across various industries and sectors.

Our Purpose

We are here to support and inspire managers and leaders to grow into the best version of themselves—through practical advice, expert insight, and continuous learning—so they can build inclusive, high-performing workplaces where kindness drives commercial success, lasting impact, and a legacy they can be proud of.

Our Core Belief

Kindness in leadership is a rare yet invaluable asset. By transforming its scarcity into a strategic advantage, organisations can foster thriving workplace cultures, enhance customer success, and drive sustainable, profitable business growth.

About

Our Patron

Pinky Lilani CBE DL is an internationally acclaimed champion for women.

She is the force behind the Women of the Future Programme, a portfolio of global events and networks that for over 25 years have supported the female leadership pipeline.

She is also the Founder of the 50 Leading Lights Campaign in both the UK and Southeast Asia, which shines a spotlight on leaders who are impacting others through the power of kindness and radically shifting the global leadership conversation.

Pinky's dedication to social and charitable causes has earned her numerous accolades and honours, including being named one of the 100 most powerful women in the UK by BBC Radio 4. She is a Fellow of the GSA; Patron of the Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs, DIL and Frank Water; Associate Fellow of Saïd Business School; and serves on the boards of Global Diversity Practice and the Character Project at the University of Oxford.

For her exceptional service to charity, Pinky was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2007. In 2015, she was honoured as Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to women in business. She is currently Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London.


The Collaboration & Advisory Board

We are a team of six seasoned professionals and globally respected leaders who have shaped the thinking of executives, policymakers, and visionaries across industries, governments, and Fortune 500 boardrooms.

As a team we are on a mission to redefine leadership excellence by harnessing the transformative power of kindness.

Through sharp insights and collaborative discussions, we strive to spark debate, challenge outdated leadership models, and champion a forward-thinking, results-driven approach to impactful leadership.

About

Jim Steele

Jim is a speaker, coach, and leadership facilitator. He is one of the world’s top business performance pioneers, a renowned motivational speaker and expert in transformational behavioral change. For 30 years, he has helped global organisations enhance leadership and team performance.

Jim leads research in high performance psychology and neuroscience. His clients include Coca Cola, Deliotte, Disney, Google & Nike. A regular speaker at London Business School. He is also a recognised as a thought leader, in publications like Forbes, The Association of MBAs, Elite Business Magazine, and The Huffington Post.

LONDON, UK

About

Wendy Hanson

Wendy is a business innovator, entrepreneur, executive coach, author, people connector, and podcaster.

For over two decades, she has worked with companies of all sizes, coaching and empowering C-suite leaders and business teams to reach their full potential.

Wendy is the co-founder of NewLevelWork.com and former chief of culture.

Wendy draws upon a tenacious commitment to continuous learning. and more than 20 years of experience helping people leaders build workplaces where everyone can thrive.

RHODE ISLAND, USA

About

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch

Oak is the author of the 2021 release, Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the Leader You Were Meant to Be.

Based on 40+ years of leadership in the U.S Military, Oak received thirty-one service awards including the Bronze Star, eight Meritorious Service Medals and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

Oak is an internationally renowned keynote speaker, delivering impactful talks on topics such as leadership, success, history, college preparation, and more. With a focus on actionable principles, Oak equips today’s leaders while inspiring the leaders of tomorrow.

FLORIDA, USA

About

Louise Duncan

Louise is the former Managing Director and now serves as the Global Brand Ambassador for TetraMap International. Over the past 18 years, she has played a pivotal role in building the New Zealand business and transforming the vision of its two remarkable founders into a global organisation.

She had the privilege of being involved from (almost) the beginning, evolving from a workshop facilitator to leading the business as the founders gradually stepped back from daily operations. Meaningful work in a context of transparency is central to her personal belief system.

Throughout her career, Louise has collaborated with diverse organisations from military, corporate, education and community sectors across the globe and some of the most respected brands in the world.


AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

About

Mark Doughty

Mark brings over 30 years of leadership and organisational development expertise, with a proven track record across diverse sectors and top-tier global brands.

Renowned for his innovative, award-winning initiatives, he has successfully built strategic capabilities and delivered transformative business improvements, generating multi-million-pound in results.

Mark holds an M.Ed. and an M.A.

He is a member of the British Psychological Society, a certified 6-sigma green belt, and a livery member of the Worshipful Company of Management Consultants.

He also contributes to the Centre of Excellence for Management Consulting.

CAMBRIDGE, UK

About

Heather Swain

Heather is a talent and leadership development specialist with 30 years of global corporate experience, specialising in Professional and Financial Services.

With deep expertise in organisational change, engagement, culture, talent and performance, leadership, and learning.

She has worked with leading organisations such as KPMG, Deutsche Bank, Origin Energy, and most recently as Director of Talent and Learning at Deloitte.

With dual British and Australian citizenship, Heather offers a unique global perspective.

Her expertise lies in senior executive team performance, facilitation, team coaching, and driving organisational transformation.

LONDON, UK