Phyll Opoku-Gyimah

Written By Madeline McQueen

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah

Co-Founder and CEO, UK Black Pride

Panellist

Topic: How to Progress Your Career on Your Own Terms

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah is the nucleus of the award-winning celebration and protest that is UKBlack Pride. Widely known as Lady Phyll – partly due to her decision to reject an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list to protest Britain’s role in formulating anti-LGBTQI+ penal codes across its empire – she was also the executive director of Kaleidoscope Trust, an organisation working to uphold the human rights of LGBTQI+ people around the world; a community builder and organiser; an Albert Kennedy Trust patron, and a public speaker focusing on race, gender, sexuality and class.

With an honorary doctorate recognising her exceptional contributions, Lady Phyll's over two decades of dedication to human rights advocacy have left an indelible mark. She's regularly called upon to advise nascent LGBTQI+ organisations around the world to help leaders create cogent organising strategies, establish robust partnership networks and work effectively in service of the LGBTQI+ community and inspire all who strive for equality and justice.

She is also the co-founder and CEO of UK Black Pride, Europe’s largest pride celebration for LGBT+ people of colour. Phyll is an experienced community builder and organiser, an Albert Kennedy Trust patron, and a writer and public speaker focusing on race, gender, sexuality and class. Lady Phyll is also the Secretary for TCEN - The Commonwealth Equality Network, a network of organisations challenging inequality based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics. The Network was set up to give a global voice to LGBTI+ communities across the Commonwealth and to support joint advocacy to provide an answer to the colonial legacy of homophobia – a Commonwealth solution to a Commonwealth problem.

Madeline McQueen

Madeline McQueen is a force of empowerment with extensive experience as an Executive Coach, Speaker, and Trainer. She has worked with a diverse range of clients, including industry leaders like Google, Saatchi & Saatchi, Sopra Steria, Facebook, Omnicom, and Natixis Asset Management, to name a few.  Madeline’s signature approach centres on enhancing clarity, confidence, and strategic leadership, particularly for women in senior leadership roles. She is a passionate advocate for gender equality, helping women to embrace their magnificence and step into their power.   

Her personal journey is as inspiring as her professional work. Having navigated both personal and professional adversity, including surviving corporate sales, a business downturn and personal loss, Madeline has built a thriving career in personal and leadership development. Alongside her work, she sits on the board of NoMore.Org, driving action for gender equality. Married for 31 years, with two daughters, she balances her professional achievements with a fulfilling family life and a love of travel and dance.

http://www.madelinemcqueen.com
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