Announcing #LearningMarathon 7
Meet Enrol Yourself’s seventh peer group as we embark on a 6 month journey to grow ourselves, together…
In several traditions seven is an important number. From the days of the week to the colours of the rainbow, it marks a sort of wholeness. A completion in a cycle. The moment things come together before they’re ready to renew.
At Enrol Yourself, with six Learning Marathons now behind us and six more hopefully starting across the UK (and beyond!) later in 2019, it’s a real privilege to be setting off on our seventh learning adventure with the band of travellers below.
From the co-founder of an economic campaign group to a member of London Business School, and an architect interested in the outrageous to a leader in plus size fashion this has to be one of our most diverse and eclectic groups yet. With connections as far flung as Loughborough and Trinidad, and more than three decades and 5 continents between us this should be a super interesting experience.
On a personal note I’m hoping to build on the lessons of my two Learning Marathons so far — bringing together my explorations of inner work and outer social change with a practical challenge I’ve set myself: can I lead a team of chronically ill athletes over an (actual) ultramarathon finish line?
NB learning marathon’s don’t have to include any actual running, unless you want them to!
Enough about me though. Introducing my new fellow Enrollers and some wonderful learning questions as we set out to ‘grow ourselves, together’ for the next 6 months…
Joe Richards
As co-founder of Economy, Joe wants to change the conversation about our economy so we can all have a say in our future.
He lives in East London where he’s also stood as a parliamentary candidate (he says that was knackering).
Having started off his working life as a producer and director at MTV he says he seems to like change in all areas (apparently also knackering)!
From Southampton and a keen Saints fan, Joe has competed in the odd swimming international friendly and….. “ I like the smell of tomato vines. A LOT.”
Joe’s Learning Question is ‘what career journeys lead adults with ADHD to security?’
Josie Ng
Josie is an experiential learning designer developing her craft at London Business School.
Prior to this, she spent three years at the Kaospilots, a leadership programme based in Denmark. There she worked with clients around the world as a generalist in the fields of process & intervention design, process consulting, systems thinking, design thinking and organisational development.
Her deepest aspiration is to design systems, communities and cultures where humans flourish and progress together.
Josie’s Learning Question is ‘how might we design an experience where an individual steps towards their unique human potential?’
Jiten Patel
Jiten says he is “a human being; unlearning in order to BE… And a spiritual being, learning to be human”.
Formerly homeless, Jiten now champions eradicating homelessness, educating people on its causes and working with and within related mental health challenges. He does this in a variety of ways including through his project #HomelessNotHopeless.
Jiten also works as a business consultant and “conscious life” coach for individuals, businesses and organisations in the creative, organic/sustainable and wellbeing industries.
Jiten’s Learning Question is ‘how do I best manage my mental health challenges in order to achieve fulfilment in all areas of my life?’
Kat Murray-Clark
Kat currently works as the Digital Director at culture transformation agency Breakthrough Global, where she works with businesses to develop digital mindsets, and create experiential digital learning experiences that foster continuous development.
Kat originally started her career in digital design and animation before doing an MA in Digital Management, where she focused on digital technology as a conduit for human connection and inclusion.
Kat says she is passionate about being ridiculous and she performs regularly in improv theatre and as a stand up comedian.
Kat’s Learning Question is ‘who am I onstage?’
Kirsty Kenney
Kirsty is interested in how technology can be used to solve urban problems.
This has led her to work with a range of government institutions, startups and corporates both in the UK and globally. She’s interested in how these different organisations can work together to engender positive change.
Kirsty is the proud owner of four red phone boxes and periodically stages installations inside them to challenge ideas about public space. She’s also opinionated when it comes to podcasts and London’s pizza scene.
Kirsty’s Learning Question is ‘how can I scale an alternative model of ownership across the city?’
Rachel Burns
Rachel, from Florida, is an anthropologist and an epidemiologist who currently works as Migrant Health Research Associate at UCL.
With a foundation in Anthropology and a Masters degree in the Control of Infectious Diseases (specializing in epidemiological analysis) she tries to work to improve the heath of migrants worldwide by by combining her qualitative and quantitative skills as well as her experience in migrant health program evaluation and research.
Rachel says she loves data, dogs and dipped ice-cream cones.
Rachel’s Learning Question is ‘why don’t I know my neighbours?’
Remi Ray
Remi is a serial entrepreneur with a keen interest in strategy and innovation.
After spending just over 7 years building out various concepts, working in education and assisting with the global resurgence of plus-size fashion, Remi has curved her focus in the last 18 months towards supporting those with disabilities, exposing her local community to enterprise and holding those in her network accountable for the goals they say they want to achieve.
Driven by impact and consistency, she has been nominated twice by Cosmopolitan magazine for her contribution to plus-size business. Remi holds a BA hons in Fashion Management and Marketing.
Remi’s Learning Question is ‘are success and impact the same thing?’
Samuel Lyons
Sam was brought up in what he proudly describes as “the brightest, loudest, most headache-inducing home in Poole”. When leaving home at nineteen to study architecture, Sam dismissed the idea of modest design and became increasingly fascinated by the brash and the colourful, as well as how the public reacts to it.
Whilst studying Sam began to find his own distinctive brand through four principles; “the absurd, the kitsch, the over-thought, and the stupid”. These now underpin his design work; research projects; fun, comedic visuals; and his fashion.
Now a qualified architect, Sam has worked on projects including an ultra-decorative Mosque in Cambridge, a spiral shaped restaurant beside the Saatchi gallery and a distinctive riverboat pier on the Thames. As an illustrator, Sam has had work exhibited around London, and is currently collaborating with both a podcast series and an author to help provide fun and eye-catching visuals.
Sam’s next steps are to continue his onslaught against the banal, and he dreams of injecting a bit of whimsy into the urban realm. If not, he says “I’ll just paint my house purple or steal some of my parents’ leftover flowery wallpaper…”
Sam’s Learning Question is ‘ how shall I critique social stereotypes within the urban realm?’
Sophie Craven
Sophie is a Learning Designer based in London.
Currently, she uses storyboarding and design to support authors in writing an online English language and future skills programme.
Sophie loves everything to do with learning and is deeply fascinated by what makes learning ‘click’ for us.
She also loves reading, writing, cooking, camping and walking in the countryside “how could I not when I come from the south west — home of pub walks and the Cotswolds!”
Sophie’s Learning Question is ‘how can I design for good?’
Sunil Suri
Sunil works for Catch22, a charity that delivers services across the social welfare cycle.
At Catch22, he manages their incubator, which supports entrepreneurs whose ventures have the potential to transform how public services are delivered in this country.
Sunil is passionate about learning how systems can be changed so that they support people to lead socially and economically fulfilling lives.
Outside of work, he loves to write, read, do yoga, run and dance — all to varying degrees of success.
Sunil’s Learning Question is ‘how might we best develop a best practice toolkit to support social entrepreneurs?’
Tracey Sage
Tracey has over 30 years’ experience in financial, cultural and strategic planning with a particular interest in creativity, innovation and social investment.
Tracey currently works at a strategic level in the Public Sector specialising in the Arts, Tourism and Heritage. Over the years she has led and managed a wide range of projects and programmes in both the private and public sector.
Tracey is passionate about life and joy. She loves arts, culture and creativity, and she values each new day and the possibilities for joy and growth that each sunrise can bring.
Tracey’s Learning Question is ‘how can we fuel and sustain joy in our daily lives?’
David Heinemann
I’m a leadership coach, facilitator and learning designer with a passion for helping people and organisations to thrive.
I’ve worked with leaders of all ages from across the world and I have particular expertise in civil society, social innovation and the arts. I’m also part of the core team at Enrol Yourself.
Other recent projects include founding the Freedom of Expression Fellowship, a global award for leading human rights defenders. Launching a UK/US series of mental heath retreats with Sunday Assembly. And training 60 working class young men from across England and Wales in politics and arts activism.
Trying (and not always succeeding!) to evolve a better relationship with my chronic ill heath I’m a qualified personal trainer with a love of endurance sports, outdoor adventure, theatre and spirituality.
My Learning Question is ‘can I lead a team of disabled athletes across The Spine finish line in 2020?’
Does Enrol Yourself or the #LearningMarathon sound appealing?
Applications are now open for the next London peer group which will be hosted by Sarah Adefehinti, a previous Learning Marathon participant herself. Due to start at the end of June 2019, Sarah is particularly looking for freelancers, aspiring freelancers, the self-employed and the aspiring self-employed. Might that be you? All the details are here.
Applications are also currently open for Learning Marathons in Bristol and Birmingham and are due to launch for Edinburgh, Sofia in Bulgaria, and London (from September) very soon!
All the details can be found on the Enrol Yourself website.
