For our Black History Month series, elevating the voices of Black women in leadership, Evelyn Asante-Mensah shares her journey into leadership and talks to us about how following her curiosity and taking opportunities that presented themselves guided her into new roles and progression to the leader she is today.
She also talks about how she’s been able to bring about real diversity in Pennine Care, how she’s navigated imposter syndrome and the inner guidance and advice from a family friend who helped her to navigate racism in previous workplaces who didn’t value her difference.
“I told them if that was what they wanted, it wasn’t me. I wasn’t prepared to compromise who I am to fit their criteria. Sometimes it’s painful and hard to do….. but it’s really important that you don’t compromise”
Watch the full interview below:
Evelyn Asante-Mensah is the Chair Of The Board Of Directors at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust. With 25 years of experience as a non-executive director chair across the public, voluntary and community sectors, she has dedicated her career to tackling inequalities in health and social care. She currently sits on the national NHS Confederation Mental Health Network board
She a member of the NHS Confederation Black Leadership Network, is co-chair of the BAME (Black Asian and Minority Ethnic) Assembly (NHS North West) and was previously a Commissioner on the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Evelyn received an OBE in 2006 and an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Manchester Metropolitanniversity in 2005, both for her work with BAME communities in health. She was included in the Independent’s 100 most influential LGBT people for three consecutive years and shortlisted for the New View 50 most influential BAME people in the public sector.
Find out more and connect with Evelyn on LinkedIn and read her recent blog for BHM in which she salutes six incredible Black women who inspire her. You can also read more about Yvonne Coghill CBE who Evelyn mentions as a source of inspiration to her.
Thank you to Evelyn Asante-Mensah for taking the time to speak with us for Black History Month.
Watch more Black History Month interviews with inspiring leaders: