Grace Cole
Grace Cole
Grants Administrator

Celebrating the Winners of the 2024 David Coughtrie Leadership Awards

Celebrating the Winners of the 2024 David Coughtrie Leadership Awards

The David Coughtrie Leadership Award

Dr Theodora Thomadaki
Employer Engagement Officer, University of East London

Dr Theodora Thomadaki’s exemplary leadership has transformed opportunities for students at the University of East London. Her initiatives, including the Job Shadowing Programme and Diversity of Thought partnerships, have created pathways to success for students, securing invaluable connections with top organisations such as IBM, Grimshaw, and ITV. Her commitment to embedding Commercial Ability in education has empowered countless students to thrive in competitive industries.

The David Coughtrie Young Leader Award

Samie John
Project Manager, East London Business Alliance

Samie John has demonstrated extraordinary leadership with his Equibalance programme, inspiring young people from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in high-level corporate roles. Through his innovative workshops and mentorship, he has fostered commercial awareness and career-readiness, making a tangible impact on the lives of students and the communities he serves.

Reflecting on Leadership

As David Coughtrie said:

“Leaders come in a variety of forms, but all successful leaders possess common traits: the determination to achieve their goal, motivate others, and communicate their vision.”

We were honoured to present the awards to Dr Thomadaki and Samie John, where they were recognised for their incredible contributions. Their dedication to fostering Commercial Ability and inspiring others truly exemplifies the values celebrated by these awards.

Stay tuned as we share more about their impactful work in the coming weeks. In the meantime, here’s a glimpse of the special moment when they received their awards.

Congratulations once again to our 2024 winners!

Download the Report

Celebrating the Winners of the 2024 David Coughtrie Leadership Awards
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