In leadership, there are moments that define not just what you do, but who you become. For Afolake, one of those defining moments was her journey with the Aleto Foundation X DMG Media Leadership Programme- an initiative founded by Sir Ken Olisa OBE, CStJ, FRSA, FBCS, the first Black Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London and a passionate advocate for diversity in leadership.

What started as a search for professional development became something far more profound: a masterclass in how real leadership multiplies itself.

The Beginning Entering with Design Eyes, She first joined as a delegate in 2024, carrying with her the analytical mindset of a product designer. In her day-to-day work, Afolake was used to breaking down complex user problems, understanding pain points, and initiating solutions until they actually worked for real people. She didn’t know it yet, but this approach would become her secret weapon in leadership.

The programme was intense. Sessions on strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and inclusive leadership challenged delegates to examine their assumptions about what it means to lead. For Afolake, each module felt familiar yet foreign — the problem-solving frameworks resonated, but applying them to human dynamics rather than user interfaces required a mental shift.

“As a designer, I’m constantly asking ‘What does the user actually need?’ and ‘How do we know this solution works?’ ” she reflects. “The programme taught me to ask those same questions about leadership: What do people actually need from their leaders?

How do we know our leadership approach is working?”

The real test came through team challenges. Afolake’s group was tasked with addressing youth unemployment in urban communities — a complex problem with no obvious solutions.

While other te