Coffee with Kofi

Kofi Kyei

As an Executive Coach my purpose is to Empower and Elevate leaders in their pursuit of Excellence. I provide a safe space for deeper self-reflection and exploration, that contributes to closer connection to your purpose. This channel shares the journeys of leaders from around the world who have answered "the call" to pivot on purpose. By using their unique talents they have found meaningful connection to their chosen paths. Tune in for insights and inspiration.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Creating powerful growth! Nanna Soenya, Founder & Managing Director of OmegaSeven Global LTD.

    Today, I’m joined by someone who doesn’t just talk about systems change...she builds it!Nanna Soenya is the founder of OmegaSeven Global, the visionary behind FundHerShip, and a driving force behind PIE Advisory, where Power, Insight and Ecosystems come together to reshape how organisations and communities grow. Her work sits at the intersection of strategy, equity, and impact. Naana has dedicated her career to designing systems that expand access, dignity, and opportunity. In this conversation, we explore Nanna’s international career journey, the pivotal moments that shaped her path, and why giving back isn’t an afterthought in her work... it’s the foundation. We’ll also unpack what it really means to follow your passion in a practical, sustainable way, and how to build a career that feels aligned, not accidental. So grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s sip into that inspiration! Key Takeaways * Systems Thinking: Nanna's ability to see and question systems from a "bird's eye view" is a core skill, honed by a family culture that demanded intellectual rigour and accountability. * The PIE Framework: Power, Insight, and Ecosystems provides a structure for building thriving systems, emphasising internal power, applied knowledge, and balanced, symbiotic environments. * Strategic Purpose: Purpose-driven work requires strategic planning to move from "survival mode" to "thriving." Continuous struggle is not a virtue; it leads to burnout and ineffective impact. * FundHerShip Grant: The grant directly addresses the 0.02% funding gap for Black and Brown women by providing £10,000/month. This capital creates the traction and credibility needed to unlock larger institutional funding! Episode resources: Nanna Soenya: www.linkedin.com/in/nannassoenya OmegaSeven Global: www.omegasseven.org PIE Advisory: www.pieadvisory.world The FundHerShip Grant Application: https//:apply.omegasseven.org Instagram: @themotherofsystems Tiktok: @themotherofsystems Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com

    1h 25m
  2. 13 FEB

    Coffee with Kofi featuring Norman Wolfe. CEO, Quantum Leaders, Author of The Living Organization®

    Today, I’m sitting down with Norman Wolfe, leadership coach, author, and founder of Quantum Leaders. Norman has spent decades helping leaders rethink and see organisations not as machines to be optimised, but as living systems built on relationships, purpose, and human potential. This isn’t a hype conversation. It’s a thoughtful one about leadership, mistakes, meaning, and what it takes to build organisations that work for people and perform. So, grab your coffee… and let’s sip into some inspiration. Key Takeaways: * Shift from "Machine" to "Living System": The core idea is to stop optimising organisations like machines and instead nurture them as living systems with purpose and relationships. This shift is essential because the machine paradigm fails to address persistent issues like 70% strategy execution failure and high employee disengagement. * The ARC Framework: Effective change requires addressing three integrated layers: Activity (what people do), Relationships (how they interact), and Context (the underlying narratives driving their behaviour). * Adaptability Over Expertise: In a rapidly changing world, the machine paradigm's focus on static expertise is a liability. Success now requires cultivating adaptability, the willingness to embrace the "novice" state and learn from mistakes. * Integrate Head & Heart: Effective leadership balances objective analysis with subjective intuition. This means not dismissing feelings, senses, or inspiration, even when they can't be logically explained. Episode resources: Norman Wolfe: www.linkedin.com/in/wolfe Quantum Leaders: www.quantumleaders.com Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com

    59 min
  3. 3 FEB

    Coffee with Kofi featuring Joseph Selimoglu, Global Compensation Senior Manager at BCG.

    Today, I’m joined by Joseph Selimoglu, whose career journey has taken him from Turkey to the UK, across cultures, challenges, and meaningful choices. Beyond professional success, Joseph is someone who truly believes in giving back. He does through mentoring, community, and creating impact beyond his job titles. In this episode, we’ll explore the pivotal moments that shaped his path, what it really takes to build a fulfilling career in a new country, and how following your passions, without losing yourself along the way… can lead to deeper purpose at work and in life. So grab your coffee, get comfortable, and let’s sip into that inspiration. Key Takeaways: Accidental HR Career: Joseph's 14-year HR career began accidentally after a personality test at TÜRK Telekom (Turkey) identified his fit for HR (91%) over his own plan to be a data analyst. Global Role Challenge: His current role as Senior Global Compensation Manager at BCG, covering c. 40 countries, was a significant challenge, causing imposter syndrome. He pushed through by viewing it as a worthwhile investment in growth. Purpose-Driven Work: Joseph finds fulfilment through two channels: 1) His role at BCG, where he drives fair pay and pay transparency, and 2) Extensive volunteering, mentoring, and community work. Legacy of Impact: His long-term goal is to become a Non-Executive Director (NED) to scale his positive impact across multiple companies, driven by a desire to leave a legacy of helping people. Episode resources: Joseph Selimoglu: www.linkedin.com/in/jselimoglu Company of HR Professionals: https://hrprofessionals.org.uk Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com

    59 min
  4. 23 JAN

    Coffee with Kofi featuring Mark Scott, Football Commentator (BBC's Match of the Day, UEFA etc.)

    Today, I’m joined by Mark Scott, a sports broadcasting professional who’s carved out an impressive career in an industry not always known for its diversity. Over the years he has commentated for Global Media, BBC’s Match of the Day, Premier League Productions, the Champions League, Europa League and major international tournaments, while also commentating for BBC Radio Five Live. In this conversation, we explore Mark’s journey, the barriers he’s had to break, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. So grab your coffee, get comfortable, and let’s get into it. Key takeaways: * Breaks are earned, not given: A chance university connection led to a Capital Radio gig at 19. This experience was the "foot in the door" that enabled his career, highlighting the need to be prepared for and seize unexpected opportunities. * Authenticity is the only sustainable strategy: The industry is highly subjective, with commentator hiring based on personal taste (likened to music preference). Trying to imitate another's style is a "recipe for disaster" that is unsustainable and ineffective. * Proactive practice is essential: To overcome the "chicken and egg" problem (needing experience to get work), aspiring commentators must create their own opportunities, such as volunteering to commentate on local club matches to build a showreel. * Success requires a "one-man band" mindset: A freelance career demands business acumen beyond commentary, including managing finances, marketing, and travel, as well as building strong professional relationships. Episode resources: Mark Scott: www.linkedin.com/in/mark-scott-212a8049 Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com

    59 min
  5. 13 JAN

    Coffee with Kofi featuring Mimi Gom, Financial Advisor at Lucerna Wealth.

    Today, I’m joined by someone who has devoted her career to guiding people through one of the most important journeys we all take... our financial one. Mimi Gom, Financial Advisor at Lucerna Wealth, brings deep experience across private banking, wealth management, and holistic financial planning. She’s known for helping individuals and families understand, protect, and grow their wealth with clarity and confidence. We get into her path into the industry, the values that shape her client relationships, and the mindset shifts that lead to long‑term financial wellbeing. If you’re looking to build stability, make smarter decisions, or feel more empowered about money, Mimi has wisdom worth leaning into. Grab your coffee and let’s sip into that inspiration. Key takeaways: * Career Pivot: A Lehman Brothers internship, revealed wealth management as the ideal career path, marrying Mimi's interest in people with the financial markets. * Mindset for Success: Overcame imposter syndrome by reframing mistakes as a novice's learning opportunity and using tools like journaling and mentorship to build confidence. * Financial Mindset: Advises clients to shift from fear to purpose by defining their financial "enough" and adopting a long-term perspective to build their financial dream. * Advice for industry newcomers: Prioritise soft skills like relationship-building and networking, as these human elements are irreplaceable by AI. Episode resources: Mimi Gom: www.linkedin.com/in/mimidoo-gom Speak to Mimi: www.calendly.com/mimi-gom Lucerna Wealth: www.lucernawealth.com/our-team Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com

    1h 5m

About

As an Executive Coach my purpose is to Empower and Elevate leaders in their pursuit of Excellence. I provide a safe space for deeper self-reflection and exploration, that contributes to closer connection to your purpose. This channel shares the journeys of leaders from around the world who have answered "the call" to pivot on purpose. By using their unique talents they have found meaningful connection to their chosen paths. Tune in for insights and inspiration.