S2 | E12 Mary Comont on squiggly careers, servant leadership, and putting people first

In this episode of The Charity Changemakers Podcast, Adam Stacey speaks with Mary Comont, Director of People at UCCF: The Christian Unions. Mary shares her "squiggly" career journey — from volunteering with a sailing charity as a teenager, to roles in fundraising, project management, and HR, culminating in her current senior leadership position.

She reflects on the importance of values-driven work, the power of taking opportunities even when you don’t tick every box, and how creative, people-centred recruitment can unlock potential. Mary also opens up about the challenges of leadership, the role of faith in her decision-making, and why she believes HR should be at the heart of strategic planning in the charity sector.

Whether you’re navigating your own career twists and turns or looking for fresh perspectives on people leadership, this conversation offers practical insights and encouragement in equal measure.

Key takeaways

• A career in the charity sector doesn’t have to follow a straight path — transferable skills and openness to opportunity are key.

• Creative hiring can bring in passionate, values-aligned candidates who might not meet every requirement on paper.

• HR is more than an administrative function — it’s central to shaping organisational culture and strategy.

• Leadership brings both privilege and pressure, requiring resilience, perspective, and a strong support network.

• Faith, values, and trust can guide career decisions and help in navigating uncertainty.

Chapters

• 00:00 – Introduction to Mary Comont and UCCF

• 07:35 – Mary’s Journey into the Charity Sector

• 11:44 – Experiences at Tearfund and Career Development

• 20:48 – Transitioning to City Gateway and HR Insights

• 26:40 – The Journey into HR

• 28:46 – Taking the Leap into HR

• 31:19 – Valuing HR Qualifications

• 32:31 – The Shift in HR Perception

• 35:29 – Leadership and Organisational Change

• 37:31 – Transitioning to Senior Leadership

• 42:08 – Finding Support in Leadership

• 44:04 – The Squiggly Line Career

• 49:22 – Advice to My Younger Self

• 52:53 – Series 2 – Outro

Listen to the episode to discover how Mary’s squiggly career path, values-driven approach, and leadership insights can inspire anyone in the charity sector.

Useful links

• UCCF Website – https://www.uccf.org.uk

• Tearfund Website – https://www.tearfund.org/

• City Gateway Website – https://www.citygateway.org.uk

#CharityCareers #SquigglyCareer #HRLeadership #PeopleFirst #CharitySector