Syreeta Challinger

Syreeta Challinger is a speaker, creative consultant and founder of Leaven who specialises in authentic storytelling and navigating change with courage and resilience. After her partner Rob suffered a life-changing brain haemorrhage and stroke in 2014, she transformed this profound personal experience into a powerful framework for helping individuals and organisations embrace vulnerability and human connection. She has worked with clients including Burberry, Visa, COPA90 and the London School of Economics, and has been featured by The Guardian, The Times and BBC 6 Music. Through her talks and TEDx presentation delivered alongside Rob, Syreeta equips audiences with practical tools to lead with authenticity, build resilience through adversity, and harness the transformative power of story in business and life.

When Syreeta Challinger's partner Rob suffered a brain haemorrhage and stroke in September 2014, their lives changed overnight. What followed was not just a personal journey through profound adversity, but the foundation of a distinctive approach to change, resilience and authentic human connection that now shapes how organisations and individuals navigate transformation. As founder of Leaven, Syreeta has built her practice on the belief that vulnerability, courage and storytelling can coexist with commercial success, and that the most powerful business narratives are rooted in truth. Her work centres on guiding people and organisations through periods of uncertainty, helping them not merely to survive disruption but to recognise and embrace the opportunities within it.

Syreeta's credibility stems from lived experience as much as professional expertise. Balancing her roles as carer, mother, coach and creative consultant, she has developed a holistic methodology that integrates brand narrative, tone and aesthetic communication with emotional intelligence and practical resilience. Her client portfolio includes Burberry, Visa, COPA90 and the London School of Economics, where her talks explore themes of change, courage and creativity. She has also delivered a TEDx presentation alongside Rob, demonstrating the transformative power of shared story. Her insights have been featured by The Guardian, The Times, Evening Standard and BBC 6 Music, reflecting the cultural relevance of her message. Syreeta's philosophy centres on delivering experiences that are soulful, beautiful and results driven, proving that compassion and commercial impact are not mutually exclusive.

Audiences leave Syreeta's sessions with more than inspiration. They gain practical frameworks for leading with authenticity, tools for building resilience during periods of upheaval, and a renewed understanding of how storytelling can drive connection and engagement in business contexts. Her approach encourages individuals to examine the narratives they tell themselves whilst also learning from others, fostering environments where openness and human connection become strategic assets. Whether addressing leadership teams navigating organisational change or individuals seeking personal growth, Syreeta creates space for honest reflection and meaningful action. Her work demonstrates that the stories we tell in business matter as much as the products we create, and that by embracing vulnerability and courage, organisations can build deeper trust, stronger cultures and lasting impact with the people they serve.