“I Want Every Young Person Who Encounters Aleto to Walk Away Knowing They Matter.” My journey with Aleto started while I was leading a social media campaign at Avanade UK & Ireland. That’s when I met Veronica (aka Mama V), Shezad, and the rest of the team. Their energy and purpose were infectious, and I was instantly drawn in. At the time, I was actively looking for trustee opportunities. What struck me was how few charities were seeking out marketing professionals. Most boards leaned heavily on legal, finance, or operational backgrounds. All of that is important, of course, but I saw a real opportunity for marketing to add value, especially when it comes to amplifying a charity’s voice and impact. When I discovered Aleto, it just made sense. It aligned with my passion for mentoring and for helping create space where others can grow. Becoming a trustee in 2022 was a huge personal milestone. It was also a chance to support a mission I care deeply about. Listening First, Then Leading As a trustee, I believe my role starts with listening to the young people we serve, to the team, and to the rest of the board. From there, I use my platform and experience to help shape the direction we’re going. Sometimes that means contributing to the business strategy or strengthening Aleto’s voice through marketing. Other times, it means getting stuck in with mentoring, which has honestly been one of the most fulfilling parts of this experience. I want to help build the kind of ecosystem I wish I’d had growing up, one that sees your potential, nurtures it, and gives it the space it needs to thrive. The Impact You Can Feel I’ve had the privilege of mentoring two incredible young people through Aleto. Seeing their growth up close has been powerful. One of them said, “She helped me define my values, set goals aligned with these in very creative and introspective ways, whilst challenging me to be daring and bold.” That kind of reflection reminds me why this work matters so much. Aleto gives young people more than just access to opportunities. It gives them confidence. It gives them a sense of community. And maybe most importantly, it gives them clarity around who they are and what they can achieve. The Challenges We're Taking On One of the biggest challenges I see is access, not just access to opportunities, but access to the belief that those opportunities are actually for you. Aleto meets that head on. We build a bridge between ambition and achievement. What makes us effective is that we’re grounded in lived experience. Everyone involved understands what it’s like to navigate spaces where you might not feel like you belong. We don’t show up with just advice. We show up with empathy, honesty, and action. Where We're Headed Looking ahead, I’d love to see Aleto grow its reach while staying rooted in that human, heart-led approach. I want us to be present in more universities and communities, not just in London but across the UK. I want Aleto to become a name people associate with leadership and mentorship, especially for young people who’ve often been left out of those conversations. Most of all, I want every young person who encounters Aleto to walk away knowing they matter. That they’re capable of extraordinary things. A Few Words for Future Leaders If you’re a young person thinking about leadership or how to make a difference, here’s my advice: own your story. You don’t need a perfect background or a traditional path to lead. Leadership can look like showing up. Listening deeply. Choosing to support others, even when no one’s watching. For me, moving to a new country and stepping into unfamiliar environments taught me a lot about resilience, confidence, and making space for others. I’ve learned that leadership starts with empathy, not by needing to relate to every experience, but by being open enough to learn from them and help others rise. Feel free to connect . I’d love to hear from you.

This summer, 25 talented young delegates embarked on a transformative three-day leadership journey, hosted at dmg media’s offices in South Kensington, as part of the prestigious Aleto Summer Leadership Programme. This was our first partnership with dmg media and The National Lottery Community Fund, with the programme focused on equipping these future leaders with the skills, confidence, and network to drive positive change in their communities and careers. Day 1: Inspirational Speeches and Personal Stories The programme kicked off with an impactful keynote address by Sir Ken Olisa OBE, whose journey from humble beginnings to becoming the first black Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London left delegates inspired to think big and break boundaries. The energy continued as Aleto Foundation alumnus Hakeem Kigozi shared his personal story, motivating participants with insights into how the programme had shaped his career. One of the standout moments was a fireside chat featuring dmg media’s own Deborah Arthurs, Valentina Russo, and JC Mighty. Their discussion, focusing on career growth, diversity, and inclusion in the media, resonated with delegates eager to make their mark. Wrapping up the day, David Villa-Clarke BEM delivered an engaging public speaking workshop, offering practical tips to help participants communicate with impact and confidence. Day 2: Personal and Career Development Focus The second day zoomed in on personal and professional growth. Earl Talbot led a dynamic session on the power of networking, sharing insights into how building relationships can open doors in both life and career. The delegates also participated in an interactive CV workshop led by CandidateX’s Man Wong, where they learned to refine their resumes for the modern job market. Karen Daly-Gherabi from Boyden took the group through essential personal branding techniques and interview strategies, empowering them to present their best selves to future employers. dmg media provided valuable insight into the company’s roles and application processes, giving delegates a head start in understanding opportunities in the media industry. Day 3: Team Presentations and Exciting Challenges Throughout the week, delegates worked in small teams on a collaborative challenge designed to test their creative thinking and teamwork. Their task was to envision what the media and editorial landscape would look like in 2030—a thought-provoking and future-focused question. The final day was highlighted by the presentation of these ideas to a distinguished panel of judges, including Kate Dalton (Head of Brand and Marketing at Aston Martin F1 Team), Aleto trustee Eniitan Page, and senior dmg media leaders Richard Morgan, Sofia Delgado, and Richard Huang. The team presentations showcased innovative ideas and deep thinking, reflecting the skills and confidence the delegates had developed over the course of the programme. While the judges deliberated, delegates were treated to a surprise visit from legendary British athlete Dalton Grant, who shared his experiences and offered encouragement to the aspiring young leaders. The Power of Growth and Confidence  By the end of the programme, the growth in confidence and skill among the delegates was remarkable. The interactions, teamwork, and networking demonstrated over the three days were a testament to the potential of these young leaders to shape the future. The Summer Leadership Programme not only equipped them with the tools for success but also instilled in them the belief that they can achieve great things. As one of the delegates explained, “This programme has taught me that anyone can be a leader if they have the right mindset and the heart desire to help and bring the best out of others. Now, after the three-day programme, I believe that that I am a leader in progress.” We look forward to seeing how these young leaders will take their experiences from the programme and apply them to make a lasting impact.

Meet: Nicole Stoney, Medical Doctor & Aleto Alumni since 2023

For the past three years, OVO Energy has partnered with the Aleto Foundation, working together to create opportunities for young people from underrepresented backgrounds. At the heart of this partnership is Alessandro 'Alex' Storer, Head of Inclusion & Belonging at OVO Energy. With a rich career spanning human rights law, diplomacy, and diversity initiatives, Alex leads OVO's mission to foster a truly inclusive environment. In this Q&A, he reflects on his career, the challenges in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the meaningful impact of OVO’s collaboration with Aleto. The interview provides insight into how OVO is actively working to make diversity and inclusion a core part of its culture while highlighting success stories from the partnership with Aleto. Read the Q&A below to discover how this partnership has not only changed lives but also continues to shape the future of the energy industry. Tell us about your career journey and current role as Head of Inclusion & Belonging at OVO. My journey started somewhat outside the "traditional" D&I space: After studying international and human rights law, I started my career as a diplomat. My drive was a deep desire to make the world a little bit more just and fairer, especially for those who experience oppression and marginalisation. Then I realised that I could affect more visible change if I operated at a smaller scale, so, instead of trying to change the world, I decided I would change workplaces, in the hope that exposing more people to conversations about fairness, equity and justice would have a positive effect on how they chose to behave outside of work too. And just like that, after years working on human rights projects in Jerusalem, Brussels and Tunisia, I moved to London in 2012 and got my first role as an in-house "D&I" function (we called it Equality Improvement) at Mind, the mental health charity. I then moved to the Law Society, opened my consultancy, and eventually decided to join OVO on their exciting journey to make zero carbon living possible for everyone (and I make sure when we say "everyone" we mean that!) My role as 'Head of Inclusion and Belonging' is very varied. At its core, it's about supporting meaningful initiatives with our people to build a true sense of belonging. These can range from co-creating better, more inclusive recruitment processes to delivering training, organising events to celebrate our diverse communities, and producing content to keep us all engaged. But what I love most is the relationships we build with external partners that help us accelerate our impact. And, of course, the Aleto Foundation is one of my favourites! What do you see as the biggest current challenge in diversity, equity and inclusion? There are many. Media backlash is one of them. Headlines like "DEI must DIE" have sparked very toxic conversations and pushed some companies to dial down their efforts for fear of being criticised as "woke". I know this can be a sensitive topic but we must face it and have honest dialogue in the workplace. Ultimately, for me, the focus has to be on creating spaces where everyone can thrive, and to do that, we must look at each colleague as an individual; we must understand their lived experience, identity, needs, and expectations. That is a very hard thing to do, especially in big companies. For me, this speaks to the "inclusion" bit of the equation, and it can be the way to address the backlash because DEI means everyone. The other challenge is that many business leaders can be impatient and only focus on short-term results, especially around diversity representation (e.g. increased % of women or ethnic minorities in the company), and completely fail to understand the longer-term systemic changes needed. Because of this, the D&I team are often asked to focus on things like recruitment, when they should be focusing on wider cultural and behavioural change. Tell us the reasons why OVO decided to work with Aleto. When we started to structure our Belonging strategy four years ago, it became clear that our community wasn't as diverse as it needed to be, especially around ethnicity, particularly when it came to Black representation. We did a lot of desk research at the time to look at external partners who could help us address this issue by authentically connecting us with ethnically diverse young people and inspiring them to consider a career with us. Aleto Foundation was head and shoulders above the rest, not only because of its proven track record but especially because Aleto's leadership team truly reflects the communities we wanted to reach. Our partnership has now been running for 3 years - are there any success stories or programme highlights you would be willing to share?  Of course, our biggest success stories are Sam and Soore. Two amazing young people who came through one of our Aleto x OVO programmes and then joined us in our product spaces, and they are growing and making a real difference. Soore has been named one of the 30 under 30 making a difference in the Energy industry and has launched Energyz Black, to attract more Black talent to our sector. How do you envision OVO's ongoing collaboration with Aleto in the future and what impact would you like to see from our joint efforts? We want to continue building on our amazing relationship and see what more we can do to engage with young people from diverse backgrounds to inspire them to pursue a career in our industry. We'd also love to help Aleto expand in Scotland to replicate in our Glasgow base the success we've had in London and Bristol.

We are excited to share the Aleto Foundation’s 2023 Annual Report, a reflection on a year of significant progress, resilience, and continued commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders. Our focus remains on creating opportunities for talented young individuals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that tomorrow’s leaders are equipped to take on the challenges they'll face on their journey. Throughout 2023, our Leadership Programmes have expanded their reach, providing participants with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to navigate and succeed in a rapidly changing world. From skill-building workshops to mentoring and networking opportunities, we’ve seen countless inspiring stories of young people rising to the challenge, overcoming barriers, and making an impact. As we reflect on these accomplishments, we invite you to read into the full report to discover more about the people, programmes, and partnerships that have driven our success. In the words of Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE, Chair of our Board of Trustees: "In a world constantly evolving, our Leadership Programmes have emerged as beacons of empowerment, creating pathways for individuals from a wide range of backgrounds to not only dream big but also to realise those dreams." Explore our full report here .

The Aleto Foundation, a leading non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering youth and fostering leadership, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Johnson & Johnson Medical Limited on their STEM Scholars Programme. Johnson & Johnson, is committed to fostering change through the STEM Scholars Programme. It was developed in response to the diversity gap seen in the talent pool for career development within Johnson & Johnson, specifically for Black Talent. Its aim is to break down barriers, ensure awareness of, and create access to, great careers in STEM and life sciences for high potential talent and aid in fostering a more inclusive future workforce that reflects the diversity of our nation. The Aleto Foundation's mission is to empower young people from diverse and underserved backgrounds to become the leaders of tomorrow. By providing mentorship, leadership training, and access to opportunities, the foundation equips youth with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in various fields and contribute to the betterment of society. Ten university students studying STEM related subjects have been selected to take part in Phase 2 of the Johnson & Johnson STEM Scholars Programme, which will be facilitated by the Aleto Foundation. David Villa-Clarke, CEO of the Aleto Foundation, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, "We are excited to partner with Johnson & Johnson, a company known for its commitment to improving lives. Together, we will inspire and empower the next generation of leaders, driving positive change in our communities and beyond."

The UK's energy sector is often criticised for its lack of inclusivity. A shocking statistic from Energy Systems Catapult (2020) revealed that only 2% of employees in the energy sector are black, highlighting a glaring issue. In an extraordinary partnership with OVO Energy, The Aleto Foundation is on a mission to catalyse change. We are thrilled to announce the launch of the groundbreaking Black Leadership Academy. This trailblazing initiative, exclusively available to the Aleto network, is poised to shatter the glass ceiling of ethnic diversity in leadership roles within the green energy and decarbonisation industries. It has been carefully designed to help support the progression of 13 Black professionals in leadership roles by helping them to develop key skills and insights on their journey to becoming senior leaders, building relationships with OVO senior leaders and an invaluable opportunity to learn about the Zero Carbon industry. Over the next intensive six months, our 13 exceptional delegates will engage closely, tackling formidable business challenges head-on. They will partake in a series of immersive workshops and masterclasses hosted by a select group of industry luminaries , the first of which included a fireside chat with the esteemed Raman Bhatia, CEO of OVO, and Gary Elden OBE, Aleto Trustee and former CEO of a FTSE 250 company, facilitated by David Villa-Clarke, CEO of Aleto. This monumental collaboration between The Aleto Foundation and OVO Energy marks a pivotal moment in the quest for diversity and inclusion in the UK energy sector and beyond. As we empower these talented leaders to ascend to executive positions, we're not just changing statistics; we are igniting a brighter, more inclusive future for the entire industry.