Hi, I’m Liz

Too many purpose-driven leaders face isolation and pressure at pivotal moments – stepping into CEO roles, scaling organisations, navigating transitions or shifting strategy. It can be hard to know who to turn to when it matters most.

Why Volante Exists

Volante exists to provide clear, strategic and grounded support in those moments. Whether you’re leading change, managing a board, or navigating growth or transition, you don’t have to do it alone.

Funders, too, are making big decisions with limited real-time insight. My goal is to provide grounded, practical support that helps people lead with clarity and invest with confidence.

Why Me

I understand leadership not just from theory, but from lived experience.

As a CEO, Chief Strategy Officer and startup Country Director, I’ve built teams, led pivots, managed through succession and scaled complex organisations across Africa. That proximity to the real challenges leaders face and the systems they operate in allows me to offer support that’s strategic, grounded and deeply human.

Now I support leaders like you – offering the kind of insight I wish I’d had, grounded in real experience, delivered with empathy and focus.

My Background

I’ve spent half my career in the private sector, including 17 years at Sainsbury’s and half in social impact- most recently as CEO of Living Goods, where I led 5X growth, expanded across Kenya, Uganda and Burkina Faso, and shifted the organisation’s centre of gravity to Africa.

Born in Zambia, raised in Papua New Guinea and the UK, and now a permanent resident of Kenya, I bring a global outlook and on-the-ground proximity. That combination helps me to connect the dots across sectors and geographies – and deliver support that’s both strategic and actionable.

What I’m Known For

  • Strategic depth with practical action – I zoom out to shape vision and dive in to get things done,
  • Leadership support that’s honest and grounded – not coaching from theory but partnership from experience,
  • People -first, impact-focused – I care deeply about the humans doing the work and those the work serves.
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Volante means “movement”, “momentum” and “lift”. That’s what great leadership enables and that’s what I’m here to help you create.

Why Work With Me

Proven CEO and Executive Leadership

I’ve walked in your shoes. As a CEO, Chief Strategy Officer, and start-up Country Director, I’ve led complex organisations across multiple African countries. I know the real challenges of leadership from shifting organisational mindsets to managing board dynamics and driving large scale change.

Track Record of Scaling and Systems Change

At Living Goods, I led 5x growth, expanded across East and West Africa, and secured major funding – including multimillion dollar government co-financing and delivered measurable, evidence-based impact. I help organisations scale sustainably, execute strategy effectively, and drive meaningful system-level change.

Leadership Development, Succession, and Shifting Decision-Making Closer to Impact

Transitions are defining moments. I’ve led a model CEO handover, built diverse, high-performing teams, and moved Living Goods centre of gravity from the US to Kenya where 98% staff are now based. I support others through succession planning, executive team development and moving leadership closer to where the impact happens.

Multi sector experience, Grounded in Africa

From supplier partnerships at Sainsbury’s to ethical trade at Fairtrade and health systems improvements at Living Goods, I’ve worked across food, health and global development. This cross-sector experience combined with a global outlook and deep roots in Africa allows me to bridge perspectives, spot patterns and bring practical, efficient support to both implementers and funders.

Boardroom Expertise & Governance Strengthening

I’ve served on boards including Bayer, Living Goods, and Fairtrade, and advised on governance strategy, board culture and executive-board relationships. I help boards become sharper, more aligned and better equipped to support organisational leadership.

Bold, Practical, People-First Approach

I deliver results without ego. My work is rooted in evidence, learning, and collaboration blending systems thinking with scenario planning and risk assessment – all grounded in the real-world challenges leaders and teams face. I stay focused on what matters most: culture, people, and lasting impact.