SUSAN POPOOLA
Susan is an award-winning consultant in Talent Management, Inclusion, and Engagement, dedicated to optimising human value and driving inclusive transformation. With a deep-rooted commitment to community activism and a belief in the unique worth of every individual, Susan leverages her vast experience to empower people and organisations. As a published author and dynamic public speaker, she inspires others to embrace the rich diversity of the world and think beyond traditional limitations.
Drawing from her multicultural background and extensive involvement with young people and those from challenged environments, Susan has an extraordinary ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Her engagements leave individuals recognizing and appreciating not only their own value but also the worth of those around them. Susan believes that our world is a tapestry of opportunities waiting to be explored and shared for the greater good.
A prolific author, Susan has published works like Touching the Heart of Milton Keynes: A Social Perspective, Consequences: Diverse to Mosaic Britain, and Male Perspectives on The Value of Women at Work. Her upcoming projects, including Mosaic Perspectives on The Multicultural Experience, continue to elevate conversations on inclusion and human value.
Through her transformative talks, masterclasses, and practical consultancy work, Susan focuses on strategic solutions that maximize productivity and inclusivity. Her latest initiative, The Care Experience Village, provides resources and support to care-experienced children and young people, embodying her dedication to youth empowerment.
Be part of Susan’s mission to create a Mosaic World where every individual’s value is fully recognised and optimised!
All information and links were correct at the date of original publication on
6 Jun 2013
What’s changed or what have you been up to since your original feature?
There’s a saying, everything changes but remains the same. It very aptly reflects my Journey since my original Spotlight in 2013.
In the period since then, I did a rebrand such that if you searched for me under my previous company names, you would struggle to find me. The rebrand, however, serves to crystallise my vision and purpose of creating a Mosaic World i.e. a world in which everyone is valued for who they are and what they have to offer. In fact, if you hear me speaking, you are more than likely to hear me speaking of Human Value Optimisation, the umbrella term that I use to describe the different things to realise this objective working with leaders and their teams, young people or via publications.
What exciting projects or updates do you want to share with our readers?
In line with this, I have developed a specific four key streams that I’m focused on:
Mosaic Fusions Ltd through which I focus on supporting leaders who would like to navigate the complexity of the modern world to create real impact and legacy via Mosaic Fusions.
Mosaic Gold through which I publish books and podcasts. The highlights being my last book, “Male Perspectives on The Value of Women at Work, and the “Leading in a Mosaic World Podcast.
Mosaic Wise CIC which has a focus on supporting young people who have been in the care system, with a focus on ensuring that every care experienced young person on a global basis knows that they are loved, cared for and receive the support they require to fulfil their purpose in life.
Then there is my increased presence on stages on a global basis to speak and share knowledge that provides insights and transformation.
Although not the motivation, it’s lovely to receive recognition for it with the likes of a Women Leaders Award for Transforming Lives and endorsement as a Black Female Pioneer in Milton Keynes..
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What advice would you give to keep our readers motivated and pursuing their goals, passions, and dreams?
This year’s Black History Month (2024) comes with the theme of Reclaiming Narratives. I would say in line with that, know who you, be true to who you are, working to be as clear as possible about what you want from life,
recognising this to be a journey. Find great people with a rich diversity of backgrounds and experiences who will see you, support and challenge you along the way. Nobody achieves success in isolation. #Selah
Tell us a little about what you do in addition to your work at Conning Towers.
I have also recently founded Engaged For Success CIC, a Social Enterprise set-up to work on encouraging the recognition of human value and purpose at an individual level, within local Communities, wider society and the global community through education, business and community engagement.
As an additional expression of what I believe in, I have written and published two books – Consequences: Diverse to Mosaic Britain and Touching The Heart of Milton Keynes: A Social Perspective.
What was the catalyst that made you decide to go into business?
It was more of a journey than an outright decision. My interest and belief in people led me into Human Resources.
The project nature of the work that I do means that I’m best positioned to go into an organisation, do what needs to be done and to then move on to the next project.
My interest in community led me to set up the Community Interest Company so that I can be more effective.
My writing is a natural expression of things that I see as important.
What was holding you back from being an entrepreneur at the time?
Fortunately, I didn’t allow things to hold me back as I felt naturally driven to do things that are central to who I am and what I believe in. I could have otherwise been held back by fear – nothing more.
What was the best business advice you were given?
I am my biggest critic and I often question myself when I come up with new projects and ideas.
When I finished the draft for my first book, I happened to have a conversation with one of the ladies that I had interviewed for the book.
I told her, I had finished, but I wasn’t sure if it was good enough. Her response was simply – Just do it, put yourself out there. You’ll never know unless you do.
What is the most exciting thing happening in your sector right now?
There is a big focus on employee engagement within the Human Resources community at this point in time.
At a certain level you could argue that the importance of people within business and beyond is something that is obvious that everyone should naturally be doing anyway. The reality, however, is that this is not the case.
The most exciting part of this to me is how engaging people relates directly to the value that they bring.
I therefore see the employee engagement movement as an opportunity to create an awareness of this and to work with organisation to optimise the value that the people bring in order to enhance engagement.
What are your customers demanding more from you at the moment?
In line with what I’ve just mentioned above in a time of limited resources, organisations are looking to understand how they can make the most of the people that they have and most cost effectively employ the additional people that they need.
I additionally find people constantly asking for my perspective on social issues within society as this very much aligns to what I write about.
What social media tool are you using at the moment?
LinkedIn and Twitter.
LinkedIn for my business profile, reaching people and connecting.
Twitter is where I talk more about what I’m doing, who I am and what I’m thinking i.e. the person behind everything that I do as whilst people have never questioned my professional capability, they do often want to know more about me as a person
What is your take on personal business failures?
They are part of the journey you can’t totally avoid them – most especially if you want to be an innovator or a forerunner.
Accept them, learn from them, but try not to repeat them.
What is difference that is making the difference?
It’s all about having a real impact and really making a lasting difference.
It’s great to be paid and paid well for doing so. Even better is the simple acknowledgement and appreciate from a simple thank you to something even more significant.
For instance I was recently honoured with an award as Author of the Year by Women4Africa.
What book would you recommend for entrepreneurs?
I’d have like to have said one of mine, but … I’m going for Jim Collins, Good to Great.
What is your favourite quote?
I have several. I will, however, go with one that I came across recently.
“Don’t aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally” — David Frost
To some extent this comes naturally to me as what I do is very much about what I believe in and what I am passionate about.
It is, however, easy to be extract by the things around that may not seem to be working or what other people are doing.
The key is that I am therefore learning to focus more and more and work with a support team of advisers and friends who encourage me when I need to encouraged and challenge me when I need a bit of challenge.
What next for your business?
Conning Towers has developed a Diversity programme called The Mosaic Workforce which focuses on shared values that I’m currently looking to pilot.
For Engaged for Success, I’m working with a local college on a youth portal for young people aimed at enabling them to better understand who they are and the value that they have to offer.
Finally, I’ve started the work on my next book which in very simple terms looks at the combination of both the skills that we have and need for 21st century Britain.