From Surviving to Thriving: Leading in Uncertain Times (Bolton)

A communications and engagement specialist with strong operational management experience over 20 years, with senior roles held in private and public sectors. In her early career, Carol was marketing manager for Antler Luggage, Sharp Electronics and St Helens Chamber of Commerce, Training and Enterprise.

Carol went on to support market-led transformational change in companies, including BBC (capital investment projects at Mediacity UK and BBC Scotland, Creative Futures and the transformation of BBC People), Royal London Insurance, Littlewoods Shop Direct Group and Airtours Holidays.

As a consultant, she designed and organised management conferences for corporates including Nationwide Building Society and has led thought leadership conferences for businesses at Greater Manchester Business School on The Future of Work, The Role of Culture and the upcoming Sustainability conference. She coordinates the Greater Manchester Business School Industry Advisory Board.

Alastair is the Founder of EZHR, a HR subscription solution for SMEs that wants to lower barrier of entry to really good advice.

Prior to that he spent 15 years’ working in house for various Blue Chip FMCG and manufacturing businesses along with a number of global BPO organisations. His work was across various areas of specialism including employee relations, organisational change, development, TUPE, and business sale.

Additionally, he hosts The Alternative Business Review. A podcast for early-stage founders that offers an alternative take on what it’s really like founding and growing a business.

Litsa Smith is the founder of Work With Litsa and an IoL Accredited Leadership Coach, with over twenty years of operational leadership experience in fast-moving organisations including L’Oréal, The Hut Group, Tesco, Warner Bros and Universal. She spent seven years at THG reporting directly to the founders and was Head of Supply Chain at L’Oréal, leading large teams through periods of significant change and growth.

Today she works with senior leaders and organisations across the public, private and third sectors, combining that hands-on corporate experience with formal coaching training to help people lead with more clarity and confidence when things feel uncertain. Alongside 1:1 leadership coaching, she runs DiSC workshops for teams who want to understand each other better and communicate and collaborate more effectively. She’s particularly drawn to working with leaders who are stepping up into bigger roles, navigating change, or trying to find their footing while everything around them keeps shifting.

Litsa is based in Greater Manchester and brings a grounded, straight-talking approach shaped by having been there herself – leading teams through scaling businesses, restructures and the kind of pressure that tests how people actually lead.

As the Founder & Director of Boo Coaching & Consulting, I lead a multi-award-winning coaching and learning consultancy with a global vision. My work is centered around empowering leaders, transforming workplace cultures, and embedding coaching at the heart of organizations.

With a background as a mental health nurse and a deep commitment to wellbeing, social impact, and good employment, I have spent my career designing and delivering practical, high-impact coaching strategies that have changed the way individuals and businesses thrive.

What I Do Best

✔ Coaching Development & Leadership – I design and deliver cutting-edge CPD, qualifications, and coaching supervision that elevate coaching professionals and leaders.
✔ Wellbeing & Culture Transformation – I champion happier, healthier workplaces by embedding coaching mindsets, wellbeing strategies, and inclusive leadership practices.
✔ Social Impact & Good Employment – I’m an advocate for Living Wage, social value, and ethical leadership, ensuring businesses contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Sonya is originally from Largo, Florida, and is a graduate of Largo High School. She holds an MBA in International Business from Madrid, Spain, a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from London, England, and an Associate of Science Degree in Fashion Merchandising. Before returning to Florida, she was based in New York City, where she worked as an International Working Director at Ralph Lauren, travelling extensively to destinations including Hong Kong, Barcelona, Tunisia, Istanbul, Copenhagen, Paris, and London.

Throughout her career, Sonya has combined business, education, and leadership. She is a Professor of Fashion and Business and has taught at LIM College and Berkeley College in New York City while working with students’ education charities in Florida and New York. In October 2023, she began teaching at her alma mater, Schiller International University in Heidelberg, Germany. She is also an inspirational and motivational speaker, having served as an official Youth Speaker for Pinellas County Schools and delivered keynote addresses at the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce International Women’s Day event and Schiller International University’s 2023 graduation ceremony.

Alongside her academic and speaking work, Sonya is a fashion expert in the Tampa Bay area, appearing on local television and serving as a professional judge for international beauty pageants. She has also appeared in commercials, cable television movies, and streaming television shows. In 2025, she was selected for GEDU’s Executive Leadership Programme, relocating to Leeds, UK, to partner with C-suite leaders and Brand CEOs on strategic initiatives in corporate relations and global business leadership.