"Having graduated from Edinburgh University with a law degree, I travelled for 8 months before starting my career in Consulting as part of the Accenture graduate scheme. I worked at Accenture for 10 years on large global business change projects. It was a steep learning curve but I loved it and was fortunate enough to work with amazing clients across different industries and countries learning how to manage large scale projects, deal with complexity and provide clarity from ambiguity. I ultimately left consulting and moved to AstraZeneca where i have been since 2015. I have done a variety of roles across different therapeutic areas and been fortunate enough to have the opportunity live in the UK, Switzerland and the US. I currently have the privilege of being Head of Business Planning, Operations and Transformation for our Oncology and Hematology Business unit. This requires juggling many priorities, leading a team of 19 people and acting as a chief of staff – I love the mental Jenga I deal with every day and love that no one day is ever the same!
My advice for current pupils:
- Be comfortable with being uncomfortable – that is where you learn and grow. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Just be curious, be brave, and be dependable. The rest builds from there.
- The perfect plan doesn’t exist and learning to be agile and adaptable is an important skill. The key isn’t about having the perfect plan, it is about taking action, learning quickly and adjusting.
- Build your network, find the people you can trust and treat your reputation as the strongest currency you have."
Finally, the career journey I have had over the last 20 years isn’t the one I pictured at 18 when I left school, but I have loved it! I took opportunities, worked hard, stayed curious, and said yes to growth. You don’t need a perfect map — you just need the courage to take the next step."
"After earning my degree in Mechanical Engineering, I decided to change my plans based on a passion for a career filled with daily challenges. This led me to the exciting world of teaching! I opted to teach mathematics rather than physics because of my love for the subject and the incredible math teachers who inspired me particularly during my Advanced Higher studies.
My teaching journey in Scotland took me from Kirriemuir to Stirling to Kinross and then across the world to the beautiful NLCS Jeju in South Korea, where I taught for 3 years. Following my time in Jeju, last year I moved to Singapore to join Nexus International School where I teach maths along side participating in orchestras, choirs and stage managing the secondary production!
If I could share a couple of pieces of advice, they would be: first, embrace changes in your career plans to pursue what you truly love and inspire others along the way. Second, never abandon the passions you discover in school. My love for music and drama inspired by many a Carol Concert, Speech Day and School Production has remained strong both in work and out.
Whilst it was not my original career plan when I left St Margaret’s, teaching abroad has not only enriched my career but also allowed me to travel and make an impact across the world!"
"My Career Journey: From Intern to CEO to Coach
I’d say my career journey has been centred on social impact and service, starting as a non-profit intern, growing into leadership roles, and now, as an executive coach. After graduating from university, I dove into the non-profit world, driven to make a difference. I worked with incredible charities in the UK and Kenya, from supporting people with disabilities and veterans, to leading conservation efforts in the Maasai Mara. These years taught me the power of a strong support system, authenticity and the impact of empowering others.
As I moved beyond fundraising and comms, eventually to CEO of Kenya Wildlife Trust, I learned that leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about listening, lifting others up and having the courage to take risks. Raising funds, building teams, and navigating complex challenges showed me that even in the toughest moments, there’s always a way forward if you stay true to your values. Working with an exec coach in those years taught me so much about myself and how I lead.
Now, as a coach myself, I bring all these lessons to my work - helping leaders, especially women, step into their power and change the system, defining success on their own terms. I feel both excited and hopeful that you are all stepping into a world that is changing for the better - we are more awake than ever, we are more aware of what is broken, and we are more committed to showing up and being the change the world needs.
Two Pieces of Advice
Your journey is yours alone: I started as an intern, unsure of where my path would lead. Every role - whether in communications, fundraising, or leading an organisation - taught me something new. Don’t be afraid to take the first step, even if the path isn’t clear. Your experiences will shape you in ways you can’t yet imagine. Beyond this, don’t let pressures or expectations shape who you are - my parents are both doctors and could see very early on that I was rubbish at science (despite the best efforts of Dr Purves, Mrs Snape and Mrs Millar), and allowed me the space to figure out what I wanted to do, where I wanted to fit. I am eternally grateful they never pushed me into a world that may have destroyed my soul!
Find your people: Surround yourself with those who inspire you, challenge you and believe in you. Mentors, friends, and even those you mentor will help you rise.
You are the leaders, changemakers and voices of tomorrow. Start where you are, use what you have, and trust that you are enough."
After school, Angela studied BA (Hons) in Chinese Studies at Durham University before completing her MA in History of Chinese Art and Archaeology at SOAS University of London. She began her professional journey in the art market and joined Sotheby’s in London in 2011. At Sotheby’s, she rose through the ranks to lead the Chinese Works of Art Department, eventually relocating to New York in 2015 to head that department for the Americas and Europe. Angela is now Senior Vice President and Head of Department for Chinese Works of Art, Americas and Europe. Angela also speaks French and Mandarin.
"My words of advice are: be brave.
There is a world of possibility out there. When I was 17/18 and making university decisions, none of the classic careers that my peers were considering (doctor, architect, lawyer etc…) spoke to me. I had never been to China but had become fascinated by Chinese modern politics and 20th century history and thought maybe a career somehow involving China was what I wanted to pursue. I realised that for that to work, I needed to master the language. Learning Mandarin then exposed me to China itself, its literature and art.
And I’ve never looked back.
It’s been an incredibly enriching career that marries my personal passions with a paid salary. It is not easy and it look a lot of very hard work particularly in the early years to get promoted up (I initially started at Bonhams) and then poached by Sothebys and then relocated to New York, which I now call home with Yorkshire husband and my two young ‘American’ daughters."
"My Career Journey: Bridging the Gap with Data & AI
Since graduating with a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science, my career has been driven by a fascination with how data can solve real-world problems. I began as a Business Intelligence Consultant, a role that allowed me to act as the vital bridge between "business folks" and "technical folks." My job was to ensure these two worlds spoke the same language so that technology could actually serve Shell's energy transition strategies and goals.
Over the past four years, my role has evolved from technical delivery to strategic leadership. I’ve had the opportunity to lead Top-tier projects and was eventually selected to join the Enterprise Master Data Management team. There, I tackle large-scale business problems using Data and AI, managing complex programs that shape data management across all parts of the organisation. Alongside my day-to-day work, I make it a priority to "lift as I climb" by mentoring interns and graduates, and providing high-level reporting for senior management to help them navigate the future.
My Advice: Own Your Journey and Your Power
The professional world is rarely a straight line. In my four years since leaving university, I’ve experienced significant "ups and downs." There will be times when you are celebrated and recognised for every ounce of effort you put in, and there will be times when your hard work seems to go under the radar.
My piece of insight for you is this: Your value is not determined by a single performance review or a moment of recognition. What truly matters is that you always believe and trust in yourself. You possess an internal power and a will that can carry you through any challenge. If you can wish for it, and you have the drive to work for it, you can achieve it. Don't wait for someone else to give you permission to be great, own your skills, trust your intuition, and keep pushing forward. You'll make it!!!"