The Purpose Lab: Empowering Future Leaders to Shape a Better Business World
Lisa’s story resonated with our student ambassadors, who gained a unique perspective on navigating career challenges and embracing their individual paths.
At the Purpose Coalition, we are driven by a commitment to foster a generation of business leaders equipped with the skills, perspectives, and social awareness needed to tackle today’s complex challenges.
The Purpose Lab, from the Purpose Coalition is harnessing the potential of students from universities and colleges by giving them real world work experience in shaping responsible business strategies and social impact initiatives for some of the UK's largest businesses. Notably, the Student Ambassador role is a paid position, ensuring that students' insights and contributions are valued.
The Purpose Lab partners students from universities and colleges, and over the coming weeks colleges, with some of the UK’s leading organisations. It offers real-world experience that bridges the gap between academic studies and industry practices. With access to these diverse perspectives, our business members gain fresh, innovative solutions to pressing social and business challenges. This collaboration is crucial not only in empowering students but in helping businesses build socially conscious, inclusive, and forward-thinking strategies.
Rt Hon Justine Greening, Chair of the Purpose Coalition, said
“The Purpose Lab provides a unique way for students to bring their lived experiences to the table, allowing businesses to see the issues they face in new ways. This initiative ensures that these young people can actively shape the solutions we need.”
Nick Forbes CBE, Chair of the Purpose Coalition's Breaking Down Barriers Commission said:
“Our society’s most pressing issues are often best understood by those closest to them,” he said. “The Purpose Lab’s approach of engaging students in business strategy is a groundbreaking way to harness their insights, shaping a more diverse and dynamic future workforce.”
This Purpose Lab session welcomed Lisa Dolan, Regional VP of Employee Experience UKISSA at Teleperformance, a global digital business services company that provides customer care, technical support, and other specialised services to some of the world’s leading brands, whose personal and professional journey provided a powerful example of resilience and achievement.
Reflecting on her own experiences, Lisa shared:
“It’s not until you look back on your journey that you appreciate how each challenge, each role, and each success has built you up. Starting as a call centre agent to now serving as a VP, I want students to know that there are endless possibilities if they remain determined and open to change.”
Lisa’s story resonated with our student ambassadors, who gained a unique perspective on navigating career challenges and embracing their individual paths. Her encouragement to embrace every experience, overcome obstacles, and stay curious about the future offers invaluable guidance for young people at the start of their careers.
By collaborating with Purpose Lab, organisations not only empower future leaders but also gain fresh ideas, new perspectives, and innovative solutions that help them to stay relevant and socially conscious.
Lisa Dolan said:
“Engaging with Purpose Lab is a chance to help students realise their potential while sparking change in our own organisations. Their ideas and insights are not only inspiring but vital to the future of responsible business.”
