LEADERBOARD
LeaderBoard Graduation
Celebrating an incredible milestone at the Sporting Equals Awards 2026 as two full years of LeaderBoard alumni officially graduate. We are proud to recognise both our 2024/25 and 2025/26 cohorts, whose dedication, growth, and commitment to leadership have made this moment truly special.
Over the past two years, these talented individuals have developed their skills, built lasting connections, and stepped into spaces where their voices and impact matter. From personal breakthroughs to professional achievements, each graduate has played a vital role in shaping a powerful and inspiring community.
The Sporting Equals Awards provided the perfect stage to honour their journeys—bringing together changemakers, role models, and future leaders who continue to push boundaries across sport and beyond. Seeing two cohorts stand side by side is a testament to the strength and sustainability of the LeaderBoard programme.
To our graduates: your journeys don’t end here. This is just the beginning of the impact you will continue to make in your organisations, communities, and industries.
Congratulations to our 2024/25 and 2025/26 LeaderBoard alumni—you’ve set the standard and inspired what comes next.
We are delighted to announce applications are now open for our 2026/27 LeaderBoard England cohort, to register click here.
Alumni Highlights
Oriana Chirinos
Oriana joined the LeaderBoard programme to overcome challenges she faced as a minority progressing in sport. The programme exceeded her expectations, offering a supportive environment with relatable peers and inspiring leaders. Workshops strengthened her understanding of governance and showed how her skills could contribute at Board level. As a result, her confidence grew significantly, leading her to apply for governance roles and secure a position as a Non‑Executive Director at Sporting Equals. Oriana credits LeaderBoard as a turning point in her leadership journey, highlighting its role in empowering diverse talent to access senior positions and drive a more inclusive sporting sector.
Danny Williams
Danny Williams joined the LeaderBoard programme as a senior leader looking for an environment that valued both his professional background and personal perspective. While experienced in safeguarding and leadership, he had often felt isolated as one of few ethnically diverse voices in the room. The programme provided a supportive and empowering space where shared experiences were understood and ambition encouraged. Through meaningful discussions and peer connections, Danny gained renewed confidence and clarity in his leadership path. This motivated him to pursue governance opportunities, leading to his appointment as a Non‑Executive Director at Basketball England, while reinforcing the importance of diverse leaders shaping the future of sport.
Umar Ahmed
Umar Ahmed joined the Sporting Equals LeaderBoard programme at a key stage in his career, ready to step towards Board-level roles but seeking greater insight and confidence. The programme offered valuable understanding of governance and a supportive cohort of peers on similar journeys, helping to normalise shared challenges and make progression feel achievable. Hearing directly from Board members deepened his awareness of responsibilities and expectations. Through reflection, Umar recognised the value of his professional expertise, equality work, and lived experience in governance settings. He completed the programme feeling more confident, informed, and prepared to contribute effectively within Board environments.
