Suzanne Rosa is an internationally accredited coach, facilitator, and social impact practitioner. With a Master’s Degree in Pro-Social Behaviour and Leadership, she works at the intersection of behaviour, creativity, and ethics. Suzanne is the founder of The Rosa Centre in Kenya, a charity that supports women, youth, and community leadership. She is also known for her dynamic interviews with thought leaders such as Amal Clooney and her ability to create transformative spaces that reconnect people to fairness, clarity, and purpose.
What sparked your journey as a coach/entrepreneur? Was there a moment, challenge, or person that pushed you to take this path?
My journey was sparked by wanting for others their sense of liberation. I saw too many people stuck in old paradigms—talented, intuitive people playing small or playing safe, unsure how to move through change without losing themselves. There wasn’t one lightning bolt moment; it was more like a slow burn—the kind of knowing that won’t let you sleep. Over time, I realized I had a gift for naming the unsaid, guiding people through complexity, and helping them reimagine the way they show up. That gift turned into a responsibility—and that responsibility became the work I do today. One person who helped me deeply was my mentor, Fran Berry. She lifted me up in ways that will play out positively for the rest of my life.
Tell us a bit about what you do! What’s the purpose behind your business, and how does it make a difference in people’s lives?
I work at the intersection of behaviour, creativity, and social impact. Through coaching, facilitation, and curatorial design, I help people unhook from outdated scripts and step into more authentic, imaginative ways of making ethical decisions. My purpose is to create spaces where people can hear themselves again—and each other. Beyond the noise, the pressure, the performance. The work I do shifts perspectives, unlocks creative capacity, and most importantly, reconnects people to fairness. It’s not about creating hype—it’s about being truly human.
Thinking back to the start of your career, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced in establishing yourself as a coach/entrepreneur? How did you work through them?
One of the biggest challenges was navigating invisibility—building something meaningful in a world that often rewards surface over substance. Early on, I had to learn how to speak clearly about my work without diluting it, how to claim space without posturing, and how to be visible without selling my soul. I worked through this by building deep trust in my voice, surrounding myself with people who could challenge me with love, and choosing consistency over applause. Integrity was—and still is—the compass.
Is there a milestone or achievement you’re really proud of that you’d like to share?
Securing a permanent home for The Rosa Centre, my charity in Kenya, was a powerful milestone. It’s not just a space—it’s a container for hope, connection, and dignity. Seeing the women we support grow their businesses, the children we mentor stand taller, and the young men find their footing—that’s life work. That’s the kind of achievement that rewires the soul and helps others contribute to something greater than themselves.
Another is interviewing Amal Clooney live, across a global audience. Her presence and authenticity were astounding. Speaking about social justice and political issues was a career highlight for me.
Finally, completing my research Master’s Degree in Pro-Social Behaviour and Leadership. I really didn’t know if I had the staying power to finish it, and it was a huge stretch for me—something that has given me incredible knowledge and the ability to make change in the places that need us to pay attention the most. Helping people act beyond themselves for the greater good.
Women are making big moves in workplaces around the world, leading alongside their male counterparts. What are your thoughts on women in leadership today?
Women in leadership today are not just stepping up—they’re stepping in with presence, depth, and a new kind of instinct. They’re not fighting for a louder voice in an old song; they’re changing the melody altogether. But this isn’t about women replacing men—it’s about rising together, with mutual respect and shared responsibility. I don’t want a place where we play tit for tat. We need to reshape fairness and equity altogether. All of us are affected by the system we call patriarchy.
True leadership isn’t gendered—it’s grounded in experience and difference. And when any person leads side by side, not in competition but in co-creation, we unlock something far more transformative. We move from dominance to dialogue, from ego to ecosystem. That’s the future I believe in—and the future I work for every day.
What advice would you give to future women leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs?
Don’t wait for permission. Don’t shrink to fit someone else’s vision. Start before you’re ready, but root yourself deeply. Build inner scaffolding before chasing outer success. Embrace the feminine and masculine traits. I hope that the nurturing aspect of leadership comes through with more women involved in the world’s decisions. But that will take some practice and fortitude, as we must trust that the path will rise to meet us when we walk it fully as ourselves. Be who you want to see others have the chance to feel inspired by.
Volunteer and contribute. Get on the ground. Help others even if you’re not being paid. Live your work, regardless of the money. Live your values and live in the world as authentically as possible.
Please insert website or social media links (if any):
www.suzannerosa.com
LinkedIn – Suzanne Rosa
