Have you ever felt paralyzed by a goal that feels too big? Whether you’re staring down a thesis, a career move, or a project to change your community, the hardest part isn't the work—it's the start.

In this episode, we’re moving past the "grindset" talk to look at how successful leaders actually get things moving.

Guests:

Al-Karim Khimji is Co-Founder and CEO of a fintech platform Propra. With over 20 years of experience across real estate, fintech, management consulting, and institutional development, he brings deep expertise in strategy, operations, and asset management. Proud Award holder, Al-Karim is now the Foundation’s Trustee.

Jordan Jans is a founder of Karsa, a youth-led initiative providing free health access for underserved communities in Indonesia. A Gold Award Holder and International Youth Representative, he is passionate about helping young people turn purpose into action. He is currently studying International Relations while continuing to scale youth-driven community impact.

Hosted by: Oksana Dobrovolska, Communications Officer at the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation

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What happens when you give 1.2 million young people the power to lead their own development? In this pilot episode recorded in Lagos, we unlock the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. Moving beyond the 'hiking' stereotype, we discuss how the Award's framework fosters essential, transferable life skills—from machine learning in Nigeria to marine conservation in Bermuda. Discover how non-formal education is shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

Guests:

Brianna Simmons, International Youth Representative (2022–2025 cohort) from Bermuda.
Graduated from Roger Williams University with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Marine Biology and Sustainability, Brianna now works as Marine Mammal Specialist at Dolphin Quest Bermuda.
Brianna grew up around water and loved everything about the ocean and its 
creatures, and for her Silver level of the Award, she sailed on a tall ship to conduct research on microplastics found in the ocean.

Emerald Akhaumere, International Youth Representative (2025–2028 cohort) from Nigeria.
Emerald is a trailblazing Nigerian Machine Learning Engineer, educator, and proud holder of both the Gold and Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards.
Raised in a community where girls were often discouraged from entering tech, she is now the founder of AfroTechXcel—an initiative that has already empowered over 650 young women across Africa with AI and digital skills

Hosted by: Oksana Dobrovolska, Communications Officer at the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation

We continue the conversation about their Award journeys and talk about their experience with the Award sections: Volunteering, Physical Recreation, Skills, and Adventurous Journey.

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What happens when you give 1.2 million young people the power to lead their own development? In this pilot episode recorded in Lagos, we unlock the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. Recorded in Lagos during the International Gold Event and Forum, the pilot episode goes beyond the 'hiking' stereotype, exploring how the Award's framework fosters essential, transferable life skills — from machine learning in Nigeria to marine conservation in Bermuda. Discover how non-formal education is shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

Guests:

• Brianna Simmons, International Youth Representative (2022–2025 cohort) from Bermuda.
  Graduated from Roger Williams University with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Marine Biology and Sustainability, Brianna now works as Marine Mammal Specialist at Dolphin Quest Bermuda.
  Brianna grew up around water and loved everything about the ocean and its 
  creatures, and for her Silver level of the Award, she sailed on a tall ship to conduct research on microplastics found in the ocean.
• Emerald Akhaumere, International Youth Representative (2025–2028 cohort) from Nigeria.
  Emerald is a trailblazing Nigerian Machine Learning Engineer, educator, and proud holder of both the Gold and Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards.
  Raised in a community where girls were often discouraged from entering tech, she is now the founder of AfroTechXcel—an initiative that has already empowered over 650 young women across Africa with AI and digital skills
• Martin Houghton-Brown, Secretary General of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation and a proud holder of Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.

Hosted by: Oksana Dobrovolska, Communications Officer at the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation

Together, we reflect on their Award journeys and how following personal passions, such as aviation, tech, marine life protection, and music, shaped their experiences within the framework, increased confidence, improved wellbeing, helped find career paths, and strengthened connections with their communities. We discuss the International Youth Representative roles: how they were established and why they are essential for shaping the Award’s future. We also explore the relevance of the Award in a rapidly changing digital world.

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Find us on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts