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Episode 9 - From Adversity to Advocacy : Leading the Free-From Revolution
Manage episode 498622710 series 3670282
What if the thing that once threatened your life became the foundation of your purpose?
Diagnosed with severe anaphylaxis at age two, Julianne Ponan MBE has spent her life navigating a world that isn’t built for people with allergies—and doing something extraordinary about it.
As the founder and CEO of Creative Nature, Julianne built one of the UK’s leading Top 14 allergen-free brands, securing listings in major supermarkets, exporting to 16 countries, and supplying seven international airlines. She’s a bold advocate and policy voice, influencing allergy awareness across schools, Parliament, and even airline catering.
In this episode, we explore:
- The moment she turned down a Dragons’ Den offer—and why
- The bias she faced when pitching for finance as a young woman of colour
- Her role as Export Policy Champion for the FSB and Non-Exec Director at GS1 UK
- Becoming Medic Alert’s first ambassador in 65 years
- Leading with courage, resilience, and impact
Whether you’re a business founder, policy changemaker, or someone passionate about inclusion, Julianne’s story will leave you inspired—and fired up to lead with purpose.
Connect with Julianne and follow Creative Nature on Instagram - @julianne.ponan and @creativenature
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✨ Produced by Mary Gregory Leadership Coaching
28 episodes
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