leadership

In this blog post, Rosalie Kerr—Rank’s 2025 Time to Shine Leader and Alumni Development Officer—reflects on her first steps in the programme, the challenges and opportunities she’s encountered so far, and what she’s looking forward to in the year ahead.

I’ve always had an interest in the third sector, probably because so many people around me—family, friends—work in roles connected to it. It’s always felt like a natural path to follow, but I wasn’t entirely sure how I’d get there. 

I graduated in July 2024 with a degree in International History and Politics from Leeds, and like most students, I had that post-university moment of uncertainty. The stats around graduate employment, especially in the sector you actually want to work in, aren’t always reassuring. I had my time unemployed, figuring out my next steps, but then I came across The Rank Foundation’s Time to Shine programme.

The Alumni Development Officer role stood out—it was a great fit for my interests, and the fact that it included structured training alongside the job made it even more appealing. I interviewed, and the next day, I got the offer. I was very pleased, not just because I’d secured a job in my preferred sector, but because it was one where I could actually develop and grow. 

Starting the role, it was clear that Time to Shine (T2S) is more than just about the job itself—it’s designed to give you the chance to learn on the job while developing professionally. That was reinforced straight away at the two-day residential conference at The Royal Foundation of St Katharine. This was a great chance to meet the other T2S leaders, get familiar with the Rank team, and get a feel for the programme. The sessions were engaging, and the icebreakers helped break down any initial awkwardness, making it easier to settle in. 

A standout moment was Jen McKay’s Growth Mindset session. It was one of those sessions that stuck with me—not just about leadership in theory but about how we actually approach challenges. We did an activity where each group had to sing Happy Birthday in different languages (ours did Welsh), but the twist was that there was a saboteur in each group who had been secretly told to act like they couldn’t do it (a fixed mindset). Our saboteur, Elijah, played the role convincingly, saying he wasn’t up for it. But as a group, we managed to encourage him to join in, and we ended up giving a solid (may I add, winning) performance. It was one of those silly but memorable moments that actually summed up something bigger—the importance of encouraging people and working as a team, which is something that really matters in the third sector. 

Another session that stood out was Four Seasons Work Preference Profiling, where we explored different communication and work styles. I found out I’m a “Summer”, which means I tend to be proactive, ambitious, and focused on getting things done. My line manager, Sonia, is a “Winter”, which is the opposite—more calm, measured, and reflective. I wasn’t sure how much this would come into play day-to-day, but it has turned out to be a really helpful way to understand how we work best together and set the tone for a strong working relationship. This focus on self-awareness and collaboration is something that really stands out at The Rank Foundation—since starting in the Shoreditch office, the team has been incredibly welcoming, and the environment is supportive and easy to settle into. Having two former T2S leaders in the office has also been a great bonus, as they’ve shared valuable insights from their own experiences, giving me a better sense of what to expect from the year ahead. 

I’m now about to take part in my first Action Learning Set (ALS), which is a regular session where we reflect on our work, discuss challenges, and offer each other advice throughout the year. From what I can see, it’s a good way to problem-solve and get perspective from people who aren’t directly involved in your work. Since I’m still finding my feet in my role, I think having that space to talk things through will be really useful. 

The year ahead looks busy, with regular Action Learning Sets, the Halfway Conference in Bristol, and, of course, the Annual Rank Conference in Leeds. I’m looking forward to getting more involved in my role, understanding where I can make an impact, and seeing how my work develops over the year. The first month has been a mix of learning, settling in, and meeting new people—now it’s time to get properly stuck in. 

If there’s one thing I’ve already taken from this experience, it’s that Time to Shine isn’t just about gaining work experience—it’s about building confidence, developing leadership skills, and figuring out how you can contribute in a meaningful way. I’m looking forward to the challenges and experiences ahead, and I can’t wait to see where this year takes me. 

In this blog post, Nhung Phung, Rank’s 2024 Time to Shine Leader, reflects on her transformative journey throughout the Time to Shine programme.

Almost a year ago, I embarked on an incredible journey as a Time to Shine Leader with The Rank Foundation, stepping into the role of Communications & Impact Officer.

Back then, I could never have imagined how much this experience would transform me, not just professionally, but personally too. Today, as this chapter comes to a close, I’m filled with gratitude and pride. I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey, the growth, and the lessons I’ll carry forward. 

If you’ve read my first blog post, you’ll remember I wrote about my apprehensions and self-doubt. At the time, I felt unsure of myself, overwhelmed by the challenges ahead, and unsure if I belonged in a space filled with such accomplished leaders. Looking back now, I stand as a much more confident and capable version of myself, enriched by the incredible opportunities I have been given to try, learn, and thrive in ways I never thought possible.

Through my role, I’ve had the opportunity to actively contribute to Rank’s external and internal communications: producing communications & marketing materials, managing communications platforms, supporting communications for the Fellowship, and marketing and event organisation for our coworking space—Rank’s first social enterprise. These experiences pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me develop a multidisciplinary skill set.

One of the proudest moments for me was stepping onto the stage at Rank’s Annual Conference in Manchester, doing the showcase alongside my Time to Shine team to over 300 guests. A year ago, public speaking seemed far beyond my reach, but thanks to the support and learning sessions, like the one led by Jen Mackay during the Review Conference, I found the courage to face this challenge.

But perhaps the most profound lesson I’ve learned is about leadership itself. Before this programme, I never thought of myself as a leader. I was timid, and thought leadership meant having followers or wielding authority. Rank showed me otherwise.

For me, leadership is about leading by example: staying true to your values, uplifting others, and embracing humility. This journey allowed me to reflect on my roots and the example I hope to set. Coming from a small, mountainous area in Northern Vietnam, I was the first in my family to pursue higher education. I dreamt of becoming a communications practitioner in the social sector, working for social impact organisations as inspiring as Rank. Today, I see how my journey has (somehow unknowingly) inspired others, especially young Vietnamese girls, to dream big and pursue the seemingly impossible.

Although the Time to Shine programme has come to an end, my journey with Rank continues. I’m ready to embrace new opportunities, challenges, and moments of growth. This is not an end—it’s a new beginning.

I want to say thank you, to The Rank Foundation for believing in me, to my incredible line-manager, colleagues, facilitators, and my fellow Time to Shine cohort for walking this journey with me. And thank you to my younger self for daring to dream and never giving up.

To anyone reading this, especially those wondering if they’re capable of something bigger: Dream big. You might surprise yourself.