Ruth Penfold is a former Chief People Officer turned leadership coach and speaker, on a mission to close the Authenticity Gap—the space between who we are and who we feel we need to be to succeed at work. Drawing on her leadership experience at companies like Shazam, Onfido, and bp Launchpad, Ruth now helps individuals and organisations build cultures that celebrate individuality over conformity. She is the founder and creator of the Bloom Method, a framework designed to help people lead with authenticity, courage, and self-trust.

What are your best memories of BGS?

My best memories of BGS are of time spent with other students—laughing, getting up to goodness knows what—and the quiet sense that we were growing into ourselves. It was a place where I first began to realise that I might do things a little differently. I remember Lisa Hutton, my English teacher, who encouraged me to find my voice and showed me the power of authentic storytelling, even with a mind as wild as mine can be. Honestly, that was a seed that’s grown into much of the work I do today.

What did you get up to after BGS?

After school, I followed a winding path through recruitment, startups, and leadership—eventually finding my purpose in helping leaders (especially women) lead with more courage and authenticity. I now work as a leadership coach and facilitator, and I’m the founder of Bloom, a methodology that helps people create workplaces where we all get to thrive. I also run a programme called Women Who Lead, supporting women through the seasons of their careers using cyclical wisdom.

What brought you to the USA?

I moved to the US for love initially, but stayed for the energy, ambition, and deep sense of possibility that exists here. New York is currently home. Career highlights have taken many forms—from becoming a Chief People Officer, to training as a yoga teacher, to now getting to do the work I love as a leadership coach. I’d also include launching my podcast Women Who Lead, delivering talks around the world, and witnessing the incredible humans I’ve coached step into their full power.

What’s next?

Continuing to grow Bloom, writing more, recording more content—and maybe, finally, starting that book. I’m motivated by the belief that when women rise, we all rise.

How do you relax?

I relax by exploring new places, maintaining a daily yoga, movement and breathwork practice, and making as much time as possible to simply be.

My advice to my younger self?

You don’t have to shrink to belong—you are here to take up space, exactly as you are. And that goes for you too, dear reader.