Samantha Carnley & Stephanie Ogunjimi – September 2025
news published date 2 October 2025We are delighted to nominate Sam Carnley and Steph Ogunjimi jointly as Volunteers of the Month in recognition of their outstanding contribution to WIBF’s Mentoring Programme.
Sam and Steph have been integral to the mentoring team, working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the programme running smoothly while also supporting Gwen Faure with the implementation of our new mentoring platform. This project was critical in enabling us to scale and improve the programme, and their dedication ensured its success.
From managing conversations with members, interrogating data, and coordinating communications. In addition, they have been instrumental in securing speakers and specialists for events. Sam and Steph have shown calm, organised, and collaborative leadership throughout. Their commitment, attention to detail, and willingness to step in wherever needed has been invaluable to the project and both the wider mentoring community and the Birmingham Regional branch.
Thanks to their hard work and professionalism, our mentoring programme is stronger, more efficient, and well-positioned for future growth.
As WIBF volunteers, what isn’t always seen is the multi dimensional alignment of roles. Sam and Steph are always joining the dots between mentoring programme and regional activities.
Ras Gohil, Co-head, Mentoring for London said – Sam and Steph are the kind of volunteers who don’t just tick boxes, they genuinely transform the mentoring experience for everyone involved in the WIBF Mentoring Team. Their dedication goes far beyond what is expected, creating a supportive community where members feel valued, connected, and empowered to grow.
As National Head of Mentoring and a member of the Birmingham Management Board, Sam has brought real vision and energy to the mentoring programme. She doesn’t just oversee things from a distance; she is genuinely invested in making sure every member gets the support they need to thrive. Sam has this brilliant ability to see the bigger picture whilst never losing sight of the individual people she is helping. Her leadership has turned mentoring into something truly special within our organisation. She has also been instrumental in initiating the mentoring platform, thereby allowing mentors and mentees to communicate independently and confidently.
Steph’s work behind the scenes is absolutely vital to the programme’s success. Matching mentors with mentees isn’t just about ticking off names on a list, it requires real insight into what people need and who they will connect with. Steph has a natural talent for this, and her careful approach means that relationships have the best possible chance of making a real difference. She also takes the time to manage feedback responses, constantly looking at how things can be improved. As a Birmingham Management Board member, she brings this same thoughtful approach to everything she does.
What makes Sam and Steph particularly deserving of this recognition is how they work together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. They have built a mentoring community that genuinely impacts lives and careers. Their commitment, warmth, dedication, professionalism and genuine care for their fellow members make them thoroughly deserving of the Volunteer of the Month award.