Trailblazers: Georgia Chimbani

As part of our Trailblazers: Women Transforming the Public Sector and Beyond series, we’re continuing to spotlight inspiring women whose leadership is shaping the future of public services and the communities they serve.

In this feature, we hear from Georgia Chimbani, Corporate Director for Health and Adult Social Care at the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. With a career rooted in social work and a deep commitment to social justice and equality, Georgia brings a powerful perspective on leadership in public service. She reflects on the milestones that have shaped her career, the importance of representation in senior roles, and the values that continue to motivate her work supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

What’s your proudest career achievement so far?
My proudest career achievement has been becoming a Director of Adult Social Services, a role that still allows me to be first and foremost a social worker while carrying significant responsibility for leadership and improving outcomes for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. I never set out to follow this path; it is inspiration from the many amazing women I met over the years that helped me to get here. 

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to women aspiring to leadership positions?
Don’t wait until you feel ready to put yourself forward, that will hold you back. Trust your experience, be confident and find people who can support you. 

How do you think having more women in senior leadership benefits public services and the communities they serve?
Public service organisations are complex with high expectations from those we serve and society as a whole. Women bring unique skills to public service such as value driven, collaborative and impactful leadership. Their presence highlights the importance of inclusion and representation at all levels and challenges outdated assumptions about spaces where women do not belong. 

What motivates you most about working in public service?
My work in public service is rooted in my African heritage. I was raised in a society with a strong sense of interconnectedness and collective responsibility. Ubuntu or Hunhu often summed up as “I am because we are.” These values of compassion, care for the community and responsibility shaped my upbringing and led me into a career in social work, social justice and equality and I have never looked back. No matter where in the world I am, the opportunity to serve, to stand alongside others, and to help improve dignity and outcomes for people and communities continues to give my life deep meaning and purpose. 

Who’s a woman that’s inspired you in your career – and why?
Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand. She demonstrated that compassion, warmth, collective responsibility, the things that as women we are told our weaknesses are actually strengths. She showed that you can be a partner, mother and still reach the pinnacle of your career. As women we are often told we must choose one or the other.  Her value based and courageous leadership was so impactful and demonstrated the power of authenticity and that doing things differently really does work.