How my journey began

I want to share a little about my story which has taken me on a transformational journey and one thing I am really grateful for being a magical hybrid that from an early age was aware of the need to reduce inequality by giving a voice to those who where not being heard or seen beyond their labels.

As an Anglo/ Mexican brought up in Mexico, and constantly being exposed to my British roots, made me become more curious and open-minded about certain ideas and beliefs, especially when it came to respecting and embracing the diversity of thoughts, culture, identity, interests, or values.

I want to share a brief story about me as a little 8-year-old girl saying to my parents I wanted to go to prison and ask prisoners why they did what they did, as I did not believe they woke up and simply decide to still or kill someone. You can imagine how at that point my parents thought I was a little different from other children since that moment onwards the curious explorer in me kept wanting to know more about others’ lives as well as to discover the world and get to know different people, cultures, and ways of living.

Then the storyteller in me discover photography as a way to make visible that which for many was invisible. Doing my Master in Image and Communication at the Goldsmith University of London, enable me to see all that I could do to transform the narrative by connecting different perspectives, inviting people to see different ways to increase inclusion and equity by inviting people into the conversation rather than speaking on their behalf.

After seeing the power of photography, the entrepreneur in me was born and I decided to set up my NGO Ojos que Sienten A.C and later a consultancy firm on inclusive leadership, narrative, and recruitment called Capaxia.

I have always enjoyed dancing to the rhythm of life and seeing people’s transformation so as I kept developing and an inclusive and authentic leader I realised there was another piece of the puzzle I wanted to influence, so I became a coach in order to work closely with individuals and groups to develop themselves and achieve their full potential know they can belong in a diverse world.

I am grateful for witnessing so many dreams which have come true, impacting the lives of thousands of people, transforming the way they live, think and act; moving from exclusion to inclusion.

By listening with curiosity and respect, I have been able to connect with others and get to empathise with their story getting to outsmart my biases and see people beyond their labels.

As well as a photographer I consider myself a dancer in life constantly learning to move at different rhythms embracing my vulnerability and trusting the unknown.

Today I am not asking you to change, I am asking you to transform the way you see diverse people.

Together we can create a world in which every human being gets to find their path getting to belong in a dignified way.

 

What People Are Saying

  • Paul Polman/Former CEO Unilever Net positive

    “Gina is an energising and passionate speaker who unselfishly puts herself to the service of others. Having heard her speak several times you cannot help but jump into action mode.”

  • John Dutton/ Head of UpLink World Economic Forum

    "Gina Badenoch is a skilled advisor and facilitator who marries creative energy with proven methodologies in the pursuit of strategic outcomes. Gina's contributions as a member of the Young Global Leader (YGL) Community and on the YGL Advisory Board, has led to important shifts in connecting and motivating members towards strategic impact outcomes. We brought sensory dinners in the dark and similarly adventurous workshops to the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos which where w success.

    Over this 6 year period of collaboration, Gina has constantly impressed me by seeking out new avenues for impact in the corporate and public-private sectors to influence through her innovative approaches."

  • Gabriela Herrerias/ Director of Diversity & Inclusion LATAM, Coca Cola México

    “Gina Badenoch, whom today I consider "My DE&I Guru" has been my consultant and coach and has strategically supported me in this journey of leading DE&Ifor Coca-Cola LATAM. Undoubtedly, her knowledge and mastery of the issues relatedto this agenda has allowed me to reach and manage relevant information such as trends, performance indicators, bias management. in teams among others.”

  • Mark Cheng, Executive Director at Chelwood Capital, European Director of Ashoka

    “I love hearing Gina tell her story. She is a powerful and passionate speaker who always inspires and moves her audience. Her personal journey is extraordinary, from teaching photography to blind people to becoming the voice of a global movement for inclusiveness. After hearing Gina’s story, audiences are truly left ‘seeing differently’ and with greater insight into how unconscious bias affects all of our thinking, and how it can be overcome. She is a champion for human potential and the idea that there are no barriers to what is possible.”

  • Rodrigo Teijeiro Young Global Leader Founder, CEO of RecargaPay

    " I was interviewed by Gina for the World Economic Forum, she had great mix of making it fun, smart questions with deep insights and at the same time making me feel at home conversing with some friends, loved the interview."

Awards

Young Global Leader
Ashoka Fellow
British Empire Medal
World Woman Hour 2022
CEMEFI commitment with others in Mexico