Julie Nerney inspired participants at CEO Sleepout London 2023 as keynote speaker and someone with lived experience of homelessness.

She inspired the 120 people who gathered at Lord's Cricket Ground with the story of her early years, which her own very personal experience of homelessness.

Julie shows that it's possible to thrive after homelessness. She is an "accidental" serial entrepreneur who focuses on authentic, human and purposeful leadership. Julie has taken no less than 14 businesses from start-up to sold, and is a sought-after business transformation expert. This includes a leadership role in the delivery of the transport operation for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"I wake up every day feeling fortunate to have lived a fulfilling and varied life, full of people I care about, and doing things that bring me joy every day – whether they be large or small. Every evening before I go to sleep I take a moment to reflect on the things I am grateful for and the things that I appreciate about myself. The former is much harder to do than the latter! But I do this because it keeps me grounded in the things that really matter in life, and keeps me connected to my journey through it.

That journey has seen me overcome many obstacles, including periods of homelessness as a teenager. I used to hide this away, avoiding the shame that I associated with those experiences. Only as I have got older, have I realised that sharing the things that make us feel vulnerable has real power. The power of permission for others to do the same. And the power it gives to me to ensure I move away from the shame I used to feel.

Ultimately, the more we do this, the better chance we have to address the unwarranted stigma around homelessness, which is often a situation wholly out of an individual’s control. Those people sleeping on the streets aren’t there by choice, and many had lives just like each of us, and we shouldn’t ever forget that."

Thank you, Julie for being such a passionate advocate and leading with purpose.

 

To learn more about Julie Nerney, visit her website.