Trainee solicitor Leanne explores her experiences on Tender’s Youth Board and Corporate Advisory Board (CAB).

This January marks two years as a Youth Board member and one year as a Corporate Advisory Board (CAB) member for Tender.

On the Youth Board, I work with other members to provide feedback on Tender’s courses, share experience and learn from tender’s workshops. As a CAB member, I focus more on the overarching goals and structure of Tender, using my experience in law to introduce connections and locate opportunities for external collaboration between Tender and aligned organisations.

I have been in a truly privileged position to have worked with Tender throughout multiple big events in my life. In these two years, I’ve moved to London, started a position at a global law firm and had opportunities of a lifetime through both CMS and Tender.

Navigating the beginning of my legal career, balancing studying for the SQE, rotating to fast paced finance teams, and balancing my passion for law and Tender’s work has been a test in planning, organisation and prioritisation. One thing that stands out with both, is the challenge and the feeling of accomplishment and pride when I can assist with any task, big or small.

My work with Tender and CMS have provided me with the skills to improve my work with both. Through my role as a Youth Board member, I have spoken on two panels on violence against women and girls and my reflections and experience of relationship education. I worked with the fundraising team to understand the system of grant applications, research and data collection. I attended two Tender Awards events to celebrate the accomplishments of inspiring organisations, schools and students, where I have met Tender Patron Olivia Colman. Tender also facilitated the pre-screening of Netflix’s Adolescence, where I met and spoke with Stephen Graham.

I have made inspiring, kind and incredibly intelligent friends through my fellow youth board members, such as Gaia, Ottilie, Isadora, Ryan, the incredible Tender staff, including, but not limited to Abby, Kim, Kate and Daisy, and all of the amazing CAB members. Thank you to Matthew Layton, Nina Goswami, Prikash Kakkad, Teirnan Brady, Lynette Williams and the rest of the amazing CAB for sharing your experiences and opportunities with Tender and for teaching me so much about leveraging our networks and experience for positive impact.

I have also been in an amazing position, of which I’m very grateful, to have combined my work with Tender and CMS through a collaboration on a panel event in November. In this panel, joined by Adrian Bell, Harry Scott, Ian Burke-Shaw, Daniel Watkins and Tender CEO, Susie McDonald, CMS colleagues from all levels of seniority celebrated International Men’s Day by exploring their role models and experiences of masculinity in the workplace, homelife and general society. I hope to continue to facilitate collaborations between CMS, Tender and beyond.

As a trainee solicitor working in various finance teams at CMS, communication, organisation and networking have been key skills adapted from my role, that I have, in turn, grown with Tender and use in both organisations. Tender and CMS have also pushed me to put myself out there, asking those questions to get involved, despite how nervous it makes me. In this regard, I’d like to particularly thank Susie at Tender for introducing me to so many teams, opportunities and experiences, Vanessa Whitman for being my advocate and Charles Kerrigan, Lisa and Erica and Laura for getting me involved in the fintech and crypto world in ways I never thought someone so junior could. Thank you all for making time for me, on multiple occasions!

Yes, the balance is a challenge, but as trainee lawyer, that’s the draw. I want to lead my career with the kindness and support that Tender and CMS have provided me through very difficult times. This balance of rewarding both my heart and my mind has made my career that much more fulfilling.

Find out more about Tender’s Youth Board.