From Olympic Hopeful to CEO: Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell's Journey of Breaking Barriers
March 18, 2025
In this episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett is joined by Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell, CEO of Ten Thousand Interns Foundation. Together, they explore her remarkable journey from becoming the first black woman to swim for Great Britain to now leading a transformative charity creating opportunities for black talent in the workplace.
In this episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett is joined by Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell, CEO of Ten Thousand Interns Foundation.
Join them as they explore:
- Rebecca's journey from elite swimming to charity leadership
- The challenges of being a trailblazer in a predominantly white sport
- Her decision to retire from swimming before the London 2012 Olympics
- How her elite sports background has shaped her leadership style
- The mission and impact of the Ten Thousand Interns Foundation
Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell is a trailblazer in many fields. As the first black woman to swim for Great Britain, she made history before pivoting to the nonprofit sector. Now, as CEO of Ten Thousand Interns Foundation, she leads initiatives creating 10,000 paid internships for black talent across the UK. Her impactful work in fostering inclusion has been globally recognised, earning her spots on Forbes 30 Under 30 and The Times list of influential leaders. She is also an accomplished author of "These Heavy Backbones" and serves as a trustee of Modern Art Oxford.
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Connect with Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell
Connect with Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell
Connect with Mark Fawcett
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