Vanessa Kingori

Vanessa Kingori’s decorated career is a testament to her leadership, innovation and impact across media, fashion and business. In 2024, she was appointed Managing Director of Technology, Media and Telecoms for Google, marking another milestone in her illustrious career. Her influence has long been recognised at the highest levels, earning her the title of Business Person of the Year at The London Chamber of Commerce Black Excellence Awards in 2023. The same year, she was named the Most Influential Black British Executive on The Powerlist and ranked in the top 10 of the 100 Most Influential Black Britons on The Powerlist.

Vanessa’s journey to success has been paved with significant achievements. She was the first female and first Black Publisher of British Vogue, a role she assumed in 2018 before later being promoted to Publishing Director of British Vogue Portfolio at Condé Nast in 2019. Her impact on the publishing and fashion industries also earned her a patronage at the British Fashion Council and an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Holloway University. Beyond media, Vanessa has contributed to cultural and economic discussions at the national level. She served as an Expert Advisor on Brexit to the Mayor of London in 2017 and has judged several prestigious business awards, including the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year and The Black British Business Awards. Her contributions were recognised with an MBE in 2016 and an OBE in 2023 for her services to the media and creative industries.

Vanessa is a trailblazer in promoting diversity and inclusion, particularly advocating for the recognition of Black women’s contributions. In 2020, she spearheaded the #ShareTheMic UK campaign during Black History Month, using the allyship of prominent White women to amplify Black women’s voices. The campaign, backed by Instagram, engaged high-profile figures like Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham and Christiane Amanpour, reaching an audience of 175 million and fostering meaningful discussions about racial disparity.

Her inspiring journey, combined with her advocacy for diversity, leadership, and business excellence, has positioned Vanessa as a sought-after female motivational speaker. Vanessa Kingori’s story empowers audiences, particularly women and underrepresented communities, to embrace resilience, ambition, and the power of change in their respective fields.