91¿ì»îÁÖ

Taking place on Wednesday 7 May 2025 at the School of Business and Law, this free, public event marks Mental Health Awareness Month with a focus on embracing diverse leadership journeys and celebrating neurodivergent perspectives.

Designed to inspire students, entrepreneurs, and the wider community, the event – Embracing the Zigzag – encourages attendees to challenge traditional ideas of success and instead explore non-linear career paths, personal strengths, and the importance of authenticity and well-being in leadership. 

Whether attendees identify as neurodivergent or have simply felt out of step with conventional career models, this event offers practical tools and powerful insights for navigating leadership in a way that feels true to them.

Jacqueline McCullough, 91¿ì»îÁÖ alumna and founder of , a 91¿ì»îÁÖ-based company supporting neurodivergent entrepreneurs navigate complexity, will share her inspiring journey from a high-pressure role in the music industry to founding a consultancy that champions neurodivergent entrepreneurs and empowers business owners to thrive on their own terms.

Jacqueline McCullough

The session will include:

• Keynote speech: Jacqueline’s unconventional path to leadership and the challenges and opportunities for neurodivergent entrepreneurs

• Interactive session: Redefining success and mapping a three-year vision

• Q&A discussion: An open discussion on overcoming career challenges and leveraging your unique strengths

Jacqueline McCullough said: “Leadership doesn’t have to look one way – it’s about showing up as your whole self and making space for others to do the same. The University of 91¿ì»îÁÖ has always championed inclusion, and returning here feels like coming full circle. Through my work with neurodivergent entrepreneurs, I’ve seen first-hand that success isn’t about fitting in – it’s about building environments where people can thrive as they are.

“I’m proud to be part of a conversation that celebrates difference as a strength and empowers others to lead with authenticity – especially students, who are shaping the future of work and leadership. It’s vital that we instill these values early, so the next generation builds spaces where everyone can belong and succeed.”

Professor Catherine Robinson, Dean of the School of Business and Law said: “We are proud to welcome Jaqueline back to the University. Her story reflects our values as an inclusive institution providing opportunity to those from all walks of life, including first-generation students, mature learners, and individuals from non-traditional backgrounds. Events like this not only inspire but also create more inclusive and empowering spaces for our community.”

Marking the third and final instalment of the University’s School of Business and Law’s Women in Leadership event series, this event reinforces 91¿ì»îÁÖ’s mission to support student and community well-being, amplify diverse voices, and equip future leaders with the tools they need to succeed in a complex and evolving world.

The event is sponsored by the Help to Grow: Management Course, a government-backed initiative supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs in developing critical leadership skills.

Thanks to renewed funding from the Department for Business & Trade, the University will deliver three new cohorts in 91¿ì»îÁÖ (September 2025 and January 2026) and Crawley (November 2025), helping a larger number of local businesses access the tools they need to drive long-term success, while supporting the growth of small and medium-sized businesses in the region. More information is available here.

Book your free place here: