Belonging and Bravery: Karolina’s Journey Through Elevate

We are delighted to share feedback from Karolina Kasprzycka on her experience as a member of our CIC Elevate Network.

In this article, Karolina offers candid reflections on the powerful impact of the network—a community rooted in support, visibility, and shared experiences. She explores how being part of Elevate helped her confront challenges such as imposter syndrome, navigate the complexities of her career, and ultimately build greater confidence in both her professional and personal life.

“Being part of the Elevate Network has genuinely had a bigger impact on me than I expected.

I didn’t actively choose the career path I’m on today; it’s something life led me into. From very early on, I found myself working in a male‑dominated environment, while also navigating life as a woman not originally from the UK, with English not being my first language.
Over the years, those experiences shaped me in both positive and challenging ways- while they gave me resilience and strength, they also led to a strong sense of imposter syndrome that I’ve carried for a long time. And, to be honest, I’m still working on it.

When I first joined Elevate, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. But what I found was a community that was open, supportive and genuinely inspiring. Meeting women from different companies, backgrounds and career paths was a real eye‑opener. Some have always known this was the career they wanted, while for others, like me, life simply took them there. Despite those differences, we all sit in the same space, often facing very similar challenges.

One of the biggest impacts for me has been seeing how differently life experiences shape us. Some women are managing motherhood alongside work, while others live child‑free lives and face a completely different set of challenges,  including being judged for their life choices, or sometimes for situations that weren’t a choice at all.

Hearing these stories made me realise there is no right or wrong way of doing things. No matter how your life looks, there will always be positives and challenges, just in different forms and all of them are valid and deserve to be acknowledged.

Seeing women I once viewed as confident and “having it all figured out” openly talk about their own struggles has been incredibly powerful.

Whether through the Elevate sessions or the International Women’s Day Coffee with Leaders panel, hearing them sharing their personal journeys, setbacks and self‑doubt made a huge difference to how I see myself. It was genuinely reassuring to realise I’m not alone in these feelings- and that self‑doubt doesn’t stop you from being capable or successful.

The discussions around topics like imposter syndrome have been especially meaningful. Simply hearing how many women experience it in different ways has been a huge support in itself. Sometimes, just knowing you’re not the only one in the room is powerful.

What I value most about Elevate is how inclusive and thoughtful it is. It doesn’t matter what role you’re in or how senior you are,  I’ve always felt listened to, respected and treated as an equal. Being in that environment has helped me work on myself, building my confidence, and feel more comfortable using my voice (and again! There is still a lot of work to be done here!)

Beyond work, I’m also deeply passionate about equality for women more generally-  especially in sport. I grew up in a very football‑focused family and followed my dad everywhere from a young age. Football was always a huge part of my life. At the time, I didn’t question my place in it.  I simply just accepted that I was there as a fan, and even this wasn’t always fully welcomed.

I never dreamed of being involved on the pitch or behind the scenes – not because I didn’t want to, but because that possibility was never visible to me. Without representation, it didn’t even register as a possible dream.

I only truly realised this years later, as an adult, when women’s football in the UK began to grow and I started attending womens matches regularly (not mens only, as before). Seeing young girls in the stands now, watching female players as their heroes, as well as women across the coaching teams, support staff and throughout the stadium, was a powerful moment for me. That’s when it clicked that I’d never had that representation growing up, and because of that, certain goals never even entered my mind.

Not playing, not working behind the scenes, not being part of the wider football world in any capacity- it wasn’t something I decided to rule out myself, it simply didn’t feel like an option to have at the time.

That experience reinforced for me just how important representation really is, both at work and outside of it. If people can’t see themselves somewhere, it becomes far harder to believe they belong there. And Elevate plays a vital role in challenging that by creating visibility, confidence and space – not just for women now, but for future generations, so certain doors feel open from the very beginning.

It also acknowledges that while women can and should support one another, male allyship plays a crucial role in truly breaking down barriers and driving change. Sometimes it starts with the basics – open conversations and education – as simply highlighting why something matters to us can help build understanding and support from those who don’t live those experiences themselves.

I also really appreciate how the sessions are run. There’s no pressure to perform or speak if you’re not ready. You can engage in whatever way suits you – listening, contributing via chat, or speaking in smaller breakout groups. That flexibility makes the network feel genuinely inclusive, especially for people who are introverted or neurodiverse. You’re invited to step forward when you feel comfortable, not pushed before you’re ready.

For me, Elevate has been a source of reassurance, learning and confidence. I regularly encourage others to join, even just to explore it, because I truly believe everyone can find something valuable in it. It’s a space that allows you to grow at your own pace, feel supported, and know that you don’t have to have everything figured out to belong.”