Meet Charmaine:
Leadership experience that goes beyond the coaching room
After more than 20 years working in global life sciences — including over a decade in senior leadership — I know that becoming an effective leader takes more than experience, expertise or a new job title.
I’ve led teams, built functions, navigated integrations and transformation, and worked across countries and cultures. I’ve experienced first-hand the complexity that comes with greater responsibility — influencing without always having authority, communicating across different perspectives, leading through uncertainty and recognising that the way you naturally lead won’t always bring out the best in everyone around you.
Those experiences shape how I work today.
I combine senior leadership experience with professional coaching, behavioural tools and cultural intelligence to help leaders understand themselves more deeply — and turn that insight into practical changes in how they communicate, influence and lead others.
My approach is warm, practical and tailored. I’ll challenge your thinking, help you see different perspectives and give you space to work things through — always with a focus on what you can do differently as a result.
Because leadership development starts with self — but it doesn’t stop there.
Growing up in South Africa as a quiet, shy child, I learned early what it felt like to hold back my voice.
Nicknamed ‘Mouse’, I stayed in the background. I grew up hearing messages about what girls like me could — and couldn't — expect from life. For a long time, I didn't question them.
One of my turning points came years later in a male-dominated room, when my contribution was dismissed outright. It forced me to recognise something: if I continued to make myself smaller, I was allowing other people to determine the value of my voice.
That didn't lead to an overnight transformation. What followed was years of learning, taking risks and gradually trusting myself more.
my story - From 'Mouse' to leader
hello there,
i am charmaine
As a single mother, I moved countries, changed careers, pursued my education and eventually progressed into senior leadership in global pharma.
And leadership brought another kind of learning.
I learned that confidence matters, but it isn't enough. I learned to understand my strengths and my impact on others. I learned that different people need different things from their leaders. And working across countries and cultures taught me that what feels clear, respectful or effective to one person can be experienced very differently by another.
Those experiences have shaped the way I think about leadership today.
For me, self-awareness isn't the destination. It's the starting point.
Understanding ourselves gives us choices — about how we communicate, how we respond, how we adapt and ultimately how we lead.
Perhaps that's the biggest distance I've travelled from the child nicknamed ‘Mouse’. Not simply finding my voice, but learning when and how to use it — and recognising the impact it can have on others.
It's the same principle that sits at the heart of my work today:
Insight → Application → Impact..
Effective leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about understanding your impact, adapting to people and context around you, and continuing to learn.
"I believe people already hold many of the answers they're looking for. Sometimes, what they need is the space, challenge and perspective to see things differently - and the confidence to act on what they discover"
– Charmaine Reid, Director of Fawkes Coaching & Consulting
What sets me apart
I’ve experienced leadership from the inside — not just studied it from the outside.
My path hasn’t been linear. I returned to formal education later in life, changed careers and progressed into senior leadership without following a traditional route. That experience taught me a great deal about self-belief, adaptability and the importance of understanding what you bring rather than trying to fit a particular leadership mould.
But my perspective also comes from more than 20 years working inside global life sciences. I’ve built and led teams, worked across cultures, navigated integrations and transformation, and experienced first-hand the realities of leading in complex, highly regulated organisations.
Today, I combine that lived leadership experience with professional coaching, behavioural tools and cultural intelligence.
It means my work is grounded in the reality of leadership — not just the theory. I understand the pressures leaders face, while also creating the space to step back, challenge assumptions, understand their impact and consider what they could do differently.
I don’t believe there is one right way to lead. I believe effective leadership starts with knowing yourself — and having the awareness and adaptability to lead the people and situation in front of you.
Self-Belief
Trust that we are enough. Building an inner foundation that holds strong even when the world feels shaky.
Empowerment
Owning our power and using it to lift others. Encouraging growth, agency and confidence in ourselves and those around us.
Kindness
Compassion in action. Treating yourself and others with care, empathy and respect - especially under pressure.
Wisdom
Learning from experience, listening deeply, and leading with insight. It’s not just knowledge - it’s knowing what matters.
Authenticity
Showing up as our true selves, without masks or apologies. Living and leading in alignment with our core values.
OUR values
Choosing courage over comfort. Speaking up, taking risks and stepping forward - even when it’s uncomfortable.
Fearlessness
Annalisa G
Head of Regulatory Business Operations
I had the pleasure to work with Charmaine in my new role at Sobi and she is just incredible: strong Regulatory Affairs and business expertise accompanied by a great personality, able to transform any teams or projects in a success! Her communication and coaching skills are unique and her willingness to support and develop others is outstanding. She would be a great mentor to any leader (executive level, seasoned, new leader or leader-to-be) in any organization.
I highly recommend Charmaine since she can guide leaders in becoming better people leaders, helping them to focus on their strengths and unlock their potential. Working on a project with her allowed me to expand my knowledge, to grow and develop my leadership skills. I wish I met her earlier, and I hope our paths will cross again soon.
"Working on a project with Charmaine allowed me to expand my knowledge, to grow and develop my leadership skills. I wish I met her earlier, and I hope our paths will cross again soon."
start with insight
Take a step back and reflect on how effectively you're leading yourself and others.
This quick leadership audit explores four key areas - self-leadership, communication and influence, team effectiveness, and leading through change and complexity.
Identify what's working well, where you may be getting stuck, and where greater awareness or adaptability could strengthen your leadership impact.
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5-Minute Leadership Audit
I’d love to hear your story and explore how we can spark your personal or professional transformation. Let’s connect and map out your path to success.