At some point in your career, the idea of sitting on a board feels like the pinnacle of leadership. A room filled with decision-makers, influence and real impact. But the path to the boardroom, and what happens when you get there, is often less discussed.
That is where Gisela Abbam
comes in.
Named our 2024 Woman on Boards winner, Gisela is more than a board member. She is a trailblazer. With a career that spans the World Health Organisation, GE Healthcare, the British Science Association and global companies like Revvity, she has spent over two decades shaping public policy, influencing governments and leading global health initiatives.
But when it comes to board leadership, even she had a few surprises.
“There’s a lot I wish I knew before joining my first board,” Gisela shares. “From navigating boardroom dynamics to recognising your own value at the table – those lessons don’t come from textbooks.”
Now, Gisela holds seats on influential boards including the Bar Standards Board and Briyah Institute, and serves as Chair of the General Pharmaceutical Council. But she is clear: it was not always easy.
She had to build from the ground up. Often the first, frequently the only, and always the one pushing for systems that work for everyone.
The Lessons That Don’t Come From Textbooks
Gisela’s journey to board leadership taught her that being ‘invited’ is not enough – you must come prepared to lead, not just listen. “Women often think they need to know everything before they speak up,” she explains. “But boards need your perspective more than your perfection.”
This realisation shifted everything for her. Confidence, she learned, does not always come before action. It builds as you take up space and speak up. The boardroom can be a lonely place, especially when you’re breaking new ground, which is why she emphasises the importance of building your own support network outside those walls.
Perhaps most crucially, Gisela discovered that politics exist in every room. Rather than fearing these dynamics, she learned to read them and work within them to drive meaningful change. “Understanding the unspoken rules doesn’t mean compromising your values,” she says. “It means being strategic about how you advance them.”
Building Space for Others
In 2024 alone, between 40,000 and 60,000 women are expected to exit tech roles in the UK. Many cite the lack of opportunity and visible leadership as key reasons. Gisela’s career, anchored in advocacy, influence and meaningful action, serves as a direct counter to that trend. She is not just sitting at the table. She is making space for others.
In a year where equity in leadership still lags behind, Gisela stands as a bold example of what it means to lead from the front. She has been recognised with multiple awards, from Black British Business Person of the Year (2019) to Iconic Woman Creating a Better World for All (WEF), and continues to mentor and advocate for women across industries.
Her journey reminds us that boardrooms are not just about governance. They are about legacy. The decisions made there shape industries, influence public policy and drive innovation. When women like Gisela are at the table, they bring more than representation. They bring a rebalancing of values such as empathy, inclusion, sustainability and long-term vision. Her presence invites a more holistic, future-ready kind of leadership that benefits everyone.
Gisela’s passion lies not just in having a seat at the table, but in redesigning that table so more women can sit – and stay.
You Are Invited: What I Wish I knew Before Joining A Board with Gisela Abbam
Join us for an exclusive Novi Members Dinner on 5th August with our Woman on Boards 2024 winner and global trailblazer:
Special Guest: Gisela Abbam FRSA
Topic: What I Wish I Knew Before Joining a Board
An unmissable evening of connection, candour and career insight.
Limited seats available
Secure your spot now: Novi Members Dinner at The Ivy, London with Gisela Abbam FRSA Tickets, Tue 5 Aug 2025 at 18:30 | Eventbrite
Let’s make space for more women at the table – and prepare them for what is coming once they get there.
