In an exclusive and inspiring interview with Sadie Cooper, COO of Open Study College, The Executive Magazine delves into the heart of a remarkable journey that transcends the realms of marketing to redefine leadership. From overcoming personal challenges to championing a female-led revolution in the corporate world, Sadie shares invaluable lessons from her 20-year journey across diverse sectors. Her story is not just about ascending to the top ranks; it’s a testament to the power of resilience, equity, and unwavering determination. Discover how being a woman in business has not only shaped Sadie’s career but also empowered her to pave the way for others, fostering an environment where everyone is given the opportunity to succeed. Join us as we explore the profound impact of kindness, the importance of asking questions, and the transformative influence of a supportive, female-led leadership team in creating a brighter future for all.
“Throughout my 20 years in marketing, I’ve had the opportunity to work across a variety of sectors, including sport, energy, tech and education. I started at Open Study College in 2018 as Head of Marketing, and returned in 2023 as Chief Operations Officer, working as part of a strong, female-led senior leadership team, with a female CEO by my side.
“When it comes to being a woman in business, I’m lucky enough to have been surrounded by ambitious women all of my life. My mum left school at 16 with very few qualifications, but wanted to better herself, so studied her accountancy qualifications part time at evening school.
“What I love about Open Study College is that it isn’t just about selling a course, we are providing someone with a better future for themselves and their family, just like my mum did, but there are also so many people out there who don’t know they can improve their lives through distance learning.
“My parents did all they could to provide me with the best education, but it wasn’t always plain sailing! In fact, my parents recently admitted that they were harder on me as I was growing up because I was female. At the time they felt that for a female to go on to achieve success, I would need strength and resilience, much more than my brother. On reflection, I can see I was treated differently but, in all honesty, it worked in my favour because I’d describe grit, determination and resilience as some of my key strengths!
“I am passionate about equity; I believe that everyone, regardless of their background, is provided with the same opportunity to achieve. Everyone has their own story and I’m a true advocate of kindness. I never anticipated being in the position that I am. Whilst I attended a grammar school, I wasn’t a straight-A student, I don’t have a first-class honours degree but I live by my values, work very hard and turn up every day with a can-do attitude.
“As a woman in business, challenges can appear in many different forms. For me, it was crippling anxiety that plagued me for years. Whilst I now rarely experience symptoms, it never leaves you. It also unfortunately meant that I missed out on opportunities to network and progress my career, but overall it hasn’t held me back from achieving my goals. I think that’s a really powerful message to anyone currently struggling!
“My advice to women looking to progress in their careers is first and foremost, be yourself. Embrace challenges with a can-do attitude, and never be afraid to make mistakes, after all we learn from both successes and failures. Always try to surround yourself with positive people too. We can learn a lot from people of all backgrounds and having this insight gives us the rounded experience to grow. Finally, most importantly for the younger generation, never be afraid to ask a question, as anyone who wants to learn should be supported.
“Over my career I’ve worked for a variety of people – sadly, that has included women who have cultivated somewhat toxic cultures, perhaps due to their own experiences. However, I have also been lucky enough to have worked in supportive, honest and genuine environments that allow people to really flourish, and this is exactly the environment Open Study College provides. As a female-led company, we all simply want each other to do well. We aren’t defensive about our flaws and we lift each other up to achieve. This not only encourages growth as individuals and as an organisation but also fosters a genuine and supportive environment for all.”
