From humble beginnings cleaning her father’s taxi to influential roles tackling health inequalities and leading diversity initiatives across London boroughs, Rabiya McKeverne’s career journey is a powerful testament to resilience, dedication, and purpose-driven work. In this exclusive Q & A, we delve into Rabiya’s inspiring story—from her early jobs that supported her academic pursuits to her impactful roles in public health and policy, and finally, her transition into executive coaching.
Join us as we explore the experiences and insights that shaped Rabiya’s unique approach to leadership and coaching, offering valuable lessons for anyone striving to make a meaningful difference in their professional and personal lives.
DECD: What was your very first job?
Rabiya:
My first job was cleaning my dad’s taxi after his weekend shifts. While he never paid me, I’d often find loose change or even notes left behind by passengers. Needless to say, some weeks were more rewarding than others!
Later on I worked various jobs to fund my way through both my undergraduate and Master’s degrees, including waitressing, bar work and support roles..
My first ‘grown-up’ job after completing my Master’s was in a health inequality unit. During my studies, I became deeply aware of the health disparities that disproportionately affected people of colour. I was thrilled to land a role where I could contribute to making a meaningful difference.
I then moved on to work with Drug and Alcohol Policy units in various London boroughs. In these roles, I led diversity initiatives, helping minority communities to access funding, assess needs, write bids, and influence the commissioning of specialised services.
My final job before transitioning into coaching was in workforce development, where I had the opportunity to influence a multidisciplinary workforce supporting drug users—one of the most marginalized groups in society. I loved the role because I felt it allowed me to make a broad, systemic impact.
After pausing my career to start a family, I founded Spring Coaching & Training. My work now spans coaching, training, research, and academic supervision for an MA in Applied Coaching. I also teach mindfulness one-to-one and in organisational settings.
Following the tragic death of George Floyd, I was driven to reconnect with the issues of racial equality that were so central to my early career. In line with this commitment, I joined Integrity Coaching as an associate coach, where I work with schools and organisations to boost their confidence and racial literacy, helping shape anti-racist cultures in both workplaces and educational systems
DECD: What inspired you to become a coach?
Rabiya:
I’ve always been fascinated by human potential—what drives excellence, how change happens and how we can become the best versions of ourselves. That curiosity led me to study psychology, where I was especially drawn to health psychology. I became intrigued by the link between mindset, biology, and our ability to heal—what helps someone recover and thrive, even in the face of illness?
Although I loved the theory of my psychology degree, I felt something was missing. As I entered the world of work, I began asking a deeper question: HOW do people change?
That question sparked a journey of discovery. It led me to Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and then eventually to coaching. I became my first client, applying everything I learned to shift my own mindset, overcome limiting beliefs, and reimagine what was possible for me. I wanted to offer that same transformation to others.
DECD: As a coach what led you to specialise in the particular area that you concentrate on
Rabiya:
With an MSc in Health Psychology, a background in health policy, and a long-standing commitment to mindfulness, I initially specialised in mental health, well-being, and resilience. I’ve always believed it’s essential for people to genuinely care for themselves and live in alignment with their values and strengths. When we do that, we’re better able to show up for our families, contribute meaningfully in our work, and create a positive ripple effect in the wider systems we’re part of.
As my practice has grown and as I’ve brought together coaching with trauma-informed mindfulness, my work has evolved to centre more on leadership, resilience, and supporting women of colour. I often work with clients navigating identity-based challenges, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, people-pleasing, or coping with big life and career transitions.
It’s a real privilege to walk alongside people during times of uncertainty, helping them build inner trust, reconnect with their power, and lead (and live) with greater clarity, courage, and compassion.
DECD: What is the most interesting part of your work?
Rabiya:
The most interesting part of my job is the opportunity to connect with individuals from all walks of life. Regardless of status, job title or background, I witness something profoundly universal in the human experience. As a coach, it’s clear that these shared moments transcend any labels we carry.
What’s especially powerful is the trust placed in me when clients share deeply personal experiences. This privilege and responsibility is something I never take for granted. It’s incredibly rewarding when, together, we create a kind of alchemy, helping someone achieve something they once thought impossible. While overcoming limiting beliefs is meaningful, the most important part for me is supporting people in learning to relate to themselves with greater kindness and compassion.
DECD: What is the one project/case that you’re most proud of in your career and why?
Rabiya:
Last year, I delivered an Aspiring Leadership Programme that I’m particularly proud of. Many of the participants were women, most of them women of colour, and they were already brilliant, capable leaders. But what made the experience so powerful was watching them start to truly realise that for themselves. Their confidence grew, limiting beliefs softened, and they began taking bolder, braver steps — not just for their own growth, but in service of others, too. Holding space for that kind of transformation was a real privilege.
DECD: What are your thoughts on diversity and inclusion in the workplace in today’s society?
Rabiya:
Diversity and inclusion in the workplace are more important than ever. While there has long been a strong business case for inclusion, we’re now living in a time when progress is being openly challenged and, in some cases, actively rolled back. The global rise in overt racism and political resistance to D&I efforts is deeply concerning, and it only reinforces how vital and urgent this work continues to be.
My personal experiences of racism and inequity have shaped my lifelong commitment to justice and inclusion. It’s why I do the work I do — not just as a coach, but as a facilitator and advocate for change. Listening to my clients’ stories, witnessing the realities they navigate, and seeing the wider state of the world only deepens my resolve to make a meaningful difference.
Now more than ever, we need leaders and organisations who are willing to stay engaged — to lead with courage, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to equity, even when it’s hard.
DECD: What about your heritage makes you feel proud?
Rabiya:
There’s so much to be proud of. I love the importance of education that has been instilled in me. I love Indian food, the richness of my culture, the ancient spiritual knowledge (which supports my mindfulness practices), family values, the clothes, the vibrancy and the warmth and kindness of the people from my heritage.
DECD: What do you do outside of work?
Rabiya:
I am mum to a 10 and a 15-year-old. I love hanging out with both of them, but these days it’s mostly just the 10-year-old who still wants to hang out with me, and I am determined to make the most of it!
I may not be fast, but I am a dedicated member of my running club, and we meet every Saturday morning, come rain or shine. Being outdoors and staying active is something I deeply value. Being a woman of a certain age, I have recently taken up pilates and weight training.
Mindfulness is also an important part of my life. Meditation has been a habit for more than half my life now, I love meeting with my meditation group each week.
Lastly, I am passionate about books of all sorts and escaping into a good book is my favourite way to relax.
DECD: What’s the most interesting thing you’ve read this week?
Rabiya:
Does a podcast count? I have been listening to Amanda Ripley (Award-winning Author, New York Times columnist and co-founder of Good Conflict) talk about how to avoid high conflict. She described a technique called ‘looping’ used to diffuse high-conflict situations – it has parallels with the coach competencies of active listening, summarising and remaining curious. It is no surprise that coaches also make great facilitators.
DECD: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Rabiya:
Early on in my career and personal development (when I used to be a perfectionist), it was really helpful for me to learn: “There is no such thing as failure, just feedback.”
DECD: What is your favourite movie, book, song, album or quote?
Rabiya:
My all-time favourite quote is by Marianne Williamson which was quoted by Nelson Mandela in his inaugural speech.
“Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.”
Interested in working with Rabiya? Find out more about her professional coaching career here.
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