The emPOWER Pathway
We have a fantastic network of supportive 'Challenge Buddies' ready to be there, listen and support you.
Whether you’re looking for empathy or emotional support with someone who has experienced your challenge, we’re here to help.
While we’re not trained counsellors, we’re friends who can share our experience with you as you navigate life’s challenges.
To explore how we can support you, contact Athene at athene@theempowerbreakfast.co.uk or fill out the form below.
Click on the photos for more information.
Founder of The emPOWER Breakfast, Athene Parker brings over two decades of experience in music and advertising to her mission of reshaping workplace culture through empathy and storytelling. Inspired by her journey parenting a non-speaking autistic son, Athene created a space where personal adversity fuels professional strength. She also leads theSENmumma, a support network for parents of neurodivergent children.
Leila Bartlam is Chief Production Officer at Accenture Production Studio and a leading voice for neurodivergent inclusion in the creative industry. Recently diagnosed as autistic, Leila channels her lived experience into advocating for healthier, more inclusive workplaces, championing the value of hidden voices in shaping the future of our industry.
Sue Higgs brings lived resilience, fierce compassion, and a powerful voice for equality to everything she does. As a single mother and one of the few female ECDs in the industry, she has navigated decades of challenges, including workplace bullying, with grit, grace, and humour. A natural mentor and protector, Sue is driven by a deep commitment to making the creative world safer, fairer, and more human. Her superpower lies not just in creative thinking, but in giving others the courage to use their own voice.
After experiencing five heartbreaking losses over five years, Matt was determined to support fathers navigating the grief of miscarriage and stillbirth. Recognising the lack of resources for grieving dads, he co-founded a podcast and community with Liam Preston, creating a positive space for others facing similar pain. Matt’s journey, which began with social media outreach and grew through his involvement with FC Vilomah, ultimately led to the creation of the Dad Still Standing podcast - a vital resource for dads seeking connection and support through their grief.
With over two decades as an Agency Producer and a life shaped by international work, motherhood, and personal healing, Alessia Small offers grounded, empathetic guidance to those navigating life’s juggling act. From postnatal depression to physical recovery, she understands the quiet resilience it takes to show up in both career and family. A natural diplomat with a deep belief in balance, Alessia brings calm, clarity, and a steady hand to those seeking support through life’s complex transitions.
After the heartbreaking loss of his daughter, Paloma, at birth, Liam Preston turned his grief into purpose by co-founding Dad Still Standing, a podcast and community supporting fathers through baby loss and miscarriage. With honesty and vulnerability, he creates space for men to share, heal, and feel less alone. Liam brings deep empathy and lived experience to his mentoring, helping others navigate one of life’s most devastating paths with strength, solidarity, and hope.
"Shared experience is invaluable. It's incredibly reassuring and inspiring to speak with someone who has faced similar challenges and come through the other side."
With over 30 years in advertising production, Aly Moffat brings a wealth of leadership experience and a deep understanding of personal resilience to her mentoring. Having navigated breast cancer, caring for a parent with dementia, and supporting her neurodiverse children, she offers compassionate, grounded guidance to those facing change. A passionate advocate for inclusion and representation, Aly helps others approach transition with courage, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Having experienced up close the multitude of issues in the family courts and the numbers of children and parents affected by parents breaking up, James wanted to begin a new conversation about separation, so in May 2021 the Parents Promise was launched. Backed by over 20 organisations ranging from the likes of children’s mental health charity Place2Be to Relate to Black Mums Upfront, the aim of the Alliance is to effect important cultural change around separation in the UK and beyond. In his own family life James is also a doting father to three girls including his preverbal Autistic 7 year old daughter who gives him a new perspective on life everyday.
Max Hose is Head of Production at Grey London, where she leads her team with heart and hustle. She began her career as an Art Buyer at Leo Burnett, before moving onto Grey in 2011 and into film shortly after, becoming an early archetype for integrated production.
Throughout her career Max has produced a host of award-winning work for some of the world’s biggest brands.
Max has judged for D&AD, Creative Circle, APA, SHINY and Shots EMEA, and brings a sharp eye for craft and an unshakable belief that the best work comes from brave ideas and a bit of chaos. She’s a passionate advocate for menopause awareness in the industry, championing openness, inclusivity, and better support for women in production.
She’s also into cheesecake. And like most, she dislikes writing bios.
"The emPOWER Pathway isn’t just about learning from someone’s experience. It’s about knowing you’re not alone, with someone who believes in you and supports you at every step of your journey."
Having navigated the highs and lows of both professional success and personal challenge, Barny has become a passionate advocate for open conversations around mental health and addiction. After many years in the advertising industry, he is now CEO and Partner of No.8 London, one of the UK’s most respected post and audio companies. His own journey through addiction, recovery and family loss has shaped his belief in the power of vulnerability, resilience and humour as tools for leadership and life. As a mentor, Barny brings honesty, empathy and lived experience, offering support to others who may be facing challenges of their own.
With over 30 years in the advertising industry, Jody Allison is a seasoned producer and co-founder of Heads Up Production, a company bridging the gap between brands and their creative output. A breast cancer survivor and passionate mental health advocate, she brings heart as well as expertise to her work, driven by values of loyalty, optimism, and human connection.