Meet Kamelia Singh, The Change Shift’s dynamic CEO, and Cosmic Superstars Co-Founder and Director. She is an organizational change leader, business and technology transformation consultant, and an advocate for our next generation of young leaders.
With a diverse background and a strong passion for driving positive change, Kamelia has become a visionary leader in the business and technology world. She is also a devoted supporter of young people in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). Her innovative endeavors have earned national recognition and prestigious awards, including accolades from the House of Lords and an appointment as a Charity Trustee in the Space and Aviation industry.
Kamelia’s journey from modest beginnings to the pinnacle of success is a testament to her resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to excellence—and above all, her approach: “No matter how many years you have been in your industry, there is always something to learn, someone to learn from, and someone who can learn from you.”
Redefining Success Through Heritage, Resilience, and Inclusive Leadership
Kamelia defines success as being able to help and serve others, underpinned by Kamelia’s unique blend of her life journey and diverse heritage. It encompasses personal fulfillment, the well-being of others, showing compassion, and a positive impact on people and the world, setting her apart with a distinct perspective.
From a tender age, Kamelia shouldered significant responsibilities, including caring for her brother and four sisters, as the eldest child. Her parents, a hardworking and determined mother and an entrepreneurial father, served as her inspiration, leading her to a life that, although challenging at times, was nonetheless filled with love, fun, ambition, and leadership. Her mother’s balancing of work and home life and her father’s diverse roles in business and technology, including stock trading, setting up a cosmetic market stall, and starting a West Indian cricket club, left a lasting impression on her. She fondly recalls the experience of her mum cooking great food, always visiting family, going to the wholesalers, pricing products, understanding margins, and witnessing the diverse cricket club in full action. Despite the significant challenges that arose from her parents’ later separation and divorce, Kamelia’s unwavering determination and resilience shone through. She states, “I seem to thrive in complex situations, give me a problem and I will find solutions to explore together.” This behavior stems from growing up and having to navigate life challenges from a young age.
She continued to support her siblings and pursue her ambitions, balancing education and work from a young age and shaping her worldview through life and career experiences, which serve as a testament to her strength of character.
“Looking out for my brother and sisters from a young age has always been that thread, that heartbeat in my life to ensure (as best as I can), that others are okay; if I can help, I will always be there to support. My natural tendency is to take charge in a complex situation, but equally stand back to give others a voice.”
Born in the UK to Guyanese parents, Kamelia’s heritage and culture is very diverse, and has a deep love and connection at her core. Kamelia’s unwavering passion for championing diversity and inclusion in the STEM/STEAM industry, especially supporting women, young people, and future generations, is a driving force in her life, demonstrating her commitment and dedication.
Throwback to Present Day
As a single mother at the age of 20, Kamelia initially dreamed of becoming a pediatric doctor. Still, the vision of becoming a businesswoman traveling the world always stayed within her aspirations. Despite her initial reservations and lack of confidence in understanding technology, she dove headfirst into learning about the subject. Kamelia states that “Being a young mother, in education and working has its challenges, yet equally has so many rewards that you learn to appreciate along life’s journey.”
Kamelia’s commitment to learning, despite the challenges, is truly inspiring. Sensing that technology would continue to play a massive role in the future, she was determined to understand the potential impacts and innovations, a testament to her vision, courage, and tenacity.
Kamelia constantly pushes boundaries and makes the impossible possible through her creativity, a natural ability to connect the dots, and a deep understanding of technological capabilities to drive significant improvements to operations, products, and services. Above all, Kamelia values forming and maintaining good connections with others. She understands the importance of these relationships in building a successful career and in business. She is committed to nurturing them and making everyone she interacts with feel valued and important.
Today, Kamelia leads complex transformation projects, focusing on the people side of technology-enabled change and organizational design. “Working together and embracing technology for the better and a dose of realism, spreading more inclusiveness and compassion in everything we do,” she emphasizes.
Charting a Path of Innovation and Transformation with Kindness and Understanding
Kamelia’s journey before The Change Shift and Cosmic Superstars was characterized by diverse roles and sectors, demonstrating her adaptability and willingness to learn. Like many starting out, her career began in the catering industry, where she quickly rose to a supervisory role, honing essential customer service and sales skills. She implemented a new customer feedback system that increased customer satisfaction by 20% during her tenure. Her college and university years were marked by various positions in customer services, hospitality, and banking, where she consistently exceeded sales targets and received commendations for her exceptional customer service, building a solid foundation of interpersonal skills, business operations and industry knowledge.
Kamelia’s career reflects her entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering commitment to making a difference. Her experiences highlights her adaptability, commitment to innovation, and relentless ambition for personal and professional growth. Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledges her challenges, stating, “Not everyone has the same outlook and can see what you see. You are often a lone voice. Do not give up at the first hurdle, keep your vision in mind and find a way to put it into practice. Even if everyone says no, keep going!!”
Despite these challenges, Kamelia’s vision for The Change Shift is clear: to be the transformation partners of choice for organizations to “Transform Together,” embarking on change, with people truly at the heart of everything they do. She aims to make The Change Shift the ultimate matchmaker for business and technology projects, connecting the dots and making magic happen. “It really is all about your people”, she emphasizes. This vision is both inspiring and ambitious.
Kamelia’s vision for Cosmic Superstars is also clear: to pave the way for our next generation of aspiring young leaders in the industry. Cosmic Superstars is committed to championing diversity, breaking barriers, and providing real-life learning opportunities such as internships, mentorship programmes, and industry-specific courses and workshops. Partnering with industry leaders and experts participating to bring real live experiences and unlocking opportunities. All of which are designed to equip our future leaders with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed while having fun and advocating kindness towards others. She attributes her approach to life to her two daughters, her remarkable family, and a network of exceptional friends and professionals.
In a world that sometimes values hardness, she remains true to her belief: “Treat others as you wish to be treated.” Kindness and understanding, she asserts, are not just desirable but essential commodities that make a true difference to any successful workplace, team, community, project, and organization. She is committed to advocating these qualities in all her professional interactions.
“Healthy challenges and spirited debates fuel ideas and growth,” she notes, yet Kamelia knows the value of a handshake and a shared smile afterwards.
Kamelia has extensive experience navigating the industry’s egos and political and diverse landscapes. She has faced poor management, discrimination, and the challenges of being a female in a male-dominated business and technology world. Yet, she has not let these obstacles deter her. Her resilience and determination, which are truly inspiring, have helped her overcome these challenges and helped others along the way. “Success to me means everyone has a voice, is bought into where we are heading, understands their part of the journey, and ultimately enjoying what they do to drive their own ambitions and achievements in their job role and life as whole, – we all win!” she says.
“You are in control of how you respond. Never walk into a room, physical or virtual, with doubt about yourself. You cannot control what others think or feel about you. Show up in your best light, in your super power and let it shine through.” Is just some of the advice she provides in her coaching and mentoring of others.
A Transformative Journey as a Beacon of Leadership and Inclusivity
Kamelia’s academic journey at the University of Northampton laid a strong foundation for her career. She earned an HND in Computing, a BA (Hons) in Information Systems, and an MSc in IT Service Management. Her expertise was further honed through hands-on experience with industry giants and training in customer experience, digital transformation, business change, and behavioral change. She also gained valuable business startup experience across various sectors, including consultancy, fashion retail, hospitality, IT services, and marketing.
Following her academic success, Kamelia seamlessly transitioned into the world of business technology, loving what she does and how she can make a difference to others. She immersed herself in face-to-face PC support and strategic analysis discussions in her early professional career. Progressing through technical services and supplier management levels at various large companies, she later joined Vodafone Global Technology, where she was selected for a unique opportunity on a Global Rotation Programme. This opportunity allowed her to complete her MSc by interviewing several European CIOs for her dissertation, and she was also selected by HR to feature in a WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) magazine, advocating for girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
Kamelia has since established herself in a career spanning some 20 years in a wide range of roles, sectors, and organizations, both global and local. Today, having established The Change Shift and Cosmic Superstars, she is on a mission to further drive innovation, diversity, and a different way of thinking to transform organizational culture and create opportunities for the next generation across the STEAM disciplines.
Understanding the intricacies of human behavior and mindset challenges, Kamelia champions compassion, good leadership, communication, transparency, and a dose of life realism. She believes these ingredients grow a company’s culture where “aspirations unite, and success radiates collectively. Setting ambitions, having a vision or dream, and seeing it come to life, even if you didn’t know how you were really going to get there,” she concludes, encapsulating her holistic vision of success.
Transformative Leadership: Driving Digital and Organizational Change
Under Kamelia’s leadership, The Change Shift stands out with its unique approach to transformational change. The company believes in inspiring change and creating a diverse and inclusive environment and aspires to “Transforming Together”. The Change Shift’s services are distinct, focusing on the people side of transformational change. The company and its super excellent and experienced colleagues strive to deliver sustainable change in all they do by listening to their client’s needs, aspirations, and ambitions. Kamelia states, “If you have a complex situation and need support to help figure a few things out; what, why, where, when, who, and how. The Change Shift are your ultimate matchmaker across business, people and technology. We embrace business and technology capabilities, and coupled with human behavior; offering services to really bring something different to the table across leadership and management coaching, target operating model development, company integrations, merging and acquisitions, business assessments to inform change and growth opportunities. We will help to develop change plans, communication and engagement approaches, create and deliver robust learning and training to help clients transition and adopt to a new way of operating, new service design, building a healthy company culture along the way, and much more.
As a Change and Transformation Consultancy, The Change Shift has worked in collaboration with numerous consultancies and partners, including On1 Solutions, NTT Data UK&I, Bain & Company, Berkly Partnership, InfoSys, HCL, Deloitte, Accenture, S.I.M Consulting, De Novo Solutions, Embridge Consulting and others.
Day-to-day operations at The Change Shift involve consulting on complex projects and programmes, such as Organizational Redesign, New Services Implementations, ERP solutions, Oracle Cloud, SAP, MS Dynamics, MS365 implementation, AI adoption, and ITSM transformation. The Change Shift team conducts personality profiling to inform leadership and team development, using tools like DISC and Insights. They also apply PROSCI’s ADKAR Change Management Methodology, alongside other leadership change models, spanning over 200 years of industry experience collectively as a team.
Through these diverse experiences, Kamelia has learned what good leadership and management mean. This knowledge supports her in setting up The Change Shift and Cosmic Superstars’ company culture and consulting to help other organizations invest in and adopt a more people-focused approach. Kamelia describes her journey as “inspiring, challenging, and excited to see what is next on the horizon.”
Kamelia’s vision for The Change Shift is to become the transformation partners of choice for organizations embarking on organizational, business, and technology-enabled change. She profoundly believes in the power of ‘Transforming Together.’ Her vision is a future where people are genuinely at the heart of everything, including the workforce, suppliers, customers, partners, clients, and service providers. She envisions a world where organizations invest in and adopt a more people-focused approach. She is excited to be a part of this transformation. If you want to turn around an organization from top down, bottom up, and everything in between, The Change Shift is here for you! Kamelia declares.
Key Takeaways on Success: A Holistic, Impactful, and Inclusive Vision
Success, a concept that varies from person to person, is beautifully exemplified in Kamelia’s perspective. Her vision of success is not just about personal achievements but also about the joy of contributing to the well-being of others and positively impacting the world.
“My vision of success is always being able to be yourself, be happy from the inside out, smile through the good and challenging times. Find your inner strength to drive your life’s goals and ambitions. Easier said than done at times, and this is where we come in to help recognize, unfold and transition mindsets to be able to push through the challenge, whilst keeping your smile”.
Success is never achieved alone; the truth is that a talented and dedicated team can significantly influence the journey to success. Collaborating with individuals who share a broader vision and are fully committed to realizing shared goals can lead to remarkable achievements that may have seemed unattainable otherwise. A supportive network for overcoming obstacles and celebrating triumphs is crucial and a testament to the power of collaboration in achieving success.
Kamelia envisions success as:
- Quality of Life: Kamelia defines success as spending quality time with loved ones, being in good health physically and mentally, and being free to live authentically.
- World-Changing Impact: Success also entails making a world-changing impact through generations, society, business and partnerships.
- Empowering Others: Kamelia believes success is about empowering others to succeed. Forming trusted partnerships with like-minded leaders, businesses, and organizations. Championing compassion, diversity, inclusivity, and innovation.
- Vision and Dreams: Success means staying persistent with one’s vision and dreams, no matter how unclear the path may seem.
- Influence and Compassion: Success involves helping and serving others to positively impact people, societies, and the world around us with integrity and intention.
- Humble Leadership: As a leader, Kamelia finds gratitude in helping others, with ambitions to positively influence and change the world to be kinder and more inclusive to live in peace.
Overcoming Roadblocks: Lessons in Determination and Resilience
In Kamelia’s professional journey, roadblocks have been valuable teachers, shaping her experiences and passions as she champions positive change through the next generation of leaders. Encountering naysayers has been a common challenge. “Sometimes it can be deflating,” Kamelia admits, “however, having a solid vision, your inner strength, a good plan / replan, and good people around you helps on those days.”
“The journey so far has been challenging but equally a great experience, and I am sure we have many more wonderful and enlightening experiences ahead.” she reflects. “I have met some wonderful and genuine people along the way and hope to connect with many more people and organizations to work with to Transform Together.”
Kamelia believes these challenges are not obstacles but opportunities for growth and resilience. “The universe interjects and then prepares you when you are unaware.” Maintaining a collaborative spirit and thinking outside the box sometimes make others feel threatened. “I prefer to support my team in thriving in whatever areas of interest they have and want to excel in. One day they may be able to give me a job!” she says with a smile.
Too often, I have seen and been at the tail end of leaders’ poor behaviors. These behaviors, such as lack of empathy, micromanagement, or favoritism, can significantly ripple effects across a team, project and an organization, leading to decreased morale, increased turnover, and a toxic work environment.
Kamelia advocates for giving people opportunities to try something different, leveraging their adaptable skills to pave the way for new ideas and contribute positively to a company’s culture. Reflecting on these challenges, she emphasizes the importance of big and small organizations to understand their recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding processes. “Get to know the people you are recruiting,” she stresses, “that will ultimately make a difference to your organization or project and everyone around them. The ripple effect is real!”
“A company’s recruitment process is one of the most pivotal processes for organizations that truly have people and company culture at the heart of their business,” she notes. These roadblocks and lessons learned have shaped Kamelia’s leadership style and continue to influence the person she is today.
Leading by Example: Championing Diversity, Positive Change, and Resilience
As a woman in leadership roles, Kamelia has faced challenges around acceptance and often being a lone voice, compounded by her identity as a woman of color and a single parent. Yet, she has shown remarkable resilience and determination. “If you have the rare opportunity to be invited to have a seat at the board level or SLT, you still seem to be a lone voice, especially having a people-focused responsibility,” she observes as it is perceived to be ‘soft.’ “Not much is ‘soft’ regarding the complexity of human beings, emotions, organizations, and technology combined. This is where Science and Arts pave the way for change, both logical and creative combined.”
However, she notes that the best CEOs and leadership teams recognize the paramount importance of establishing environments where everyone has a voice and opinions are heard, without encountering mansplaining or being disregarded. The COVID-19 pandemic has played a role in making family responsibilities as a woman in leadership more accepting, as well as men taking more visible family responsibility. Highlighting the need for more flexible and empathetic workplaces, policies, and ways of working.
Kamelia’s most incredible privilege as a leader is the ability to help others, provide opportunities, and make a positive and lasting contribution to society. Apart from loving life with her children, family, and friends, Kamelia considers setting up and seeing The Change Shift and Cosmic Superstars come alive as her most outstanding achievement. Her greatest privileges are her experiences along the way, the connections she has formed, and her ability to help others along their journey.
Crafting a Day of Connectivity and Excellence
Kamelia’s typical workday at The Change Shift and Cosmic Superstars is marked by a thoughtful blend of communication, reflection, and forward planning. She starts the day by sending a morning message and GIF to the team, encouraging a sense of camaraderie, and setting a positive tone. Kamelia values time management and flexibility, preferring a good life-work balance. The team is empowered to make decisions and respect each other, and they are not managed by time but by delivery. The company’s size allows for a weekly round-up of activities and achievements. This crucial practice keeps everyone connected and well-informed. Additionally, Kamelia emphasizes quarterly face-to-face meetings for reflection, improvement planning, and strategizing new initiatives, ensuring that the team remains aligned and motivated.
Describe yourself and what motivates you?
When asked to define herself in one word, Kamelia opted for descriptors like “Resilient,” “Tenacious,” “Passionate,” and “Ambitious.” Colleagues and friends describe her as “Driven,” “Kind,” “Compassionate,” “Professional,” and “Collaborative,” highlighting her multifaceted nature. This versatility and adaptability are key to her success in both her work and relationships.
Kamelia’s motivation to deliver the best services stems from her high expectations of customer service, product quality, and delivery excellence. She sees these as fundamental aspects of The Change Shift and Cosmic Superstar’s identity and operation, requiring no additional motivation as they are inherent to the company’s ethos. While recognizing the limitations of being human and unable to please everyone, Kamelia and her team strive for continuous improvement and excellence, always aiming high in their endeavors but also realistically, 80/20 is also a good achievement.
Pursuing Personal Aspirations and Inspiring Others
Kamelia’s goals reflect a desire for freedom, balance, and meaningful connections. She aims to ‘work from anywhere,’ embracing a lifestyle that allows her to enjoy life to the fullest with her daughters and loved ones, prioritizing life-work balance and health. Kamelia’s aspirations extend to providing opportunities for others to achieve their dreams and ambitions, alongside a unique interest in learning how to drift, showcasing her adventurous spirit and love for speed and cars. Her message to aspiring businesswomen and young leaders is rooted in resilience, self-care, and seizing opportunities. She emphasizes the importance of:
- Persistence: “Never, ever, give up. Fall down, learn, and get right back up.” Every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow stronger.
- Self-care: “Finding your calm space is essential. Reflect and take time out for yourself to rejuvenate.” Prioritize your peace of mind.
- Holistic health: “Massage is essential to the body and mind. Doctors should prescribe holistic therapy over drugs any day of the week.” Take care of your body — it’s your most valuable asset.
- Seizing opportunities: “Remember, even as a perfectionist, there’s no one perfect time or situation.” Trust your instincts and step through doors boldly.
- Intuition: “Grab opportunities as they come along. Listen to your gut and intuition — they are messages from within and above.” Blessings often arrive unexpectedly.
- Keep Shining: “Shine your light wherever you go, and don’t let anyone tell you any different. Be comfortable being YOU!
Conclusion
Kamelia Singh’s definition of success encourages us to think beyond individual achievements and consider our collective impact. Her perspective reflects a holistic vision beyond personal achievements to include the well-being of others and the world around us, inspiring us to consider our collective impact. It’s a reminder that success is multifaceted and deeply connected to our interactions with others and the world around us.
Kamelia’s leadership at The Change Shift and Cosmic Superstars inspires aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and a people-centric approach to leadership. As she continues to steer The Change Shift and Cosmic Superstars towards greater heights, Kamelia remains a shining example of how passion, purpose, and vision can transform dreams into reality.
Kamelia stresses the importance of resilience and determination, echoing her mother’s wisdom: “Determination is the soil in which success grows!” She encourages aspiring businesswomen to nurture their determination. She reminds them that a strong mind and a kind heart will take them far.
In the words of The Change Shift, let’s “connect the dots and make magic happen. We’ll Inspire, Create, and Transform Together.”
To get in touch with Kamelia and her team please visit www.thechangeshift.com or www.cosmicsuperstars.com.
