Sonya Barlow is a neurodivergent (ADHD) award-winning entrepreneur, international speaker, broadcaster, and author whose lived experiences powerfully shape her work as a racial equality advocate. She is the Founder and Director of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at LMF Network (Like Minded Females), a consultancy and career app designed to support professionals in developing inclusive careers and networks. She also serves as the Host of The Sonya Barlow Show and a Professional Mentor at Bayes Business School. Sonya’s work draws from her identity and journey navigating marginalised spaces in tech and business, allowing her to speak authentically on topics such as diversity and inclusion, neurodiversity, artificial intelligence, social media, confidence, imposter syndrome, and the future of work.
Sonya’s career began in the corporate world, where she held roles at Dunnhumby, Nestlé, and Merkle, gaining early experience in data, media planning, and solutions delivery. Her path took a transformative turn in 2020 when she founded LMF Network in response to the systemic barriers faced by women and ethnic minorities in the workplace. Her decision to become a diversity advocate was deeply personal, sparked by witnessing and experiencing a lack of representation, inclusivity, and support within the professional environment. Her TEDx Talks, Failure Comes Before Resilience and Please, Come Online, further spotlight her dedication to resilience and digital empowerment.
In recent years, Sonya has become a prominent voice in the UK and beyond. She was named a LinkedIn Top Voice and Changemaker for Diversity & Inclusion, and received the Future is Female Award in 2022. She has also been recognised among the Most Influential Women in Tech and listed as a Top 50 BAME Entrepreneur Under 50. Her book, Unprepared to Entrepreneur reflects her mission to make entrepreneurship accessible to underrepresented groups. Sonya also the presenter of BBC Asian Network’s The Everyday Hustle, which was named Best Radio Show of 2022, and she frequently hosts stages at London Tech Week, CogX, and Web Summit. Furthermore, she is a published journalist for The Telegraph, Metro Newspaper, and Sifted UK.
As a speaker, Sonya offers a dynamic and intersectional perspective on key topics like racial equality, workplace inclusion, and emerging technologies. She links themes such as marketing, entrepreneurship, AI, confidence, and resilience back to equity and systemic change. Her sessions are engaging, educational, and grounded in real-world impact. Organisations hire Sonya for her ability to connect with audiences, her nuanced understanding of inclusion, and her actionable strategies. Whether through keynotes, workshops, or long-term consultancy, Sonya empowers businesses to build more equitable, forward-thinking cultures.
