Kai Leighton
Staff of the Year
Mental Shift CIC, United Kingdom

Kai is a distinguished candidate for the Promise Award, recognized for his exceptional dedication, resilience, and leadership. Starting out as a founding director at just 17, Kai has faced significant personal and societal hurdles, including family loss, mental health challenges, and barriers related to autism. Despite these obstacles, Kai has displayed remarkable perseverance and drive. Over the past couple of years, Kai has taken on a variety of roles, from organizing events and creating policies to investing over 15,000 British pounds of his own money. His leadership has played a crucial role in strengthening the company’s outreach efforts, increasing its visibility through smart strategies and meaningful community projects. His commitment to education and volunteering has had a significant positive difference in the lives of many people.

Kai’s contributions to his community are impressive both in his direct interactions with people and behind the scenes. He’s excelled at mentoring youth, creating a supportive environment that helps them grow and navigate obstacles. Behind the scenes, Kai has improved the volunteer recruitment and training processes to make them more effective and engaging. His ability to build trust, foster teamwork, and come up with innovative solutions shows how well he aligns with the organization’s values.