Back to Lions

Esther Marshall

Former Global Gender, Diversity & Inclusion Lead at Unilever

Esther has over 8 years’ experience as a specialist in Diversity and Inclusion working with many brands as well as being the former Global Lead of Gender Diversity and Inclusion at Unilever. 

However, it’s her lived experiences that shaped Esther’s future work. She founded a charity called sTandTall that provides support and resources to individuals suffering from abuse and bullying. Esther is also the author of empowering children’s books which help educate children on important lessons in self-belief, mental health, race, religion and gender equality.

These achievements have been developed from Esther’s own personal story as a survivor of an abusive relationship at 18 whilst bringing up a toddler, all behind closed doors.

Her biggest life challenge was when the police knocked on her door and notified her that they had found her sister’s body who had died by suicide after suffering years of mental illness.

This catapulted Esther’s passion to find her purpose in wanting to break the stigma around mental health and change the narrative for the next generation. Her work has gained global media coverage including the Huffington Post, Sky News, The BBC, Daily Mail and Cosmopolitan and has won numerous awards, most notably the prestigious UK Government’s Point of Light Award. Esther’s story is one of resilience, courage and inclusion.

– Breaking the stigma around mental health

– Domestic abuse

– Gender equality

– Courage & resilience