E6S13 Leading with Purpose: Parminder Vir on Careers that Drive Global Impact

In this episode Parminder Vir, OBE, shares her incredible journey from growing up in a small village in Punjab to becoming an internationally recognized leader in media, storytelling, and entrepreneurship. From producing groundbreaking films to leading initiatives that have supported over 10,000 African entrepreneurs, Parminder brings invaluable lessons for anyone looking to build a career centered on purpose and impact.

With over 160 episodes, the Social Change Career Podcast is your go-to resource for insights and inspiration from leaders driving global impact. Take a listen to this episode and more on PCDN.Global or any major podcasting platform.

Why Take a Listen?

• Insights from a Global Leader: Parminder's career spans the arts, film production, entrepreneurship, and global development. Her work offers a unique perspective on creating change across diverse sectors.

• Harness the Power of Storytelling: Learn how storytelling can drive societal transformation, amplify underrepresented voices, and serve as a catalyst for impactful change.

• Practical Career Guidance: Parminder shares thoughtful advice on finding your purpose, taking risks, and building a career that aligns with your values while making a difference.

• Africa's Entrepreneurship Boom: Gain insights into the transformative role of entrepreneurship on the African continent, and Parminder’s role in shaping initiatives like the Tony Elumelu Foundation's groundbreaking programs.

Guest Bio

Bio: Parminder Vir OBE is a commercially focused executive with broad international experience in entrepreneurship, business development, and media. In a professional career spanning 40 years, she has dedicated her life to telling untold stories, particularly those of underserved communities, and resourcing the skills and imagination of these communities. In 2002, she was awarded an OBE for services to the Broadcasting and Film industry. Currently, she is writing a work memoir, weaving the diverse threads of a four-decade professional journey and offering a unique glimpse into the evolution of her career and the lessons learned along the way. This journey has fostered African Entrepreneurship, brought untold stories to the Film and Television screen, and fuelled creativity in the Arts and Culture.

As CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, she masterminded and executed a comprehensive entrepreneurship programme that significantly impacted over 10,000 African entrepreneurs in 54 African nations from 2014 to 2021. She continues to advocate for entrepreneurship as the best path for the continent's social and economic development, changing the African narrative through entrepreneur stories and helping shape the agenda for the growth of African entrepreneurship. Parminder Vir lends her strategic insights as an Advisory Board Member of Mamamoni Limited and HelpMum, contributes as a Narrative Advisor at Mustard Venture Agency, and is a director at Zikora Media and Arts Cultural Heritage Initiative, an inspirational cultural institution for Africa.

For over two decades, she enjoyed a distinguished career as a film and television producer with BBC, Carlton Television, and the CEO of her own production company, Formation Films. Parminder began her career in arts administration at the Greater London Council, funding a wide variety of ethnic minority artists and organizations, many of whom are internationally renowned today. 

Sher her personal website here

Key Resources from the Episode

• Parminder’s Website: Explore her work and ongoing projects: Parminder Vir OBE
• Tony Elumelu Foundation: Learn more about the program transforming entrepreneurship in Africa: TEF Website
• Vantage News: The platform offering a unique perspective on global news Parminder mentioned during the podcast: Vantage.

PCDN Resources

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Timestamps

• [00:00] Parminder’s early life in Punjab and her family’s migration to the UK.
• [00:10] Transition from education to the arts and championing ethnic minority arts in the UK.
• [00:25] Building a career in film and storytelling as tools for societal change.
• [00:40] Leading the Tony Elumelu Foundation and advocating for African entrepreneurs.
• [00:55] Practical advice for building purpose-driven careers.
• [01:05] Reflections on lifelong learning, upskilling, and finding your mission.

Take a listen to this episode and more on PCDN.Global or any major podcasting platform!